Author guide

Patrick Rothfuss Books in Order

Patrick Rothfuss is an American author born in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1973. He studied English at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, earned a master's degree at Washington State University, and taught English before becoming a full-time writer. His published work includes epic fantasy novels, companion novellas, darkly comic illustrated books, nonfiction essays, and a co-written graphic novel. He is also the founder of Worldbuilders, a literary charity.

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Catalog record updated August 25, 2026.

Patrick Rothfuss's Newest Book

The Narrow Road Between Desires

novella · First published 2023

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?

Not sure where to begin?

Start with one of these

The Name of the Wind

The opening novel of The Kingkiller Chronicle and the best entry point to Rothfuss's principal fantasy work.

The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle: The Thing Beneath the Bed

The first volume of Rothfuss's darkly comic illustrated Princess and Mr. Whiffle series.

Your Annotated, Illustrated College Survival Guide, Volume I

Rothfuss's first published book and his separately published nonfiction essay collection.

Read in order

Books by series

novel-series · ongoing

The Kingkiller Chronicle

An unfinished epic-fantasy sequence centered on Kvothe, currently comprising two novels and companion novellas.

Series guide →

1
The Name of the Wind
Book 1 · novel · 2007

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…
2
The Wise Man's Fear
Book 2 · novel · 2011

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…
3
The Slow Regard of Silent Things
Book 2.5 · novella · 2014 Optional

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…
4
The Narrow Road Between Desires
Book 2.6 · novella · 2023 Optional

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…

graphic-novel-series · complete

The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle

A darkly comic illustrated series about a princess, her teddy bear, and the dangers beneath the bed and in the Deep Below.

Series guide →

1
The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle: The Thing Beneath the Bed
Book 1 · graphic-novel · 2010
2
The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle: The Dark of Deep Below
Book 2 · graphic-novel · 2013

graphic-series · complete

Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons

A four-issue crossover graphic-novel miniseries co-written by Patrick Rothfuss and Jim Zub, with art by Troy Little.

Series guide →

1
Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons
Book 1 · graphic-novel · 2018

You’ve got to—belch!—roll for initiative, Morty! Two pop culture juggernauts are teaming up and neither multiverse is prepared for what comes next! When Morty sees a cute girl at school playing Dungeons & Dragons, he asks Rick to show him…

Outside the series

Bibliography by category

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Essays and speeches (1)

Your Annotated, Illustrated College Survival Guide, Volume I
essay-collection · 2005

Frequently asked questions about Patrick Rothfuss

Who is Patrick Rothfuss, and what is he best known for?

Patrick Rothfuss is an American fantasy author best known for The Kingkiller Chronicle.

Source: penguinrandomhouse.com (opens in a new tab)

How did Patrick Rothfuss become a published author?

While studying at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, Rothfuss worked on a long fantasy manuscript and taught part-time. A chapter disguised as a short story won the Writers of the Future competition in 2002, helping him make publishing contacts that led DAW to acquire the manuscript.

Source: patrickrothfuss.com (opens in a new tab)

What books and authors influenced Patrick Rothfuss?

Rothfuss describes his influences as the cumulative effect of thousands of books. He has singled out The Chronicles of Narnia as formative and said the Brian Hooker translation of Cyrano de Bergerac changed how he thought about stories.

Source: pbswisconsin.org (opens in a new tab)

What awards has Patrick Rothfuss won?

His debut novel won the Quill Award and was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. It also received a 2008 Alex Award from the American Library Association.

Sources: penguinrandomhouse.com (opens in a new tab)ala.org (opens in a new tab)

What charitable work is Patrick Rothfuss known for?

Rothfuss founded Worldbuilders, a nonprofit that began as a fundraiser for Heifer International and later supported additional humanitarian and education-focused charities.

Source: worldbuilders.org (opens in a new tab)