Search - The Name of the Wind: The Kingkiller Chronicle: Day One

A mere 2 hours or so after finishing this novel I picked it up and started reading it again. Now why in the world would I do this? I asked myself that question a few times and my answer is:

* It's damn good writing.
The language Rothfuss uses is beautiful, absolutely beautiful. I found myself rereading sections simply because they were so delightfully and beautifully written. He has a poetical turn of phrase, and there are passages that simply sing.

* But it's also a riveting story.
The story pulled me in, immersing me in Kvothe's world so much that I half expected to see the scrael scuttling through my backyard (a truly terrifying thought for anyone who hates spiders as passionately as I do).

* And the characters are absolutely believable.
Kvothe is a living and breathing character who practically leaps off the page--unruly red hair and eyes bright green like new growth grass. He is absolutely believable, especially to anyone who remembers being a boy and the awkwardness that comes with growing up.

I guess that's three answers.

Book 1 of an epic trilogy. The story keeps calling you back to see what happens next. A little magic, some swordplay, loyalty and honor on one hand, treachery and betrayal on the other, heroic sacrifices and craven cowardice. This is a story to become caught up in. I felt anguish at the character's tribulations and failures as well as celebrating their victories. Can't wait to start book 2.

Really interesting story like none other I have read. Looking forward to the next book.

This is a debut book that is the start of a series. Thick book over 700 pages! That is equal to to regular novels these days. Compared to Lord Of The Rings by some and considered the best stories told by any medium, deep, intricate and wondrous by others.

From the back cover:
My name is Kvothe. I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.

You may have heard of me.

So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature == the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man's search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.

Gorgeous writing, true-to-life characters and an engrossing story--this book has it all--and how poorly that expresses the magic of The Name of the Wind.

The characters are real people, people who don't always know the right answers, or say the right things at the right time, and who don't always win, or learn from the losing. Yet many are people I'd love to meet for their courage and insight, their humor, for their sheer human-ness. The story is intriguing, meticulously detailed, marvelously inventive, yet never slow. And the writing is simply wonderful. Period. It's been a long time since I've savored writing that resonates with me so deeply, and re-read passages because I didn't want them to end.

Loved it! Excellent fantacy story. First of a trilogy. Immediately captivated me. Story of the main character is being related to a story scribe by the now old man. Character is flawed like real life; magic is believable; story has an excellent flow. I will read this again. I can't wait to get a hold of the next book. And can't wait for the final book to be written.