“She knew the way of things. She knew ifyou weren't always stepping lightly as a bird the wholeworld came apart to crush you. Like a house of cards.Like a bottle against stones. Like a wrist pinned hardbeneath a hand with the hot breath smell of want andwine. . . .”

A contemporary American novelist and fantasy writer, Patrick Rothfuss is best known for his acclaimed *Kingkiller Chronicle* series, which blends intricate world-building with lyrical prose. His debut novel, *The Name of the Wind*, earned widespread praise for its rich storytelling and vivid character development.