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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm finding these to be very enjoyable and amusing. I laugh aloud often which is pleasant.
Theyre obviously written by a man which makes some of the parts with women feel a little icky and frustrating but it seems good natured in spirit and there's an earnestness there.
Theyre obviously written by a man which makes some of the parts with women feel a little icky and frustrating but it seems good natured in spirit and there's an earnestness there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Xenophobia, War
Moderate: Misogyny
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
So fully in love with these stories. It's an interesting pacing and world that only gets better.
REREAD:
Rereading the series now that the final book is out. It's interesting, since I actually like this book less this time around. Or rather, its deficiencies are more noticeable. Especially after reading The Sword of Destiny.
This first novel had a different translator, and I think that's part of the problem. The writing is just worse. But the novel also starts out somewhat weak, which makes this first novel actually a poor introduction into the world of the Witcher. I think Sword of Destiny probably works as the best introduction, since it includes all the events that are background to the series, while also just exhibiting some of the best stories.
But, yeah, moving on to the next book.
REREAD:
Rereading the series now that the final book is out. It's interesting, since I actually like this book less this time around. Or rather, its deficiencies are more noticeable. Especially after reading The Sword of Destiny.
This first novel had a different translator, and I think that's part of the problem. The writing is just worse. But the novel also starts out somewhat weak, which makes this first novel actually a poor introduction into the world of the Witcher. I think Sword of Destiny probably works as the best introduction, since it includes all the events that are background to the series, while also just exhibiting some of the best stories.
But, yeah, moving on to the next book.
“You’ve mistaken the stars reflected on the surface of the lake at night for the heavens.”
The Witcher is a novel that has been on my radar for a while. I wasn't particularly interested in watching the show or playing the game (though I know both are highly regarded), as I prefer reading and thought it might be a good idea to see if I enjoyed the book before committing to the series in earnest.
Though I certainly enjoyed parts of this book—particularly the lengthy dialogues that sometimes spanned pages—I wish there had been more focus on the Witcher himself. I've seen others mention that the two (three?) prequels fill in the gaps, but my expectation—not unreasonably, I feel—was that the novel would center more on the Witcher and his background rather than the many side characters that make up much of the story. I don’t know if the other two books explore this further, but I expected much more from his character and was disappointed by the lack of action and depth in his portrayal.
Geralt of Rivia is a genetically-enhanced hunter known as a Witcher. He is destined to protect Ciri, a young girl of royal lineage whose homeland, the kingdom of Cintra, is invaded and destroyed by a dangerous enemy called the Nilfgaadian Empire. Ciri is a princess possessing Elder Blood, which makes her central to the struggle between different factions. After being rescued by Geralt, she is brought to Kaer Morhen, the refuge of the Witchers, where she undergoes rigorous physical training to improve her physical and mental prowess. Surrounded exclusively by males during her training, Ciri encounters her first female companion Triss Merigold, a powerful sorceress, at the request of Geralt, who summons Triss to help Ciri with her newfound magical abilities.
Triss and Ciri’s relationship was heartwarming. It was refreshing to see a storyline that focused on the camaraderie between female characters such as these two. One scene I particularly liked was when Triss defended Ciri from the insensitive treatment she received from the male witchers, encouraging her to rest during her menstruation rather than pushing through to her own detriment.
That being said, there was also an instance of Geralt getting with a literal 17-year-old (Shani, the medical student) which I found quite disturbing, but, as one Reddit commenter put it, "You can't apply modern sensibilities to a fantasy medieval world."
My fault for going on Reddit
The Witcher is a novel that has been on my radar for a while. I wasn't particularly interested in watching the show or playing the game (though I know both are highly regarded), as I prefer reading and thought it might be a good idea to see if I enjoyed the book before committing to the series in earnest.
Though I certainly enjoyed parts of this book—particularly the lengthy dialogues that sometimes spanned pages—I wish there had been more focus on the Witcher himself. I've seen others mention that the two (three?) prequels fill in the gaps, but my expectation—not unreasonably, I feel—was that the novel would center more on the Witcher and his background rather than the many side characters that make up much of the story. I don’t know if the other two books explore this further, but I expected much more from his character and was disappointed by the lack of action and depth in his portrayal.
Geralt of Rivia is a genetically-enhanced hunter known as a Witcher. He is destined to protect Ciri, a young girl of royal lineage whose homeland, the kingdom of Cintra, is invaded and destroyed by a dangerous enemy called the Nilfgaadian Empire. Ciri is a princess possessing Elder Blood, which makes her central to the struggle between different factions. After being rescued by Geralt, she is brought to Kaer Morhen, the refuge of the Witchers, where she undergoes rigorous physical training to improve her physical and mental prowess. Surrounded exclusively by males during her training, Ciri encounters her first female companion Triss Merigold, a powerful sorceress, at the request of Geralt, who summons Triss to help Ciri with her newfound magical abilities.
Triss and Ciri’s relationship was heartwarming. It was refreshing to see a storyline that focused on the camaraderie between female characters such as these two. One scene I particularly liked was when Triss defended Ciri from the insensitive treatment she received from the male witchers, encouraging her to rest during her menstruation rather than pushing through to her own detriment.
That being said, there was also an instance of Geralt getting with a literal 17-year-old (Shani, the medical student) which I found quite disturbing, but, as one Reddit commenter put it, "You can't apply modern sensibilities to a fantasy medieval world."
My fault for going on Reddit
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
jag vne vrf folk säger novellböckerna innan är bättre (har dock ba läst en av två) men den här va dunder, lite för långa kapitel dock men annars skitbra. Halva boken gick ut på att folk chansa att andra va döda när de inte va o att Ciri fastna på kvinnliga karaktärer🕺🕺🕺
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
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
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Definitely much slower paced than the short stories and as a first entry of the novels may be off putting, but I found the slower pace to be a positive, allowing worldbuilding and proper introductions to characters that leave lasting impressions despite their brief appearances.
My favourite parts of this book were the slower sections, the time Ciri spends at Kaer Morhen, the caravan transport with Yarpen Zigrin, a great character to introduce the Scoia'Tael and non-human race issues into the universe.
Sapkowski really knows how to write interesting and troubled characters, with Ciri especially acting believably in her situation. I would still recommend reading the two prior short story collections to get a complete understanding of the world and characters, but don't find them necessary, especially if you have played the games.
My favourite parts of this book were the slower sections, the time Ciri spends at Kaer Morhen, the caravan transport with Yarpen Zigrin, a great character to introduce the Scoia'Tael and non-human race issues into the universe.
Sapkowski really knows how to write interesting and troubled characters, with Ciri especially acting believably in her situation. I would still recommend reading the two prior short story collections to get a complete understanding of the world and characters, but don't find them necessary, especially if you have played the games.