#1 New York Times-bestselling phenomenon Patrick Rothfuss returns to the wildly popular Kingkiller Chronicle universe with a stunning reimagining of “The Lightning Tree.” Expanded to twice its previous length and lavishly illustrated by Nate Taylor, this touching stand-alone story is sure to please new audiences and veteran Rothfuss fans alike
No one taller than the stone. Come to blacktree, come alone. Tell no adult what’s been said, Lest the lightning strike you dead.
Follow the Kingkiller Chronicle’s most charming fae as he schemes his way through the small town of Newarre. While Bast cares nothing for the laws of man, he is beholden to older, deeper laws. And despite his cleverness and care, Bast finds himself forced to choose between betraying his master and helping a hated enemy.
Playful, sweet, and sly as Bast himself, The Narrow Road Between Desires explores a previously unseen part of Temerant, and shows a side of Bast we’ve only glimpsed before. Learn more about Bast as he goes against his better judgement and follows his heart’s desire.
For after all, what good is wisdom if it keeps you from finding your way to danger and delight?
Kevin J Powers –
Let’s be clear – reviews help consumers make purchasing decisions. Some helpful background might explain these low reviews on here and good reads for a book released *today*. Lots of people are angry with Pat because they really want Book Three, or because they donated to his charity and didn’t get a recorded chapter from the next book. I get it, I guess. Maybe they feel like spamming one star reviews will somehow shame this author into creating what they want, or warn off potential readers from reading a couple of amazing books.None of this has anything to do with The Narrow Road Between Desires, which is fantastic. I read the Lightning Tree, the short story published a decade that is the bones of this substantially expanded and revised novella – that was great too…but this is better.Pat’s writing is lyrical, funny, and just magical. Bast is a fantastic protagonist. This came to my doorstep yesterday afternoon and I finished it last night. If you’re a fan of great fantasy and have read Pat’s other Kingkiller novels, do yourself a favor and pick this up.
Ben –
I loved this short story; it’s a fresh taste of more of Rothfuss’s writing which I’ve been craving for years now. I’m still very much anticipating the doors of stone, but this is a wonderful little piece to tide me over which isn’t nearly as far removed from the main story as The Slow Regard of Silent Things. Admittedly, I want to give that book more of a chance after finishing this one now, too.Doors of Stone will come when it is ready; and as someone with similarly perfectionist tendencies that I actively need to work against, I relate to the author a lot. So many people need to step back and realize that this man doesn’t owe us anything (well, barring the missing chapter that was promised, but even then I think that’s forgivable.) This book is objectively every bit the quality of writing that all of us fans have been wanting, and to say otherwise would just be dishonest. Showing support where it is due would go a much longer way than to attack the author whose work we’ve all enjoyed so much.
tilla –
Absolutely one of the best books I’ve read all year – maybe in forever. If you’ve read The Name of the Wind, you’ll be a little bit familiar with Bast, Kvothe’s fae ‘assistant’. This book is simply a ‘day in the life’ of the trickster, but oh my God! What a beautifully written day it is. The illustrations are almost as beautiful as the writing and Bast is so much more than I thought he was and the village children are so fully fleshed-out, even the ones you meet for all of five minutes. Am I rambling?I’m sitting here, tears streaming down my face and just so damn happy to have this book and happy at the little turn it took with Rike and Bast and Rothfuss is probably my new favorite author and can he please give me some more Bast days because this was just wonderful!! Although, I’d also be happy to know when the third day of Kvothe’s telling his own story will be here.Go get this book, find a quiet place all by yourself and read it. Savor it. Shed tears, if you feel like it; I certainly won’t blame you. I don’t give 5 stars hardly ever but *this* deserves at least that many.
T. Smith-Pena –
I really enjoyed this story although it meanders and I began to wonder where it was going. It all tied together in the end though.I need to use a gastronomical metaphor to describe it… imagine you have a favorite exclusive gourmet restaurant that serves a certain dessert – which while somewhat common, becomes an exquisitely and uniquely satisfying sensory experience in the hands of this chef. And while the chef had a reputation for serving outstanding cuisine, it is his skill with this dessert that piques your palate.It won’t fill you up. It won’t magically become the pinnacle of a four course meal. It certainly won’t carry the chef’s reputation on its back.But oooooh… one bite and you are *transported* into knowing this little bit will tide you over to the next time, because you HOPE, you dream, you *aspire* that the next course of dinner will be just as delicious and delightful.
Jim H III –
Bast is revealed as the fae he is, cunning yet kind, wise but a bit blind about himself. Patrick Rothfuss has me wishing yet again I could be a child and walk up to the Lighting Tree make a deal for all of me ,to the middle of my bones with Bast to be able to read the Doors of Stone. Yet I’m too old, too tall to make the Bargin or I would. Anything to spend more time in this world. We learn more of Bast and his powers of the fae and the deals they live to make as we get a glimpse of what Bast does in a day when he is not helping his master. Telling the stories of the children of the village and how Bast “helps” them as their fixer. Another great story by Rothfuss.
C.N. –
I give this 5 stars because of Patrick’s amazing way with words. He does write in a way that paints a scene and you can almost taste it as you are reading it. His words create that kind of sensations. That being said the story isn’t particularly compelling. It is kind of a standard trope although he tells it in an almost unique way. But not that unique. Some things are a little confusing at first read and i didnt want to go back to sleuth it all out. He teases about what kind of creature Bast is but its pretty unsatisfying in giving any kind of real insight into Bast and his true character. And of course Patrick is kind of tormenting people at this point by releasing anything other than Doors of Stone. It is his right of course. He is the author after all. But really. And this thing was $18 or something. That was a ripoff. Happy to support whatever funds Patrick needs to live though if it can help make things comfortable for writing…
Jason Fischberg –
As usual, Rothfuss weaves a tale that demands attention. Bast, perhaps the most colorful and enjoyable character in Temerant (at least that we’ve met so far), has a vibrant romp through Newarre that is full of cleverness, humor, overt tomfoolery, poetry, and at the bottom of it all, a DESIRE to balance the world around him.The smoothness and beauty heralding Rothfuss’ writing is back and it will suck you into this tale and despite its brevity, left me hungry to read it again to watch for Bast’s signature wit and deliberate choices as he positions himself to help the child at the center of the story. Children and their whimsy are present throughout, and there is a lovely dose of our favorite innkeeper as well to sate our appetites for all things Kvothe. You will not be sorry if you pick this one up and any lovers of fairy tales would be fortunate to get it as a gift. The illustrations from Nate Taylor are a nice touch as well, especially the last one. No spoilers.
Kaaz –
Even if you aren’t familiar with Bast and Pat’s other works, this is an excellent standalone tale. The cool thing about his writing, ever evident in this book, is how little exposition there is, but how real his world and characters feel. Very little about his world building is explicit, you infer everything through careful reading and using your imagination. You read things and catch hints and subtle references, and it leaves you wanting more, looking for the next clue to help you unravel things. I don’t read much fantasy anymore because so much of it lacks nuance and mystery, but Pat’s world is layered and intricate, and his storytelling is top notch.
Ken P –
When I got the email saying this book was coming out, I naturally thought it was book three of the Kvothe story. And boy was I excited! When I started reading it and realized it was a second side story, I must admit I was disappointed. I even set it aside for a couple of days to get over myself. Now that I’m done, I’m glad to have had this special insight to Bast and his workings on the world. I like him even more, which is good. I do hope Pat cracks the code on the rest of the Kvothe story so I can fill this hole in my mind.
chris cottini –
Dammit Pat. I entered this ready to be disgusted and complain bitterly about the lack of new concept and content. You have taken that from me. I was done with you, and your unreasonably long wait for the rest of the story. I was approaching serene acceptance of the fact i will never know the rest of Kvothe’s story. Band-Aid: ripped off, blood flowing again. This short story is sublime and divine. It has that most wonderful thing: an author who treats the reader as an intelligent person. The assumptions and leaps of logic are delightful. The tenderness and implications of morality are warm and ring true. The authors note even is fulfilling and sweet. Your work as always leaves me ravenous for more.Whatever the future brings us, Mr. Rothfuss, thank you. Thanks for your gift of talent and insight, your very craft, and know that even your bitterest critic is merely mad not to have the ending. No one can fault your methods or your paradigms, and you wield them with a master’s touch. Keep reaching, and fear not. Thank you.