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k_b's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gloomybear_jazz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.75
tiredreaper's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
readeranavi's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ceniaguldstrand's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
veeresh1729's review against another edition
2.0
Book was a difficult read it was not engaging until middle of second half the book, and there is smooth transition between the scenes described there was nothing significant progress made in the plot of series in this book
vojtas's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
manjala's review against another edition
3.0
I’m becoming so attached to Geralt and Ciri... and they just need to stay safe pls (pretty please) I still don’t know whether I like Yennefer or not
soartfullydone's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
And so the adventures and destiny of Ciri, Geralt, and Yennefer begin in earnest this time.
I've arrived at Blood of Elves after having read the two short story books in full and all the context they provide. I cannot imagine going into this book cold—but folks certainly have and enjoyed it besides. Such strong readers. I, for one, am glad to have watched the first two seasons of the Netflix show because it's given me a semblance of what's going on, even if I do have to look up who minor characters are when they're name-dropped. But this ain't about them. I also have to give some belated props to Netflix for creating such cohesion with their first two seasons using the short stories and Blood of Elves, as the secret sauce didn't exactly land in their lap, wrapped all nicely in a bow.
After all, Andrzej Sapkowski doesn't layout the Witcher series in a traditional manner. It's not straightforwardly linear, with each scene and chapter clearly leading you to the next event or character interaction. It doesn't hand-hold the reader through its politics and proceedings. In fact, you rarely get to see events unfold first-hand, but rather, you hear characters debate on what truly occurred and what might happen next. It feels quite similar to studying a historical period, but you have mostly second-hand accounts and tertiary sources from which to pull information. In this way, the plot of Blood of Elves and the character arcs of Ciri, Geralt, and Yennefer can seem confusingly muddled and frustratingly opaque.
Yet, I found it interesting to at last read a Witcher book that wasn't a short-story collection but which dealt with an underlying plot. I enjoyed, as I did in the short stories, how quick and witty the characters are to discuss matters of state, of political upheavals, and of rumors, so you could see how our destiny trio is, in fact, shaping events and the world around them even when they aren't present on the page. I loved the mystery behind Ciri as a Child Surprise and the prophecy she might defy or fulfill, without anyone truly understanding what she is or what it all could mean. I loved seeing the different ways Geralt and Yennefer protected and mentored Ciri, and I loved seeing Dandelion's continued loyalty towards Geralt, even though he didn't feature very much.
I still don't understand or enjoy Geralt and Yennefer's "romance" and I never will. The same could be said for Triss' romance with Geralt. It's not that I think Geralt is unfuckable. It's just that Sapkowski couldn't write a sensible, enjoyable romantic relationship if his life depended on it, and I've come to accept that fact. But hey, he wasn't totally weird about women here the way he is out of nowhere in the short stories. I have to clap.
I'm very excited to read The Time of Contempt. Let's see if I can finish this series in time to understand the allusions going on in The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, but if not, it's no loss. I'm clearly having fun with this fantasy series and its satirical examination of society.
I've arrived at Blood of Elves after having read the two short story books in full and all the context they provide. I cannot imagine going into this book cold—but folks certainly have and enjoyed it besides. Such strong readers. I, for one, am glad to have watched the first two seasons of the Netflix show because it's given me a semblance of what's going on, even if I do have to look up who minor characters are when they're name-dropped. But this ain't about them. I also have to give some belated props to Netflix for creating such cohesion with their first two seasons using the short stories and Blood of Elves, as the secret sauce didn't exactly land in their lap, wrapped all nicely in a bow.
After all, Andrzej Sapkowski doesn't layout the Witcher series in a traditional manner. It's not straightforwardly linear, with each scene and chapter clearly leading you to the next event or character interaction. It doesn't hand-hold the reader through its politics and proceedings. In fact, you rarely get to see events unfold first-hand, but rather, you hear characters debate on what truly occurred and what might happen next. It feels quite similar to studying a historical period, but you have mostly second-hand accounts and tertiary sources from which to pull information. In this way, the plot of Blood of Elves and the character arcs of Ciri, Geralt, and Yennefer can seem confusingly muddled and frustratingly opaque.
Yet, I found it interesting to at last read a Witcher book that wasn't a short-story collection but which dealt with an underlying plot. I enjoyed, as I did in the short stories, how quick and witty the characters are to discuss matters of state, of political upheavals, and of rumors, so you could see how our destiny trio is, in fact, shaping events and the world around them even when they aren't present on the page. I loved the mystery behind Ciri as a Child Surprise and the prophecy she might defy or fulfill, without anyone truly understanding what she is or what it all could mean. I loved seeing the different ways Geralt and Yennefer protected and mentored Ciri, and I loved seeing Dandelion's continued loyalty towards Geralt, even though he didn't feature very much.
I still don't understand or enjoy Geralt and Yennefer's "romance" and I never will. The same could be said for Triss' romance with Geralt. It's not that I think Geralt is unfuckable. It's just that Sapkowski couldn't write a sensible, enjoyable romantic relationship if his life depended on it, and I've come to accept that fact. But hey, he wasn't totally weird about women here the way he is out of nowhere in the short stories. I have to clap.
I'm very excited to read The Time of Contempt. Let's see if I can finish this series in time to understand the allusions going on in The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, but if not, it's no loss. I'm clearly having fun with this fantasy series and its satirical examination of society.