The writing is fantastic! Has a magical, medieval feel to it. Lots of witty quips and poetry-esque descriptions and thoughts. The song segments were fun too!

I really enjoyed the world building as well. The nods to how language works and interacts + the way rumors became stories with specs of truth was fascinating and imo accurate.

Be warned! This book is part of a series, of which this is the first book. One sequel is available and a side story about a minor character (idk if she becomes more prominent in the 2nd book) 

This book focuses on Kvothe's past and why he is the innkeeper he is today. A majority takes place in a frame narrative about the adventure stories told about him. Mostly:

his childhood, his time Tarbean, and his time at university

. Sparsely filled with romance, which imo was the slowest and most repetitive part and could've shaved a dozen pages off of the book. In the latter half I noticed a lot of repetitions. While it makes sense in the story and narrative wise, it's not enjoyable to read to me.

It doesn't work as a standalone book either as it ends with

most mysteries open and a cliffhanger that foreshadows things to come in the second book I assume

.