My fellow fantasy fans, I've also stopped by Kvothe's tale when searching for something to occupy my mind while waiting for the "A Dance of Dragons". After reading the recommendation here, and reading some reviews, I went to read it really high expectations. I read it all in one sitting (one Sunday), what shows how much the book has gripped me.
What was good about the book? First and foremost, the writing. It's probably the best prose of all fantasy books I've ever read. Rothfuss has an eye for the perfect word (he's truly obssessive, as he himself has admitted in his blog) and his writing is what really distinguishes the book.

Nonetheless, I certainly wouldn't rank in the top 3. First, because it's only the first of a trilogy. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" isn't finished yet, but hey, we had 4 thousands pages to see how good he is. So, his place as #1 it's deserved. Rothfuss'... isn't.
Second, because, as people have said before, there's really only one character well developed here: Kvothe. No one else comes close: even secondary characters in Harry Potter are better developed (see Snape, for instance). Though we can believe the other characters are real, we can't empathize with than as we can with, I don't know, Jon, Tyrion, Jamie and dozens of others in "A Song of Ice and Fire'.
Third, because the book is, as has too been already written here, only the beginning: you finished the 700 pages monster and thinks "where the hell is the climax?".
Fourth, Kvothe's "superness" is a little exagerated, as well as the many problems he faces during his short life.

Nonetheless, a truly excellent book, and I eagerly wait to read the next installment in this trilogy. 9/10.

this is the first time that i've been so totally blown away by a book. The hero's life bekums my life, his intrigue, my intrigue. In fact this is such a gr8 buk that i didnt pick up another buk for atleast a week. U sort of savour its memories once u finish readin this buk n they r hard to let go!! cant wait 4 the next part!!

The problem with the fantasy books is that it's all been done before.

Some nobody grows up to become a hero, thwarts the villain's attempts at ruling the world and finds his true love. (He's also invincible)

The error most fantasy authors make is that they create a world so immense that it forgets itself. World building is great and all, but don't make it your only priority, it's all gonna end up resembling Tolkien anyways.

Another qualm I have with your average fantasy title is the silly names. It's one thing to go for originality, but there's only so much you can do before seeming to be trying too hard(Read Wheel of time). Rule of thumb, if most of your character's first name contains an apostrophe, stop it.

And here you have The Name of the Wind, a book that quite effectively shatters the mold. Storytelling at it's best, compelling characters and intelligently written. I have nothing else to say about it. You can either choose to read another fantasy book and run the risk of having that feeling of "déja vue" or you can pick up NOTW and enjoy a fresh take on fantasy.

Rothfuss does an amazing job in this debut novel, but it can hardly stand alone. As it is, the Name of the Wind was an amazing set up. Without any real climax or finish, it left off feeling like the first half of a book. Albeit an incredibly interesting, extremely well written one.

I thought this was a good book, deserves to be on the list, but not number three.
I'm not going to criticise it though. I have nothing but good things to say about it. the reason I said it shouldn't be #3 is were barely int the story. The next book (if written well) should place this book very high on this list. VERY HIGH

Overall, this is a good read.

I would agree with some of the other comments here, though, that some things depicted were a bit odd. There were a few too many contrived incidents that made the story somewhat unbelievable - specifically, *spoiler* how the legendary Chandry find out about a group of performers, how Kvothe keeps stumbling across his lover, etc, etc.

Yet Rothfuss does set up a good context for all of Kvothe's abilities and elaborates on all these experiences well, like a good storyteller. I look forward to reading his sequel.

what the heck is wrong with you people it isnt as googd as hobb but better than everything below hobb and your critisizing it a good story doesnt have to be moving so fast you cant keep up

i liked the book even tought i didn't finish reading it yet.what i want to know: is it "completely" related with " the wise man's fear" ?
i loved the story, the characters , the fantasy in "the name of the wind" i just can't wait until reading another of Patrick Rothfuss' books.i think it quite deserves the 3rd ranking.

I can't quite understand why people like this book. Some stories are simply not worth telling (or reading). This story is not worth telling.

I will agree with what most have said before. The beginning is slow and hence most of the present stuff isn't as good as the retelling. It's hard to like the characters where you barely know them but it sets up a bit of foreshadowing and is used more as a dramatic device then a co-running story. The actual story, the re-telling part is extremely well written. It's pace is quick, the events all link together and it feels like it is leading somewhere. There are some scenes that have my heart racing they were so well written. But there are drawbacks. First thing is their is no sequel yet and by the end of the book it still feels like it is the start of novel. There are still to much secrets left and the little hints are not enough. At the end you think "is that all?" Also this is less a fantasy novel as a novel written in our world with a few fantasy archetypes thrown in. The author is using our own preconceptions about things instead of creating new things. Overall it is very good it's just not great yet. Like Kovthe said it's a good set up but I don't think the real story has even begun.

...but i wasn't. i re-read name of the wind recently and enjoyed it perhaps more than the first time. there isn't a lot of "fantasy" but it's just a damn good story. sure it's a bit myopic in it's focus but the set up is, after all, kvothe telling HIS story. many of the moments rang very true...especially concerning young love (or infatuation). i'm not so old i don't remember the magical giddiness of those moments that are, sadly, never recaptured. my only gripe is the plot is very similar to that of wizard of earthsea with more detail filled in...but that can be said of much of fantasy. it's not the plot, or "epicness", or the deviation from traditional form that matters: it is what you do with what you have. rothfuss may not be turning the genre on it's ear, and his story, certainly at this point, is not epic but it is as engrossing and enjoyable as anything i have read in a long time, fantasy or otherwise (except lonesome dove, which was magnificent and tragic and beautiful).

I loved this book! A truly great story!!

Waiting this long for the author to complete the 2nd installment is mind numbing. He spends so much time and effort blogging and twittering and doing book "tours".

Meanwhile, over the last year, at least 2 release dates have come and gone since the author announced he was done writing the 2nd book and that it only needed some editing to get it released.

What a PUTZ. Even worse is the editor and publisher who condone this from a 1st time published author. This is most unprofessional.

I'm actually a little surprised at how many people put bad reviews up for this book. I agree - with only one book written it should not be so high, but i read this book in 2 sittings. I found myself up late last night until i couldn't read anymore. The characters are well written, and while the story is along the lines of things i've seen before, it's also completely different. I loved the characters and can't wait for the next one.

I have to say that this book just sucks,and dont deserve half of the credit it is given.

It's not #4, its #3!

Even better. LOL