Despite successfully defending himself in court, Kvothe has guaranteed himself an extremely high term tuition due to the negative attention he has attracted at the University.

He also discovers Denna living in Severen and, after several weeks in her company, gets to know the song she is working on, but the lyrics violate the very core of Kvothe's knowledge about the fall of Myr Tariniel.

The Cthaeh also reveals that the leader of the group of bandits was in fact Cinder, one of the Chandrian who had long ago murdered Kvothe's troupe, and that Denna suffers cruel physical abuse at the hands of her mysterious patron.

These revelations greatly distress Kvothe and weigh heavy on his heart and mind causing him to leave the realm of the Fae to continue on his journey.

The Maer and his wife show him a family heirloom, a box with no visible lid or lock, and ask for his help in learning about it, but Kvothe is unable to come to any substantial conclusions.

The Maer shows his gratitude by pardoning him for killing the robbers, providing a writ of performance, and ensuring Kvothe's University tuition is forever compensated.

[6] Brilliance Audio released the US audiobook versions of The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear narrated by Nick Podehl, and Orion Audio released the UK and Rest of World versions of the audiobooks of The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear, narrated by Rupert Degas.

[13] Publishers Weekly's review was glowing, claiming that "as seamless and lyrical as a song from the lute-playing adventurer and arcanist Kvothe, this mesmerizing sequel to Rothfuss's 2007's debut, The Name of the Wind, is a towering work of fantasy".

[14] The San Diego Union Tribune, however, opines that Rothfuss "lingers too long in subplots, resorts occasionally to coincidences to advance his story, and relies heavily on cliches and anachronisms" and despite "brilliant moments" of storytelling, "there's little, if any, movement forward in Kvothe's search for the Chandrian".