My rating: 5 of 5 starsThe Name of the Wind
was a really great book. It is the fantasy genre story of Kvothe, the fierce hero and prodigy. Much is told as his own recounting of his life story, but the frame story adds an element of ominous mystery. It's so long (722 pages in the library version) that I wouldn't have read it except that it was chosen for my book club; I'm so glad it was. Even though it was a big time investment, it was worth it. The world in which it is set has depth and mystery, the characters are complex and intriguing; and the narrative is well-written and compelling. It isn't dark, exactly, but it is weighty and original with a serious edge.One thing that made the length manageable is that I was able to read a little at a time, at least for the first two-thirds of the book. If I had done my usual I-can't-stand-it-I-just-have-to-read-constantly-til-it's-finished thing I would have had to seriously neglect my family! As it was, it wasn't boring or frustrating, I just enjoyed a little piece each night... until it got really exciting, that is.
I will definitely be continuing to read the series. The next book, The Wise Man's Fear
, is already out but we have to wait for the third book of the trilogy. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys full-bodied fantasy - you'll love this story. View all my reviews
This was awful. Wait, no, it was actually good but I'm mad about it. 
creates a fascinating world - set in modern America but with a grungy, paranormal twist on reality. She discloses the world primarily through extended rambling by the main character. The bright side of the rambling is that the heroine has a distinctive voice that remains consistent throughout the book. The other side is that it's rambling, and a lot of it. Through all this random thoughtfulness on the character's part, we learn a tantalizing amount about their world, but it raises more questions than it answers. So much is left unanswered at the end of the book that it is only worth the trouble to slog through all the rambling if the book is the setup for a multi-book series. However, the author is adamant that there is no sequel and probably there won't ever be. Well, that's just wrong. The is a promise of romance, but no romance, and implications of hidden identities, but no answers. For a stand-alone novel, I found it unsatisfying. It leaves so much open that it just feels sloppy.