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The Witcher #0.5, 0.7, 1-4
Andrzej Sapkowski Witcher Series Collection 8 Books Set
Andrzej Sapkowski Witcher Series 8 Books Collection Set Includes Titles In This Set:- The Last Wish,Sword of Destiny,Blood of Elves,Time of Contempt,Baptism of Fire,Tower of the Swallow,Lady of the Lake,Season of Storms. Description:- The Last Wish Geralt is a witcher, a man whose magic powers, enhanced by long training and a mysterious elixir, have made him a brilliant fighter and a merciless assassin. Sword of Destiny He roams the country seeking assignments, but gradually comes to realise that while some of his quarry are unremittingly vile, vicious grotesques, others are the victims of sin, evil or simple naivety. Blood of Elves Into this tumultuous time is born a child for whom the witchers of the world have been waiting. Ciri, the granddaughter of Queen Calanthe, the Lioness of Cintra, has strange powers and a stranger destiny, for prophecy names her the Flame, one with the power to change the world - for good, or for evil ... Time of Contempt The Elves and other non-humans are still suffering under decades of repression, and growing numbers join the commando units hidden deep in the forest, striking at will and then dissolving into the trees. Baptism of Fire The Wizards Guild has been shattered by a coup and, in the uproar, Geralt was seriously injured. The Witcher is supposed to be a guardian of the innocent, a protector of those in need, a defender against powerful and dangerous monsters that prey on men in dark times. The Tower of the Swallow The world has fallen into war. Ciri, the child of prophecy, has vanished. Hunted by friends and foes alike, she has taken on the guise of a petty bandit and lives free for the first time in her life. The Lady of the Lake After walking through a portal in the Tower of the Swallow, thus narrowly escaping death, the Witcher girl, Ciri, finds herself in a completely different world...
343 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2020
1505 people are currently reading
8211 people want to read
About the author
Andrzej Sapkowski
187 books18.5k followersAndrzej Sapkowski, born June 21, 1948 in Łódź, is a Polish fantasy and science fiction writer. Sapkowski studied economics, and before turning to writing, he had worked as a senior sales representative for a foreign trade company. His first short story, The Witcher (Wiedźmin), was published in Fantastyka, Poland's leading fantasy literary magazine, in 1986 and was enormously successful both with readers and critics. Sapkowski has created a cycle of tales based on the world of The Witcher, comprising three collections of short stories and five novels. This cycle and his many other works have made him one of the best-known fantasy authors in Poland in the 1990s.
The main character of The Witcher (alternative translation: The Hexer) is Geralt, a mutant assassin who has been trained since childhood to hunt down and destroy monsters. Geralt exists in an ambiguous moral universe, yet manages to maintain his own coherent code of ethics. At the same time cynical and noble, Geralt has been compared to Raymond Chandler's signature character Philip Marlowe. The world in which these adventures take place is heavily influenced by Slavic mythology.
Sapkowski has won five Zajdel Awards, including three for short stories "Mniejsze zło" (Lesser Evil) (1990), "Miecz przeznaczenia" (Sword of Destiny) (1992) and "W leju po bombie" (In a Bomb Crater) (1993), and two for the novels "Krew elfów" (Blood of Elves) (1994) and "Narrenturm" (2002). He also won the Spanish Ignotus Award, best anthology, for The Last Wish in 2003, and for "Muzykanci" (The Musicians), best foreign short story, same year.
In 1997, Sapkowski won the prestigious Polityka's Passport award, which is awarded annually to artists who have strong prospects for international success.
In 2001, a Television Series based on the Witcher cycle was released in Poland and internationally, entitled Wiedźmin (The Hexer). A film by the same title was compiled from excerpts of the television series but both have been critical and box office failures.
Sapkowski's books have been translated into Czech, Russian, Lithuanian, German, Spanish, French, Ukrainian, and Portuguese. An English translation of The Last Wish short story collection was published by Gollancz in 2007.
The Polish game publisher, CD Projekt, created a role-playing PC game based on this universe, called The Witcher, which was released in October 2007. There is also a mobile version of the game which has been created by Breakpoint Games and is being published by Hands-On Mobile in Western Europe,Latin America and Asia Pacific.
The English translation of Sapkowski's novel Blood of Elves won the David Gemmell Legends Award in 2009.
The main character of The Witcher (alternative translation: The Hexer) is Geralt, a mutant assassin who has been trained since childhood to hunt down and destroy monsters. Geralt exists in an ambiguous moral universe, yet manages to maintain his own coherent code of ethics. At the same time cynical and noble, Geralt has been compared to Raymond Chandler's signature character Philip Marlowe. The world in which these adventures take place is heavily influenced by Slavic mythology.
Sapkowski has won five Zajdel Awards, including three for short stories "Mniejsze zło" (Lesser Evil) (1990), "Miecz przeznaczenia" (Sword of Destiny) (1992) and "W leju po bombie" (In a Bomb Crater) (1993), and two for the novels "Krew elfów" (Blood of Elves) (1994) and "Narrenturm" (2002). He also won the Spanish Ignotus Award, best anthology, for The Last Wish in 2003, and for "Muzykanci" (The Musicians), best foreign short story, same year.
In 1997, Sapkowski won the prestigious Polityka's Passport award, which is awarded annually to artists who have strong prospects for international success.
In 2001, a Television Series based on the Witcher cycle was released in Poland and internationally, entitled Wiedźmin (The Hexer). A film by the same title was compiled from excerpts of the television series but both have been critical and box office failures.
Sapkowski's books have been translated into Czech, Russian, Lithuanian, German, Spanish, French, Ukrainian, and Portuguese. An English translation of The Last Wish short story collection was published by Gollancz in 2007.
The Polish game publisher, CD Projekt, created a role-playing PC game based on this universe, called The Witcher, which was released in October 2007. There is also a mobile version of the game which has been created by Breakpoint Games and is being published by Hands-On Mobile in Western Europe,Latin America and Asia Pacific.
The English translation of Sapkowski's novel Blood of Elves won the David Gemmell Legends Award in 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
March 26, 2019
Spoiler ahead.
I so want to give this series five stars. I read all the books, and the stand alone books, in one week but, damn, the last book in the series, The Lady of the Lake, did me in. Yes, there were times when Sapkowski endless prattling about nonsense made me want to pull my eyebrows out but I endured. The stories were for the most part exciting, sexy, funny, cerebral, yes, cerebral, and the characters well-developed. But the end of the series! WTF! It was a slap in the face. I invested way too much time and energy traveling with The Witcher and his companions to be treated in such a way. Imagine if Frodo fell off the mountain and a jagged rock impaled him. Not cool, Andrzej.
If you're looking for a delicious set of books that blow Game of Thrones out of the water, The Witcher series is for you. Just watch out for the ending. Damn.
I so want to give this series five stars. I read all the books, and the stand alone books, in one week but, damn, the last book in the series, The Lady of the Lake, did me in. Yes, there were times when Sapkowski endless prattling about nonsense made me want to pull my eyebrows out but I endured. The stories were for the most part exciting, sexy, funny, cerebral, yes, cerebral, and the characters well-developed. But the end of the series! WTF! It was a slap in the face. I invested way too much time and energy traveling with The Witcher and his companions to be treated in such a way. Imagine if Frodo fell off the mountain and a jagged rock impaled him. Not cool, Andrzej.
If you're looking for a delicious set of books that blow Game of Thrones out of the water, The Witcher series is for you. Just watch out for the ending. Damn.
April 18, 2018
Witcher is different. The fantasy aspect of it blends with rather stark and realistic depiction of human nature. Racism, false saviours, shaken beliefs and in the end the acceptance of Geralt’s own nature.
I read all the Witcher books and stories when I was but a boy. The story is rough around the edges, but the charm of normalcy and laughter in face of anything other fantasy books depict as noble and heroic makes it worthwhile read even now.
Sure, there is magic, monsters, terrible enemy, but the book is as real as fantasy can get in regards to the human nature and the motivation for their actions.
I read all the Witcher books and stories when I was but a boy. The story is rough around the edges, but the charm of normalcy and laughter in face of anything other fantasy books depict as noble and heroic makes it worthwhile read even now.
Sure, there is magic, monsters, terrible enemy, but the book is as real as fantasy can get in regards to the human nature and the motivation for their actions.
July 9, 2021
So many characters, so many places and so little actually matters. There are some interesting ideas but most of them come from retellings of fairy tales. At no point is it ever actually explained why this world is like it is. Poor Geralt is barely in his own story. It spends far too much time on boring and insufferable characters rather than on the actual likable and interesting ones. Nobody really learns anything or develops, especially not Ciri.
January 8, 2024
A Complicated and Perplexing 3 Stars
For some of this saga's individual book reviews, check out: https://medium.com/@kemerysjourneythr...
Describing this entire series is very difficult because of how drastically different each entry was. Several books, individual short stories, and segments of this saga were worth well over 5 stars for exuding such realistic emotion, tragedy, and storytelling prowess that it's hard to come to terms with how bad other parts were. And the low parts weren't just bad, they were as awful as they were baffling. Whether it be shocking cruelty to characters that seemed out of place, unnecessarily graphic sexual content, blatant misogyny, or simply downright terrible storytelling, you never really know what you are going to get from these stories when reading them.
If you just want the best parts of this series without all the meandering waste, I'd read the "Geralt of Rivia Trilogy": The Last Wish, Sword of Destiny, and Season of Storms. These stories showcase all of Sapkowski's best writing, without any of the drivel and problematic storytelling aspects that bring the main saga down. They are fast-paced, deeply engaging, and show off Sapkowski's world really effectively. They also have a fairly satisfying conclusive arc for being three nonlinear entries in the series. I plan to return to these three entries often.
The Last Wish - 4 Stars
Sword of Destiny - 4 Stars
__Blood of Elves - 3 Stars
__Time of Contempt - 1.5 Stars
__Baptism of Fire - 3 Stars
__The Tower of Swallows - 1.5 Stars
__Lady of the Lake - 2.5 Stars
Season of Storms - 4 Stars
For some of this saga's individual book reviews, check out: https://medium.com/@kemerysjourneythr...
Describing this entire series is very difficult because of how drastically different each entry was. Several books, individual short stories, and segments of this saga were worth well over 5 stars for exuding such realistic emotion, tragedy, and storytelling prowess that it's hard to come to terms with how bad other parts were. And the low parts weren't just bad, they were as awful as they were baffling. Whether it be shocking cruelty to characters that seemed out of place, unnecessarily graphic sexual content, blatant misogyny, or simply downright terrible storytelling, you never really know what you are going to get from these stories when reading them.
If you just want the best parts of this series without all the meandering waste, I'd read the "Geralt of Rivia Trilogy": The Last Wish, Sword of Destiny, and Season of Storms. These stories showcase all of Sapkowski's best writing, without any of the drivel and problematic storytelling aspects that bring the main saga down. They are fast-paced, deeply engaging, and show off Sapkowski's world really effectively. They also have a fairly satisfying conclusive arc for being three nonlinear entries in the series. I plan to return to these three entries often.
The Last Wish - 4 Stars
Sword of Destiny - 4 Stars
__Blood of Elves - 3 Stars
__Time of Contempt - 1.5 Stars
__Baptism of Fire - 3 Stars
__The Tower of Swallows - 1.5 Stars
__Lady of the Lake - 2.5 Stars
Season of Storms - 4 Stars
December 7, 2020
This book series is literally so good and I enjoyed all eight books. From the first book you easily become in love with the characters and the plot. The writing makes you feel like you are actually living in there and it always keeps you at the edge of your seat. I read this series while on quarantine and really helped me get through it. I totally recommend reading these books if you love science fiction and if you have watched the first season of the series that are now on Netflix.
May 17, 2018
My absolute favorite book series. So good.
June 27, 2023
The Last Wish 4.25*
Sword of Destiny 4.25*
These were an enjoyable, engaging read that contain content that bears a resemblance to the original Grimm's folk tales but is told in a similar storytelling style as the Sherlock Holmes short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
A lot of the events tie in with the first season of the TV series but with much more detail, making them that much more interesting.
Blood of Elves 4*
Time of Contempt 4*
Again these were enjoyable, delving more into the wider world The Witcher is set in, and introducing new characters and locations. However, I found the storytelling and the plot structure to be a bit chaotic as the timeline kept jumping back and forwards, which wasn't always immediately apparent.
Baptism of Fire 4.5*
The Tower of the Swallow 4.5*
The Lady of the Lake 4.5*
These were my favourites and were all highly enjoyable, being both entertaining and engaging in equal measure, while also including a fair amount of tension as the various plot threads unfold. They also introduced several new travelling companions for Geralt and Dandelion, all of whom were individually unique and fascinating characters.
Seasons of Storms 4.25*
Where the other books mostly followed on from one another, this one jumped back to the time between Geralt having met Yennefer, but before Cintra is sacked, and is more like the first two books, in that Geralt is just doing what a Witcher does, though since his swords have been stolen it's a bit more difficult for him.
Overall, the books are enjoyable to read with appealing main characters, Geralt, Dandelion, Yennefer and Cirri, but also with many entertaining side characters, especially the Dwarves, who are very down-to-earth in their outlook.
To me, the general writing style doesn't portray the events or characters in a way that encourages you to become invested in them, this was particularly apparent during, "The Lady of the Lake" which is the culmination of the story that the previous books had been telling. This could just be due to the work being translated, and losing the subtleties.
If you have watched and enjoyed any of the episodes of the TV series, then these books are well worth taking the time to read.
Sword of Destiny 4.25*
These were an enjoyable, engaging read that contain content that bears a resemblance to the original Grimm's folk tales but is told in a similar storytelling style as the Sherlock Holmes short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
A lot of the events tie in with the first season of the TV series but with much more detail, making them that much more interesting.
Blood of Elves 4*
Time of Contempt 4*
Again these were enjoyable, delving more into the wider world The Witcher is set in, and introducing new characters and locations. However, I found the storytelling and the plot structure to be a bit chaotic as the timeline kept jumping back and forwards, which wasn't always immediately apparent.
Baptism of Fire 4.5*
The Tower of the Swallow 4.5*
The Lady of the Lake 4.5*
These were my favourites and were all highly enjoyable, being both entertaining and engaging in equal measure, while also including a fair amount of tension as the various plot threads unfold. They also introduced several new travelling companions for Geralt and Dandelion, all of whom were individually unique and fascinating characters.
Seasons of Storms 4.25*
Where the other books mostly followed on from one another, this one jumped back to the time between Geralt having met Yennefer, but before Cintra is sacked, and is more like the first two books, in that Geralt is just doing what a Witcher does, though since his swords have been stolen it's a bit more difficult for him.
Overall, the books are enjoyable to read with appealing main characters, Geralt, Dandelion, Yennefer and Cirri, but also with many entertaining side characters, especially the Dwarves, who are very down-to-earth in their outlook.
To me, the general writing style doesn't portray the events or characters in a way that encourages you to become invested in them, this was particularly apparent during, "The Lady of the Lake" which is the culmination of the story that the previous books had been telling. This could just be due to the work being translated, and losing the subtleties.
If you have watched and enjoyed any of the episodes of the TV series, then these books are well worth taking the time to read.
August 6, 2022
So let me start by saying that I don’t know if what I talk about in this is considered spoilers but just in case.
I listened to the audio books to keep my box set in perfect condition since it was too expensive for me to batter it too hell like I usually do. I went in the recommended order and for the life of me I could not tell you what the hell the overall plot was…
It’s a conglomeration of short stories that at times seem like have very little bearing on one another. I found it hard to listen at times because it felt like I was listening to the ramblings of a very old person with dementia. The stories were well written and most weren’t bad but there are several narrators, many of whom aren’t even main characters like some old man telling the tales of the Witcher, Ciri, and Yennefer to small kids, or the 2 random sorceresses from the future, or Ciri in another world talking to Lancelot! These narrators are either not interrelated to the plot or are in a minuscule detail that can be hard to catch if you’re not careful.
The stories jump timelines and narrators with no rhyme or reason that I can unravel, and the sheer quantity of random fairytales that are snuck in like Snow White or the little mermaid made it feel like a weird retelling of old stories by my elderly and foreign grandmother after someone told her a loosely related version of the original story.
Another issue was the many weird interludes of quotes from other works and some I can only assume were made up as they were written in an elven language?
And sometimes there are just TOO MANY OBSTACLES! Whether it’s Ciri or Geralt how much crap can one poor person go through? And Geralt and Yen? If you love each other it can’t be that difficult to be monogamous and honest, I mean really.
I don’t want to say I didn’t like it, maybe I just don’t get it but I found most of the series to just be a collection of stories about a couple of common characters that I overall enjoyed but as a series I felt lost and confused most of the time. I need to find an explanation video somewhere.
I listened to the audio books to keep my box set in perfect condition since it was too expensive for me to batter it too hell like I usually do. I went in the recommended order and for the life of me I could not tell you what the hell the overall plot was…
It’s a conglomeration of short stories that at times seem like have very little bearing on one another. I found it hard to listen at times because it felt like I was listening to the ramblings of a very old person with dementia. The stories were well written and most weren’t bad but there are several narrators, many of whom aren’t even main characters like some old man telling the tales of the Witcher, Ciri, and Yennefer to small kids, or the 2 random sorceresses from the future, or Ciri in another world talking to Lancelot! These narrators are either not interrelated to the plot or are in a minuscule detail that can be hard to catch if you’re not careful.
The stories jump timelines and narrators with no rhyme or reason that I can unravel, and the sheer quantity of random fairytales that are snuck in like Snow White or the little mermaid made it feel like a weird retelling of old stories by my elderly and foreign grandmother after someone told her a loosely related version of the original story.
Another issue was the many weird interludes of quotes from other works and some I can only assume were made up as they were written in an elven language?
And sometimes there are just TOO MANY OBSTACLES! Whether it’s Ciri or Geralt how much crap can one poor person go through? And Geralt and Yen? If you love each other it can’t be that difficult to be monogamous and honest, I mean really.
I don’t want to say I didn’t like it, maybe I just don’t get it but I found most of the series to just be a collection of stories about a couple of common characters that I overall enjoyed but as a series I felt lost and confused most of the time. I need to find an explanation video somewhere.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2020
3.75 stars
A good read but not great. It was enjoyable to a point but I can't say it really reeled me in. Love the style of writing and I do love a good dark fantasy. I really liked the characters and the world and especially Geralt. but I thought the story itself let the series down. It was meandering and oftentimes hard to get through. It seemed to unravel the closer it got to the end. I felt like the author didn't really know where to take it. The story fell apart at the finale.
I certainly don't regret reading it. It was enjoyable overall. One or two of the books were really good! However, although I think it deserves a decent ranking, I think an almost 5 stars from his readership is pushing it. Don't really get that. The story needs work. I think its success is very much bolstered by the videogames.
Hopefully, the t.v series will push it to new places.
Not sure if I'll read the next series.
A good read but not great. It was enjoyable to a point but I can't say it really reeled me in. Love the style of writing and I do love a good dark fantasy. I really liked the characters and the world and especially Geralt. but I thought the story itself let the series down. It was meandering and oftentimes hard to get through. It seemed to unravel the closer it got to the end. I felt like the author didn't really know where to take it. The story fell apart at the finale.
I certainly don't regret reading it. It was enjoyable overall. One or two of the books were really good! However, although I think it deserves a decent ranking, I think an almost 5 stars from his readership is pushing it. Don't really get that. The story needs work. I think its success is very much bolstered by the videogames.
Hopefully, the t.v series will push it to new places.
Not sure if I'll read the next series.
December 18, 2020
I read these books because of the Netflix series the Witcher. Interesting insight into the choices made by the story runners. I think they missed so great stories to tell out of Last Wish, we'll see what the new season brings. I like the Geralt in the books very much and LOVE Dandelion. I think that the TV series hasn't done a good job of reflecting the relationship between them. Dandelion in the books is very competent and more separate and complete than Jaskier in the TV series.
The books are great in their own right although the stories are not told always in a linear manner.
The books are great in their own right although the stories are not told always in a linear manner.
July 1, 2025
The whole serie is worth it 100%. I like Sapkowski’s writing a lot, wherein the pacing might be slow, but essentially builds up towards something great. That, in all honesty, might not be for everyone, though.
I got literal goosebumps at the end of Lady of the Lake and felt quite sad it was over — I read Season of the Storms afterwards and I felt the same again… but it was really really worth it!
I got literal goosebumps at the end of Lady of the Lake and felt quite sad it was over — I read Season of the Storms afterwards and I felt the same again… but it was really really worth it!
January 10, 2024
Took a fair bit of time, but got through the box set. The story is well though out with interesting choices in the actual writing. I wish the series had stayed more true to the lead characters. Their archs are more believe able and Geralt is more than grunts and glaring.
February 19, 2024
Amazing writing and putting the story puzzle pieces together, not leaving out humor either.
"Only in fables survives what cannot survive in nature. Only myths and fables do not know the limits of possibility."
"Only in fables survives what cannot survive in nature. Only myths and fables do not know the limits of possibility."
June 22, 2025
I absolutely love this series! the Witcher story is filled with adventure, misfortune, happiness, times of gloom and love. couldn't put it down! Will be keeping for my kids ti read.
July 19, 2020
Fine series to lose time. For fans of Witcher, definitely the one to read. However ending never end as I expected to be so I am giving 3 stars. Haha.
February 28, 2025
Really enjoyed the series but didn't like the ending. But then again it's always difficult to end a good book in a way that will make everyone happy.
But it's a great series.
But it's a great series.
February 3, 2021
Love, Love, Love this series. As soon as I finished the last book and picked up the first one to start again.
February 2, 2020
I so want to give this series five stars. I read all the books, and the stand alone books, in one week but, damn, the last book in the series, The Lady of the Lake, did me in. Yes, there were times when Sapkowski endless prattling about nonsense made me want to Burn my eyes out but I endured it and got on with it. The stories were for the most part exciting, sexy, funny, brooding anti-hero, gorgeous powerful sorceresses, monsters ,cerebral, yes, cerebral, and the characters well-developed. But the end of the series! WTF! It was a slap in the face. What the hell happen did I miss something? There would have been so many things going for this series but lack completion...
The Last Wish and the Sword of Destiny are great story anthologies.
Blood of Elves - everything you want it to be; wish the rest of the series lived up to this.
Time of Contempt - not terrible
Baptism of Fire - the worst one in the series WTF
The Tower of the Swallow - a welcome relief from Baptism of Fire got back on track for the most part..
The Lady of the Lake - oh yay characters we know! Oh, seriously, that's the end? What happen missed something..
The Last Wish and the Sword of Destiny are great story anthologies.
Blood of Elves - everything you want it to be; wish the rest of the series lived up to this.
Time of Contempt - not terrible
Baptism of Fire - the worst one in the series WTF
The Tower of the Swallow - a welcome relief from Baptism of Fire got back on track for the most part..
The Lady of the Lake - oh yay characters we know! Oh, seriously, that's the end? What happen missed something..
February 4, 2023
If you enjoyed The Dark Tower series,you'll love this series.
I am still only half way through all the books in this series but I am thoroughly enjoying them.
Even though there is no connection (as far as I know) to Stephen King, there is something very familiar to all the settings and story arcs that could just as easily be Roland and his companions instead of Gerald and his.
There is just something that feels right. You feel amongst friends.
Without giving too many spoilers for Dark Tower, some settings from the Dark Tower that my imagination brought into this series are: The forest with the giant bear with a radio antennae, the villages with the 'Salems Lot' priest, the castles, the Dark Tower itself, the city with the hanged bodies on the streets, and the whole of "the girl who loved Tom Gordon" (not technically a DT book, but we all know King!). Plus too many more to mention.
Pretty sure that our old friend RF is suggested too.
Haven't got to an explanation yet, but there is now increasing hints about a conjoining or splitting of worlds, which also fits into my strange mixing of series.
I am still only half way through all the books in this series but I am thoroughly enjoying them.
Even though there is no connection (as far as I know) to Stephen King, there is something very familiar to all the settings and story arcs that could just as easily be Roland and his companions instead of Gerald and his.
There is just something that feels right. You feel amongst friends.
Without giving too many spoilers for Dark Tower, some settings from the Dark Tower that my imagination brought into this series are: The forest with the giant bear with a radio antennae, the villages with the 'Salems Lot' priest, the castles, the Dark Tower itself, the city with the hanged bodies on the streets, and the whole of "the girl who loved Tom Gordon" (not technically a DT book, but we all know King!). Plus too many more to mention.
Pretty sure that our old friend RF is suggested too.
Haven't got to an explanation yet, but there is now increasing hints about a conjoining or splitting of worlds, which also fits into my strange mixing of series.
October 29, 2018
Oprócz takich rzeczy, jako iż Saga o Wiedźminie jest fundamentem polskiej literatury fantasy i, może nie aż diamentem, ale przynajmniej szmaragdem wpośród owej literatury światowej i takie tam, jest ona... fajna, ale muszę powiedzieć, że taka trochę specyficzna. Wyjaśnię.
Ta saga jest DŁUGA. Może nie jakoś bardzo, ale jest, i nie wszystkie rozdziały są pełne energii. Niektóre są pełne średniowiecznej polityki, niektóre się po prostu ciągną ipod. Sapkowski też ma taki specyficzny styl pisania, który nie musi pasować wszystkim. Tak jest oczywiście z jakąkolwiek książką, na którą się natkniemy, ale kiedy człowiek czyta całą sagę, tj. osiem tomów, pod rząd, to się jednak trochę gubi ochotę kontynuować po jakimś czasie. Dlatego polecam w czytaniu pomiędzy tomami robić przerwy by znów nabrać sił i zainteresowania, bo inaczej po prostu zgubicie ochotę i będziecie do tego wracali przez dwa lata tak jak ja, cóż, muszę stwierdzić, nie było optymalne.
Ta saga jest DŁUGA. Może nie jakoś bardzo, ale jest, i nie wszystkie rozdziały są pełne energii. Niektóre są pełne średniowiecznej polityki, niektóre się po prostu ciągną ipod. Sapkowski też ma taki specyficzny styl pisania, który nie musi pasować wszystkim. Tak jest oczywiście z jakąkolwiek książką, na którą się natkniemy, ale kiedy człowiek czyta całą sagę, tj. osiem tomów, pod rząd, to się jednak trochę gubi ochotę kontynuować po jakimś czasie. Dlatego polecam w czytaniu pomiędzy tomami robić przerwy by znów nabrać sił i zainteresowania, bo inaczej po prostu zgubicie ochotę i będziecie do tego wracali przez dwa lata tak jak ja, cóż, muszę stwierdzić, nie było optymalne.
February 23, 2021
This series started great, imaginative, well written... I was swept along through 5 books of the story until I hit book 4... and it was like another author took over. There was just too much flash ahead and back, and ahead and back... and in a way that detracted from the story, at least for me. I've heard it said often that authors should "write it" rather than "say it" and that was the first time I really got it.
Still a worthy read, but damn, if he had kept that momentum going for the last 3 books...
Still a worthy read, but damn, if he had kept that momentum going for the last 3 books...
August 22, 2019
Probably my favorite series I have ever read. I was upset when it ended. I didnt want it to end. Sapkowski has a truly amazing way of captivating the reader. It's an intense, dark, funny, sad, and beautiful story about a man who goes to the end of the world for the ones he loves. An absolute MUST read.
March 14, 2023
I so wanted to love this book and there were parts that I really did but it was very confusing at times and even fairy tales have endings, usually happy and for me the plot was lost at times, as was the ending, still I finished it but wouldn't be one I read again, although maybe it would become clearer with a second read 🤔 but it's very long and I have other books to get to 🙂
April 6, 2019
I love this series especially as a fan of the Witcher 3 game. Admittedly some parts to drag in my opinion like the parts to do with the war ongoing with background but at the same time its world building so regardless i'd urge fans of the Witcher series to read it.
Want to read
May 18, 2022If you ever wanted to read the Witcher series this ebook containing 8 books from the series is a total bargain of 99p on Amazon today (18th May 2022). I have no idea how long the offer is on for so grab it fast before it disappears
October 15, 2022
Made up of 7 books, I'd give 4.5* for the first 5, but would have stopped reading after that (1*). To me, the last 2 looks did not meet the high expectations I had from the first books. Some "weird" turns, and side stories.
March 27, 2022
Long, disjointed and overly floury
October 7, 2022
DNF but I'm a fan of the TV series
January 11, 2020
2.5/5
Perhaps you, like I, came to read this series after watching the Witcher on Netflix and needed more. I devoured the series, and cannot express how much I really really wanted to like this series. It has a witty, brooding anti-hero, gorgeous powerful sorceresses, monsters... so many things going for it. However, prepare to be let down! The first two books, Sapkowski does a wonderful job with the historical and fairy tale illusions. Characters will mention things reminiscent but not quite the same story as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin-- but that goes by the wayside as the series goes on. Yes, there are some allusions to things familiar in our world - Vikings, Thor and Heimdal, etc. but they are thin and far between compared to the first 2 books.
The Last Wish and the Sword of Destiny are great story anthologies.
Blood of Elves - everything you want it to be; wish the rest of the series lived up to this.
Time of Contempt - not terrible
Baptism of Fire - the worst one in the series
The Tower of the Swallow - a welcome relief from Baptism of Fire
The Lady of the Lake - oh yay characters we know! Oh, seriously, that's the end?
I would compare this series to The Eye of the World and WoT. SO much potential, but lost in the wanderings of many, many unimportant side characters from a variety of kingdoms that are SO hard to keep track of since there's no official map!
The timeline is ridiculous - every 50 pages in some of the middle books there's a short paragraph from a completely different time line -- are we supposed to acknowledge this story-telling peasant as a character to remember later? How does this fit in the time-line? There's even world-jumping in The Lady of the Lake, making it even more difficult to follow.
I love epic fantasy but this made me frustrated because of the enthusiasm I had for the first half of the series. Also - Like the TV adaption of Game of Thrones - plot lines and prophecies are abandoned willy-nilly!
If you're into fantasy, like the tv show, and have the time/energy to read this series, do, but not high on my list of things to recommend as a 7 book series (the 2 anthologies are worth reading and you won't feel let down if you stop there). Best of luck as you slog through!
Perhaps you, like I, came to read this series after watching the Witcher on Netflix and needed more. I devoured the series, and cannot express how much I really really wanted to like this series. It has a witty, brooding anti-hero, gorgeous powerful sorceresses, monsters... so many things going for it. However, prepare to be let down! The first two books, Sapkowski does a wonderful job with the historical and fairy tale illusions. Characters will mention things reminiscent but not quite the same story as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin-- but that goes by the wayside as the series goes on. Yes, there are some allusions to things familiar in our world - Vikings, Thor and Heimdal, etc. but they are thin and far between compared to the first 2 books.
The Last Wish and the Sword of Destiny are great story anthologies.
Blood of Elves - everything you want it to be; wish the rest of the series lived up to this.
Time of Contempt - not terrible
Baptism of Fire - the worst one in the series
The Tower of the Swallow - a welcome relief from Baptism of Fire
The Lady of the Lake - oh yay characters we know! Oh, seriously, that's the end?
I would compare this series to The Eye of the World and WoT. SO much potential, but lost in the wanderings of many, many unimportant side characters from a variety of kingdoms that are SO hard to keep track of since there's no official map!
The timeline is ridiculous - every 50 pages in some of the middle books there's a short paragraph from a completely different time line -- are we supposed to acknowledge this story-telling peasant as a character to remember later? How does this fit in the time-line? There's even world-jumping in The Lady of the Lake, making it even more difficult to follow.
I love epic fantasy but this made me frustrated because of the enthusiasm I had for the first half of the series. Also - Like the TV adaption of Game of Thrones - plot lines and prophecies are abandoned willy-nilly!
If you're into fantasy, like the tv show, and have the time/energy to read this series, do, but not high on my list of things to recommend as a 7 book series (the 2 anthologies are worth reading and you won't feel let down if you stop there). Best of luck as you slog through!
June 24, 2024
I finally got to see what all the fuss was about! Perhaps I should be, but I am not ashamed to admit that my interest in the series peaked after watching Season 1 of 'The Witcher' on Netflix.
When I started the series, the first two books of which are a collection of short stories, I greatly enjoyed reading them. The Shrek/Donkey-like relationship between Geralt and Dandelion was highly entertaining, the love/hate relationship between Geralt and Yennefer was tolerable in the first two books (although it did start getting a bit tiresome towards the end, just as you think they have outgrown that phase of their relationship), and my favourite character was definitely Dandelion. Whenever he appeared, his scenes were hilarious (although he could be a bit pig-headed at times, but the humorous way in which he voiced his opinions made up for it in a way).
There was definitely something there at the beginning for an intriguing plot. However, as I reached 'Time of Contempt', I did begin to get a little bit bored. The pages and pages of politics made me feel like I was sat in a History lesson rather than relaxing and enjoying a bit of personal reading. I understand that some of this was relevant to the story, but some of it definitely did not affect - or not directly at least - any of the main characters. I also felt the "Geralt needs to find Ciri" element of the plot was stretched too thin throughout the series. In my opinion, he finds her then loses her, then finds her again, too many times. I would have also liked to get to know Cahir a bit more. He was an interesting, complex character who I wish we had got more time with.
In saying all of this, I did love the bleed into Arthurian legends by 'The Lady of the Lake' as well as the concept started in 'The Tower of the Swallow' and the collision of timelines. Unfortunately, I could not get on board with Geralt's affair with Fringilla. It felt completely random and like he lost trust in Yennefer far too quickly.
Overall, there were some incredibly interesting, entertaining characters. Some of the concepts were brilliantly written as well as the scenes. However, I just wish the plot did not take as long as it did to set up and that its development had not been bogged down by chunks of politics - some of it unnecessary.
When I started the series, the first two books of which are a collection of short stories, I greatly enjoyed reading them. The Shrek/Donkey-like relationship between Geralt and Dandelion was highly entertaining, the love/hate relationship between Geralt and Yennefer was tolerable in the first two books (although it did start getting a bit tiresome towards the end, just as you think they have outgrown that phase of their relationship), and my favourite character was definitely Dandelion. Whenever he appeared, his scenes were hilarious (although he could be a bit pig-headed at times, but the humorous way in which he voiced his opinions made up for it in a way).
There was definitely something there at the beginning for an intriguing plot. However, as I reached 'Time of Contempt', I did begin to get a little bit bored. The pages and pages of politics made me feel like I was sat in a History lesson rather than relaxing and enjoying a bit of personal reading. I understand that some of this was relevant to the story, but some of it definitely did not affect - or not directly at least - any of the main characters. I also felt the "Geralt needs to find Ciri" element of the plot was stretched too thin throughout the series. In my opinion, he finds her then loses her, then finds her again, too many times. I would have also liked to get to know Cahir a bit more. He was an interesting, complex character who I wish we had got more time with.
In saying all of this, I did love the bleed into Arthurian legends by 'The Lady of the Lake' as well as the concept started in 'The Tower of the Swallow' and the collision of timelines. Unfortunately, I could not get on board with Geralt's affair with Fringilla. It felt completely random and like he lost trust in Yennefer far too quickly.
Overall, there were some incredibly interesting, entertaining characters. Some of the concepts were brilliantly written as well as the scenes. However, I just wish the plot did not take as long as it did to set up and that its development had not been bogged down by chunks of politics - some of it unnecessary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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