Reviews

The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

kate_malloy's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

spriinkl's review against another edition

2.0

Not sure I'm really invested in the trilogy any more - it has become a love-hate relationship between me and the author. I wanted to yell at Kvothe to leave his crazy love interest alone and just let her be crazy all by herself. I'm sick to death of her and her minor emotional abuse of everyone. Also not too keen on how Rothfuss keeps explaining how awesome our little Kvothe is even though he's 16 or 17. It's just... tiring. Even the sex (mountains of Kvothe's predictably awesome sex) just gets boring after the 50th mention.

The last expedition and introduction of a new society was intriguing, though. Clunky, but interesting and vibrant.

Still really hating the interruptions in the story for a story about telling the story (sometimes involving someone telling the story of someone else TELLING A STORY - I was a little blown away that he did that to me).

I understand that Rothfuss wanted to create a book that had more than enough room to luxuriate in its detail and length, but at some point, you've gotta get an editor.

kimabill's review against another edition

4.0

This is book #2 in the Kingkiller Chronicles. I love the complicated world building and the sense of adventure in this story. The book is 900 something pages, so it would be pointless to try and recount all of the plot. There were some parts that I felt dragged a little bit, like when Kvothe was in the woods with Felurian, but for the most part, everything moves pretty quickly. I will say that I am really tired of the whole "show-how-great-the-male-protagonist-is-by-having-him-rescue-women-from-sexual-violence" thing. It feels like a tired plot device and makes the rape all about the rescuer instead of the victims, which is gross and sexist at best. Just show that he respects women by having him respect women - enough with sexual violence as a plot device (I'm talking to you, Game of Thrones)

kkuntzman's review against another edition

4.0

4.5

melodyemcintyre's review against another edition

2.0

Book is well written, but boy does the main character's not-so-humble bragging grate.

hopeanvalkea's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

I really wanted to like this book but ultimately I did not. It's not to say that the book is bad or that Rothfuss is a poor writer. However, despite of all his worldbuilding, the world around the protagonist feels somehow flat and not living. It doesn't feel like it exists beyond the protagonist's interactions. Also, I did not feel like there's much plot going on. Of course, the protagonist's travels could be construed as that, but these could have been dealt with half the amount of pages. As it stands, the book is bloated and way too long - and I say this as a person who likes big long books! 

bengarman's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

robhb's review against another edition

4.0

More like 4.75 stars out of 5...

Excerpt links to full review:

The story unfolds as Kvothe’s semester takes a great deal out of him and his run-ins with Ambrose are still having a major effect on his ability to secure a patron as a sponsor for his lute-playing and singing. When his friends and teachers suggest he take some time off from the University he reluctantly agrees that all the work both as a student, in the various workshops like the fishery, and time in the taverns have taken their toll on the young arcanist in training. After Kvothe agrees, the one noble who has been aiding Kvothe – Threpe – arranges for Kvothe to help Maer Alveron, a noble across the sea in the land of Vintas. When Kvothe arrives, he begins to learn and play the societal game of nobles, which is most pointedly exemplified by those who receive rings from others.
...
Suffice it to say, any summary of a Rothfuss novel does absolutely no justice to the actual novel itself. Rothfuss really had no room for improvement from the last book, in terms of his powerfully addictive narrative abilities, but he may have just upped his ante a bit in Wise Mans Fear. The themes and focus of his story from the previous volume has been carried over to the second volume – that of Kvothe’s search for the Chandrian and the sheer power of story. If anything, the power of story is both elevated and demystified in Wise Mans Fear – elevated in that more stories within stories are told and demystified in that stories truly are alive and can change over time.

whorbatuck's review against another edition

5.0

This book was my resergence into Fantasy after reading Game of Thrones and LOTR. This is a true epic and is the perfect character piece of a coming of age with fantasy. Powers realized by a kid who needs everything to prove, and no reason to hold back. This first book is a long book but goes into epic depth with characters. Incredible world building, but even better character building. This is my highest rating so far. The second books goes into more depth and with it comes deeper fantasy, especially the parts with SHAED. My ONE gripe with the book is that older Kvothe is such a loser - I NEED to know what happens and he needs to step it up. Rothfuss needs to get his shit done.

megbon's review against another edition

5.0

These epic fantasy novels are my jam. And this book is great. Can't wait for the next one.