It’s December and the New Year is just around the corner. What better time than this to look back at some of this year’s best books, as well as some of next year’s most anticipated titles?
For the next few weeks, we at Suvudu will be sharing some of our favorites from 2011. After that, we’ll focus on what we think is going to make 2012 a great year for reading.
Today’s choice for Best of 2011:
The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
2011 saw the release of at least three books that millions of readers were looking forward to worldwide. The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss was one of them. When The Name of the Wind was published in 2007, it took the genre by storm, and soon word of mouth produced a bestseller with fans eager for the sequel.
In March 2011, that sequel published. The Wise Man’s Fear hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Fans were excited for the release but they had trepidation too. The Name of the Wind is one of the best books in the history of the genre. The question immediately became: Could Patrick Rothfuss write a sequel that lived up to that first book detailing the amazing life story of Kvothe Kingkiller?
While The Wise Man’s Fear has a few areas it could have been strengthened—most notably its episodic quality that a few readers did not like—it is easily one of the best in 2011. The story of Kvothe has expanded; he has taken the Hero’s Journey and entered the world. He is becoming the legend readers are excited about knowing. In short, the third and final book in the series can’t come soon enough.
Here is a bit more about The Wise Man’s Fear:
My name is Kvothe. 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. You may have heard of me… So begins the tale of a hero told from his own point of view—a story unequalled in fantasy literature…
The language Patrick weaves in The Wise Man’s Fear is as beautifully written as in The Name of the Wind. And the story of Kvothe is magical. If you have not read the first two books in the Kingkiller Chronicles, you are doing yourself a disservice. As for me, I am in need of a re-read already.
I love the book, it was maybe long but the world turn into something more detailed, I can’t wait for the next book.
This book was incredible. Who cares that it was a long book. The frame and sories within the story are intriguing. I can not wait for the next book to come out. I Hope that maybe other stories coem to furition from this series.