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Patrick Rothfuss has a knack for creating and filling out a world through character development and discovery. His prose is a delight to read, and his descriptions are lush without being flowery. But if you're seeking a plot-driven fantasy, you've come to the wrong place.

Kvothe is an intriguing and nuanced character. Despite being gifted in sympathy, sygaldry, and music, he fucks up or finds himself in less-than-stellar situations on the regular. But his development and journey is more honest and realistic because of his numerous faults. His only being fifteen in The Name of the Wind certainly helps that believability along. The Wise Man's Fear, however, takes Kvothe's methodical musings and stretches them to the point of tedium. I loved everything about the University, his search for the Chandrian, and the mysteries of the Amyr. Everything else was a slog, especially after his encounter with Felurian.

Despite The Wise Man Fear's shortcomings, I love how magic is a natural part of the world instead of the focus. Though magical elements are there, and add quite a bit to the story, Kvothe's growth as a person is at the forefront of the tale.

For those seeking a long trek through another world, with little care for character arcs or overarching plot threads, The Wise Man's Fear might be just what you're after.

If you adore the macabre and the grisly, you'll find thirteen kindred spirits folded in the pages of Why I Love Horror. If you either dislike or fear the genre, you'll read a baker's dozen's worth of essays that explain the complexities and nuances found in horror. Some horror is cathartic. Some horror is tortuously honest. There are so many subgenres of horror, from the most gruesome (think the Terrifier franchise) to the most literary (Dracula, Frankenstein, and the works of Stephen Graham Jones). Even if you're frightened of the dark, or can't stomach blood, there's horror out there for you.

This collection of essays shines a light into the dark recesses of the mind. Some authors delve into their childhoods, reminiscing about their favorite horror movies and Stephen King novels. Others find solace in psychological terrors, where they can confront their most horrific characteristics, their trauma, and the darkest parts of society. For some, horror is healing. For others, horror provides countless answers to the question, "What if?" For even more, horror provides a safe place to grapple with the terrors that play out in their homes, their communities, their country, and the world.

As a horror fan, this read brought introspection I hadn't realized I wanted. I highly recommend Why I Love Horror to fans of the genre or those who wish to dip their toes into all it offers.

Bradbury's book on craft leans more on the memoir side, much like Stephen King's "On Writing." The difference here is that, while King provides writing tips he generally abides by, Bradbury focuses more on the love and admiration for creation. What he provides in this book is a mindset that pushes the reader to engage their writing as something to melt into rather than fight against. If you're a writer struggling to find joy in the emotional and mental grind of penning a novel or collection of short stories, this is an excellent book to sink your teeth into.

While I ultimately didn't solve the murder (I chose the wrong suspect based on the interview trail I followed), I enjoyed the journey and even hit the second highest score tier: Detective Inspector. All in all, I'm not such a bad detective, I just didn't stumble into all the necessary clues needed to accuse the right person.