[Optimus Prime]

Hey was browsing some blog sites and noticed this is a hot new fantasy author who is getting rave reviews. Has anyone either heard more about this book or actually read it? I'm new to the forums so forgive me if I've posted this in the wrong forum.

Thanks

[ChrisW]

Right forum and welcome. You can find a good review at http://www.sffworld....revoff/342.html and discussion about it at http://www.sffworld....ead.php?t=16122

[duckman]

I read an ARC a while ago. It's a very good debut book. Rothfuss writes some great characters and has some good world-building skills. The ARC was long (around 900 pages) but as I understand, they've cut the book down to less than 700 for general release.
There's a website for the book here (http://www.nameofthe...ntent/index.asp) with an excerpt as well as the author's blog.

[Optimus Prime]

Thanks guys. One problem with SE is he makes me like other fantasy so much less, so the search for a read that ranks with his own is getting harder and harder.

[pat5150]

I've read Rothfuss' THE NAME OF THE WIND and it's a pretty good book. I'm interviewing the author at the moment, actually.

But honestly, Rothfuss has got nothing on Erikson!

Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com

[kcf]

My review may have been one of the books you've seen. I highly recommend this book to fans of epic fantasy. I'd not compare him to Erikson because it's a bit like apples and oranges with what they are trying to accomplish. His skill as a writer is easily on par though. To try and compare with another author, I'd say the style and feel are closest to Tad Williams, but IMO, even as a debut it's better than anything by Williams that I've read (admittedly I've only read the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series).

I also interviewed him and it's posted over at FBS.

[pat5150]

Hi guys!

I've just posted the interview Rob Bedford and I did with Patrick Rothfuss, who may have written the fantasy debut of the year, THE NAME OF THE WIND.

Check it out on the blog, as the guy has a lot of interesting things to say!

Patrick

[QuickTidal]

I picked this up today at the bookstore (having finally given up on Vellum). I read the prologue and the first few chapters. So far so good. I'll weigh in a little later.

[kcf]

Penguin has a podcast where Rothfuss talks about The Name of the Wind and writing. It's quite interesting.

[QuickTidal]

100 pages in...and so far it is still really interesting, and I dig his writing style.

[QuickTidal]

Just popping in to say that I am enjoying the style and execution of the magic system in this series.

[High Marshal Flit]

I just finished the book and was surprised at how much I liked it. Though it was mainly backstory, young super intelligent boy, family killed, no money, etc, even with these well used cliches the book left me impressed because of Rothfuss' superior prose and original contributions that mark the beginning of what I hope will be a good series. There's not a lot of action, but when there is it's well done, and what can you expect, it's a young kid in the story, and there's sufficient promise of alot more to come. The storytelling is extremely well done, enough so that even when it is focusing on music, or the explanation of magic I still found everything interesting, and not filler, or a waste of time, (which happens all too often in this genre). Rothfuss' writing is intelligent, at times elegant, and in some places worth the re-read. What I most like about the book is that I feel it belongs with a few others that blend the bounderies of fantasy/fiction/literature in that the writing (descriptions, character depictions, humor, lay-out, etc.) and its style are done well enough that when I try to read other fantasy, the story alone is not enough to hold my interest or appreciation, and definately not re-readable, which is why SE rates among the best. Among the authors that I feel are part of this group are SE, Gaiman, Mielville, Lynch, to name a few.

[QuickTidal]

High Marshal Flit;172968 said:

I just finished the book and was surprised at how much I liked it. Though it was mainly backstory, young super intelligent boy, family killed, no money, etc, even with these well used cliches the book left me impressed because of Rothfuss' superior prose and original contributions that mark the beginning of what I hope will be a good series. There's not a lot of action, but when there is it's well done, and what can you expect, it's a young kid in the story, and there's sufficient promise of alot more to come. The storytelling is extremely well done, enough so that even when it is focusing on music, or the explanation of magic I still found everything interesting, and not filler, or a waste of time, (which happens all too often in this genre). Rothfuss' writing is intelligent, at times elegant, and in some places worth the re-read. What I most like about the book is that I feel it belongs with a few others that blend the bounderies of fantasy/fiction/literature in that the writing (descriptions, character depictions, humor, lay-out, etc.) and its style are done well enough that when I try to read other fantasy, the story alone is not enough to hold my interest or appreciation, and definately not re-readable, which is why SE rates among the best. Among the authors that I feel are part of this group are SE, Gaiman, Mielville, Lynch, to name a few.

I'm 250 pgs in now, and I couldn't agree more!!!

[QuickTidal]

I'm dead bloody serious! Read this book! 350 pages in and now it's just sucked me right in. I am completely absorbed in the life of our protagonist Kvothe....completely!!

The University chapters are like Harry Potter, but for adults with brothels and beatings and shit, and not to mention the Sympathy (magic) is FAR more technical, and as far as the masters who teach there....I got one word for you...Elodin....trust me, read it and find out. Good stuff!! I'm not even done this one and I can't wait for the next installment!!

[kcf]

It's good to hear that others are enjoying the book as much as I did.

[QuickTidal]

kcf;173720 said:

It's good to hear that others are enjoying the book as much as I did.

Just read your review. Glad to see others noticed the very same things I did.

Not to mention that I agree with the Best Epic/high fantasy debut from a new author, this year, and MAYBE ever.

[caladanbrood]

I must be odd - I read the first 30/40 pages in the bookstore today, and I didn't rate it at all. If an author can't pull me in that quickly, I don't hold too much hope.

I've never really enjoyed Medieval Fantasy, with the exception of Martin, and even with him it grates somewhat. Maybe thats why I wasn't keen.

[cervantor]

Well, I just posted my review of the novel. Some quick thoughts: Kvothe, the main character is a very engaging protagonist, and the first-person view does him justice. On the other hand, world-building and secondary characters are sacrificied in favor of Kvothe, though I really like the magic system that the author comes up with. Also, the writing is very straightforward, but elegant and witty. Of course, I have a lot more to say with the full review, which you can check out HERE. In short, I really liked it though I wouldn't say it's one of the best debuts ever. Also, I totally agree with QuickTidal. The University chapters reminded me a LOT of Harry Potter...

Much love & respect.

Robert

[QuickTidal]

Just finished it. Brilliant. Loved it! Every ounce. Can't wait for the next installment. Best book of 2007 so far for me hands down!