The Wise Man’s Fear

Patrick Rothfuss has a knack for creating and filling out a world through character development and discovery. His prose is a delight to read, and his descriptions are lush without being flowery. But if you're seeking a plot-driven fantasy, you've come to the wrong place.

Kvothe is an intriguing and nuanced character. Despite being gifted in sympathy, sygaldry, and music, he fucks up or finds himself in less-than-stellar situations on the regular. But his development and journey is more honest and realistic because of his numerous faults. His only being fifteen in The Name of the Wind certainly helps that believability along. The Wise Man's Fear, however, takes Kvothe's methodical musings and stretches them to the point of tedium. I loved everything about the University, his search for the Chandrian, and the mysteries of the Amyr. Everything else was a slog, especially after his encounter with Felurian.

Despite The Wise Man Fear's shortcomings, I love how magic is a natural part of the world instead of the focus. Though magical elements are there, and add quite a bit to the story, Kvothe's growth as a person is at the forefront of the tale.

For those seeking a long trek through another world, with little care for character arcs or overarching plot threads, The Wise Man's Fear might be just what you're after.

Good story but pacing is a bit uneven - too much detail on some things that don't seem to move things forward, then jumping to faster moving parts.

The second book in this series is just as good as the first one. If you read fantasy, read this book.

Nary a dull moment. I love Rothfuss's brand of fantasy; magic with rules, to a point that its practitioners bristle at it being called magic (as opposed to the science of "sympathy"). The book remained tense, even in its happier sections, as I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop. I have no idea where Mr. Rothfuss will go when following this up in the third of the The Kingkiller Chronicle series, but if its improvement is as large as that of the 2nd from the 1st, it'll border on masterpiece.

The Wise Man's Fear leaves me rather torn. It was a very pleasant reading experience, but it left me dissatisfied. I wanted to hug the writing, that's how much I enjoyed it, and yet having finished the book, I am left wanting for more from the book. I expected a brilliant continuation of The Name of the Wind, and only got a good sequel, not an excellent one.

TWMF continues Kvothe's story in 1000 pages, and my major issue is that despite the amount of pages, very little progress in the overall story was made. Maybe I am to blame for actually not knowing what the overall story arc might be. I don't know how an additional book will wrap this up. In TWMF, Kvothe is still a 17 year old boy, and so the gap from Kvothe to Kote will have to be filled somehow. I don't know!

We spend a good amount of time with Kvothe at university, which was very similar to The Name of the Wind. There's no real movement in the story until Kvothe leaves university to assist the Maer in Vintas in hopes of patronage. Eventually he is whisked away by a faerie, and that part of the book really cost the book a whole rating star for me. It was stupid, entirely too long, and aside from the conversation with the Cthaer completely pointless. I get it, Kvothe is a total stud. Then he joins the Adem and aside from being a total stud, he's now great at martial arts as well. Plus a mage as wonderful as Taborlin the Great. Maybe my problem is that I don't really like Kvothe all that much anymore. At least the Adem training was really enjoyable to read, unlike the Felurian interlude.

I am still curious about some things in the story. What the heck is Bast about? Who is Denna's patron and when will she and Kvothe finally admit to their feelings? What about the Amyr and the Chandrian? Especially that last question is driving me insane, because in that regard the story hasn't moved forward whatsoever.

Basically, four stars for the beautiful writing, but in regards to the story, this was a letdown. I am apparently very picky when I am looking for epic fantasy.

This was an amazing read. I can't wait until the third and final book in the series is published. The book is a continuation of the adventures of main character Kvothe at the University, in far off Severen, with the Adem mercenaries, and in his constant search for the Chandrian.

The book is very well written, and Mr. Rothfuss is on of those special types of people who can not only write, but can weave a fantastic story worthy of any genre and reader. This series so far has been wonderful, and you are emotionally tied to Kvothe throughout the entire span.

Did I mention that I got to see Mr. Rothfuss this past Sunday, March 5th in Houston? Amazing guy.

Simply put read the book, it is worth it.