If you've ever found yourself saying "I don't like to read fantasy novels," plunk down your library card and place a hold on this one. Pat Rothfuss' first in a series is very approachable novel, with the focus on character as opposed to your stereotypical world of swords and sorcery. We follow the path of a young boy through many stages - his happy childhood, the death of his family and clan by a supernatural force, his upbringing as a street urchin struggling to survive, and his apprenticeship at a school of wizards, and beyond. The author weaves a tale both old (yes, the boy-wizard thing has been done to death) but fresh, and in the capable hands of Rothfuss, all the lovingly-crafted characters, world-building, and skillful action scenes are a delight. Lovers of fantasy or those new to the genre will find TONS to like here.

I love the world that Rothfuss has created full of music, lore, and fascinating people.

One of my top 5 series of all time. It is a refreshing out-cross from the Tolkien stereotype. I loved the complex surprising plot, once he gets past being a rat on the streets. Perhaps most relevant from most books released these doesn't appear lifted or based on a video or RPG game plot. You may want to wait until the third installment comes out so you don't have to suffer with the rest of us. This guy takes years between releasing his novels.

I had high hopes for this book after hearing so many gushing reviews of it, but I was disappointed. There's only one fleshed-out character in it, and that's the narrator. Not enough action or new ideas or fully-fleshed out characters to keep me reading.

This is one of the most stunning, beautifully written fantasy novels I have ever read. I got far too emotionally involved, which was brilliant, and I'm so excited about the sequel!

This is a Great fantasy novel, it opens up the trilogy with elagant passages. I totaly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of fantasy!

Excellent writing. I really enjoyed this book, but it is not a juvenile book, it is definitely for mature adults. My spouse and I read this together out loud and both loved the book.

One of the best written books I have ever read. Patrick Rothfuss is definitely up there with Orson Scott Card and that's saying a lot.

This is an extremely well written fantasy book. The writing really pulls you in to the story and the depth of the main character is on par with, or exceeds, any other book I have ever read. Kvothe springs to life. Every intricate nuance of his personality and backstory are illuminated. I thought it moved along at a good pace, and I definitely enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading more of this trilogy. The negative for me was the fact that I didn't particularly feel any connection with any character in the book. Especially Kvothe who, let's face it, was on every single page in glistening detail. Still, the story was very well crafted and definitely entertaining. Lack of action was sort of a minor issue as well. Hoping for the second book to be as good, but in a way that is more appealing to me.

Epic storytelling and at one point He manages to tell a story within a story, within another story and still keep me completely engrossed. Loved it! Witty and intellectually refreshing.