I am busy at work at the moment. I enjoyed the book, but I am not 'head over heels' about it. Here is what I wrote on GoodReads after I finished it, since I don't have time now to post new thoughts:
I had fun reading this book. The author does a very good job at keeping the reader's attention, with the right plot twists and surprises lurking around the corner. Yet, there are some elements of the book I disliked.
For example - the way the plot keeps coming back to the main character's lack of money. He's poor. He can't afford school. I get it. The first time. Really, I appreciate the way the author tries to build a 'realistic' fantasy world. But if I wanted to think about tuition problems, I would not be reading a fantasy book...
Or his petty conflicts with another student. Just doesn't seem to sit well with the rest of the book. The main character is presented as hard-driven, very motivated - but then he keeps returning to petty squabbles with his a fellow schoolmate...
On the other side, I found the main character to be well developed, 'three-dimensional'. I don't agree with many other commentators who seem to see him as excessively arrogant and unlikable.
Also, as a side note - the epub version of the book I read had multiple spelling and formatting errors and a few word omissions. Clearly not well proofed.
Overall, I liked the story enough so that I have already purchased the next book - and I am looking forward to reading it. But defining Rothfuss 'the next Tolkien', as many have, is preposterous. He is a good writer, the story is intriguing, the world interesting - and somehow original. Yet, this book does not have the epic grandeur of The Lord of the Rings. The more appropriate comparison I have heard is defining this book as "Harry Potter for adults".
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