The Wise Man’s Fear
by Patrick Rothfuss · first published 2011
64% recommend24% neutral12% critical
Why HN recommends it
Sequel in the Kingkiller Chronicles, praised as excellent fantasy with exceptional storytelling and rich detail that rewards rereading; suits readers who loved the first book and enjoy long, immersive epics.
Common criticism: Some find the plot meandering and the series unfinished
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Preceded by: [The Name of the Wind][1] In The Wise Man's Fear, Kvothe searches for answers, attempting to uncover the truth about the mysterious Amyr, the Chandrian, and the death of his parents. Along the way, Kvothe is put on trial by the legendary Adem mercenaries, forced to reclaim the honor of his family, and travels into the Fae realm. There he meets Felurian, the faerie woman no man can resist, and who no man has ever survived...until Kvothe. Now, Kvothe takes his first steps on the path of the hero and learns how difficult life can be when a man becomes a legend in his own time.
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2008–2026The Name of the Wind
Patrick Rothfuss, Marc Simonetti
Recommended by 60 · mentioned by 9960 recommend · 99 mention60 recommend · 9960 recommend
2011–2020The Book of Mirdad
Mīkhāʼīl Nuʻaymah
Recommended by 3 · mentioned by 33 recommend · 3 mention3 recommend · 33 recommend
The Complete Stories
Isaac Asimov
Recommended by 4 · mentioned by 94 recommend · 9 mention4 recommend · 94 recommend
2014–2026The First Law Trilogy
Joe Abercrombie
Recommended by 15 · mentioned by 1715 recommend · 17 mention15 recommend · 1715 recommend
2009–2026The Eye of the World
Robert Jordan
Recommended by 5 · mentioned by 125 recommend · 12 mention5 recommend · 125 recommend
2014–2025The Blade Itself
Joe Abercrombie
Recommended by 7 · mentioned by 97 recommend · 9 mention7 recommend · 97 recommend
2011–2025Brain
David Eagleman
Recommended by 7 · mentioned by 97 recommend · 9 mention7 recommend · 97 recommend
2016–2025I am not a serial killer
Dan Wells
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 42 recommend · 4 mention2 recommend · 42 recommend
…characters are poorly developed and written but whose world-building and AI characters are amazing. Terrific fantasy reads were The Time-Traveler's Wife, as well as The Name of the Wind and its sequel The Wise Man's Fear. The latter two have rather bad writing and TERRIBLE female characters, but the story is extremely engrossing anyway and some of the ideas are really original (the Cthaeh!). Catch-22 was an amazing read…
on “Ask HN: What are some must read books?” ↗…indie and 99 cent crowd, which was all it has going for it. And this book and many others have nearly the same rating by just as many customers as a traditionally published 1000 page behemoth like The Wise Man's Fear, which was (to me) worth every penny of the $15 ebook price and many, many hours spent reading. I love seeing markets being revolutionized and people self-publishing easily, but the state of 99 cent…
on “The rise of the 99-cent Kindle e-book” ↗…http://www.amazon.com/Apartment-Therapy-Eight-Step-Home-Cure... - Presentation Zen by Gar http://www.amazon.com/Presentation-Zen-Simple-Design-Deliver... - Belisarius Saga by Flint and Drake http://baencd.thefifthimperium.com/13-TheBalticWarCD/TheBalt... - Wise Man's Fear by Rothfuss http://www.amazon.com/Wise-Mans-Fear-Kingkiller-Chronicles/d... - Wizard of Oz by Baum http://www.amazon.com/Wizard-Oz-Puffin-Classics/dp/014132102...
on “Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011” ↗…2011 and not prior years... but offhand, I'd mention: Fiction: Mona Lisa Overdrive - William Gibson Zero History - William Gibson 11/22/63 - Stephen King The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss The Wise Man's Fear - Patrick Rothfuss Non-fiction: Ghost in the Wires - Kevin Mitnick The Elegant Universe - Brian Greene The Trouble With Physics - Lee Smolin Not Even Wrong - Peter Woit The Lean Startup - Eric Ries…
on “Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011” ↗The Name of the Wind, and The Wise Man's Fear -- great fantasy books by Patrick Rothfuss.
on “Ask HN: Which book have you re-read recently?” ↗The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss is another great read. It's the first in a 3 part series (came out in 2007): http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Name-of-the-Wind/Patric... The next one, The Wise Man's Fear is coming out in March, but neither Amazon or BN have the ebook version listed yet. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Wise-Mans-Fear/Patrick-...
on “It's the Holidays. Forget startups and tech and go read something fun” ↗Fiction? Hmmm... I'd say: 11/22/63 - Stephen King 77 Shadow Street - Dean Koontz The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss The Wise Man's Fear - Patrick Rothfuss Zero History - William Gibson Mona Lisa Overdrive - William Gibson
on “Ask HN: Best Fiction Book(s) You Have Read In 2011” ↗The Name Of The Wind and The Wise Man's Fear, by Patrick Rothfuss De ontdekking van de hemel (The Discovery of Heaven), by Harry Mulisch 1984, by George Orwell Night Angel trilogy, by Brent Weeks Farseer and Tawny Man trilogies, by Robin Hobb…
on “Ask HN: Best Fiction Book(s) You Have Read In 2011” ↗The Name of the Wind really is good. The second book of the series (The Wise Man's Fear) is also excellent. Actually, just reading through the list, I was a little disappointed. Yes, there are some great classics, but Timeline" by Michael Crichton as the "time travel" sci-fi novel of reference.…
on “Sci-Fi Novels You Should Read” ↗…that are so rich that you can appreciate new details on multiple readings, but none that re-contextualise the whole story with revelations hidden in plain sight. Readings: (Name of the wind - 4 times, Wise Man's Fear 5 or 6 times - I like this one more for some reason).
on “Ask HN: Which books have you read more than once?” ↗You should check out the sequel to The Name of the Wind, A Wise Man's Fear.
on “Life Got You Down? Time to Read The Master and Margarita” ↗I'm reading 2nd book of The Kingkiller Chronicles (Wise Man's Fear) and loving it! Anyone slightly interested in fantasy should definitely read the series. The story has been great so far and storytelling is exceptional.
on “Ask HN: Which book are you reading these days?” ↗Wise Man's Fear is also excellent. The Slow Regard of Silent Things was... interesting. I wouldn't say it was bad, but I definitely think it's a love it or hate it kind of book/novella. I liked it, but your enjoyment…
on “Ask HN: What is the best book you read in 2020?” ↗Wise Man's Fear was incredible. That's the only non-technical book I've read multiple times in years.
on “Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011” ↗…devoured Seveness. The first third of the book - the consideration of what I might do if faced with such a reality - was perhaps the most I've ever felt reading a book. (The contender for that would be Wise Man's Fear) I find that question waaay more effective than "what would you do with a billion dollars?". Everything you know and love will be gone, completely, with the barest chance that you can contribute to something…
on “The Day the Moon Blew Up” ↗