The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss

WARNING: This series has not all been published yet. Currently the author is working on the third book. If you are the type of person that hates to wait for the next book in a series to be released, you'll want to wait a few more years before you jump into this one.

My husband introduced me to this book. Usually it is the other way around. I am the bookworm of the family, though I am quite pleased to say that my bookishness is rubbing off on my family. It is starting to be the common bed time ritual for all of us to cozy up with our own books. *LOVE*

Anyway. He was introduced to this book at work. It is common for music or a book on tape to be playing. He had missed a good portion of the story, so we ended up getting the book on CD for one of our long road trips to visit our plethora of family.

"The Name of the Wind" Book (Day) 1 of the Kingkiller Chronicles

I really enjoyed book 1. There is some violence, so this is not a book for the younger kids. This is a fantasy story about a boy/man named Kvothe. It is a story that takes place in a time similar to the Renaissance period, but in a world with magic. Not Harry Potter kind of magic. But rather a magic with laws/rules, where names can be of great importance. The story tells of Kvothe and his journey to the University to pursue his studies. This was similar to other fantasy stories and yet unique at the same time. I think a lot of that has to do with the writing skills of the author. These books are very well written and the writing has some delightful surprises. I am not a writer, I'm a reader. So, rather than ineptly describe, I will give you a blurb. (Taken from http://www.patrickrothfuss.com/content/books.asp)

My name is Kvothe, pronounced nearly the same as "quothe." Names are important as they tell you a great deal about a person. I've had more names than anyone has a right to. The Adem call me Maedre. Which, depending on how it's spoken, can mean The Flame, The Thunder, or The Broken Tree. 

"The Flame" is obvious if you've ever seen me. I have red hair, bright. If I had been born a couple of hundred years ago I would probably have been burned as a demon. I keep it short but it's unruly. When left to its own devices, it sticks up and makes me look as if I have been set afire. 

"The Thunder" I attribute to a strong baritone and a great deal of stage training at an early age. 

I've never thought of "The Broken Tree" as very significant. Although in retrospect, I suppose it could be considered at least partially prophetic. 

My first mentor called me E'lir because I was clever and I knew it. My first real lover called me Dulator because she liked the sound of it. I have been called Shadicar, Lightfinger, and Six-String. I have been called Kvothe the Bloodless, Kvothe the Arcane, and Kvothe Kingkiller. I have earned those names. Bought and paid for them. 

But I was brought up as Kvothe. My father once told me it meant "to know." 

I have, of course, been called many other things. Most of them uncouth, although very few were unearned. 

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. 

You may have heard of me. 

"The Wise Man's Fear" Day 2 of the Kingkiller Chronicles

The story continues in Book 2. The second book is almost as good as the first, but there are some aspects of the story that I really didn't like. A) there is a particular bloody battle scene, that is just horrible to imagine. B) There is a lot of sex in this book. Part of this comes from Kvothe visiting the Fae world where he finds, in essence, the goddess of intimacy (for lack of a stronger word), and they, well, go at it. A lot. Part of this also comes from visiting another country where they have very different ideas about intimacy. Call me a prude, but all of this was a huge turn off towards a story that was otherwise great.

"Doors of Stone" Day 3 of the Kingkiller Chronicles
Does not have a release date yet. However, there are some delightfully entertaining comments about the book to be found within the comments of Good Reads (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21032488-doors-of-stone).

"The Slow Regard of Silent Things"

This book is not part of the series, but it really wouldn't make sense to put a review of it in its own post. This book is an offshoot from the story and tells us about a week in the life of Auri, who is a character that Kvothe meets at University. This is a delightful and intriguing book. It is lovely and strange, and so very different from a lot of the stories out there. However, this book is not going to make a lot of sense or be even remotely appreciated if read on its own. You don't need to read the entire story of Kvothe to appreciate this book, but you should at least have the back ground of Auri from Book 1 of the Kingkiller Chronicles. So read "The Name of the Wind" and then read this.