The Slow Regard of Silent Things    by Patrick Rothfuss Order:  USA  Can Daw, 2014 (2014) Hardcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Patrick Rothfuss took center stage on the fantasy scene with The Name of the Wind (first in his three day long Kingkiller Chronicles) and kept his place there with his second tome, The Wise Man's Fear. Fans await the conclusion with mounting anticipation. But here's something a little different to keep us going. The Slow Regard of Silent Things (mystically illustrated by Nate Taylor) takes us into the heart and mind of Auri, a fey young woman who roams through the Underthing. Series lead Kvothe won her trust and friendship in the first book. Now she makes things ready for his return, seeking a 'proper gift'. Auri, slightly mad and very magical (or perhaps the opposite) passes her days focussed on 'the slow regard of silent things', while anticipating - and preparing for - something very important to her 'on the seventh day.' She moves carefully and cautiously through the underworld that she has made her own, doing what needs doing, though her actions would be inexplicable to most. Rothfuss does what he does best in this small volume - he writes with relentless empathy and tantalizes readers while keeping their focus on the moment on the page in front of them, kind of a reading meditation. Anyone with a smidgeon of empathy will feel for Auri and savor The Slow Regard of Silent Things. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Fantasy books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews