A review by takeagillpill
Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski

adventurous dark funny 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? Yes

4.25

Sword of Destiny had the same style of short stories that I grew to love in The Last Wish but seems to have a larger cast of characters. I love, love, LOVED the second to last story about dopplers and the hijinks that Geralt and Dandelion dealt with because of them. I felt like we got to know Geralt more in this story as well as his relationships to Dandelion which is one of the reasons I began to read this series. 

In one such instance, Geralt stumbles upon Dandelion fleeing Nilfgaard and has this really lovely moment of friendship where Dandelion pleads for Geralt to help him flee and Geralt says "You must be insane, Dandelion...You must be insane with fear, if you could think I'd leave you." This book definitely has more of a focus around Geralt's relationships than in The Last Wish. I especially enjoyed the way that Geralt met Ciri in Brokilon Forest and was able to care for her and get to know her a bit before they meet again away from Sodden. Oh that was another part that just wowed me, when Geralt thinks that Yennefer had died at Sodden when the farmer is recounting the names?! I felt like my heart was breaking with his, especially when he dragged himself up to the obelisk. Amazing emotional moment.

Overall, a lovely book that makes me excited for the rest of them. Since the books were published sort of out of order, I'm reading a Season of Storms next and it's proving to be very fun. Hopefully the TV series doesn't stay super true to the books because I don't want to spoil myself but Sapkowski's writing is too fun to put down!