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A review by lacrimaeignis
The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher by Andrzej Sapkowski
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
To begin with, for those that may not know, this book is considered by many to be the first to read in the Witcher series because it introduces the reader to the world and the concepts of the Witcher. Rather than being a full novel, it is a collection of short stories that set up the plot for the series. If you like epic fantasy with lots of action and magic and high stakes you should give this series a try (and remember the books are different than the videogames and tv series).
I bought this book back in 2010 and forgot I owned it until the Netflix show first aired. I had played the videogames and so naturally I was curious as to how the show would be. Then I found my copy of The Last Wish once more and immediately began reading. Life threw me in for a loop and unfortunately, this book got put on the back burner for a while. But I restarted it a few months ago and have finally finished it! I only wish I had finished it sooner!
Although I genuinely enjoy all versions, out of the three, I like the book the best and I cannot wait to continue reading this series. It's so interesting seeing the different versions of Geralt but book Geralt is definitely the most intriguing and sympathetic iteration to me. He is just as formidable and gruff and sarcastic but he comes across as kinder and more soft-hearted and he truly treasures those he deems friends. He's one of the best morally gray characters that I have had the pleasure to see written.
I love getting more into his mind and I love that in the book, he is actually quite the scholar in many ways. He's just as intelligent (although does make some dumb decisions on occasion) as he is talented with his swords. Book Geralt is also more open-minded and willing to challenge his own beliefs by learning and taking into consideration others' viewpoints than his counterparts tend to.
But what I love most about the book is the prose. At times, the descriptions are so poetic and beautiful that I wouldn't be surprised if Dandilion/Jaskier had written them for a ballad. The lines that made me absolutely fall in love with this writing style was, ' It had taken a long time, he thought, before this dance on the edge of an abyss, this mad, macabre ballet of a fight, had achieved the desired effect, allowed him to psychically become one with his opponent, to reach the underlayers of concentrated will which permeated the striga.'
I truly enjoyed joining Geralt on his many adventures and I will definitely be continuing the journey.
I bought this book back in 2010 and forgot I owned it until the Netflix show first aired. I had played the videogames and so naturally I was curious as to how the show would be. Then I found my copy of The Last Wish once more and immediately began reading. Life threw me in for a loop and unfortunately, this book got put on the back burner for a while. But I restarted it a few months ago and have finally finished it! I only wish I had finished it sooner!
Although I genuinely enjoy all versions, out of the three, I like the book the best and I cannot wait to continue reading this series. It's so interesting seeing the different versions of Geralt but book Geralt is definitely the most intriguing and sympathetic iteration to me. He is just as formidable and gruff and sarcastic but he comes across as kinder and more soft-hearted and he truly treasures those he deems friends. He's one of the best morally gray characters that I have had the pleasure to see written.
I love getting more into his mind and I love that in the book, he is actually quite the scholar in many ways. He's just as intelligent (although does make some dumb decisions on occasion) as he is talented with his swords. Book Geralt is also more open-minded and willing to challenge his own beliefs by learning and taking into consideration others' viewpoints than his counterparts tend to.
But what I love most about the book is the prose. At times, the descriptions are so poetic and beautiful that I wouldn't be surprised if Dandilion/Jaskier had written them for a ballad. The lines that made me absolutely fall in love with this writing style was, ' It had taken a long time, he thought, before this dance on the edge of an abyss, this mad, macabre ballet of a fight, had achieved the desired effect, allowed him to psychically become one with his opponent, to reach the underlayers of concentrated will which permeated the striga.'
I truly enjoyed joining Geralt on his many adventures and I will definitely be continuing the journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Gore, Violence, and Death