The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

I can't help but compare this story to Harry Potter. Of course this is a deeper, more complex and more "adult" story. You have two young heroes who have special powers/talents that they really don't understand themselves, but other people sense. Both of these young hero's parents were killed by evil and they set out to find and destroy this evil. Their journey's are both long and painful. Harry and Kvothe both have two best friends that they trust, and a trusted professor or two at the magic school they attend. Then there is the professor that hates them - Snape and Hemme. Another obvious similarity: horribly mean classmates that are out to get them (Malfoy and Ambrose). But, there are differences too. Kvothe has an annoying love interest (Denna) that he can't seem to get out of his mind no matter how many times she disappears!! I spent the book trying to figure her out - and why Kvothe is so enraptured with her. Also, every time I held out hope that Kvothe would be okay for a "span or two", he would get attacked or whipped or lose all of his hard earned money! Frustrating. Heroes lead such difficult lives, don't they?

I liked this book - and the story. It is not a book for the light reader however! The author says it like it is, sometimes with no explanation. He uses words (made-up?) that the reader has no knowledge of but has to infer the meaning. The references to magic are very subtle. In fact, many things are subtle. I was ecstatic at the end of this book that Kvothe finally had some money in his pocket, was able to pay off his debt to Devi, had two whole sets of clothes, and a nice lute - all at the expense of Ambrose. Finally, some justice!

I liked the subtle sense of humor that runs through the book and the story within a story. Most of all, I liked Kvoth.  If you liked this book, you will like the Dark Tower series by Stephen King as well.

Wendy's Rating: *****