Fantasy Book Club discussion

From everything I see Sanderson and Rothfuss are pretty much dominating fantasy (behind the "really big boys of course like Tolikien and Martin)

I've read a few of Sanderson's - the only reason I found him was because of The Wheel of Time series. I don't remember how I heard about Rothfuss, but I really enjoyed the 1st book. The 2nd was a smidge slower, but still excellent writing.

I love Name of the Wind, Wiseman's Fear was also good.

Sandeson is know for his unique and interesting magic systems. The Way of Kings is certainly one of the best fantasy novels I have read. Warbreaker I enjoyed as well. A lot of people love the mistborn series, I have read the fist 2 books and they are decent but didn't wow me.

I have not read his work with the WOT series since I gave up on the series after books 9 and 10 were such disappointments. I have heard from others though that his assistance has really gotten the series back on track in a big way.

I'll have to check out The Way of Kings.

I really felt his addition to the WOT series was fresh. Perhaps jump ahead a bit, Brandon. :)

The Painted Man, you say? Off to check that one out too...

The Painted Man is good, i would say it's on the same level as The Name of the Wind.

I read a short by Peter Brett yesterday which was good, nothing else though. Read Mistborn for the series group and loved them. Rothfuss is great, I'm looking forward to the final part and wondering how it will all fit in.

Lindsay wrote: "Three words.

The
Painted
Man!

Peter V Brett is fantastic. I love The name of the Wind, but the painted man and the desert spear are just phenomenal."

Perhaps you should start a thread about Peter Brett since this one is about Patrick Rothfuss (sorry).

I thought it was supposed to be about Patrick Rothfuss, but it's hard to tell because there are so many different authors mentioned.

Who or what is Denna's patron ???????

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Lindsay wrote: "Three words.

The
Painted
Man!

Peter V Brett is fantastic. I love The name of the Wind, but the painted man and the desert spear are just phenomenal."

Perhaps you should start a t..."

thank you Sandra I was going to point this out since I noticed the discussion sidetracked but couldn't find a polite way to do it :D

Scott wrote: "Who or what is Denna's patron ???????"

everybody is wondering the same Scott, any ideas?

as for me (view spoiler)[I'm almost sure he's related to the Chanderian if not one of them,though I still can't see where Denna fits in the whole scheme, and why the Chanderian would be interested in her, unless they are using her to control Kvouthe which leads to the conclusion that the Chanderian didn't let him live by accident and they want something from him (hide spoiler)]

Ooooooooo, Jasmine. What a great thought in that spoiler! Hmmm

Is there an expected release date?

Jasmine wrote: "Scott wrote: "Who or what is Denna's patron ???????"

everybody is wondering the same Scott, any ideas?

as for me [spoilers removed]"

Interesting idea Jasmine. I was thinking similar but hadn't gone as far as the linking Kvothe's "escape" into the equation. I like it.

I've read The Name of the Wind and I loved it. I will pick up The Wise Man's Fear in paperback.

Has anyone else wondered if Denna actually is (view spoiler)[one of the Chanderian? I mean I guess it would take some mad acting skills on her part. But I'm not completely convinced yet that she's not. Unless there's something I'm missing. If she's not then I am convinced that her patron is. If there is a real patron. I guess I think she's gone from the 'present' time because of betrayel more than tragedy. I think Denna is going to betray Kvothe in a big way. (hide spoiler)]

Jasmine wrote: "Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Lindsay wrote: "Three words.

The
Painted
Man!

Peter V Brett is fantastic. I love The name of the Wind, but the painted man and the desert spear are just phenomenal."

Perh..."

My most humble apologies.

I was wondering when the Chanderian would come back in to the story? I was hoping to get a little more explanation of exactly what they are and where they come from.

I should point out i read WMF when it first came out and have not re-read it yet so i may have missed some things.

Lindsay wrote: I was wondering when the Chanderian would come back in to the story? I was hoping to get a little more explanation of exactly what they are and where they come from...."

no need to apologize, at least not to me :)

as for your question (view spoiler)[ one of the Chanderian Was mentioned, he was the one who led the bandits in Ventas, the fact that Kvothe met the chanderian not once , but twice and came out alive, supports my conclusions about his rule in the events that yet to come (hide spoiler)]

Traci wrote: "Has anyone else wondered if Denna actually is [spoilers removed]"

the fact that (view spoiler)[ Denna's patron made her go to the wedding in NOTW, then took her out in time before the slaughter began SCREAMS "Chanderian" now why did he choose to take her there then make her the sole survivor, this seems to like a plot to get Kvouth engaged, what happened is that Kvouthe found out about the "Red Wedding" -sorry, quoting GRRM- by accident and came by himself, but I'm sure that if heard that Denna was somehow involved in this affair, he would rush to investigate, and that _I think- was their plan since the beginning> (hide spoiler)]

I have a feeling that the third book will be packed with information, Kvothe obviously is holding out information, trying to make us live his experiences the way he did and let us make our own conclusions before he tells us his,(view spoiler)[ and I believe that even he suspected something is going on with Denna, but he's not letting it out, I mean..he's supposed to be smart and everything, how come he doesn't something is going on, for example, have you noticed how Denna appears everywhere Kvouthe goes to? in every city he goes to, the she is, and near the end of WMF he saves her from suffocation or something, he's got to suspect something is fishy, he can't be this love blind! (hide spoiler)]
GOD!!! I'm dying to read the next book

um, please don't just agree with me, does anyone have thoughts? for example: how can we force Rothfuss to release the next book? :D

Kidnap? Water torture? I find it very hard to like Denna, she does keep turning up in the most unlikely places. I wonder how Kvothe isgoing to fit the rest of his life story into one book, there seems a lot to go. I'd also like to know more about Bast and what motivates him.

Just to digress from the Chandrian train of thought for a moment ....I want that rich b**stard (who's name escapes me) at the university who has made Kvothe's life hell to get his just rewards in a more serious and permanent manner. I suspect there's more to his story too in terms of his impact on Kvothe's life.

Excellent idea. Joffrey or something like. He's related to the king or could be the king that gets killed...

Helen wrote: "Excellent idea. Joffrey or something like. He's related to the king or could be the king that gets killed..."

Joffrey is from GRRM's SOIAF series ;)

our guy is called Ambrose, there is a theory about him, it's not mine though, I'm only copying it...

(view spoiler)[ since Kvouthe is called kingkiller, there were many speculations of who the king is, now Ambrose in line (sixteenth in line I thin ) for the throne of Ventas, he may have, buy some disturbance -which was mentioned in WMF- actually became the king, now the guy who met Kote and recognized him in the beginning of NOTW said that he saw the place in Imre where Kvouthe killed him, one can only assume that "him" means the King he's known of killing. So, a king in Imre, killed by Kvouthe, he should have a good reason to kill a king, and Ambrose seems a good candidate (hide spoiler)]

while I find this theory plausible, I think it's a bit far-fetched, don't you agree?,though I'd like to think it is the right one :D

by the way, I'm going to storm into Rothfuss's house and steal the manuscript...who's with me?

Course! I've just watched the first series, another nasty! I'm so with you Jasmine, I'll just put some black on and grab a crow-bar!

Helen wrote: "I wonder how Kvothe isgoing to fit the rest of his life story into one book, there seems a lot to go."

I love both The Name of the Wind and A Wise Man's Fear. I am looking forward to the third book, but I think it will be awhile yet. But I really cannot conceive how this story will be wrapped up in one book. I only can guess that it must be more simple than all the guesses that have been out there.

I follow his books reviews on here and he is one funny chap! but i've not read his books yet, do they hold the same humour or is it serious writing?

Jasmine wrote: "by the way, I'm going to storm into Rothfuss's house and steal the manuscript...who's with me?"

ME!!!

Terri wrote: "Jasmine wrote: "by the way, I'm going to storm into Rothfuss's house and steal the manuscript...who's with me?"

ME!!!"

I heard a interview with him that he stated when he gave one of his friends a selection of his writing, the guy afterwards sat in front of his house in the rain all night waiting for the next part.

Anna-louise wrote: "I follow his books reviews on here and he is one funny chap! but i've not read his books yet, do they hold the same humour or is it serious writing?"

I would say his books are more witty than they are funny. If I were to compare him to another writer it might be Dickens. But fantasy, obviously. His work is actually pretty bittersweet. I highly recommend the first book. Highly!!! But if you can't read tragedy you might want to avoid. That would be a mistake though!!!!

Thanks for answering Traci :)

I do like a witty book and i'm all for a bit of tragedy in a book, makes for a more interesting emotional read. I think i will purchasing his first book today!

I'd agree with the initial premise that Sanderson and Rothfuss are pretty much dominating the genre at present.

For me the two of them meet in the middle to fill the entire expanse of my mood reading. Sanderson supplies a somewhat lighter read and a slightly more compelling world, possibly due to the histories that he builds in as a foundation. Rothfuss supplies better writing and some wonderful characters (although I should point out that Kelsier and Wayne are my top two fantasy characters probably).

If you are to start reading one of them now I'd suggest Sanderson. He has more published material and less of a lead time between books. If you write as well then you can listen to his writing podcast which explores the work that's gone into these books as well.

Rothfuss' Name of the Wind is probably THE book of the last ten years or so. I'd recommend it to any and every fantasy fan. A Wise Man's Fear is also good but slightly marred by pacing and smutty issues along with the ever present will they,won't they. Aside from that I fear that we are in for a really long wait until the next and final installment comes out.

The real tragedy at present of course is that neither author is likely to have original material out for a while. Rothfuss is seemingly a perfectionist with a penchant for really long stories and Sanderson is neck deep in the final drafts of the epic finale to Wheel of Time (ok it's not that bad :D).

Jonathan - great sum-up. Couldn't agree more. :)

Patrick Rothfuss is my favorite author and also one of my favorite people. He does wonderful things for the world through charities and his works. He is an inspiration and his blog is so great. Also check out his regular video series with other writers called The Storyboard. He is the best.

Jonathan, you should watch the most recent episode of The Storyboard. Pat Rothfuss and other authors explain why sex is in their novels and why it is so prevelent in todays fantsy. It explains why that is ok and also necessary to enhance the reality of the characters.

Jonathan, you should watch the most recent episode of The Storyboard. Pat Rothfuss and other authors explain why sex is in their novels and why it is so prevelent in todays fantsy. It explains why that is ok and also necessary to enhance the reality of the characters.

So.....Doors of Stone is about to come out, Oct. 28th, I believe.

I was sort of surprised, usually I hear more talk about a book that is this close to release.

Anyone else excited?

Thoughts?

Brenda ╰☆╮ wrote: "So.....Doors of Stone is about to come out, Oct. 28th, I believe.

I was sort of surprised, usually I hear more talk about a book that is this close to release.

Anyone else excited?

Thoughts?"

It's not the Doors of Stone. It's The Slow Regard of Silent Things. Rothfuss described exactly what to expect from this book in his authors review on here.

See? He's right. I saw something on my kindle and just assumed (ass out of me at least LOL). Whew.
I have been out of action with books lately.
Thanks for the timely correction.

I refuse to continue with the series - stopped dead in the middle LOL - until the next book comes out! I'll just start fresh - some writers are so slow! Not judging - it's a process I know - but frustrating as a reader :)

I really like Rothfuss' novels, although I personally enjoyed the second book more than the first. I haven't liked anything I've read by Sanderson so far. I haven't finished most. In my opinion he is like the vintage sci-fi writers - good ideas with bad execution. I'm the only person I know of that dislikes his books though.

Michael, your Theft of Swords is definitely high om my list of fantasy to try out soon.

Heather wrote: "I really like Rothfuss' novels, although I personally enjoyed the second book more than the first. I haven't liked anything I've read by Sanderson so far. I haven't finished most. In my opinion he ..."

2nd!

My only problem with Rothfuss is how long it takes for the next goody to come out. After how wondrous Name of the Wind was, its a tease I swear to get things like Slow regard!

Rothfuss loves to tell stories. They flow from his mind like water from a faucet. His books are filled with delightful diversions, and I love each and every one of them. Sometimes I think he could lose himself in them, and the story may never end. His characters breath on their own. Compare that to someone like Henry James, whose characters, if they breath at all, breath because HJ has momentarily let up on his choke hold because his hands are tired.

Xan Shadowflutter wrote: "Rothfuss loves to tell stories. They flow from his mind like water from a faucet. His books are filled with delightful diversions, and I love each and every one of them. Sometimes I think he cou..."

Well said!

rothfuss is a great writer, read his book a number of times, sanderson is a very good writer in his own right, his cosmere concept is fairly weak though unless its beefed up soon, 17th shard members will tear your eyes out if they hear u say it though, but in my opinion steven erikson has yet to be equalled for his malazan book of the fallen series, the orinigal poster mentioned martin who has nothin on erikson, staggers me how actually unappreciated he is, any1 who has read his books will no doubt agree, any1 who hasnt read them should, and anyone who gave up, you missed out, its not for every one though if u enjoy being spoonfed stay away

The creator of this thread isn't too shabby! ;)

I love Rothfuss, he's probably my favorite fantasy author at present. His books resonate so well with me, and his language is gorgeous. He mixes all his elements really well too (probably since he's an obsessive editor): worldbuilding, humor, action, drama, love, etc.

And for being such hefty, long volumes there an ease when reading him. I never felt rushed but I always read them fast.