The Wise Man's Fear

 Rothfuss, Patrick. The Wise Man's Fear. Day 2 of the Kingkiller Chronicle. 2011. 994p. ISBN 978-0-7564-0712-4. Available at FIC ROT on the library shelves.

In The Name of the Wind, Kvothe completed a full year of studies at the University despite his money troubles and his rift with Ambrose. Pursuing his studies, Kvothe continues to search for information on the Chandrians, the strange beings that slaughtered his parents and the rest of his traveling troop when he was not yet a teen. Deep in the bowels of the University library, he believes that secrets lay that could provide him with a way to strike back. Unfortunately, the Chandrians have been very thorough and records that mention them have been eliminated from most archives and libraries.

Kvothe improves in his mastery of magic, and even manages to master the name of the wind, even if it is for the briefest of time. A series of incidents at the University forces Kvothe to take a year off. On the recommendation of a dear friend, Count Tempe, he heads east to Vintas and secures employment with the Maer, one of the world's richest man. There he uncovers a plot to kill the Maer, while at the same time conducting an elaborated courtship to secure a wife for his sponsor. Tasked with hunting bandits that have been waylaying the Maer's taxmen, Kvothe and a small group of mercenary explores a forest on the literal edge of the map, only to come across a large encampment of men. Kvothe and his men successfully destroy the bandits, but not before he realizes that their leader was the same Chandrian who killed his parents. 

Having learned the basic martial art from a Adem mercenary, he travels to Ademre where he masters the secret art of the Adem, before returning to Vintas. A series of incidents prevents him from earning the Maer's patronage, but he still leaves with a letter of credit covering his tuition costs at the University. Through this year, Kvothe also pursues Denna, the girl who stole his heart. His relationship with her is rocky, however, and he never quite knows where he stands with the enigmatic girl.

Once again told over the course of a day to Chronicler, Kvothe is once again brutally honest in his descriptions of his experiences at the University, his encounter with a Fey being, and his pursuits of the Chandrians. Fans of The Name of the Wind will enjoy learning more about Kvothe's adventures and his ever increasing mastery of magic.