A review by thatbookishrookie
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski

adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

 
I don't really know how I feel about this book honestly. I recently finished watching the Netflix series, knowing nothing about the books, and I quite liked it, so I decided to delve into the books as well.
This is a series of short stories, basically supposed to be an introduction to the Witcher World. There was enough information about concepts that may be important to the story later on, and also explanations as to how certain characters become what they are (witchers, sorcerers, etc).
The characters were only okay. I didn't feel like Geralt had much nuance and character in this book, and hopefully he does in the further books. As of this point, and i know this is probably blasphemous to a lot of the fans, I like tv show Geralt more. I did like the character of the troubadour Dandelion the most. Although, there is a point in one of the chapters where he says something very very sexist.

Short Stories:
The Witcher - 4/5 This one was not bad, and felt like a fairly accurate representation of what a witcher does, as well as a window into Geralt's character, and how he's not like every other witcher.
A Grain of Truth - 2/5 Did not like this one. Mainly because of how much they try to justify the behaviour of Nivellin.
yes, he shows some repentence for the rape, but i thought this was dealt with very insensitively. Also, I did not get the point of the fathers leaving their daughters with him. That was very disturbing.
I liked how the show dealt with this story better.
The Lesser Evil - 3/5 The story of the Butcher of Blaviken. Not much to say about this one. It was fine, nothing grand.
A Question of Price - 4/5 I liked how this story panned out. You get an insight to the witcher and his wanting to do something different. As in his own words, he's not a hired thug.
The Edge of the World - 3.5/5 This was the first story with Dandelion in it, and I liked the little bits of humour in it. Overall, pretty decent.
The Last Wish - 3.5/5 I honestly felt that this story dragged on for a bit, and could have done without a few chapters. Another story with Dandelion, and more humour. Also, I like how Geralt and Dandelion's relationship is portrayed in the books as one of mutual respect for each other as well as care.
The Voice of Reason - 2/5 I don't really get the point of this story apart from sort of tying the rest of the stories together.

Overall, it was an okay book. I'm really hoping the coming books are better. 
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