The Wise Man's Fear
Second volume of The Kingkiller Chronicle, sequel to The Name of the Wind.
The Wise Man's Fear is a fantasy novel by American author Patrick Rothfuss, published on March 1, 2011, by DAW Books. It is the second volume in The Kingkiller Chronicle and the sequel to 2007's The Name of the Wind.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Patrick Rothfuss
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Cover artist
- Matthias Clamer and Ed Freeman
- Series
- The Kingkiller Chronicle
- Genre
- Heroic fantasy
- Publisher
- DAW Books Hardcover
- Released
- March 1, 2011
Facts from the source article.
Plot
On the second day of recounting his life to Chronicler at the Waystone Inn, Kvothe continues his story from The Name of the Wind, focusing on his education at the university. His feud with fellow student Ambrose leads to charges of Consortation with Demonic Powers, a capital crime, after Kvothe calls the Name of the Wind. Though he successfully defends himself in court, the negative attention results in an extremely high term tuition. Following advice from friends and teachers, Kvothe takes a term off to chase the wind. To delay paying his debt to loan shark Devi, he uses prized possessions as collateral. Count Threpe arranges for Kvothe to travel by ship to Severen in Vintas to help the Maershon Lerand Alveron court Meluan Lackless, hoping to earn a writ of patronage. Kvothe writes songs and letters that successfully woo the Maer's bride and thwarts a plot to kill the Maer, gaining his trust. He also finds Denna in Severen and learns the song she is working on, but its lyrics conflict with his knowledge of the fall of Myr Tariniel. Unable to share his history, Kvothe argues with Denna about the song's meaning, and they part after an ugly fight.
Release
An excerpt titled "The Road to Levinshir" was released before the novel and won the Writers of the Future contest in 2002. The first draft of the manuscript was submitted to the editor on May 11, 2009, and the book was released in 2011. Brilliance Audio released US audiobook versions narrated by Nick Podehl, while Orion Audio released UK and Rest of World versions narrated by Rupert Degas. The game of Tak described in the book was developed into a commercial boardgame by Rothfuss and James Ernest in 2016.
Reception
The book was a critical and commercial success, debuting at the top of the New York Times Fantasy list and later reaching the top of the New York Times Hardcover Fiction list about three weeks after release. Author George R.R. Martin called it the best fantasy book he had read in 2011, stating he gulped it down in a day and was already itching for the next one. Locus said the book fairly leaps off the page. Publishers Weekly gave a glowing review, calling it a mesmerizing sequel and a towering work of fantasy. The San Diego Union Tribune, however, opined that Rothfuss lingers too long in subplots, resorts to coincidences, and relies heavily on cliches and anachronisms, and that there is little movement forward in Kvothe's search for the Chandrian despite brilliant moments. Fantasy author Brandon Sanderson gave a glowing review, saying the books are beautiful, with masterful prose, a sense of cohesion, and a wonderful sense of pacing. Indianapolis metalcore band The Wise Man's Fear was named after the book's title.
Elsewhere in The Kingkiller Chronicle
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