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.

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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.

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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.

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As many have already said in their review of this debut novel, Rothfuss manages to create not only likable characters, but believable characters. His settings are detailed enough to give you a general idea but not so detailed that you forbidden to use your imagination. I cannot wait for the second and third book in this series. I will, without a doubt, reread them all.

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A brilliant first novel by Patrick Rothfuss answers the question 'how does a legend become a legend?' with a first-hand narrative. Kvothe is known throughout the land for his deeds, good and bad, and in this carefully and well crafted story within a story (within a story?) we're drawn into Kvothe's 'now' where he lives as Kote the innkeeper in a small village that might soon need Kvothe the Kingkiller.

While 'Kote' has chosen to hide here in this little village a Chronicler has followed rumors and stories to seek him out in order to record his legend. Kote must, if only for the length of the story, transform himself back to Kvothe and grudgingly does with the condition that the Chronicler take his story word for word and completely from his beginning with his parents and a wandering troupe all the way through to the end wherever that might lead. Kvothe's story is laid out within his current situation, hiding in the middle of nowhere as a failing innkeeper, where his inn must still be tended and bad, bad things are starting to happen.

Characters are well-rounded, plot developing well- intricate and rich in details, our hero is likable (though maybe not likely, at least to start) and our villain(s) properly challenging and/or ominous and while the story within a story format could be cumbersome and confusing this writer avoids that by carefully drawing the lines so you always know where you are- this first book promises an epic series in the vein of George R R Martin's Song of Ice and Fire or perhaps the Inheritance trilogy.

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This is the best book I have read this year. I can't wait for the next one. I think it is out in hardback.

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It's difficult to tell someone else why you really like a book. I didn't just like this one, I loved it. The story is novel, the hero is wonderfully complex and intelligent and the fantasy is so appealing that nearly every chapter is interesting. Only once did I feel as if the author might have been getting tired and wrote too much about insignificant issues. This is not true with many other books I have read and my only disappointment was the ending which did leave me hanging so I would go on to the sequel which I will without a doubt in spite of its over 1,000 pages. Kvothe, the read-haired hero, tells the story in his own way. At first, this bothered me, that is, until I became caught up in his tale. If you like fantasy, don't just plan to read this novel, do so as soon as you can.

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Amazing read... so many stories in one. Looking forward the the next book!

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Excellent Read. Throughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to get through the 2nd one and for when the 3rd comes out. The writing is superb and very well done. Puts you in the place and time with the characters.

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