The Wise Man's Fear (Spoiler Free Review) by Patrick Rothfuss

[@BookishChas]

I’m a huge fan of these books, and I agree with you about enjoying unfinished series. I will always love these books whether we get an ending or not. Same with ASOIAF.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

It's easy to feel we are entitled to endings, but yeah...not having one doesn't ruin the books before it!

[@taylorlovesbooks94]

I just read the book for the first time last month and this series is easily one of my all time favorites. I totally agree with you. We don’t ‘need’ a conclusion for the story to be enjoyable. As much as I really want one haha.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Glad you loved it too!

[@justjuanreader]

Finally someone who sees this book as the gem that it is!! By far the most under appreciated book I’ve read in years

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

It's so ridiculously well done!

[@dinocollins720]

Man this got me super excited to reread Kingkiller!!! Not gonna lie, this kinda ticks me off haha! I did not want to reread this series at all, but you brought back all the good memories! Plus my big issue with this book was the weird fairy/fae part which you totally addressed!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I'M SORRY! LOL

[@musicgenius1948]

I love wise mans fear! Glad you love it too. While not much happens in terms of incredible feats or the chandrian, I love everything that happens. Glad you had a great experience

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thank you, glad you had an enjoyable experience as well!

[@PatrickRyanBookReviews]

I really liked the first roughly 2/3 of the book and was enjoying it a lot more than NotW. But then when it dragged, that brought my rating down and ended up giving both books 4.5 stars.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Was it just the "Fae" part that dragged for you or did that drag extend behind that?

[@PatrickRyanBookReviews]

​@@MattsFantasyBookReviews It extended beyond just the Fae part. The training didn't work for me either. I usually like training scenes but not this one. If it was just one or the other or if those 2 parts of the book weren't next to each other, then it would have been 5 stars. But having them back to back was too much.

[@zyxel2]

Yeah training part was also a bit dragged for me. Specially after he started to have intercourse with his trainer.

[@cragsclaw]

That one section you refer to really does bring this book down for me. The rest was so enjoyable but that one segment just seemed to not fit and dragged on to the point of being frustrating to get past.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah, definitely the worst part of the book!

[@PlymPlym99]

What I absolutely love about these books is just his writing. As you say, the prose is just wonderful, I'm so in love with it! What other authors on a level similar to Rothfuss' would you recommend? It's really all I'd be looking for in a new story at the moment and it seemed like you might know some.. Also, I really enjoy your reviews, you're doing a great job here. Thank you! Keep doing what you're doing :)

[@TheEternalElir]

Guy Gavriel Kay. His prose is beyond beautiful

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Guy Gavriel Kay is definitely in the same realm.

[@PlymPlym99]

@@TheEternalElir Thanks! Will definitely look into it!

[@bandito151]

Felurian part is so important for lore,we got alot answers there and new theories..

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah, agreed!

[@thefantasythinker]

I'll have to put this on my TBR. The fact it's not finished doesn't bother me at all. Thanks!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah it's wonderful!

[@randomguy9084]

oh it will bother you once you finish it and find out the author may never right the 3rd one

[@williamgwynne]

So glad you loved this! I've read Name of the Wind twice and loved it both times! But then for some reason not picked up book 2. I need to 👀

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Oh yeah you DEFINITELY need to read the 2nd book!

[@ErraticGoofball]

Just finished this book and it was so F***ing good!!! I’m glad we got to see the world so much more than in the first book. The new characters were so much fun and I agree that the whole section with the Fae did drag a bit but I can honestly say that was the only part where it felt that way. And it was brief. 5/5 for me!

[@aldoaparicio5778]

For me the situation is not so much that it takes 10, 12 or 15 years to finish the saga, my problem is the lack of communication, I think that after more than 10 years we the fans do have the right to some kind of "explanation" ", if there is an intention to finish it and update the book a couple of times a year until it is finished. Why? Well, if they intend that we spend our money on special editions of their books, that we donate money to their charitable foundations, etc. The least professional would be to be honest. And most importantly, if 10 or 20 years ago we knew that when we bought the first book in a saga, it would never end, would we continue buying the book? Will we invest time and money in that specific saga/author? Maybe I'm the only one who has a problem with that.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I get that you and others feel that you are owed an explanation, just me personally I don't view things that way. I'm happy waiting, and don't feel owed anything. I also think that with fantasy series you kind of have to buy them knowing that they very well may never get completed. This isn't unique to Rothfuss, this has happened countless times.

[@jaredbissell6046]

I read Name of the Wind a few years after it came out because the cover looked cool, and I enjoyed it. As a result, I read Wise Man's Fear as soon as it was out. I still remember tearing up after a specific scene between Kvothe and Auri. Then, I re-read both a few years later. I found that, after a re-read, I was vastly underwhelmed by Rothfuss' books. Maybe because I knew the direction the story was going (or not, as the case may be). Maybe because the emotional impact of the prose just didn't hit. Maybe because I find certain parts of the story to be derivative. Maybe because I truly dislike some of the characters in the story. Maybe because...who knows? Not sure why, but my enjoyment tanked, and I have barely any interest in finding out what happens in the final book. 5 stars? Not for me. 3.5 at best. It's not a bad story per se; it's just not this monumentally amazing work that folks seem to try and make it out to be.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I think it was so many years for me that I had completely forgotten most of the story. That might have helped!

[@TheEternalElir]

You'll love Guy Gavriel Kay. After finishing this I wanted more fantasy books with beautiful prose, and GGK blew my mind. It's actually crazy how he tells such vivid, memorable stories in one book, stories that'd take other authors 3+ books to do

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Great suggestion!

[@alynam82]

It's been a few years since I've read these (and only once) but I remember I highly enjoyed them. I think I even gave both 5☆. As far as Rothfuss finishing book #3, I believe he will, and not too distant future. As you said, he is a perfectionist, and he gave indications that the book is written just taken apart and being re-written. I blame the hostile Fandom for the length of time. Just my personal opinion. I place myself in his shoes, and to write a final book in a trilogy with such heavy expectations, and with how aggressive some folks have been towards him, I feel like the pressure cooker is ready to burst.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I agree on the fandom certainly not helping anything!

[@RowanAldridge]

Glad I'm not the only one who doesn't get the love for Auri. I don't dislike her, but I don't understand why so many people list her as their favourite character/one of their favourite characters.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah, she's such an odd character that feels odd just for the sake of being odd.

[@Alkemisti]

I agree that not having an ending is not that big of a deal. It's not like some Real Ending exists out there and we never get to find it out. No, the author makes it up, and if he doesn't, the ending just does not exist and we do not miss anything that does. (But I still hope he'll finish it someday.)

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Well stated!

[@joldomort5515]

Matt, I just finished Gardens of the Moon and really enjoyed it! Thanks for finally pushing me into trying Malazan - very excited to experience the rest of the series :)

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yay! If you liked the first one you are guaranteed to like the rest, since the first is the worst of the bunch!

[@andi_navarrete1]

I have just re-read the 2 books as well! They are so good, I definitely appreciated them more now than when I first read them. Great video Matt!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thank you Andrea!

[@heatherauton655]

When I started reading Mistborn for the very first time I had also picked up Name of the Wind for a third re read. I had to stop the RW read because it was killing any hope of me managing Mistborn, because every Mistborn page was an absolute slog in comparison to the beauty that is NOTW There are very few who can be compared to Rothfuss

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I think the exact same thing would happen to me, and this is coming from someone who likes Mistborn!

[@devoringdemonsoulq9086]

yes sanderson cant hold a candle to rothfuss

[@HotTakesDiscussion]

I absolutely love Rothfuss. And it's apparently a hot take to like book two more but I remember liking it more... That being said, I haven't read them in probably ten years lol

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I'm not sure why it's a hot take, but it certainly seems like it is!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Loved the review and glad you didn’t do a spoiler one! This makes me pretty psyched to dive in at some point!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I think you are going to love it!

[@zachryder3150]

Now you have no choice but to read The Second Binding when it releases later this year. You have to balance the scales.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

NOOOOO

[@cerfreferf6600]

The only part or aspect of this book that I didn't like or "didn't buy" was Kvothe's wealth. The story wanted him to remain poor so badly, that at certain point it just stopped making sense to me. There were many events that normally should instantly make him a lot of money and the excuses that he eventually wouldnt make any money were just kinda dumb.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah that did start to feel VERY predictable since it happens literally every time.

[@vincentdesrochers8307]

Still waiting for the 3rd one. Will be an insta buy

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah one of the very few books I will insta-buy.

[@Rubixcircles]

I love the universe and magic system that Rothfuss built, but Kvothe is a cringelord and it makes it difficult for me to read sometimes. He always ends up the best at everything, even got trained by a sex fae to become the best at sex ever, his struggles seem to pass by very quick, and I abhor his relationship with Denna. The whole concept of "I'm the only one that REALLY understands her and she can be with other guys but they don't love her like I do" while he isn't actually with her.... just cringey as hell to me. I guess I just wish the series didn't focus on Kvothe, it's like Kvothe is who Rothfuss wants to be when he grows up.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I can't disagree with you on much of what you said here.

[@AcidWonk]

Started reading the first book last year… got bored and put it down about halfway through. Ended up going back to finish it and the second book with in this last month. Needless to say I love the books now.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

That's awesome! Glad it eventually worked for you.

[@jasminec7002]

Yes! I also like The Wise Man's Fear more than The Name of the Wind even though I didn't really like the weird sex scene. But I enjoyed the characters even more in the second novel. Kingkiller Chronicles is my favorite series. I'm also thinking about re-reading it again but was afraid I wouldn't like it as much. You just convinced me!

[@jasminec7002]

Also not a fan of Ari lol

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Glad I could help inspire you to pick it back up!

[@Bagonnn]

I loved both books.. Read them with a few friends and enjoyed all of it.. my only negative is the the 2nd half of the book is side quest after side quest with no real movement in the actual story..

[@Bagonnn]

Also a little thing that bothered me was the bow usage during an all out thunderstorm.. I know this is really nothing but I think about it all the time

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah, but I came to enjoy it once I realized that was the point of the book!

[@dinocollins720]

I only get sick every couple years; it's very rare for me. Last time I was sick I just laid in bed for 2 days straight and just listened to these two books. I have never binged a series so hard in my life haha

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

LOL you must have been listening ALL day!

[@dinocollins720]

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews Yeah couldn't sleep either! This series got me through haha

[@mrgauth]

But what edition? Paperback, hardcopy, or kindle?

[@jordendarrett1725]

I remember when I read this in 2019 thinking this was better than Name of the Wind in many respects but it’s flaws made book 1 better overall. Both are masterpieces on my mind, there’s no series that does mystery better (making mysteries feel like ACTUAL mysteries). The only thing I can’t stand about them is Kvothe’s smugness 😂

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah he is pretty over-the-top smug, can't disagree there.

[@blacknbluecollarreader]

I agree with your "1st take" . I felt the story was moving along excellent.....and than out of NOWHERE we left turn into the whole "sex crazed" story line for 70pgs. The story did set this plot line up but I thought I just could have been done a bit better.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah it did feel a little out of left field.

[@modemuffel9911]

It’s my favorite series of all time, despite being only 2 books long and will never finish

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah it really is wonderful!

[@bradys_luck6963]

Well I don’t like the felurian scene cause you can tell he had one hand on his meat the whole time but the rest of the book is great

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

LOL

[@seanhalpin87]

I read both of these years ago on audio, and the narrator is awesome, but I honestly forgot what even happens in book two, I should revisit it, but I am gonna wait til doors of stone until ever rereading the seriee

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I forgot a LOT about it, was great to get into it again!

[@deadplanet2397]

I need to post my own review soon, because I agree. I enjoyed Name of the Wind, but it didnt blow me away and I HEARD the second was even worse. But so far, the second one has a LOT more interesting events, and is better overall.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I'll look forward to seeing your review!

[@deadplanet2397]

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews thank you man, big inspiration

[@robhendricks4252]

I would love to see your review of Name of the Wind. I googled and searched and couldn't find it. Might simply be a noob moment for me, but can you link that? thanks!

[@aldoaparicio5778]

You are a very optimistic person, especially after more than 11 years.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I try to stay generally optimistic.

[@stevencooney3347]

Kingkiller is so fantastic! The hate online is reaching a crazy point. People are rightly bothered by the charity thing but it doesn’t change the fact that these two books are genuinely as good as fantasy can get. If Pat finished the series with a third book that matches the quality of the first two it will be an all time great.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

1000% this.

[@macs3304]

Genuinely as good as fantasy can get. THIS

[@randomguy9084]

I love both Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's fear but really don't like the random sex parts in both books definitely makes the books worse and makes me less likely to recommend them to people. I am okay with sex being in books if it's part of the plot but annoys me if its in an unnecessary fan service kind of way which it was for Kingkiller chronicles. A song of ice and fire had the same problem some of the sex parts in a song of ice and fire were fine and had importance to the plot and story or development of a character but other times it was clearly just random smut to keep the teenage boys interested. Books shouldn't need random fan service sex scenes to keep the reader interested the writing and story should do that

[@abdulhannan0107]

I have some moral issues with this book 😅, if kvothe had some moral principles and ethics then i guess this book could have become second harry Potter

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I could see that!

[@beckylanaway51]

Glad you liked it. Loved NOTW Not so much this one 😅

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah it's definitely not for everyone!

[@BarKeegan]

One of the most refreshing fantasy reads in a long time 👌

[@raswartz]

So.... you just turn on the camera when you reach the last page? Fishy. Very fishy.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yes and no. When I get near the end I stop reading wherever I am and save the ending for when I have camera time.

[@ashleyholbird4287]

You must be new here

[@Ignas_]

Can't wait for the next book, "The End of Time"

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

LOL!

[@jeremyfee]

Yes! This is a wonderful read.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Hear, hear!

[@patriciacallico3944]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE SO GOOD- Great video. I am a huge fan of these books .

[@patriciacallico3944]

auri is my favorite ... is so smart

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thanks Patricia!

[@JohnSmith-zq4pb]

I really enjoyed your videos, keep it up

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thanks John!

[@janeb9698]

This will probably be one that I “decide to “hate read” since unfortunately, I already own the book! I completely agree with you that’s it’s crazy to pass on a series just because it may never be finished. But… I suspect that one’s ability to enjoy this particular book hinges on the individual reader’s awareness of and sensitivity to the way Rothfuss writes about women. The book is popular - lots of 5 star reviews on Amazon for example - but nearly every detailed review that I personally have gotten of Wise Man’s Fear has panned the book as being cringey at best, misogynistic at worst. The way women are portrayed, written about, etc. does matter to me as I think it does to most women - it should matter to men as well - so when I see this guy comparing women to music instruments (I’m a drummer, by the way), I really just lose interest in everything else he has to say.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah if you are sensitive to that kind of thing I could see this book annoying you. It didn't take anything away from the book for me, but yeah that definitely exists.

[@93Beefcake]

I really didn’t enjoy the book The first book was fine the second just over and over the same thing of him being a tragic misunderstood hero who now gets to have sec with lots of women Literally 0 plot at all The first book at least was somewhat interesting the second is just boring If I could rate it I’d give a 2/5 His friends are boring he is predictable denna is annoying and the story is so overly unrealistic ( don’t confuse this with the fantasy setting sort of untealistic)

[@paulwastney5134]

I wonder if we read the same book. This was ok, just ok. Am done with it. Will now forget it and move on

[@joevesayaporn]

3rd is never coming, can't see how he can square the story

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I think he could pull it off if he tried, but I agree it feels like it's not even CLOSE to coming out.

[@CurieBohr]

I read Stephen king after Rothfuss. Huge mistake. King read like plot confused garbage.

[@josephwilson-doan4163]

A total grail read. Hopefully one day we get a conclusion!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Fingers crossed!

[@ryan7864]

Dnf'd after the first few chapters. Rothfuss prose is excellent in parts, but is also terrible in others. Too many unnecessary adverbs in every dialogue tag that it came off amateurish. I quit after "he smiled happily" Happily? Really really Patrick?

[@marcweber8509]

I also liked TWMF more than NotW

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

There are dozens of us. DOZENS!

[@marcweber8509]

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews 😂

[@zyxel2]

Training was also a bit dragged for me.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah, not as bad as the Fae stuff but it did drag a little.

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

Lmao 🤣 I Rage DNF this book

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

WAT!??!

[@beckylanaway51]

Wish I did 🤣

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews lol 😂 I really don’t like it SPOILERS. First 30% is just more book 1 and was unneeded Skipping a whole epic sea journey that could have been that first 30% and making it a paragraph. Governer section annoyed me. I dislike Denna I think her name is. And don’t get me started on the sex demon. Felt like teenage wish fulfillment…

[@ViperRT99]

Doesn't hold a candle to The First Binding.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

.....get out.

[@ViperRT99]

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews 😁 That's harsh. But valid.

[@Carlos-fh8wk]

I hated this book. Kvoth was so boring. He had no real struggles, and achieved a level of perfection without breaking a sweat. As the plot developed you just know he would come out on top because he was Mr perfect, this made the plot boring. The writing is poetic and beautiful, but then again I can read poetry or other talented writers.

[@harrycorbiniv]

Glad you love it

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thanks Edwin!

[@zyxel2]

We want spoiler review!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

LOL, I KNOW!

[@neiltaylor513]

I don’t get the hype, really don’t. I’m sure people say the love it just following the crowd