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saltylane's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Like all the other books in the Witcher series, this one jumps back and forth between perspectives, and gives a lot of information that isn’t completely necessary or interesting. The writing style is descriptive but not necessarily excessively so. The story itself has a lot of twists and turns and mysteries. I’d say the ending was rather bittersweet. Also, there were a lot of things that didn’t really make too much sense for the characters that have developed over the past handful of books. There were also just a handful of times whenever an action was starting to peak, and then it just dropped down because there was some kind of intervention that just happened to happen at that moment.
I didn’t necessarily expect a happy ending for everyone… But at least an ending that actually had conclusions that really mattered or that made sense would’ve been nice.
Overall, I rather enjoyed the series, despite its many flaws. With the switching perspectives, it did get confusing as to what was going on and what character was doing what. It often went to characters that I wasn’t really sure why they were even included… Unless they were just trying to close up plot lines? I don’t know; they didn’t really matter. It didn’t really seem very important that So-and-So died in such a way or succeeded in XYZ. Sure, sometimes it was nice to see what older characters that we hadn’t seen in a while were doing… But overall it wasn’t really important to the plot what was going on in their lives.
The reader for this audiobook is very talented! He really knows how to manipulate his voice to the different characters and stick with it consistently. The voice acting was also very good with emphasized emotions relevant to the scenes.
I’m really interested in seeing how the series on Netflix adapts all of the storylines. Hopefully it’s a little bit less convoluted…
I didn’t necessarily expect a happy ending for everyone… But at least an ending that actually had conclusions that really mattered or that made sense would’ve been nice.
Overall, I rather enjoyed the series, despite its many flaws. With the switching perspectives, it did get confusing as to what was going on and what character was doing what. It often went to characters that I wasn’t really sure why they were even included… Unless they were just trying to close up plot lines? I don’t know; they didn’t really matter. It didn’t really seem very important that So-and-So died in such a way or succeeded in XYZ. Sure, sometimes it was nice to see what older characters that we hadn’t seen in a while were doing… But overall it wasn’t really important to the plot what was going on in their lives.
The reader for this audiobook is very talented! He really knows how to manipulate his voice to the different characters and stick with it consistently. The voice acting was also very good with emphasized emotions relevant to the scenes.
I’m really interested in seeing how the series on Netflix adapts all of the storylines. Hopefully it’s a little bit less convoluted…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Xenophobia, Grief, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexism, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Classism
tilo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Der letzte Teil der Hauptreihe ist wie alle anderen Bücher in der Reihe genial. Der Anfang ist sehr kurios und ich war etwas skeptisch, aber der Subplot mit Nimue und Condwiramurs hat dann alles in ein spannendes Licht gerückt. Einige der Höhepunkte des Romans haben mich jedoch nicht so stark bewegt wie die Vorgänger, was einerseits daran lag, dass ich durch die Videospiele einer der größten Plottwists schon kannte und andererseits fand ich einige Momente sehr abgestumpft geschrieben und die Reaktionen der Charaktere haben mich teilweise verwundert. Das ist aber auf hohem Niveau angemerkt.
Das Ende ist sehr sonderbar. Man mag darüber denken, was man möchte, aber speziell zu diesem Teil hat es schon gepasst.
Das Ende ist sehr sonderbar. Man mag darüber denken, was man möchte, aber speziell zu diesem Teil hat es schon gepasst.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Incest, Slavery, Torture, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, and Classism
Minor: Ableism and Colonisation
aangi16's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I wanted to like this series so much and I kept reserving judgement and thinking "maybe it'll get better after this book" but no it really is just that boring and flat.
I can appreciate that some things just weren't to my taste. For example, I'm sure other people enjoyed the overly complicated politics but personally I didn't care for it. But some things were just objectively bad, or at least questionable, decisions.Like introducing a group of interesting characters (Regis, Milva, Angoulême) only to unceremoniously kill them all off in one of the laziest ways possible because they've served their purpose of getting Geralt to Ciri. Not to mention the reasons they each agree to help Geralt find Ciri in the first place are tenuous (don't even get me started on Cahir's reason/obsession with Ciri).
Character motivations were something I consistently struggled to understand throughout the series, but especially near the ending.You're telling me Duny waged wars with nations and is responsible for the deaths of millions of humans, dwarves, elves etc because he wanted his offspring to rule the world but changed his mind at the last second because Ciri cried a little? And Geralt and Yennefer after finally getting her back were prepared to just let her go without a fight and kill themselves (after having sex first because of course) instead?
Other issues I had with the series as a whole:
- Why does every woman geralt comes across either fall in love with him or want to have sex with him? He's canonically unattractive and he doesn't have a very charming or likeable personality. 2 or 3 women sure, but not every single woman he has a conversation with
- Sapkowski's obsession with Ciri repeatedly either getting SA'd, almost SA'd, or being used as a breeding machine is weird and creepy
- The sex scenes were hilariously bad (I even read a couple passages to friends)
- The writing was terrible in some places (though this may be an issue with the translation, rather than Sapkowski himself)
Now for the good stuff:
- The books are actually quite funny in some places
- Geralt's crew in this book (Regis, Milva, Angoulême and Cahir) were interesting and fun and I wish we'd gotten to see more of them
- Ciri's character and story arch is really interesting, even more than Geralt's imo
- The world and lore are genuinely interesting and have a lot of potential (which is why I love the games and I'm looking forward to seeing what the show does)
- The characters have flaws and personalilty traits that make them feel more like real people (most of the time)
- I loved Ciri's relationships with Geralt, Yennefer, Triss and the other witchers
In summary, it wasn't worth reading the whole series just for the little nuggets of enjoyment I got every now and then, especially considering how disappointing I found the ending to be.
I can appreciate that some things just weren't to my taste. For example, I'm sure other people enjoyed the overly complicated politics but personally I didn't care for it. But some things were just objectively bad, or at least questionable, decisions.
Character motivations were something I consistently struggled to understand throughout the series, but especially near the ending.
Other issues I had with the series as a whole:
- Why does every woman geralt comes across either fall in love with him or want to have sex with him? He's canonically unattractive and he doesn't have a very charming or likeable personality. 2 or 3 women sure, but not every single woman he has a conversation with
- Sapkowski's obsession with Ciri repeatedly either getting SA'd, almost SA'd, or being used as a breeding machine is weird and creepy
- The sex scenes were hilariously bad (I even read a couple passages to friends)
- The writing was terrible in some places (though this may be an issue with the translation, rather than Sapkowski himself)
Now for the good stuff:
- The books are actually quite funny in some places
- Geralt's crew in this book (Regis, Milva, Angoulême and Cahir) were interesting and fun and I wish we'd gotten to see more of them
- Ciri's character and story arch is really interesting, even more than Geralt's imo
- The world and lore are genuinely interesting and have a lot of potential (which is why I love the games and I'm looking forward to seeing what the show does)
- The characters have flaws and personalilty traits that make them feel more like real people (most of the time)
- I loved Ciri's relationships with Geralt, Yennefer, Triss and the other witchers
In summary, it wasn't worth reading the whole series just for the little nuggets of enjoyment I got every now and then, especially considering how disappointing I found the ending to be.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Sexual violence, and Suicide
palusaya's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I liked it but I have to say that I found some bits pretty long and some logical inconsistency. I am also still a bit unsure about the ending, though I feel like there was no other way really.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Incest
revisable4510's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
favorite quotes:
‘Very well,’ sighed Regis. ‘Let it be. I’ll have to steer clear of looking glasses and dogs, watch out for sorcerers and telepaths … and if in spite of that they unmask me, I’m counting on you.’
‘You can,’ Geralt responded gravely. ‘I won’t abandon you in need. Comrade.’
The vampire smiled, and because they were alone, showed his full set of fangs. ‘Comrade?’
‘It’s my anthropomorphism talking. On we go, let’s get out of these caverns, comrade. Because all we’ll find here is rheumatism.’
‘I must ride,’ she said at last. The woman smiled, jingling melodiously.
How does it happen, thought Ciri, what can it be ascribed to, that in all worlds, places and times, in all languages and dialects that one word always sounds comprehensible? And always similar?
'Yes. I must ride to my mamma. My mamma is waiting for me.’
‘Good, Ciri. But more calmly. Without euphoria. And close to me.’
‘I’ll always be close to you.’
‘Don’t cut from the shoulder if you can from the elbow. Take heed.’
‘I am.’
The flash of a blade. Screams, blood. Death.
‘Good, Ciri.’
‘I want to see the sky.’
‘I love you very much.’
‘I love you too.’
‘Take heed. It’s getting slippery.’
Geralt glanced at Ciri. And almost howled with fury, seeing streaks shining white as silver in her ashen hair. He controlled himself. It wasn’t the time for anger.
‘Be careful,’ he said softly. ‘Stay close to me.’
‘I’m always going to be close to you.’
‘It’ll be hot down there.’
‘I know. But we’re together.’
‘We’re together.’
The executioner went closer, kneeled down before the condemned man in keeping with the ancient custom, and lowered his hooded head. ‘Forgive me, good fellow,’ he requested gravely.
‘Me?’ asked Dandelion in astonishment. ‘Forgive you?’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘Not a chance.’
‘Eh?’
‘I’ll never forgive you. Why should I? Have you heard him, the prankster! He’s about to cut my head off, and I’m supposed to forgive him? Are you mocking me or what? At a time like this?’
‘How can you, sir?’ asked the executioner, saddened. ‘For there’s a law … And a custom … The condemned man must forgive the executioner in advance. Good sir! Expunge my guilt, absolve my sin …’
‘No.’
‘No?’
‘No!’
‘I won’t behead him,’ the executioner declared gloomily, getting up from his knees. ‘He must forgive me, otherwise there’s nothing doing.’
‘Lord Viscount.’ The funereal clerk caught Dandelion by the elbow. ‘Don’t make things difficult. People have gathered, they’re waiting … Forgive him. He’s asking politely, isn’t he?’
‘I won’t forgive him, and that’s that!’
‘Very well,’ sighed Regis. ‘Let it be. I’ll have to steer clear of looking glasses and dogs, watch out for sorcerers and telepaths … and if in spite of that they unmask me, I’m counting on you.’
‘You can,’ Geralt responded gravely. ‘I won’t abandon you in need. Comrade.’
The vampire smiled, and because they were alone, showed his full set of fangs. ‘Comrade?’
‘It’s my anthropomorphism talking. On we go, let’s get out of these caverns, comrade. Because all we’ll find here is rheumatism.’
‘I must ride,’ she said at last. The woman smiled, jingling melodiously.
How does it happen, thought Ciri, what can it be ascribed to, that in all worlds, places and times, in all languages and dialects that one word always sounds comprehensible? And always similar?
'Yes. I must ride to my mamma. My mamma is waiting for me.’
‘Good, Ciri. But more calmly. Without euphoria. And close to me.’
‘I’ll always be close to you.’
‘Don’t cut from the shoulder if you can from the elbow. Take heed.’
‘I am.’
The flash of a blade. Screams, blood. Death.
‘Good, Ciri.’
‘I want to see the sky.’
‘I love you very much.’
‘I love you too.’
‘Take heed. It’s getting slippery.’
Geralt glanced at Ciri. And almost howled with fury, seeing streaks shining white as silver in her ashen hair. He controlled himself. It wasn’t the time for anger.
‘Be careful,’ he said softly. ‘Stay close to me.’
‘I’m always going to be close to you.’
‘It’ll be hot down there.’
‘I know. But we’re together.’
‘We’re together.’
The executioner went closer, kneeled down before the condemned man in keeping with the ancient custom, and lowered his hooded head. ‘Forgive me, good fellow,’ he requested gravely.
‘Me?’ asked Dandelion in astonishment. ‘Forgive you?’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘Not a chance.’
‘Eh?’
‘I’ll never forgive you. Why should I? Have you heard him, the prankster! He’s about to cut my head off, and I’m supposed to forgive him? Are you mocking me or what? At a time like this?’
‘How can you, sir?’ asked the executioner, saddened. ‘For there’s a law … And a custom … The condemned man must forgive the executioner in advance. Good sir! Expunge my guilt, absolve my sin …’
‘No.’
‘No?’
‘No!’
‘I won’t behead him,’ the executioner declared gloomily, getting up from his knees. ‘He must forgive me, otherwise there’s nothing doing.’
‘Lord Viscount.’ The funereal clerk caught Dandelion by the elbow. ‘Don’t make things difficult. People have gathered, they’re waiting … Forgive him. He’s asking politely, isn’t he?’
‘I won’t forgive him, and that’s that!’
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Incest, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, and War
Minor: Cursing, Infertility, Torture, Xenophobia, Excrement, and Alcohol
areaderheart's review against another edition
challenging
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement, Cursing, Incest, Infidelity, Rape, Medical content, and Cannibalism
fallhistorywitch's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I’m too disgusted right now to give an in-depth review. All you have to know is sexualization of a minor, sexual assault of a minor, incest, an over all aura of misogyny combined with the slowest pace I’ve ever seen in a book. The stupidest book I’ve ever read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, and Cannibalism
apworden's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Incest, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Cannibalism
capitola's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Incest, Excrement, and Vomit
Extensive subplot about multiple adults wanting to rape/impregnate a minorjosefiina's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Drug use, Gore, Hate crime, Infidelity, Sexual content, Torture, Medical content, and Cannibalism