This is a first novel by a new author from 2007. I read some great reviews on it, so I decided to give it a try. I almost didn't when I got it from the library and discovered that it was 700 pages, but I'm glad I did. I got the feeling that a lot of time and care went into each page of the book, which is a feeling I don't get too much from these types of epic fantasies.
This is the first of a series, so be prepared that the plot will not be remotely close to wrapping up at the end of your 700 pages of reading. However, it is a well written and engaging first part of this epic story, so I was not annoyed or disappointed. I will definitely be picking up the next book, which I believe just came out.
The book is the story of the legendary Kvothe--hero, scoundrel, larger than life inspiration for tales told far and wide-- as told to a biographer who has found him hiding as an average innkeeper in a tiny hole in the wall in the middle of nowhere. Kvothe has had an extraordinary life. Beginning as a child prodigy born into a family of wandering minstrels, he continues through a troubled period of life on the streets and on to become one of the most infamous students at "The University"--an elite school of science and magic. There are unique and exciting adventures, intriguing secrets hinted at, a vendetta against some supernatural scaries, and, of course, a girl...
I found the book to be overall exciting and well worth reading. The only part that might be slightly off-putting is the love story. Honestly I'm not sure how to feel about this yet. It starts off in the typical annoying way that fantasy romances begin--he falls madly, soul-shatteringly in love with her and only her. She's mysterious and beautiful without "realizing just how beautiful she really is." I laughed out loud, as an alternative to throwing up, when he first describes her as a "wild thing." But there might be more than just annoying cliches to this love story...so I'm saving my final opinion until I read more of the series.
I think there is potential here. The world that Rothfuss creates directly addresses the idea of sexism from time to time, which is interesting. There is a memorable conversation where Kvothe considers his lady-love's circumstances and how her options are so much more limited being a female drifter with a hazy past than he does as a male of similar background. For a moment I got the sense that the story was hinting that if women were treated as equals in this fantasy world, then it could just as well be her telling this story of her fabulous life of adventures, but that somehow, because she's a woman with an entirely different set of worries and difficulties to overcome, she could never have such a legendary life, she could never be the hero of a story. I'll be reading the next book to see if there's anything to this. If there is, it could be really good.
Highly recommended for fantasy fans.
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