Blood of Elves: The Witcher Author Andrzej Sapkowski
Book Review
5 out of 5 stars!
"When you know about something it stops being a nightmare. When you know how to fight something, it stops being so threatening." - Vesemir
Geralt has found his child surprise but has no real idea of what to do with her. Other than the basics of keeping Ciri alive and protecting her until his last breath. He knows everyone is after Ciri and the great power that is found within her, within her blood. To keep her safe, he takes her to Kaer Morhen the only place he knows will be a refuge for both of them. And being who Ciri is and has proven already Geralt and the others begin teaching her in the ways they know best. Becoming a Witcher who can wield a sword.
War is threatening the kingdoms and sides are being picked or forcing people to choose. Ciri will come face to face with understanding more about the ever-changing world. Hopefully she will be more prepared for what's to come, who's searching for her, and facing her own fears. Luckily the Witchers won't be Ciri's only teachers.
"You did not see that these ballads speak of man's fate, that we are no more than toys in the hands of the gods, our lands no more than their playground."
Something about the Witcher books just calls to me. The writing is so well done, and you can feel yourself being utterly pulled in and lost within the pages. Now there is a bit of a reading order to the books, this one is considered the first in the saga. I looked up a page on the reading order and found "The Last Wish" to be the very first book, it helps to really introduce everything and set the world. "Sword of Destiny" is the prologue before this installment.
I love Ciri's character and watching her coming-of-age journey. How everyone sees the fire in her and just wants to help it grow. Of course, teaching her rights and wrongs and not letting her be totally out of control. But no one is stopping her from using a sword, understanding the ways of Witchers, and so forth. After everything she's been through those around her know she needs this. I loved the different types of training montages we had within this read.
I really appreciated Triss in this installment and how she helps Ciri understand her changing body. The girl is no longer a child but becoming a young lady. Triss going toe to toe with the Witchers was fantastic. I was grinning like an idiot as Triss got the big, tough, assassins to feel like small little boys with sticks. Granted none of them were used to the needs of a female child.
Seeing Yennefer and Ciri finally meeting and their interactions were something I couldn't get enough of! Whenever Geralt does catch up to the two of them, deeming it safe, he's going to have a handful. Yen and Ciri on their own were already bad enough but now with them being a team and getting along!? I cannot wait to see what happens! There are dual timelines and multiple POVs. We get to see a little bit into the future and the events leading up to it and the present. Everyone trying to come to terms with the inevitable threat of war.
This whole series is very gritty and dark. No one sugar coats things with Ciri, even though Geralt, being his protective self, has to tell certain individuals to watch their language around her. There's language, violence, bloodshed, fantasy racism toward other nonhumans, and deaths. Ciri is dealing with anxiety, PTSD, trauma, nightmares, and strong emotions. There are scenes involving a sick woman whilst traveling and some of the not so pleasant difficulties that come from that.
There's mention of past relationships and the complicated one between Yennefer and Geralt. But I love their relationship and dynamic in an odd way. The more realistic side of relationships and how they both want to be with each other, but it isn't their main reason for living. A one-sided love is shown, and the relationship is a bit sad. Fair warning Geralt is no saint and with the times of the dark age's adulthood had a different number. He had a one-night stand with a seventeen-year-old, implied but not detailed out.
I love these books so far and finally decided to review one of them! I'm going to dive into the next read shortly because it just feels like the Witcher season right now. With the cold weather moving in and having more cloudy, foggy days outside. The feelings I get from these books I can't really put into words. I love the Slavic mythology and folklore found within these reads and running to the internet to get some visuals of what the monster is that Geralt has encountered. This book ends on a cliffhanger to lead into "The Time of Contempt".
Enjoy the read with monsters, destiny, a broody MMC, fierce FMCs, and so much more. Don't forget to give the author some stars!
Blood of Elves (Witcher Series #1) by Andrzej Sapkowski, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®
SapkowskiBooks.com - Discover & Buy The Witcher books from Sapkowski – Sapkowskibooks
How to Read the Witcher Books in Order (2024 Update) | Reedsy Discovery
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