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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
It has been a long time since I've read a high fantasy book, and when GoodReads suggested this book to me, I was very excited to get back into the genre. While I love the fantasy genre, it can be easy to fall in the same trope of a grand quest with doom just around the corner. I was so pleasantly surprised to start reading this book with all of its short stories and enjoying the world building as slowly as Sapkowski wanted to provide.
The novel follows around Geralt, a witcher, and his adventures around the world looking for work. While not exactly an anti-hero, I love the dynamic Geralt has with himself. It creates a lot of interesting adventures but also generates a lot of great conversations with other characters. Some of them are insightful and gives depth to the book, while others are just funny and doesn't hold their punches when teasing the main character.
Some of my favorite chapters are when the novel itself takes a chance to tease Geralt. The great part about being a series of short stories is that there isn't a time where comedy would not be acceptable. You never know when something unusual will happen, and when it did, it was a great surprise.
I would recommend this book anyone itching to get back into the high fantasy genre while waiting for the next Game of Thrones book or just someone who just want to enjoy a world of monsters, elves, and everything in between without the stress of politics, prophecy, and doom.
The novel follows around Geralt, a witcher, and his adventures around the world looking for work. While not exactly an anti-hero, I love the dynamic Geralt has with himself. It creates a lot of interesting adventures but also generates a lot of great conversations with other characters. Some of them are insightful and gives depth to the book, while others are just funny and doesn't hold their punches when teasing the main character.
Some of my favorite chapters are when the novel itself takes a chance to tease Geralt. The great part about being a series of short stories is that there isn't a time where comedy would not be acceptable. You never know when something unusual will happen, and when it did, it was a great surprise.
I would recommend this book anyone itching to get back into the high fantasy genre while waiting for the next Game of Thrones book or just someone who just want to enjoy a world of monsters, elves, and everything in between without the stress of politics, prophecy, and doom.
adventurous
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The main character is interesting in the way that superman is interesting, it establishes early on that he is far superior to any foe he could come across, but it does let you know he can be defeated. The story therefore, shifts to not of wether he will triumph or not, but if he should fight at all. The female characters are all unique and have diverse qualities, however the author doesn't diverse too much in to details about them. They are just strong characters surrounding the lead like the rest of the characters in the story.
I haven't read adult fantasy in quite a few years and to be honest I picked this up because of the Netflix adaption. My expectations where quite low because I'm normallt not a fan of short story collections. But this book absolutely blew my mind.
I'm a bit out of practice with my "fantasy english" so I had do look up quite a few words but otherwise it was a easy read which managed to feel complex at the same time. It's funny, full of action and the stories is so smart and sometimes quite emotional. Also the dialogue and the characters feels so... real? Is it to early to be in love with Geralt? Probably. What's a girl supposed to do about it. *shrugs*
Also I haven't finished a adult book this fast in years. Normally I'm happy if I finish one book a week. This I read in 3 days.
I can't wait to continue this series. Unfortunately my library doesn't seem to have Sword of Destiny so I might jump straight to Blood of elves.
I'm a bit out of practice with my "fantasy english" so I had do look up quite a few words but otherwise it was a easy read which managed to feel complex at the same time. It's funny, full of action and the stories is so smart and sometimes quite emotional. Also the dialogue and the characters feels so... real? Is it to early to be in love with Geralt? Probably. What's a girl supposed to do about it. *shrugs*
Also I haven't finished a adult book this fast in years. Normally I'm happy if I finish one book a week. This I read in 3 days.
I can't wait to continue this series. Unfortunately my library doesn't seem to have Sword of Destiny so I might jump straight to Blood of elves.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Most of the stories were boring and forgettable, although I did enjoy "A grain of truth" and "The lesser evil." Perhaps it's because they were both based on the popular fairy tales, Beauty and the beast and Snow White respectively. I also liked that all the stories had a message behind them. And even though this is a fantasy book written in 1993 it addresses serious issues that are still prevalent today, like racism, prejudice, segregation ... etc. But in the end, this book didn't do it for me. We didn't get to know the witcher apart from what he does, which is hunt monsters or get rid of supernatural creatures. And the "How" was left mostly unanswered.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Local monster hunter fumbles his situationship so bad that he undergoes implied decades of getting-over-it-ism.
Other than that, the hype was met; not surpassed nor underwhelmed, but met. Sapkowski (translated in English) has a very simplistic but to-the-point writing style that fits the cynical, moralistic tone of the series, but doesn't carry any personality to it. In fact, it's largely Geralt's riveting mix of quick wit, deadpan snark and earnest compassion that make him a through line that you feel compelled to follow across the stories, instead of any significant moments of description or flow in the prose.
Special mentions to 'The Lesser Evil,' 'A Question of Price,' and the eponymous 'The Last Wish' for being some of the more entertaining stories to go through.
Other than that, the hype was met; not surpassed nor underwhelmed, but met. Sapkowski (translated in English) has a very simplistic but to-the-point writing style that fits the cynical, moralistic tone of the series, but doesn't carry any personality to it. In fact, it's largely Geralt's riveting mix of quick wit, deadpan snark and earnest compassion that make him a through line that you feel compelled to follow across the stories, instead of any significant moments of description or flow in the prose.
Special mentions to 'The Lesser Evil,' 'A Question of Price,' and the eponymous 'The Last Wish' for being some of the more entertaining stories to go through.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
No
Such a fun and unique story. A great fantasy book. Full of magic, adventure, a funny sidekick, a bit of romance, everything you could ask for.
What an excellent and hilarious series to get lost in.