The Kingkiller Chronicle: Day Two: The Wise Man's Fear

by Patrick Rothfuss, 994 pages

As another day dawns over the welcoming roof of the Waystone Inn, Kvothe sits down to continue weaving the tale of his past adventures for his eager audience of two. The story picks up right where it left off and the reader happily settles in as the invisible third listener (or fourth, if one counts the speaker, who needs to hear it more than anyone) while Chronicler's efficient pen scratches across the page and Bast's enigmatic heart constricts with concern for the man his Reshi once was and the fading shadow he has become.

Education is integral to Kvothe's existence. He seeks knowledge the way normal people seek food and shelter, unconsciously. The world is his classroom and everyone he encounters, his teacher. From the back of a wagon, on the unforgiving streets, in the classroom, beneath the stars, or from a stool beside the fire while his fingers ply stories from the strings of his lute; even now, from where he stands at the bar, expertly crimping pie crust, he observes, asks questions, and files it all away. And so he learns about love, friendship, enmity; how to light a candle from across the room, swing a sword, or call the name of the wind; and what to do with the leftover pulp after making apple cider. Evidence of this unquenched spark of curiosity in the midst of so much surrender gives the reader hope. For the day Kvothe stops trying to understand the world around him is the day he stops living. Loyal to the very marrow in his bones, Bast will do anything to keep that beloved spark alive. Together, he and Chronicler must rekindle the flame of Kvothe's confidence--in his magic, in his music, and in himself--before the darkness engulfs them all. They must revive the hero in the heart of the innkeeper. The world has need of him yet.

This series has become my Harry Potter in terms of shared cultural experience. I will gladly wait years to watch it unfold, pleasantly passing the intervening time reading the author's endlessly amusing interactive blog and discussing theories and thoughts, hopes and fears with my fellow readers. Undaunted by high page-counts, I will re-read the previous volumes before each new one's release and hand over my money so I can snort over the dialogue and bask in the awesomeness whenever I've the inclination to do so. I may roll my eyes at some bits and fret over the as yet unknown, but I will do so thankful for the opportunity. A good story is a good story, after all. And this one is great.