The Narrow Road Between Desires: Bast’s Novella and The Lightning Tree Explained

Evergreen book guide · Updated October 8, 2026

The Narrow Road Between Desires is Patrick Rothfuss’s illustrated novella about Bast, published on November 14, 2023. It revisits and expands “The Lightning Tree,” the Bast story first published in the 2014 anthology Rogues. Nate Taylor supplies the illustrations.

If you found the original announcement and wondered whether the book is still forthcoming, it has already been released. This guide explains how the two Bast stories relate and what to expect before choosing a copy.

What is The Narrow Road Between Desires about?

The story spends a single day with Bast in Temerant, the world of the Kingkiller Chronicle. It focuses on his bargains, relationships and the complications that arise when an exchange does not work as he expects. The scale is intimate rather than that of a long quest across the world.

The publisher’s description presents it as an illustrated reimagining of the earlier story. That makes it a side story with its own focus, rather than the next numbered installment of Kvothe’s main narrative.

Is it the same story as The Lightning Tree?

The two books share the same foundation. The Narrow Road Between Desires expands and revises the earlier Bast tale, so readers who already know “The Lightning Tree” should expect familiar material as well as additions. It is not a direct sequel that simply starts after the original ending.

“The Lightning Tree” was written by Patrick Rothfuss. George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois edited Rogues; Martin did not write Rothfuss’s Bast story. The anthology’s original table of contents identifies the contributors and their individual stories.

Do you need to read The Lightning Tree first?

No. The novella reworks the earlier story rather than requiring it as a separate prerequisite. If you want one version of Bast’s day, the expanded illustrated book is a straightforward choice. Reading both is more useful if you enjoy comparing how a writer revises a story.

If you already own Rogues, the question is whether the revised prose and illustrations matter enough to you to revisit familiar ground. If you have never read the earlier story, you do not need to buy the anthology merely to understand this novella.

Should you read the Kingkiller novels first?

The publisher describes the novella as a standalone story, so it can be read independently. Readers already familiar with Bast and the Waystone Inn will bring additional context, however. For someone whose main goal is to experience the Kingkiller Chronicle, starting with The Name of the Wind remains a sensible reading choice.

For the wider sequence, use our Kingkiller Chronicle books-in-order guide. This page concentrates on the Bast novella so you can decide whether it belongs on your own reading list.

Is this The Doors of Stone?

No. The Narrow Road Between Desires is a companion story about Bast. It does not serve as the third main Kingkiller novel or complete Kvothe’s narrative. A publication date for this novella should not be interpreted as a release announcement for another book.

Readers looking specifically for the third novel can consult our The Doors of Stone updates page and distinguish author or publisher announcements from retailer placeholders.

Publication date and editions

Rothfuss’s May 2023 announcement named November 14, 2023 as the publication date. The US hardcover and ebook appeared on that date; the US paperback followed on September 23, 2025. Dates attached to a later format are not the book’s original release date.

The US print editions are listed at 240 pages. Page counts can vary across formats and territories, so use the ISBN and format when comparing copies. If the artwork is a key reason you want the book, check how your chosen edition presents it.

Who is this novella for?

It is most directly suited to readers curious about Bast, readers who enjoy illustrated fantasy, and existing Rothfuss fans interested in a smaller story within Temerant. Anyone buying it primarily to advance the main trilogy should adjust that expectation before starting.