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Quick answer: If you loved The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, try The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb, The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin and The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie.
The Name of the Wind and its sequel, The Wise Man’s Fear, have a devoted following, and readers are still waiting for book three. While you wait, the books below offer the same lyrical prose, magic schools, clever heroes and immersive storytelling. Some are classics, and some are modern epics.
Table of Contents
Why Readers Love The Name of the Wind
The Name of the Wind is a fantasy told by its own legend. Kvothe, now a quiet innkeeper, recounts how he became the most notorious wizard of his age, from his traveling-troupe childhood to his days at the University. Patrick Rothfuss’s prose is musical, the magic system is clever, and the world feels lived-in. Readers love its slow, immersive storytelling, even while waiting years for the final book. These picks share its beautiful writing and unforgettable narrators.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick below shares at least one thing readers loved about The Name of the Wind: its characters, its mood, its setting or the questions it raises. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious choices, and we noted the genre and who each book suits best in the table, so you can scan for the right fit before you read the blurbs.
We kept every description spoiler-free and flagged mature content where it matters, since some of these books are written for adults and others suit teens. If you’re not sure where to start, the tips near the end of this list match each pick to what you loved most. The FAQ at the bottom answers the questions readers ask most often.
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Genre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Lies of Locke Lamora | Scott Lynch | Fantasy | Clever heroes and heists |
| Assassin’s Apprentice | Robin Hobb | Fantasy | First-person epics |
| The Way of Kings | Brandon Sanderson | Epic fantasy | Huge worlds |
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | Brandon Sanderson | Fantasy | Clever magic systems |
| A Wizard of Earthsea | Ursula K. Le Guin | Classic fantasy | Magic schools and true names |
| The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie | Grimdark fantasy | Flawed characters |
| The Black Prism | Brent Weeks | Fantasy | Color magic |
| The Night Circus | Erin Morgenstern | Fantasy | Lyrical prose |
| The Shadow of What Was Lost | James Islington | Fantasy | Magic academies |
| Red Sister | Mark Lawrence | Fantasy | Training schools |
| The Poppy War | R. F. Kuang | Fantasy | Academies and war |
| The Priory of the Orange Tree | Samantha Shannon | Epic fantasy | Standalone epics |
| Piranesi | Susanna Clarke | Fantasy | Mysterious narrators |
| Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell | Susanna Clarke | Fantasy | Scholarly magic |
| The Wise Man’s Fear | Patrick Rothfuss | Fantasy | Continuing the story |
1. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
A gang of con artists pulls elaborate schemes in a Venice-like city. It’s witty, dark and gripping.
2. Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
A royal bastard trained as an assassin tells his own story. It’s emotional and immersive.
3. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
The first Stormlight Archive book introduces a war-torn world with storms and magic oaths.
4. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
A street thief learns to burn metals for power and joins a rebellion against an immortal ruler.
5. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
A young wizard studies at a school of magic and must face the shadow he unleashed. Names have power here too.
6. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
A barbarian, a torturer and a vain nobleman are caught up in war. It’s darkly funny.
7. The Black Prism by Brent Weeks
An emperor who can split light into magic hides a dangerous secret.
8. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Two young magicians compete inside a mysterious black-and-white circus.
9. The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington
Students with magical gifts face suspicion and an ancient threat.
10. Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
A young girl is trained as a warrior nun in a convent of assassins.
11. The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang
A war orphan tests into an elite military academy and discovers dangerous powers.
12. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Queens, mages and dragon riders face an ancient evil.
13. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
A man lives in an endless house of statues and tides. It’s strange and beautiful.
14. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Two magicians revive English magic during the Napoleonic Wars.
15. The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
If you haven’t read the sequel, Kvothe’s adventures continue with travels and training.
How to Pick Your Next Read After The Name of the Wind
- Haven’t read book two? Start with The Wise Man’s Fear.
- Want clever rogues? The Lies of Locke Lamora.
- Want first-person epics? Assassin’s Apprentice.
- Want magic systems? Mistborn and The Way of Kings.
- Want lyrical prose? The Night Circus and Piranesi.
- Want classics? A Wizard of Earthsea.
Related: best fantasy books for book clubs and books like Dune.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I read after The Name of the Wind?
Try The Lies of Locke Lamora, Assassin’s Apprentice, Mistborn or A Wizard of Earthsea.
Will the third Kingkiller book be released?
Patrick Rothfuss hasn’t announced a release date for The Doors of Stone.
Is Mistborn like The Name of the Wind?
Both have clever magic systems and gifted young heroes, though Mistborn is faster-paced.