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The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1)

Patrick Rothfuss

Start date: April 1, 2015

Finish date: April 30, 2015

Discussion: The Pillars of Fantasy

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The Pillars of Fantasy

* The Pillars of Fantasy
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What Members Thought

Sep 30, 2011 Ahtims rated it liked it

Shelves: ebooks, borrowed, buddy-group-reads, fantasy

Another fantasy, the first book of a series. A whopping 600 plus read. I liked the story initially. The mysterious Kote/Kvothe, his equally intriguing assistant/protegee Bast, Chronicler, the scribe who comes in search of Kote's past life story, all lend an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue. I followed Kvothe through his idyllic childhood as the only son of a wandering highbreed troupe of singers, who meets Abenathy, a man who teaches him magic and beyond, and suddenly loses his childhood and i Another fantasy, the first book of a series. A whopping 600 plus read. I liked the story initially. The mysterious Kote/Kvothe, his equally intriguing assistant/protegee Bast, Chronicler, the scribe who comes in search of Kote's past life story, all lend an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue. I followed Kvothe through his idyllic childhood as the only son of a wandering highbreed troupe of singers, who meets Abenathy, a man who teaches him magic and beyond, and suddenly loses his childhood and innocence in a gruesome manner at the age of 12. Thereafter starts his hardship - he learns survival tactics as a street urchin, somehow manages to toughen himself, and sees himself through to the University which teaches medicine, language, arts, chemistry, potions as well as magic, which helps in bonding things together and using them for destruction or enhancement. He makes a few friends, a few powerful enemies led by Ambrose, a much feared first son of a powerful nobleman. Meets many interesting people, as well as intriguing females, exemplified by Denna/Dianne/Deanna and a girl who lives in underground tunnels. ? Arleane. Also a few milder females like Fela. He learns what happens if he doesn;t scrupulously follow the rules of the University. In short, he becomes a man, physically as well as mentally. The story abruptly stops after Kvothe reminisces about how he tries to seek out the Chandrians, a demonish group, whom he feels responsible for his parents' murder, but encounters something else altogether.
I loved the initial 40%, was bored by next 30% which includes the dragging narration of how Kvothe tries to earn and conserve money for his University fee, and found the last 30% interesting as I thought it will answer many of my nagging questions. But alas, the fact that this is a continuing series, was stressed upon by the abrupt finish.
I loved the ditties, a few profound musings and the slow transformation of Kvothe from a happy child to a tough, cocky young man. Also loved the way sympathy, medical herbs etc. were explained. I always have been a closet science student. I hated the slow part in between and the abrupt end. Plus the various loose ends - what are scraels? who is Tehlu? ENcaris? are there other Draccus around? I know in a series, many things are left unsaid.. still.....
My rating:
first half 4 stars
second half 3 stars
Total - 3 stars ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Aug 05, 2020 Charlotte rated it liked it

Shelves: owned, north-american-fiction, fantasy, north-american

Yeah, this was alright for a fantasy novel. I could have done without the excursion to Trebon, but everything else was entertaining enough. I'd probably recommend it to other people like myself, who aren't very into fantasy. The fantastic elements aren't overwhelming, the magic isn't too magical and it's generally more a coming-of-age story than a hardcore fantasy epic. It's fine, really, a decent summer read.
If only I had realized beforehand that it's part of a trilogy and that the 3rd book is ...more

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