The Wise Man's Fear

Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 2

By: Patrick Rothfuss

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 42 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Discover #1 New York Times-bestselling Patrick Rothfuss’ epic fantasy series, The Kingkiller Chronicle.

“I just love the world of Patrick Rothfuss.” -Lin-Manuel Miranda

“He’s bloody good, this Rothfuss guy.” -George R. R. Martin

“Rothfuss has real talent.” -Terry Brooks

Day two: the wise man’s fear

“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.”

My name is Kvothe. You may have heard of me.

So begins a tale told from his own point of view - a story unequaled in fantasy literature. Now in The Wise Man’s Fear, Day Two of The Kingkiller Chronicle, Kvothe takes his first steps on the path of the hero and learns how difficult life can be when a man becomes a legend in his own time.

Not just another day: listen to more in the Kingkiller Chronicles.

©2011 by Patrick Rothfuss. (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Narrator Nick Podehl arrives at the end of this long audiobook, the second in the Kingkiller series, as engaged and fresh as he was at the start.... Podehl adeptly presents the broad cast of characters - from moneylenders and courtesans to kings. One of the most fascinating portrayals by Podehl begins with a young mercenary from the Adem who says little. And when he does speak, he has a flat voice, mostly devoid of expression. Podehl builds on this when Kvothe returns with him to study among the Adem, where the mercenary develops a recognizable pattern of speech reflecting many of the culture's characteristics." ( AudioFile)

“The best epic fantasy I read last year.... He’s bloody good, this Rothfuss guy.”
(George R. R. Martin, New York Times-bestselling author of A Song of Ice and Fire)

“Rothfuss has real talent, and his tale of Kvothe is deep and intricate and wondrous.” (Terry Brooks, New York Times-bestselling author of Shannara)

"It is a rare and great pleasure to find a fantasist writing...with true music in the words." (Ursula K. Le Guin, award-winning author of Earthsea)

Well worth your time

This review covers the first books of the series Kingkiller Chronicles. Some fantasy can be exhausting: Dan Simmons, Brandon Sanderson, George R. R. Martin, Robert Jordan, even sometimes Neil Gaiman. Their stories can take your breath away but sometimes, also, knock the wind out of you with a force. Patrick Rothfuss is not about that. He is more about an easy-going kind of entertainment. These books do not knock you over with amazement, epic wars or adventure. They are more subtle and a great richness comes through in that subtlety. While usually light, do not be fooled; they contain a depth and richness that is just easy to read and easier to appreciate. This is nothing short of outstanding fantasy prose and character development. These stories are long but not too long. Rothfuss does not ramble. The continuity of the protagonist Kvothe’s stories is there but not so complex or convoluted that one can get lost over the span. While there are many characters there is a core of them that are easy to know and become invested in. The stories are more about people and their relationships than about what the wizard-in-training is actually learning and practicing. At least the first two books do not contain that much magic but they do not leave you wanting either. They only leave you in great anticipation of the next book to come in the series. Nick Podehl’s reading is impeccable. I am loathe to say this is a great book for YA’s for fear it might deter older readers from venturing here. That would be a mistake. These are great books for readers of all age or gender.

YEARS for the next book?

The book was great. I found it better than the first. I don't care for the way the book ended. It just "stopped".abrubtly. It needed a better transition spot but it is still really good. I can't believe they are talking about 4 yrs for the next book!! If I realized that, I wouldn't have started it.

44 hours are not enough

It is one of those books which you wont be able to put down. It has five sections, and I was dreading that book will come to an end at the start of 5th section. Like the first one, books just flows smoothly. The narrator does a great job as well and fits well for this style of book.

The best way to provide a comparison for Pat's writing is that he writes like a great director makes a movie. Every dialog is deliver at the right time with right intensity. The affect is amazing even on small things that take place in the book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone except for the people who have not read the first one : ) go read that one first.

I hope Pat is working furiously to get us the next book soon : ) may be next month? We can hope cant we?

Some of the best writing in years... hands down!

I was eager to listen to book 2 of The Kingkiller Chronicles, having read the first, and I was not disappointed! Patrick Rothfuss once again turns out some of the best writing I've read/heard this decade, and the story does not disappoint. Nick Podehl's narration was also wonderful, each voice distinct and memorable.

Not as good as the first book, but ok

If you’ve listened to books by Patrick Rothfuss before, how does this one compare?

I listened to the first book, and enjoyed it. This book I found myself actually fast forwarding just to get to something interesting. I have over 400 books in my Audible account, and I love long reads, but there were sections of this book that just dragged endlessly.

What about Nick Podehl’s performance did you like?

Narrator handled the book well, and even the slow sections were read well.

If I was a writer, I would hate Patrick Rothfuss

This novel is one of those rare pieces that makes you sit back and think "Wow". How is it possible to describe a setting, place, time, or event so perfectly that anyone who reads it relates perfectly. The story is exciting, yet not over the top inconceivable. The hero has many talents, but it is not as if he is some sort of "Action Hero" who always has the right answers or techniques for dealing with impossible odds. He tends to accidentally happen onto the proper or lucky way of dealing with seemingly insurmountable circumstances. This type of character generally appeals to me, but it has been done so well in this book that many others pale in comparison. I was absolutely addicted to this story after the first thirty minutes or so of listening. Part of my problem was that I started on Day 2 because I didn't realize it was a trilogy. I have subsequently purchased Day 1 and it is equally as enjoyable.

I can not recommend this book enough. If you are frustrated with the juvenile writing style that is so typical of our culture, you will love this book.

An unbelievably great writer with an unbelievably great story. Definitely worth your time.

How does it all end?

Would you consider the audio edition of The Wise Man's Fear to be better than the print version?

Love the story. The characters are engaging, and interesting. The story flows, and even the "intermissions" add to the story and enrich it.

What did you like best about this story?

The main characters humanity, his fallibility.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Kvothe in his room going about his chores like an old man waiting to die.

Any additional comments?

Patrick Rothfuss absolutely needs to finish the story.

COMPLETELY INFATUATED

What made the experience of listening to The Wise Man's Fear the most enjoyable?

The story line keeps u sitting on the edge of your seat.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I haven't found a character I don't like.

What about Nick Podehl’s performance did you like?

Wonderful

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh, cry, and left me wanting more.

Any additional comments?

When will the next book be out?

Better than the First

This book is impossible to review properly. Instead I'll say that this book makes my top five along with East of Eden, David Copperfield, Kidnapped, and Name of the Wind. Nick Podehl does a nice job, but occasionally mispronounces a name.

Easily a 5-star book.

Notes from the first book in the series. These also apply to the second volume...

This book is completely engrossing! I bought it on the strength of the reviews and am truly glad I did. It has a richer and more varied story line than one usually finds in these epic fantasy series and the complexity of the story line keeps it from being a boring read. I can't wait for the final volume. It should be noted that this series should be treated as a single story that takes three books to tell. The second book is a true continuation of the story begun in the first book, not a separate entity and there will be much that does not make sense if you don't read the series from the beginning.

I must also comment on the narrator, Nick Podehl. He gives an EXCELLENT performance in these books. One of the best I have ever heard in the 700+ audiobooks in my collection. I would now be willing to buy a book just because he is reading it.