Books like The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

The Name of the Wind is the first volume of Patrick Rothfuss’s acclaimed trilogy, The Kingkiller Chronicle. Published on March 27, 2007 by DAW Books, the novel follows Kvothe, an orphan who grows from a traveling performer to one of the most infamous magicians in his realm. In a narrative framed as a memoir, Kvothe recounts his early life in a troupe of traveling players, his survival as a near-feral youth in a crime-ridden city, and his daring entrance into a prestigious and perilous school of magic. The story blends themes of storytelling, legend, fate, and the cost of power while offering vivid descriptions of a world inhabited by wizards, assassins, and mythical beings. The book has earned widespread acclaim, becoming a New York Times bestseller and receiving awards such as the Quill and the Alex Award. It remains a staple of contemporary fantasy literature, celebrated for its lyrical prose and complex, quest‑driven plot.

First publish date: 2007