This review originally appeared on Goodreads on December 16, 2021.

Lady of the Lake

By Andrzej Sapkowski, David French (Translator) – Orbit – March 14, 2017

Review by Robin Marx

A satisfying and epic conclusion to one of the best fantasy series I’ve read in quite some time. The climax comes fairly early and the last third of the book is denouement, but it feels earned rather than indulgent. Sad to see it end.

★★★★☆

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This review originally appeared on Goodreads on November 19, 2021.

The Tower of Swallows

By Andrzej Sapkowski, David French (Translator) – Orbit – May 17, 2016

Review by Robin Marx

To be honest, much of this book felt like it was treading water. The main characters are still all separated and on their various drawn-out journeys. There are interminable flashbacks and more minor characters than seem entirely necessary. But the excitement really ramps up in the last quarter of the book, and that ended up salvaging it for me. I usually like to space out entries in a series by reading books from other authors, but the finale to this intrigued me enough that I plan to head directly into the next volume.

★★★☆☆

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This review originally appeared on Goodreads on September 13, 2021.

Baptism of Fire

By Andrzej Sapkowski, David French (Translator) – Orbit – June 24, 2014

Review by Robin Marx

Ciri is still missing and Geralt is still searching for her. He meets people along the way and things happen. The sorceresses are Up to Something.

Fun characters, fun setting, but this book suffers from being the middle book in the series. I imagine the next book will be more eventful.

★★★☆☆

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This review originally appeared on Goodreads on September 13, 2021.

The Time of Contempt

By Andrzej Sapkowski, David French (Translator) – Orbit – August 27, 2013

Review by Robin Marx

Second in the main series, the titular Time of Contempt refers to the war sweeping the Continent and the ensuing treachery and cruelty. The Nilfgaardian Empire continues to grind northward, and the divided kingdoms in its path both cooperate with and defect upon one another, each seeking some marginal advantage. Geralt, the Witcher, attempts to remain neutral in the conflict, but finds himself inexorably drawn in as he attempts to protect his young magically talented charge Ciri from those who wish to possess her.

This volume introduces a great deal of turmoil to the nations and organizations seen in previous books, upending the tenuous status quo. Ciri takes center stage for most of the narrative, with Geralt and sorceress Yennefer in prominent supporting roles. The events of the story are epic in scale, but I appreciated that—rather than through dry exposition—the author tended to relate events filtered through the eyes of messengers, spies, and mercenaries. This kept the human, ground-level perspective intact throughout.

Geralt gets comparatively little exposure in the narrative and he doesn’t do any monster-slaying, which may disappoint some readers. I enjoyed the tumultuous plot and Ciri’s school of hard knocks-style introduction to the wider world, however. This book left me excited for the next volume.

★★★★☆

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This review originally appeared on Goodreads on March 21, 2021.

Season of Storms

By Andrzej Sapkowski, David French (Translator) – Orbit – May 22, 2018

Review by Robin Marx

Season of Storms was written after the main series of Witcher novels but set before most of Geralt’s adventures. I’m reading these books in terms of their internal chronology rather than the order of publication. While I got the sense that there were some Easter Eggs left for fans who had read the other books, the story stood well enough on its own.

The plot itself was sort of a reverse Picaresque. Geralt is perhaps the most moral and scrupulous figure in the story, and he’s thrown about by the lies and manipulations of the corrupt people and authorities around him. He’s framed for a crime, railroaded through court proceedings, and has his swords—the instruments of his trade—stolen from him. He just wants to be left alone, but the politicians and mages around him see a tool they can use to further their own schemes.

It took me a while to notice, but despite the magic and monsters, Season of Storms doesn’t have a typical fantasy novel plot. It has a noir plot. It’s all there. The protagonist is cynical and tarnished but still abides by a code. There is a femme fatale. The cops (er, “town guard”) are the biggest gang around. The ruling class run roughshod over the commoners without a care for the collateral damage. Loyalties and motives are uncertain, and the plot takes a number of twists and turns.

Season of Storms was a fun and exciting read, and I look forward to continuing the series.

★★★★☆

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This review originally appeared on Goodreads on July 5, 2021.

Blood of Elves

By Andrzej Sapkowski, Danusia Stok (Translator) – Hachette Book Group – May 1, 2009

Review by Robin Marx

The first of the Witcher novels, it was released after two volumes of short stories and is set after the most recently published book, Season of Storms (although there is some debate on when is the best time to read Season of Storms). So this is actually the fourth Witcher book I've read.

Although Geralt's fateful encounter with Ciri—an orphaned princess and a Source of powerful magic—is covered in a previous short story, this novel covers her early education. She spends roughly the first half of the book with Geralt, being instructed in the ways of the witcher, and the latter half with Yennefer, receiving magic tutelage. Along the way she learns some more about the world and its delicate political state, with the northern kingdoms trying to fend off the inexorable advance of the expansionist empire of Nilfgaard.

This book is tricky to rate. Like a lot of modern fantasy novels (in which a trilogy is assumed, at the bare minimum), this first book is all about preparing the board and setting up the game pieces. As a self-contained story, it fails miserably. There's not much of a plot, just prelude.

That being said, it was still a thoroughly engaging read, provided that the reader is familiar with the original short stories. The translation is smooth and draws zero attention to itself. The setting is immersive and the characters are great. It is such a pleasure spending time with Geralt, Triss, Ciri, Dandelion, and Yennefer. The interaction between these characters is always amusing, and it's masterful how much of their personalities are revealed through seemingly throwaway lines of dialogue and slight gestures.

Geralt himself is a particularly fun and surprising character. If you hear him described, he sounds like a one-dimensional edgy Mary Sue (and also kind of an Elric ripoff, with all the “White Wolf” stuff). But he's not really like that at all. Despite the two swords and the badass mutant monster hunter trappings, he's kind of a blue collar hero. He tackles monster problems like a plumber unclogging drains. His clients are happy to have him around, but they don't particularly respect him or his vocation. He keeps up a tough, world-weary front, but much like the old hardboiled detectives he reveals a softer, more noble side through his actions.

This book doesn't work very well as a novel, but it was an entertaining read that made me excited about the rest of the series.

★★★★☆

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