The Kingkiller Chronicle Books in Order By Patrick Rothfuss
There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.
― Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man’s Fear
Chronological Order
0.5 The Lightning Tree (2014)
1. The Name of the Wind (2007)
2. The Wise Man’s Fear (2011)
2.5 The Slow Regard of Silent Things (2014)
2.6 The Narrow Road Between Desires (expected 2023)
3. The Doors of Stone (The Kingkiller Chronicle Books 3) (no release date yet)
Bridging’s Recommended Reading Order (For currently released stories)
1. The Name of the Wind (2007)
2. The Wise Man’s Fear (2011)
3. The Slow Regard of Silent Things (2014)
4. The Lightning Tree (2014)
What is The Kingkiller Chronicle about?
“The Kingkiller Chronicle” by Patrick Rothfuss is a fantasy series set in Temerant, following the main character, Kvothe’s life, magical education, and adventures. The story unfolds as Kvothe recounts his past to Chronicler, involving his time at the University, his musical talent, troubled childhood, and encounters with mythical creatures. The second book, “The Wise Man’s Fear,” expands on Kvothe’s hero’s journey and complex relationships. The eagerly anticipated third book aims to conclude Kvothe’s tale. There are also multiple short stories that follow different characters from the world and main story.
Who is Patrick Rothruss?
Patrick Rothfuss is a fantasy author born in Madison, Wisconsin. He initially studied chemical engineering in college but found it boring, leading him to switch majors multiple times before reluctantly graduating with an English degree.
Throughout his academic journey, Patrick was working on a book referred to as “The Book” by him and his friends. He entered a competition and won the Writers of the Future contest in 2002 by disguising a chapter of his book as a short story. This achievement helped him connect with the right people, and he eventually signed a publishing deal with DAW. In 2007, his debut novel, “The Name of the Wind,” was published and gained critical acclaim, winning awards and becoming a bestseller.
Patrick’s success allowed him to focus on writing full-time, although he faced a distraction when he had a child with his girlfriend.
In 2011, the highly anticipated second installment of his series, “Wise Man’s Fear,” was released and reached the top spot on the New York Times Bestseller list.
The Kingkiller Chronicle Chronological Reading Order
The main reading order of the Kingkiller Chronicles would be to read them in publication order which we have recommended at the top of the page. This means you’ll get the main story in the correct order and then can add in shorter stories with the novellas later. This is the order we recommend but if you would like, you can read in chronological order as shown below although this will probably not be the best experience.
0.5 The Lightning Tree (2014) 
The Kingkiller Chronicle #0.5
34,500 words, 93 pages, 3 hrs and 50 mins to read.
Published by Rogues
3.99 out of 5 on Goodreads
The narrative takes place within perhaps a month before the first events of the frame story in The Name of the Wind. It’s centered on Bast during a single day in Newarre. Bast’s charming and alien nature is made apparent as he manipulates and helps several of the villagers’ children, often by using Fae magic. It particularly focuses on his assistance of the child Rike, whom he helps rid of an abusive father, despite the fact he has broken Bast’s rules of conduct.
1. The Name of the Wind (2007) 
The Kingkiller Chronicle #1
250,000 words, 662 pages, 28 hrs and 3 mins to read.
Published by DAW Books
4.52 out of 5 on Goodreads
Told in Kvothe’s own voice, this is the tale of the magically gifted young man who grows to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen.
The intimate narrative of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-ridden city, his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, and his life as a fugitive after the murder of a king form a gripping coming-of-age story unrivaled in recent literature.
A high-action story written with a poet’s hand, The Name of the Wind is a masterpiece that will transport readers into the body and mind of a wizard.
2. The Wise Man’s Fear (2011) 
The Kingkiller Chronicle #2
385,350 words, 994 pages, 42 hrs and 49 mins to read.
Published by DAW Books
4.55 out of 5 on Goodreads
My name is Kvothe.
I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.
You may have heard of me.
So begins the tale of a hero told from his own point of view — a story unequaled in fantasy literature. Now in The Wise Man’s Fear, an escalating rivalry with a powerful member of the nobility forces Kvothe to leave the University and seek his fortune abroad. Adrift, penniless, and alone, he travels to Vintas, where he quickly becomes entangled in the politics of courtly society. While attempting to curry favor with a powerful noble, Kvothe uncovers an assassination attempt, comes into conflict with a rival arcanist, and leads a group of mercenaries into the wild, in an attempt to solve the mystery of who (or what) is waylaying travelers on the King’s Road.
All the while, Kvothe searches for answers, attempting to uncover the truth about the mysterious Amyr, the Chandrian, and the death of his parents. Along the way, Kvothe is put on trial by the legendary Adem mercenaries, is forced to reclaim the honor of the Edema Ruh, and travels into the Fae realm. There he meets Felurian, the faerie woman no man can resist, and who no man has ever survived … until Kvothe.
In The Wise Man’s Fear, Kvothe takes his first steps on the path of the hero and learns how difficult life can be when a man becomes a legend in his own time.
2.5 The Slow Regard of Silent Things (2014) 
The Kingkiller Chronicle #2.5
32,850 words, 159 pages, 3 hrs and 39 mins to read.
Published by DAW Books
3.89 out of 5 on Goodreads
Deep below the University, there is a dark place. Few people know of it: a broken web of ancient passageways and abandoned rooms. A young woman lives there, tucked among the sprawling tunnels of the Underthing, snug in the heart of this forgotten place.
Her name is Auri, and she is full of mysteries.
The Slow Regard of Silent Things is a brief, bittersweet glimpse of Auri’s life, a small adventure all her own. At once joyous and haunting, this story offers a chance to see the world through Auri’s eyes. And it gives the reader a chance to learn things that only Auri knows…
In this book, Patrick Rothfuss brings us into the world of one of The Kingkiller Chronicle’s most enigmatic characters. Full of secrets and mysteries, The Slow Regard of Silent Things is the story of a broken girl trying to live in a broken world.
2.6 The Narrow Road Between Desires (expected 2023) 
The Kingkiller Chronicle #2.6
4 hrs to read.
Published by DAW Books
N/A out of 5 on Goodreads
More information expected soon!
Bast knows how to bargain. The give-and-take of a negotiation is as familiar to him as the in-and-out of breathing; to watch him trade is to watch an artist at work. But even a master’s brush can slip. When he accepts a gift, taking something for nothing, Bast’s whole world is knocked askew, for he knows how to bargain—but not how to owe.
From dawn to midnight over the course of a single day, follow the Kingkiller Chronicle’s most charming fae as he schemes and sneaks, dancing into trouble and back out again with uncanny grace.
The Narrow Road Between Desires is Bast’s story. In it he traces the old ways of making and breaking, following his heart even when doing so goes against his better judgement.
After all, what good is caution if it keeps him from danger and delight?
3. The Doors of Stone (no release date yet)
The Kingkiller Chronicle #3
The long awaited book 3 of The Kingkiller Chronicle has been in the works for over a decade now and fans are getting restless. But as of right now we know the name and a few other little bits of information, but will have to wait a while longer yet.
Overall
The Kingkiller Chronicle is one of the best fantasy series ever written. It’s got a huge fanbase and the reviews and ratings are consistently one of the highest of any series. Unfortunately, after over a decade, it is still an unfinished series, so if you’re looking for a complete trilogy then you won’t find that here at the moment, to many, many fans dismay.
If you have enjoyed any of Patrick Rothuss’ work and want to learn more about him or any other of his work, especially updates on the third book, then feel free to check out his website.
Which one is your favourite or most looking forward to picking up next?
Let us know!
Happy reading!
The Kingkiller Chronicle Total Word Count
Total Words: 702,700
Total Pages: 1,908
Total Time to Listen/Read: 78 hrs and 21 mins
More of the same, but different:
For More of Anything:
Things to Note:
- Word count is an approximation.
- Amount of pages may differ due to different publications, font style and/or size etc.
- Time spent reading is generally an approximation based on the word count and the average reading time. The average reader will read 250 WPM (Words Per Minute).
- This is the original publisher of the books.
- The current Goodreads score at the time of writing.
- For more information on word lengths and what they mean, check out our handy guide here.
Leave a Reply