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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
All great projects have to start somewhere, and for Sapkowski, the beginning of writing The Witcher Saga started with Sword of Destiny. And it’s easy to see why this first work led to so many more. The prose and the narrative constructions may be a bit rough around the edges at times, but the stories in this collection are still solid. There’s no direct flow or connection from one story to the next, but they work like puzzle pieces fitted together to create a picture of so many great characters, places, and themes. But while Sword of Destiny is the starting point of Sapkowski’s writings about Geralt the witcher, it’s not where others should start to read the series. That would be The Last Wish.
Sapkowski published The Last Wish a year after Sword of Destiny, and both works are similar in many ways beyond both being short story collections. However, The Last Wish shows a level of writing quality that’s absent at times in Sword of Destiny while also providing background details that make Sword of Destiny less difficult to wade into for someone new to the world of witchers. My opinion: It’s best to start with The Last Wish first and follow up with Sword of Destiny second, but it’s not absolutely necessary. Final grade: B/B-, and a solid four starts.
Sapkowski published The Last Wish a year after Sword of Destiny, and both works are similar in many ways beyond both being short story collections. However, The Last Wish shows a level of writing quality that’s absent at times in Sword of Destiny while also providing background details that make Sword of Destiny less difficult to wade into for someone new to the world of witchers. My opinion: It’s best to start with The Last Wish first and follow up with Sword of Destiny second, but it’s not absolutely necessary. Final grade: B/B-, and a solid four starts.
It was Fine. but it was defiantly dated. the little mermaid story was probably the worst offender for things that frustrated me but if you like the short story format for fantasy it is still well written, particularly in a niche that is not often explored even if its not quite my style. this book had me putting it down many a time and if it wasn't for the dramatic change that is promised in the next book (being the first true book of the series) I would probably stop here... still not 100%sure I wont.
More short stories of various adventures of The Witcher. These are mostly concerned with his romantic ties with Yennefer, but also his ties of destiny to Ciri. They are tales of various magical creatures that often take a new slant on the usual myths.
Again, these are straight-forward, action adventure fantasy stories. I am bored by the “star-crossed lovers” plot-line between Geralt and Yennefer, but did enjoy the destiny plot-line between Geralt and Yennefer. I enjoy the world-building and the twists that are given to the usual stories of magical creatures, but am sad by the shallow treatment of women.
Again, these are straight-forward, action adventure fantasy stories. I am bored by the “star-crossed lovers” plot-line between Geralt and Yennefer, but did enjoy the destiny plot-line between Geralt and Yennefer. I enjoy the world-building and the twists that are given to the usual stories of magical creatures, but am sad by the shallow treatment of women.
This is the second collection of short stories and the second book that fans of the game should read in order to appreciate the relationship between Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri. AND LET ME JUST FLAIL ALL MY FEELINGS ABOUT THESE THREE OKAY?
The short stories here are a bit slower in action, but for me, all that is made up for in the character development and the stellar dialogue that Sapkowski writes.
The short stories here are a bit slower in action, but for me, all that is made up for in the character development and the stellar dialogue that Sapkowski writes.
I can see how Geralt of Rivia and his stories became a video game. And further a television show. The stories are interesting and don't always end the way you think they will.
Sapkowski could do with a few less tropes in terms of women but, for the most part, I am really enjoying seeing the show I like as the written word.
My favorite of the short stories was A Little Sacrifice - which I am hoping makes it to the next season of the Witcher.
Sapkowski could do with a few less tropes in terms of women but, for the most part, I am really enjoying seeing the show I like as the written word.
My favorite of the short stories was A Little Sacrifice - which I am hoping makes it to the next season of the Witcher.
This collection of short stories finds its greatest strength in its thematic through-lines. Sapkowski’s lush and occasionally disarming prose kept me on edge before knocking me off my feet; the final page of “A Little Sacrifice” might be the most beautiful passage in fantasy I’ve read.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm torn here. I love Geralt. I adore Dandelion. Love the monsters and adventure. But it's clear that there is some deep misogyny coming from the author. The way that he writes women is with some disgust and disrespect. It's very disappointing.
adventurous
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:
Complicated
Much of Sword of Destiny was covered in the Netflix series, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. I know there’s a contingent that says you should read the book before watching the show/movie, but I tend to think the opposite is true. The book is almost always better, so I feel like watching the show first will spark your interest, and reading the book will plunge you deeper into the world. Reading the book first might make you disappointed in the movie… All that to say, the show was good, but the book has more. More detail, more side stories, and more characters.
While The Last Wish was also a series of short stories, they were a little more disjointed. Just telling pieces of Geralt’s past. Sword of Destiny is more focused. The stories are all related in some way, leading up to a final event (which also happens to be the final event of season one of the show). I think this makes it more of a page-turner than the previous book. I definitely finished it faster.
The writing was excellent again, no surprise there. And the characters were great. I enjoyed getting to know the main cast a little better. Dandelion (called Jaskier on the show) and Yennifer return and we learn more about them and their personalities. Ciri is introduced for the first time, but I imagine we’ll get to know her better in future books.
While The Last Wish was also a series of short stories, they were a little more disjointed. Just telling pieces of Geralt’s past. Sword of Destiny is more focused. The stories are all related in some way, leading up to a final event (which also happens to be the final event of season one of the show). I think this makes it more of a page-turner than the previous book. I definitely finished it faster.
The writing was excellent again, no surprise there. And the characters were great. I enjoyed getting to know the main cast a little better. Dandelion (called Jaskier on the show) and Yennifer return and we learn more about them and their personalities. Ciri is introduced for the first time, but I imagine we’ll get to know her better in future books.