Greetings all,
Just finished the second volume of this series and thought I would post my thoughts.
First off, let me say that I felt a bit underwhelmed by The Name of the Wind. So much so that I didn't even post on here about it because I didn't really have much to say. Sure, Kvothe is a compelling protagonist and the use of magic via sympathy and sygaldry, etc seems well-thought out, but there was just a sort of... well... zing (I hate to use that word) missing from book one.
Just finished the second volume of this series and thought I would post my thoughts.
First off, let me say that I felt a bit underwhelmed by The Name of the Wind. So much so that I didn't even post on here about it because I didn't really have much to say. Sure, Kvothe is a compelling protagonist and the use of magic via sympathy and sygaldry, etc seems well-thought out, but there was just a sort of... well... zing (I hate to use that word) missing from book one.
I really liked The Name of the Wind. Although it wasn't overly original, it was very well written and had an excellent pace to it. I was really looking forward to A Wise Man's Fear, but was slightly disappointed with it. Patrick Rothfuss had all three books written when The Name of the Wind was released; AWMF probably would have been better if he had fiddled less and went with his original concept.
I found volume two much more compelling. As Kvothe matures and starts having experiences with women, combat, and politics I finally felt a sense of struggle that I thought was lacking in the first. Sure, he was poor and homeless, but was really smart and had no trouble learning anything. It's hard to identify with a character who, despite some amazing natural gifts, remains penniless and destitute for months on end.
SPOILERS
Kvothe finally begins to see the fruits of his labors in book two. I enjoyed the change of setting from the University midway through. Kvothe going nuts and killing caravan guards and fake Edema Ruh was as frightening as it was suspenseful. It was good to see his darker side emerge, though he handled the repercussions of it honorably enough. I think this was something of the "missing zing" I was speaking of earlier. In the first book, Kvothe didn't really do anything wrong. Sure, there were immature moments, but he never did anything outright shocking.
SPOILERS
Kvothe finally begins to see the fruits of his labors in book two. I enjoyed the change of setting from the University midway through. Kvothe going nuts and killing caravan guards and fake Edema Ruh was as frightening as it was suspenseful. It was good to see his darker side emerge, though he handled the repercussions of it honorably enough. I think this was something of the "missing zing" I was speaking of earlier. In the first book, Kvothe didn't really do anything wrong. Sure, there were immature moments, but he never did anything outright shocking.
Kvothe seemed really dark in TNoTW. This is especially true when you consider his time in Tarbean, more specifically how he dealt with the individual who destroyed his lute.
When he starts stabbing a corpse and using sympathy to take out a whole slew of guards I was shocked. Same thing for him stalking and killing the fake Ruh... there was a ruthlessness there that I hadn't seen before, but that made sense after reading it. It was well-written character development, though I hadn't thought him capable of it until that point. It was a compelling bit of reading.
The killing of the fake Ruh, and his actions in dealing with the villagers he returned the girls to was just so much Gary Sueism.
The Adem were an interesting lot as well, though they reminded me of the Aiel/Fremin/badass-warrior-tribe-with-alien-ways-that-teaches-hero-to-fight. I guess it's a staple in fantasy, if not a tired one.
The Adem just didn't make sense. I read the book twice, but just could not figure out the Adem. The more I thought about them the less they made sense. Originally the Adem were to have three chapters devoted to them. The author probably should have kept with the original plan.
I found Kvothe's time in the Fae to be quite a surprise - the author thus far had kept us very much anchored far away from most of the mythical stuff in the Four Corners, then dives us right into it head first for some substantial development.
The interludes were more frequent as well, with Bast displaying a ruthlessness and dark humor that had only been hinted at before. Based on the ending, it's clear he's willing to do anything to get Kvothe back to his former self. I'm assuming this will be a point of contention in book 3, but who knows.
I will say I enjoyed this book. It was a good read and I'm definitely picking up volume 3 when it comes out.
Any thoughts on the book or series?
While I did enjoy the book I also felt a bit disappointed with it. If I had to choose I would say The Name of the Wind was the much better book. All that being said I am still looking forward to reading the third installment.
All good things come to those who wait.
Just finished The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
- 14/06/2011 03:56:06 PM
1510 Views
I love the series, and was surprised to learn how much is happening behind the scenes so far.
- 14/06/2011 04:40:02 PM
1155 Views
wow.
- 14/06/2011 08:32:38 PM
1049 Views
Mmm.
- 14/06/2011 09:12:13 PM
1022 Views
While I love the frame story, I do want to see what happens now that Kvothe has "broken the world."
- 14/06/2011 11:54:59 PM
850 Views
Over Written
- 15/06/2011 09:33:35 AM
1048 Views
Re: Over Written
- 15/06/2011 03:41:27 PM
823 Views
Re: Gary Sueism
- 15/06/2011 03:49:24 PM
905 Views
I liked the book, but the events felt a bit... disconnected. Like a bunch of short stories
- 16/06/2011 03:37:47 PM
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