Reading order
| # | Title | Year | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Name of the Wind | 2007 | Buy |
| 2 | The Wise Man’s Fear | 2011 | Buy |
| 3 | The Slow Regard of Silent Things | 2014 | Buy |
| 4 | The Doors of Stone | TBD | Unpublished |
Kvothe (pronounced “Vothe”) is the protagonist of the Kingkiller Chronicles. The story is told as a frame narrative: Kvothe, now a recluse running a tavern in a small village, is recording his life story for a chronicler named Devan Lochees. He recounts his journey from orphaned circus performer to infamous adventurer who became a legend known throughout the world.
Patrick Rothfuss writes with unusual attention to detail and language. The books are slow and deliberate, spending chapters on learning music, mastering sympathy-based magic, or studying at the University. This pacing isn’t for everyone, but fans love the depth and immersion Rothfuss creates. The prose is often beautiful, earning comparisons to Tolkien and other literary fantasists.
The series explores the gap between myth and reality. Kvothe is telling his own story, but he’s also known as a legendary figure with impossible feats attributed to him. The reader sees the ordinary truth behind extraordinary legends, and the slow process by which a person becomes a myth. It’s a meta-fictional examination of how stories work and how reputations are built.
Fans have been waiting for the conclusion since 2011. Rothfuss has struggled with The Doors of Stone and has said publicly that he doesn’t want to publish it until it matches the quality of the first two books.