Publisher Description

'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. My name is Kvothe. You may have heard of me.'So begins the tale of Kvothe - currently known as Kote, the unassuming innkeepter - from his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, through his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-riddled city, to his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a difficult and dangerous school of magic. In these pages you will come to know Kvothe the notorious magician, the accomplished thief, the masterful musician, the dragon-slayer, the legend-hunter, the lover, the thief and the infamous assassin.

Notes

The first in a new US fantasy series, The Kingkiller Chronicles, this follows Kvothe from his childhood in a troupe of travelling players through his life as a magician, musician and thief. 'Patrick Rothfuss has real talent,' Terry Brooks

Author Biography

Patrick Rothfuss currently lives in central Wisconsin where he teaches at the local university. In his free time Patrick writes a satirical humor column, practices civil disobedience and dabbles in alchemy. He loves words, laughs often and refuses to dance. THE NAME OF THE WIND is his first novel. There will be more.

Review

"Patrick Rothfuss' debut is set in an unnamed but fully realised fantasy world, and his characters are detailed and convincing." WATERSTONE'S BOOKS QUARTERLY

Promotional

The most exciting US fantasy series since George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire 'Patrick Rothfuss has real talent, and his tale of Kvothe is deep and intricate and wondrous.' Terry Brooks 'The Name of the Wind has everything: magic and mysteries and ancient evil, but it's also humorous and terrifying and completely believable.' Tad Williams 'As absorbing on a second reading as it is on the first, this is the type of assured, rich first novel most writers can only dream of producing' Publishers Weekly, starred review A superb escapist, and exceptionally commercial, fantasy debut Perfect for Trudi Canavan and Robin Hobb readers

The Nile Staff Review

This is the story of Kvothe (pronounced Quothe) as told to the scribe Chronicler, the first of three days during which he will tell his life story. 'Kote' lives in a small town and owns the Waystone Inn, and is definitely not the most famous magician in the world, subject of countless tales of his life and deeds.Chronicler has heard a rumor, and come to learn the truth of it on his way to a Royal appointment, but gets robbed on the road, and stumbling through the forest at night, meets up with Kote as he prepares to kill a group of spider-like demons. His identity as a humble innkeeper doesn't quite hold up to the scribes questioning.Convinced to tell his story, he begins with his childhood with a group of travelling performers, with his parents and friends as he learns singing, acting, poetry, and his fateful meeting with an arcanist, who joins them and teaches him the basics of science, and magic. From there, to his life on the streets of a major port city and his eventual escape to the most famous University in the world, where he makes friends and enemies aplenty. Minstrel, mage, dragonslayer, his first love, and first attempt on his life.The story is very well written and enjoyable, with plenty of funny moments scattered throughout. It's a good tale, well told, with convincing characters, and I now join the masses of people waiting for the imminent release of book two.Matthew @ The NileRead the rest of Matthew's reviews here.

Long Description

'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. My name is Kvothe. You may have heard of me.'So begins the tale of Kvothe - currently known as Kote, the unassuming innkeepter - from his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, through his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-riddled city, to his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a difficult and dangerous school of magic. In these pages you will come to know Kvothe the notorious magician, the accomplished thief, the masterful musician, the dragon-slayer, the legend-hunter, the lover, the thief and the infamous assassin.

Review Quote

"Patrick Rothfuss' debut is set in an unnamed but fully realised fantasy world, and his characters are detailed and convincing."

Promotional "Headline"

The astounding must-read first title in the bestselling Kingkiller chronicles. 'The best epic fantasy I read last year... He's bloody good, this Rothfuss guy' -George R. R. Martin

Description for Sales People

The most exciting US fantasy series since George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire

Description for Press or Other Media

This new fantasy writer is already being heralded as the new George R.R. Martin, with one of the most exciting fantasy series since Song of Ice and Fire. Brimming with magic, mystery, humour and ancient evil, it is pure escapist fiction: the tale of Kvothe, who we first meet as a rather unassuming innkeeper. But there are far more strings to Kvothe's bow, and within these pages you'll meet Kvothe the accomplished thief, the dragon slayer, the legend hunter and the infamous assassin . . .

Details