There is something utterly wonderful about how Rothfuss writes. I enjoyed this book. As far as fantasy novels go, there are few that I have read that were written better. However, there were some parts that, moreso in this book than his last, that I found myself wanting the story to move along. It started strong and finished strong. I am very much looking forward to the next book. I can't stress enough that this book, and the first book, are very polished and well written. This is not the bloody battles and graphic action of some Fantasy novels. This is Fantasy, yes, but it is more of a love story interwoven into a very detailed biographical fable of a mage. Very good.

This novel's predecessor, The Name of the Wind, was one of the signature reading events of my life. Coming back to Rothfuss' story in The Wise Man's Fear was like reuniting with an old friend. Here's what I originally wrote about the book over two years ago: "In The Wise Man's Fear, author Patrick Rothfuss continues Kvothe's legendary story as he travels across the four corners of civilization, from the relative familiarity of Imre and the University to the more distant lands of Vintas and beyond. This review contains some spoilers so consider yourself forewarned. I spent over a month immersing myself in Rothfuss' magically crafted world, reading slowly and deliberately, not wanting to miss any details and not wanting it to end. I frequently laughed out loud as well as experienced Kvothe's profound moments of fear and sadness. I trust Rothfuss to complete his story exactly how he intends to, and I will suspend all judgment until the end in that expectation, but I feel like the story should have progressed much further since the next book is supposed to be the last. Perhaps I've been raised too much on the Empire Strikes Back, but I expected a more substantial confrontation with the Chandrian and more of a dark twist to Kvothe's story to end this middle book. It's arguable that these things did happen, but in a more subtle way. Maybe Rothfuss has plans for the story that doesn't follow some familiar genre standards. Still, I've been introduced to many fascinating characters that seem to have a larger role to play and I wonder if one more book (albeit, a massive one) is enough to tell the whole story." Since this is book 2 of 3 in the Kingkiller Chronicles, Wise Man's Fear has neither a real beginning nor end, and you can tell I was preoccupied with "What happens next?" the first time I read it. This time though, without the urgency of plot revelations forcing me along, I paid closer attention—even more deliberately than I claim above. Professor Elodin might say I was "trying to see the thing behind the thing." There are more layers to this story than meets the eye, much like the language of the Ademre. From his own corner of our world, I believe Pat Rothfuss is trying to instruct us all in the art of naming. Here's to a beautiful game.

Rothfuss is a great storyteller. My only complaint is that his pacing is off. Wise Man's Fear is impossible to put down for 10 chapters or so, and then it's a bit of a snooze for the next 10 chapters, and this cycle repeats itself. That said, I really hope I don't have to wait more than a year to read the sequel. My memory fades, and it had been a couple years since I had read The Name of the Wind, so I had to go back and look up a few pieces of the story to follow along. UPDATE (two hours after writing review): I downgraded this book from three to two stars. I'm angry. I spent a lot of time reading this and I held my pee in a long time because I was too excited to see how it ended. I want to pee on the editor for not catching everything that is wrong with this book. Did anyone read this or did Pat click print and it appeared on bookshelves? Ugh. I want all that precious reading time back

Still a fun, compelling read, but. not quite as good as the first one, I think. I thought some of the scenes of Kvothe operating in the adult world a little lacking in credibility compared to the earlier adventures seen from a child's pov. And perhaps the reader's familiarity with the character after 1800 pages or whatever it is lessens his charm to some extent.

When I read the first book, I thought there was nothing that could surpass it...along comes book two. Having had four years to write this, the style is much more refined than the first. It was terrible to wait those four years, but if the third book ends up anywhere near as good as this, I am willing to wait the next four years in anticipation!

This sequel is just as good as the first one. Rothfuss still manages to keep things fresh and exciting for Kvothe while adding new characters and plot lines. At one point, there was almost too much stuff happening at once, and the time frame in which all the events were taking place was a lot to focus on. I thought that he kept throwing Kvothe into situations one right after the other and yet some parts dragged on. Regardless, I loved it and would read again. Can't wait for the next book!

I am a fan!!!!!!!

So good, I couldn't help re-reading both books this year even though I know I'll be tempted to re-read them again before book 3 comes out. This one has everything that's great about book 1 (characters, humour, a writing style you can practically taste) plus a whole new treat: Rothfuss creates two fully-realized, beautifully imagined social structures and you can tell how much fun he had doing it.

A sequel I can't get enough of and leaves me on the edge of my seat for the last installment of this great trilogy. As a reader, all I can say is that it can be very hard to find a series that starts strong and continues that way. I can't wait to see what happens with Kvothe next!

Waiting for the next one " doors of stone" may 2013