Patrick Rothfuss is a bestselling fantasy author recognized for his novel The Name of the Wind. His immersive storytelling and imaginative worlds have earned him wide acclaim in fantasy literature.
If you enjoy reading books by Patrick Rothfuss then you might also like the following authors:
If you love Patrick Rothfuss's detailed worlds and intriguing magic, Brandon Sanderson is a great author to explore. He crafts imaginative magic systems with clear rules, and writes characters you'll quickly care about. His epic storylines keep readers hooked.
Start with Mistborn: The Final Empire, the first book in a trilogy featuring a rebellion against an oppressive empire, a clever magic system involving metals, and a compelling cast of heroes.
George R.R. Martin offers a world filled with morally complex characters and intricate plots, perfect if you enjoyed Patrick Rothfuss's emphasis on deep character studies and gritty realism.
Martin's characters not only battle enemies but also deal with difficult moral choices, political intrigue, and brutal consequences.
Check out A Game of Thrones, the first volume of his epic saga A Song of Ice and Fire, which follows power struggles among noble families amidst brewing conflict and political intrigue.
Scott Lynch writes with wit, charm, and cleverness. If you appreciate Rothfuss's humor and witty narration, Scott Lynch's work may appeal to you. He blends heist stories with fantasy settings, featuring rogues, thieves, and con artists navigating complex plots.
Try his debut novel, The Lies of Locke Lamora, about a cunning thief in a vivid Venetian-inspired city, filled with schemes and sharp dialogue.
Fans of Rothfuss's emotional depth and rich character journeys will likely connect with Robin Hobb. Her fantasy novels often focus on a central character's coming-of-age journey, relationships, and personal growth. Her storylines are heartfelt, emotional, and deeply rewarding.
Consider beginning with Assassin's Apprentice, the start of her Farseer Trilogy, centered on Fitz—an illegitimate royal who trains as an assassin.
Ursula K. Le Guin consistently challenges conventions and thoughtfully explores emotional depth, morality, and themes of identity and power dynamics.
If Rothfuss intrigued you by exploring philosophical themes alongside captivating world-building, you'll appreciate Le Guin's classic A Wizard of Earthsea.
This novel features Ged, a gifted young wizard who learns to confront pride, responsibility, and the nuanced balance of power.
If you loved Patrick Rothfuss's beautifully crafted world and carefully woven storytelling, Guy Gavriel Kay could be a perfect choice. Kay blends history and fantasy in vivid and poetic prose, creating immersive worlds that feel both familiar and fresh.
His book Tigana is highly recommended—it explores themes of memory, loss, and the power of art, much like Rothfuss does in his own work.
Fans who enjoyed Rothfuss’s intricate world-building and depth of character should check out N.K. Jemisin. Her writing is engaging, thought-provoking, and imaginative, featuring richly detailed worlds and morally complex characters.
In her novel The Fifth Season, Jemisin explores powerful themes like resilience, oppression, and the bonds that hold people together in times of crisis.
For readers who appreciate Rothfuss's sprawling storytelling style and the way he carefully draws you into his world, Tad Williams is a great author to try next.
Williams writes sweeping fantasy sagas with detailed cultures, vibrant settings, and thoughtfully developed characters. His well-known series starter, The Dragonbone Chair, takes readers on an epic journey full of adventure, subtle mysteries, and richly layered storytelling.
If you like how Rothfuss combines subtle magical elements with carefully constructed narratives, you'll probably enjoy Susanna Clarke. Her writing carries a graceful, almost elegant quality.
Her novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell feels historical and magical at once, set in an alternate version of 19th-century England. Clarke explores the beauty and danger of magic as well as the power struggles it can cause.
Readers who found themselves drawn to the darker, morally ambiguous elements in Rothfuss's stories might enjoy Joe Abercrombie. His gritty yet enjoyable writing style creates deeply flawed and memorable characters caught in harsh, realistic worlds.
Abercrombie’s The Blade Itself introduces readers to morally gray heroes, dangerous intrigues, and sharp, often humorous dialogue, offering similar depth and character-driven plots to Rothfuss fans.
Mark Lawrence writes dark fantasy full of sharp wit and complex characters. His books explore power, morality, and redemption, often set against gritty worlds hardened by violence and ambition.
If you enjoyed Patrick Rothfuss's intricate characters and vivid worlds, you'll appreciate Lawrence's novel Prince of Thorns, where we follow Jorg Ancrath's ruthless journey toward empire and revenge.
Peter V. Brett creates expansive stories with relatable characters facing overwhelming adversity. His writing is rich in detail, vividly portraying human courage in a bleak and dangerous world.
Readers who love deep lore and engaging storytelling, like Rothfuss’s work, will likely enjoy Brett's The Warded Man, the exciting start to a world caught in endless nightly battles against demons.
Brent Weeks is known for thrilling fantasy with complex plots and morally grey characters. His writing style blends fast-moving stories and intricate world-building, often exploring dark themes and tough choices.
Fans of Patrick Rothfuss's carefully constructed worlds might enjoy Weeks's The Way of Shadows, where assassins, magic, and politics collide in a shadowy, dangerous city.
Anthony Ryan crafts intense, character-driven fantasy focused on loyalty, ambition, and the pursuit of destiny. His stories unfold beautifully, with meticulous pacing and rich world details reminiscent of Rothfuss’s careful storytelling.
Readers should check out Ryan’s Blood Song, a story of a young warrior named Vaelin Al Sorna and his mysterious path through war, faith, and prophecy.
Josiah Bancroft's stories feel fresh and inventive, set in uniquely imaginative realms. His skill at thoughtful storytelling—involving ideals, adventure, and character growth—echoes the detailed, heartfelt writing of Rothfuss.
Bancroft's Senlin Ascends follows a mild-mannered schoolteacher named Thomas Senlin as he searches the surreal, towering structure known as the Tower of Babel to find his lost wife and possibly himself.