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The Wise Man’s Fear (The Kingkiller Chronicles #2) by Patrick Rothfuss

"Day 2 of The Kingkiller Chronicles has us hearing of more trials and tricks at the University. Kvothe's surprising time as a Mercenary and of course, his eternal back and forth with Denna. It all kind of ends on an unfinished note, so I'm eager to see how the series progresses. Rothfuss has truly made a legend of Kvothe, not just for his escapades but for also being a genuinely good person. The Kingkiller Chronicles is a staple in Fantasy, for me." 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros: Bast, he has a dark side but at the same time I'm terribly curious as to how he and Kvothe met/The interludes are a welcome break. 

Cons: Kvothe's time with the Ademre mercenaries and learning their martial arts style of the Way of the Sword just dragged for me/Kvothe and Denna's constant back and forth can get tiring. 

Full Review: ***Disclaimer - If you have not read The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, please do so and then feel free to read this post at your leisure. That way, you'll know what I'm talking about 🙌.***

The Wise Man's Fear starts with all three current residents of the Waystone, Kvothe, Bast and Chronicler, all a little shaken from the events of the night before. Kvothe knows the townsfolk will come to see Chronicler and ask for his services, so he decides to start the story-telling early, to get some words on paper. 

It starts off at the University. As usual, Kvothe faces a daunting tuition, continued indecision and uncertainty with Denna and the constant battle between he and Ambrose. He manages to scrape by in every single situation but it's not always easy. As usual, his faithful friends Sim and Wil are at his side, and Fela and Mola are never far off. 

He finds stodying the subject of Naming under Elodin an exercise in maddening frustration. He continues to meet Auri on the rooftops of the University and shares his dinner with her. Elodin interrupts one of these meetings but surprisingly, is a welcome addition. He has a frank talk with Kvothe about why he doesn't think he'll be a good Namer. Then he does a 180 and manages to get Kvothe access to the Archives once more. 

It seems that Kvothe's luck has started to turn around, only, it never lasts. He gets into a situation where Ambrose is practicing Malfeasance against him, essentially injuring him via a wax mommet. But he solves that problem and most others that come his way. It isn't until he's actually arrested and brought to trial for the day he lost it and called the Name of the Wind when Ambrose broke his lute. He's put on trial for consortion with Demons but manages to be released. Even so, Wil and Sim sit him down and explain that they think it might be best if he takes a term off. He shoudl travel, do something for himself for a little while and put some space between himself and the University because all anyone can talk about is the trial. They know he's in hot water and Kvothe reluctantly agrees. 

So he goes to a far off city Severen and begins to work for Mae Alveron. He's a person of impressive political weight and Kvothes know it would do him well to have Mae as a Patron. Not surprisingly, he also runs into Denna in Severen. They continue their courtship or friendship, whatever this thing that's between them. Kvothe is dis-trustful and angry at Denna's patron because he obviously beats her. But Denna just shrugs it off. It's not something Kvothe can let go of though and they eventually get into an argument. The very next day the Mae sends him off on a mission. He's to lead a small team of mercenaries into the Eld, a very ancient part of the kindgom, where Bandits have been killing Mae's tax collectors. 

Kvothe goes on his quest. And there he meets a mercenary Tempi, one of the Ademre, a secretive, almost silent, warrior. Tempi fascinates Kvothe and after a successful mission, instead of returning to Severen, Kvothe goes with Tempi to see if he can gain admission to his "dojo" essentially.

This was where things started to drag for me. It all seemed a bit drawn out. I was ready to be done with the book by now, though I did want Kvothe to get back to Imre and the University, since that's my main interest. 

Though The Wife Man's Fear was not, in my opinion, as good as The Name of the Wind it did have its moments. Bast was a more prominent character and since he is of the Fae, I'm honestly intrigued. After what he told Chronicler at the end of The Name of the Wind, I'm terribly curious to see how he and Kvothe met. And though there were times that dragged in The Wife Man's Fear and Kvothe always rushing in to save the day got a little tiresome, overall it was a logical and necessary addition to the series. I'm eager to re-read The Slow Regard of Silent Things and see if it makes more sense and eager to see what The Narrow Road Between Desires has to offer. And I do hope Mr. Rothfuss is churning away Kingkiller Chronicles Day #3.  

Location: Boston, MA, USA

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