The Narrow Road Between Desires

Kingkiller Chronicle

By: Patrick Rothfuss

Narrated by: Nick Podehl, Patrick Rothfuss

#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?

©2023 Patrick Rothfuss (P)2023 Recorded Books

If you’ve read the original, you’re not missing anything

I got this because I’m a huge king Killer Chronicles fan, even knowing that it was just a somewhat remake it’s good, but somewhat disappointing he doesn’t even really change or add that much to the original story so for that, I am somewhat disappointed and the fact that he’s taking so long to even finish his original series 

Okay, not exceptional.

I absolutely love your previous titles and I listen to them over and over again. I need your next great book. Please.

Good read to short..

Good read short and sweet. Just do everyone a favor and release the last damn book. Lol

Delightful and diverting

Hits the spot on wanting more Kingkiller content. Podehl’s work on these characters sounds as incredibly natural as it has in the first two full novels. Also, this is worth the listen just for the author’s note afterword. Thanks, Pat.

A nice short story while waiting for the 3rd book!

wonderfully narrated, a funny, dark and sometimes concerning look into a day of a fae.

Classic Patrick left me wanting more

Entertaining, amazing writing, left me wanting more! Patrick clearly still has it I hope the success of this Novela motivates him to finish our beloved series

Clever & Lovely

Rothfuss’s writing is such a kindness in a harsh world. His way with words and care in storytelling remind me what beauty is necessary in the world.

This story is breezy and deep, it’s a wonderful addition to the universe and update to a beloved short.

Anyone leaving low reviews complaining about it not being the third book needs to check their entitlement and stop being cruel.

As always Patrick Delivers

Handing out laughter and wit with both fists Patrick Rothfuss satisfies deep parts of our desire for stories. Desire so deep that we don’t even realize that we are craving it until after we receive it. He has a way of making the heart race in anticipation that is truly unique. As we are carried along the rollercoaster of the narrative we cannot help but feel oddly fulfilled and even a bit more intelligent than we thought we were. Just by grasping the depth of the storytelling we get little shocks when we realize that we understand exactly what he’s saying and it makes us feel clever. Then later, digesting what we’ve read we realize that Patrick was trying to make us feel exactly what we did. He truly is an “Artificer “ and a “Namer”. He calls the names that are deep inside us and our higher selves wake up and answer.
Nick Podehl is my favorite Narrator. Beyond reading he literally preforms the work without trying too hard and without “I believe “ changing the intention of the Author. His clever inflection and range of characters voices is absolutely unique. Most narrators have 3-4 voices that they use over and over. Nick brings a little something different for each character. Where the voice might have the same sound as another the cadence or the stresses will change, so that it feels like an entirely different person. Great job and thank you Patrick and Nick for creating art that is so deeply enjoyable. It is truly a treasure and the world would be a less interesting place without your work.

Like coming home to a cozy fire

Pat has done it again.

The Narrow Road Between Desires is a magical journey from the perspective of Bast who is more than he seems, yet exactly who he seems. A touching journey that as a father, brought me to tears and has me yearning for the 2nd listen to piece apart the nuances after knowing the bones of the story. Pat, you've once again written a story that is engaging and entertaining, while still being something that is relatable and beautiful.

The narrator, Nick Podehl, has become a voice actor that since reading The Name of the Wind, is in high demand especially in the LitRPG genre. It was great to hear him once again return to Tamriel and I'm grateful that the audiobook came out the same day the book was published.

Thank you Pat. Your work makes the world a better place for being in it.

Worth the wait

I've been rereading the two main novels once a year for what seems like forever. This short story reminded me that the wait for the third book is worth it. I relate to Rike a bit too closely but that's okay, this story broke my heart just enough to repair it. Thank you Mr Rothuss.