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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
This book was really good. It’s a great gateway fantasy series. So much better than the stupid Netflix show.
Summary: A pretty fantastic if somewhat, typical fantasy story; though I will say this is finally a really good start to what is a longer story.
I’m working my way through the Witcher novels, and overall, they’re good. I don’t really know that they’re amazing, but I have enjoyed reading them and I love the characters.
I will say that this feels like the start of a series, whereas the last two books felt a little bit more independent of the series as a whole. It’s very clear that this book is the set up for everything coming after it and I’ve really enjoyed that. It isn’t just some standalone adventure.
Like all things Witcher, you sort of have to like this genre of fiction or it really won’t be for you. It’s sort of a little bit of a gritty, political, monster killer story without a ton of monsters; though it might be fair to say that one of the large principles the book series teaches is that the real monsters are often humans.
I had a good time reading this, but I am a huge fan of the Witcher universe so that makes sense. I don’t know that I would recommend these to just anybody. You’d really need to be a fan of the whole sword and sorcery fantasy genre. If you’re not, this book’s not gonna do anything for you.
I’m working my way through the Witcher novels, and overall, they’re good. I don’t really know that they’re amazing, but I have enjoyed reading them and I love the characters.
I will say that this feels like the start of a series, whereas the last two books felt a little bit more independent of the series as a whole. It’s very clear that this book is the set up for everything coming after it and I’ve really enjoyed that. It isn’t just some standalone adventure.
Like all things Witcher, you sort of have to like this genre of fiction or it really won’t be for you. It’s sort of a little bit of a gritty, political, monster killer story without a ton of monsters; though it might be fair to say that one of the large principles the book series teaches is that the real monsters are often humans.
I had a good time reading this, but I am a huge fan of the Witcher universe so that makes sense. I don’t know that I would recommend these to just anybody. You’d really need to be a fan of the whole sword and sorcery fantasy genre. If you’re not, this book’s not gonna do anything for you.
Now, I will say that this is a LOT slower paced than the prequel books and a lot less happens. There’s more politics and scene setting and very little high stakes action, so it loses 1 star but overall I’m still very much enjoying being in this world and getting a bit more detail and background on the characters. Also, over 1hr long chapters are not it. I know this was written in ‘94 but there is never an excuse for chapters that long!!!
slow-paced
Gutted to DNF another book but this is 95% dialogue which is made up of random chit-chat. The premise sounds exciting but the execution just isn’t grabbing me. Part of me wonders whether this is just a poorly done overly literal translation? The prose is so clunky.
Maybe I’ll try the game instead
Maybe I’ll try the game instead
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strangely, I found this entry in the Witcher series a little disappointing. I adored the two short story collections; they both had an excellent balance of action, character development, world building, etc. This book felt rather short and lacked any momentum. I do feel that its purpose is to build up to the greater plot, and I'm sure it gives a lot of necessary context to coming events, but on it's own it's just not what I expected.
adventurous
dark
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:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Weirdly, I enjoyed the short story collection more.
I would have thought we would get more context, clues, and world building in what is supposed to be book one. Nope. Names, wars, races, characters, past relationships… if I didn’t already know the basics from the first two season of the TV show, I would have felt so lost and frustrated.
The writing is great.
There is a lot of tell not show which makes sense when you think of how well it works as adaptions.
You learn so much about the characters through their dialogue rather than any actions. Indeed, a lot of actions are conveyed through the use of dialogue.
<b>’I see you have applied yourselves to fulfilling the demands of fate and destiny? But it seems you have muddled the stories, boys. In the fairy-tales I was told, shepherdesses and orphans become princesses.
But here, I see, a princess is becoming a witcher. Does that not appear somewhat daring to you?'
</b>
I loved being in Ciri’s head and perspective. Somehow Sapkowski manages to write in the manner of a young, naive, thirsty for the world girl extremely well.
The chapters are very long though. 43 pages to get to chapter 2.
I would have thought we would get more context, clues, and world building in what is supposed to be book one. Nope. Names, wars, races, characters, past relationships… if I didn’t already know the basics from the first two season of the TV show, I would have felt so lost and frustrated.
The writing is great.
There is a lot of tell not show which makes sense when you think of how well it works as adaptions.
You learn so much about the characters through their dialogue rather than any actions. Indeed, a lot of actions are conveyed through the use of dialogue.
<b>’I see you have applied yourselves to fulfilling the demands of fate and destiny? But it seems you have muddled the stories, boys. In the fairy-tales I was told, shepherdesses and orphans become princesses.
But here, I see, a princess is becoming a witcher. Does that not appear somewhat daring to you?'
</b>
I loved being in Ciri’s head and perspective. Somehow Sapkowski manages to write in the manner of a young, naive, thirsty for the world girl extremely well.
The chapters are very long though. 43 pages to get to chapter 2.