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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
Rereading this series to get ready for the Netflix show. Still 5 stars.
I really enjoyed this because I could better see the connections with the Netflix series. It took me a while to get through it, but it was worth the read!
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
[March 18, 2017] Marking for reread and also *fanfare* upping my rating to a full 4 stars. Do I think it's a 4 star book? I don't know. I just know that this world and these characters keep growing on me more and more. I've read these stories before (obvs) but that doesn't make them a bit more interesting, entertaining or edge-of-your-seat worthy. Part of my grading comes from rereadability. I hold stories that you can visit again and again in high esteem, and this is certainly a collection that falls there.
My review below is great. Read it because I still mostly feel all those things for sure.
[June 5, 2016] I talk about reading this book in this reading wrap-up!
3.5 stars
This has been such an entertaining and interesting reading experience. I will say that I'm loving the stories in terms of action, adventure and Geralt. I LOVE GERALT SO MUCH. I love his non-emotional emo. I love his cold brooding. I love his code of ethics, his solitary figure that is constantly surrounded by the strangest friends, his ability, his capability, etc. I could go on.
I also know, however, that I'm so enchanted with this character and setting BECAUSE I played the video games first. I'm not sure how I would receive all of this if I didn't have that other experience first. I start on page 1 with investment already and I just want to be clear that this was never going to be anything resembling an objective reading experience for me. I'm okay with that, because I'm enjoying myself a ton, but clearly I've also been wondering what I would've thought had things been reversed.
The two things that give me pause here are the writing style and the treatment of women within the story. The writing style isn't bad, by any means. I'm also reading a Sarah J Maas book at the moment, so I'll repeat: I'm not talking about SJM levels bad. There are moments where it is just beautiful it what it says about people, humanity, destiny, war, etc. But those moment are far between. Usually the writing style is rather plain and formulaic. It fits the fantasy style and the character of Geralt well, but it isn't my preferred style. I like things a little more fluffy and descriptive, etc.
The whole thing with women is difficult. We've met a few really powerful, take charge, no nonsense women. The author has even made some really interesting, pro-choice commentary within his story in a way that makes it clear that he's here for women's rights. There is nothing that I could point to and say concretely, "this is SO problematic." It's more of a... ~*feeling*~. Women are constantly sexualized, but in that really plain straight forward manner, so that I'm constantly going back and thinking, "is he being descriptive or gross right now?" If a woman enters the scene, her breast size is going to be described. Bank on it. I often wonder if Geralt is going to make out with all of the women he comes across because of that air with which the author treats his women. It's not happening so much or so overtly that I won't continue reading, especially because I find Yen and Triss and especially Ciri incredible characters.
THAT LAST STORY IN THIS COLLECTION WITH CIRI. Tears.
Finally, ship update: I ONLY ship Geralt and Yen because it's what Geralt wants. I'm back here like, bro. I advise against it but if that's what you want... Yen is difficult to root for. I get all of her reasons for doing things but I get them in my head, not in my heart.
I love that this series starts off with two collections of short stories. (Or at last, that's how I read them. There are a gazillion suggested reading orders out there. I'm going in publication order because.) Every story is like a little piece of the puzzle. It feels like I'm getting tid-bits and easter eggs and I'm liking it.
Onward!
My review below is great. Read it because I still mostly feel all those things for sure.
[June 5, 2016] I talk about reading this book in this reading wrap-up!
3.5 stars
This has been such an entertaining and interesting reading experience. I will say that I'm loving the stories in terms of action, adventure and Geralt. I LOVE GERALT SO MUCH. I love his non-emotional emo. I love his cold brooding. I love his code of ethics, his solitary figure that is constantly surrounded by the strangest friends, his ability, his capability, etc. I could go on.
I also know, however, that I'm so enchanted with this character and setting BECAUSE I played the video games first. I'm not sure how I would receive all of this if I didn't have that other experience first. I start on page 1 with investment already and I just want to be clear that this was never going to be anything resembling an objective reading experience for me. I'm okay with that, because I'm enjoying myself a ton, but clearly I've also been wondering what I would've thought had things been reversed.
The two things that give me pause here are the writing style and the treatment of women within the story. The writing style isn't bad, by any means. I'm also reading a Sarah J Maas book at the moment, so I'll repeat: I'm not talking about SJM levels bad. There are moments where it is just beautiful it what it says about people, humanity, destiny, war, etc. But those moment are far between. Usually the writing style is rather plain and formulaic. It fits the fantasy style and the character of Geralt well, but it isn't my preferred style. I like things a little more fluffy and descriptive, etc.
The whole thing with women is difficult. We've met a few really powerful, take charge, no nonsense women. The author has even made some really interesting, pro-choice commentary within his story in a way that makes it clear that he's here for women's rights. There is nothing that I could point to and say concretely, "this is SO problematic." It's more of a... ~*feeling*~. Women are constantly sexualized, but in that really plain straight forward manner, so that I'm constantly going back and thinking, "is he being descriptive or gross right now?" If a woman enters the scene, her breast size is going to be described. Bank on it. I often wonder if Geralt is going to make out with all of the women he comes across because of that air with which the author treats his women. It's not happening so much or so overtly that I won't continue reading, especially because I find Yen and Triss and especially Ciri incredible characters.
THAT LAST STORY IN THIS COLLECTION WITH CIRI. Tears.
Finally, ship update: I ONLY ship Geralt and Yen because it's what Geralt wants. I'm back here like, bro. I advise against it but if that's what you want... Yen is difficult to root for. I get all of her reasons for doing things but I get them in my head, not in my heart.
I love that this series starts off with two collections of short stories. (Or at last, that's how I read them. There are a gazillion suggested reading orders out there. I'm going in publication order because.) Every story is like a little piece of the puzzle. It feels like I'm getting tid-bits and easter eggs and I'm liking it.
Onward!
De nuevo un libro con relatos largos sin otro hilo conductor que Geralt siendo el protagonista de cada uno de ellos. Este es el segundo que me leo de la saga, después de The Last Wish (🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟) .
Lo que me gustó:
Yennefer: puede que a muchos no les agrade porque se la pone difícil a Geralt pero a mí me encanta.
Geralt: es genial. Sin discusión. ¿Cómo no te va a agradar como lector este tipo?
Tellico.
Villentretenmerth.
Essi.
Libertad sexual equitativa.
Que una mujer no sepa cocinar y ninguno de los personajes se lo recrimine.
El lado triste de Dandelion.
La construcción de mundo.
La forma de narrar de Andrzej.
Y por el momento, no hay ni una sola cosa que me disguste.
Lo que me gustó:
Yennefer: puede que a muchos no les agrade porque se la pone difícil a Geralt pero a mí me encanta.
Geralt: es genial. Sin discusión. ¿Cómo no te va a agradar como lector este tipo?
Tellico.
Villentretenmerth.
Essi.
Libertad sexual equitativa.
Que una mujer no sepa cocinar y ninguno de los personajes se lo recrimine.
El lado triste de Dandelion.
La construcción de mundo.
La forma de narrar de Andrzej.
Y por el momento, no hay ni una sola cosa que me disguste.
I wish I had listened to advice and read this before 'Blood of Elves'.
Like 'The Last Wish' this is a short story collection that really gets to the heart of the characters, motivations and world of the The Witcher. It sets up everything ready for the meat of the 'main' books.
I only struggled through one of these stories (The Eternal Fire was terribly tedious) but the rest were brilliant. I even had tears in my eyes not once but twice! The first at the end of 'A Little Sacrifice' and again by the final moments of the book in 'Something More' - even though I knew the reunion was coming. Geralt and Ciri's connection is so powerful and was built up so well in the novel as a whole.
Genuinely at the point where I can say that the 'Witcher-Verse' is my favourite fantasy world. We've got politics, intrigue, interesting characters, grey-moral areas ahoy! And the female characters aren't an afterthought nor are they one-dimensional. A rarity in this genre.
Like 'The Last Wish' this is a short story collection that really gets to the heart of the characters, motivations and world of the The Witcher. It sets up everything ready for the meat of the 'main' books.
I only struggled through one of these stories (The Eternal Fire was terribly tedious) but the rest were brilliant. I even had tears in my eyes not once but twice! The first at the end of 'A Little Sacrifice' and again by the final moments of the book in 'Something More' - even though I knew the reunion was coming. Geralt and Ciri's connection is so powerful and was built up so well in the novel as a whole.
Genuinely at the point where I can say that the 'Witcher-Verse' is my favourite fantasy world. We've got politics, intrigue, interesting characters, grey-moral areas ahoy! And the female characters aren't an afterthought nor are they one-dimensional. A rarity in this genre.
3 stelle perché se avessi letto ancora una volta di Geralt e Yennefer che parlano di non poter avere figli e che per questo non possono stare assieme, avrei bruciato il libro.
Sorvolo su questa cosa e su come sono scritte le donne - a fatica - solo perché è stato scritto negli anni '90.
Sorvolo su questa cosa e su come sono scritte le donne - a fatica - solo perché è stato scritto negli anni '90.
I love these books! This one was a little harder to follow along with since it skips around quite a bit, but I still enjoyed it a lot and I can't wait to see what happens next!