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Timstar

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    Tim's Horror, Fantasy and Sci-Fi Reads from 2012

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    I'm glad i've read it, I will read the sequels at some point but not rushing out to get them. It started off very similar to The Painted Man and what I imagine Wheel of Time is like but not for long which is good cause I couldn't handle three similar fantasies in a month. I am gonna read some non-sci-fi, horror and fantasy for a while, including Dexter and a Bernard Cornwell and a thriller among others. I will be picking up Eye of the World from the library shortly though.

    Tim's Horror, Fantasy and Sci-Fi Reads from 2012

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted · Edited by Timstar

    TNOTW.jpg The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss

     

    Synopsis

     

     

    'I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.

     

    My name is Kvothe.

    You may have heard of me'

     

    Review

     

    Before reading this I had only read the synopsis above, so I was expecting the book to follow the life of Kvothe and slowly begin to understand how he became the man he is and accomplished all above. Instead what happens is a slow and detailed recollection of the events of Kvothe from the age of 11. We meet him living a simple life of an innkeeper in the middle of nowhere, when he begins to tell his life story to a 'journalist' called Chronicler. We follow him from his youth as a poor street urchin to his impressive entry to University, where most of the book takes place.

     

    Although a fantasy the book uses fantasy elements quite sparingly, a large proportion of the lessons he takes are history and chemistry but the mythical power of 'naming' keeps arising but eluding Kvothe. His time at University, although more interesting than others experiences, not a great ideal occurs. An ongoing feud with another student, misunderstandings and whippings but not a lot else. Although a bit tedious, it wasn't too bad as the writing flowed quite nicely but I do think it could of been 100 pages shorter with no negative effects.

     

    As it is told from his point of view we get to learn everything about Kvothe, this is ok as he is such a great character but it does mean that there is no air of mystery about him. But I suppose this has been seen many times before in other fantasies. I do think this was a detriment to the supporting characters as other than the main antagonists done of them are used particularly well in the story, they are not memorable or important. Kvothe also meets too many different women which I had trouble remembering who they were, he takes a quick shine to each of them but then just as quickly forgets about them without any meaningful relationship building.

     

    The magic system, although not fully explored, seems fairly complicated. As well as the 'naming' which isn't explored in any great depth in this book but obviously will be in the sequels, there is also 'sympathy' which I didn't think was explained very well but seems to be similar to voodoo :rolleyes: .

     

    Throughout reading I couldn't decide whether I was enjoying it or not, which is never a good sign. I enjoyed enough elements to keep me reading but I couldn't tell where it was going or why it was taking so long to get there. However when I got to the last 150 pages I couldn't put it down. All the elements came together and it truly stepped up a gear.

     

    Overall I did enjoy it, it could have been better but according to the reviews on Amazon a lot of people enjoyed it more than I did. If it was 100 pages shorter and achieved better characterisation if would have been brilliant.

     

    Overall 7/10

    Recommend a sci-fi/fantasy?

    in Horror / Fantasy / SF

    Posted

    I bought the box set of three (and one seperate), the boxset is still in its plastic XD. I've heard it has a great magic system, do you agree with that?

     

    As Steve's already said it is a great system, it is intricate yet logical and most importantly of all, fun. Great characters too.

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