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trin's review against another edition
2.0
The very first page of this book centers around an image straight out of one of those vaguely porny fantasy calendars -- She entered very carefully, moving silently, floating through the chamber like a phantom; the only sound was that of her mantle brushing her naked skin. Ho boy. I basically knew right away that this was not for me. But so many people love these books! Alas, I could not shake the feeling of vague to intense ickiness that Sapkowski's attitude toward women evoked in me.
I've read way worse things: there are a lot of female characters in this book, and some are even interesting! But there is a relentless attention to women's sexuality as a metaphor for evil, a plot point revolving around how sorceresses are all ugly women who use magic to beautify themselves but in the process shrivel their reproductive organs to nothing (jesus fuck, so much to unpack there), and lots of gratuitous female nudity. For example, at one point the main dude is fighting one of said formerly ugly/now reproductively shriveled sorceresses, and Sapkowski takes care to note that during the battle, her dress rips and her breast pops out. Imagine if every time a female author wrote a fight scene she had the male characters' balls bounce free of their pants. Yeah.
So -- general ick vibe, but that actually wasn't this book's biggest sin, in my mind. Simply put: I never came to care about Main Dude at all. He was just so...neutral. Okay morals. Okay fighting. He's just...okay.
Man no one is sadder than me that this didn't work out because I really wanted to read the fanfic. :(
I've read way worse things: there are a lot of female characters in this book, and some are even interesting! But there is a relentless attention to women's sexuality as a metaphor for evil, a plot point revolving around how sorceresses are all ugly women who use magic to beautify themselves but in the process shrivel their reproductive organs to nothing (jesus fuck, so much to unpack there), and lots of gratuitous female nudity. For example, at one point the main dude is fighting one of said formerly ugly/now reproductively shriveled sorceresses, and Sapkowski takes care to note that during the battle, her dress rips and her breast pops out. Imagine if every time a female author wrote a fight scene she had the male characters' balls bounce free of their pants. Yeah.
So -- general ick vibe, but that actually wasn't this book's biggest sin, in my mind. Simply put: I never came to care about Main Dude at all. He was just so...neutral. Okay morals. Okay fighting. He's just...okay.
Man no one is sadder than me that this didn't work out because I really wanted to read the fanfic. :(
rectmetal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
fornaxjatt's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
villagrandres's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Really loved the writing! Such a way with words and does an amazing job with imagery. Also does a good job keeping things mysterious and withholding information to keep suspense. That being said, only reason it falls short of 5 stars for me is cause I was confused at some points and certain plots were lost on me. Maybe they’re expanded on in future books, but I’m not sure.
irishsponge93's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
justkeepswimming24's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
hwells02's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
As a series I have been intrigued by for a while, I was pleasantly surprised but how much I enjoyed the writing style. Unfortunately, the pacing of some of the short stories in this collection was a little bit off for me. Looking forward to continuing and getting to the full length novels to see if the pacing improves.
shavanners's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
7hm's review against another edition
4.0
Strange reading this having played so much of the games and watched the show. The parts that are familiar, but then different in key ways. Geralt is a much funnier man in this book than in the adaptations.
sacezz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0