One of the most exceptional fantasies I have ever read. Rothfuss surpasses Robert Jordan in sheer writing talent, and overtakes even Anne Rice in creating rich , lovable characters. The world is rich, the magic is intense, and the characters are sheer perfection. Yes, it's an epic fantasy. But the first person point-of-view and small but rich cast of characters makes it accessible to fans of any genre. Even the magic system is so well-crafted it doesn't even seem very magical - it feels more like a science. But at the same time it's also a classic coming-of-age story of triumphs, mistakes, and lessons learned. 
 The characters are remarkable, every one of them well-developed and believable. Especially our genius, hot-tempered hero, Kvothe. I loved his friends and hated his enemies (REALLY hated his enemies). He takes you on a journey of magic, love, and (we hope) revenge. The world, which seems to be loosely shaped like Europe, is rich and full of varied cultures and societies. They are far more realistic and believable than Robert Jordan's. The adventure and suspense is non-stop, and this kept me up for hours past my bedtime because I couldn't put it down. 
 Go ahead and pick up the sequel, The Wise Man's Fear while you're at it. You'll need it right away.