Scan barcode
graceless_grace's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Miscarriage and Abortion
timmytunter's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Among his companions are a dryad-sympathising human archer, a barber-surgeon with a sanguineous secret, a caravan of dwarves, a Nilfgaardian who denies his affiliation, and, of course, the ever-present bard Dandelion. Their dynamic is humorously highlighted in a memorable exchange:
‘What a company I ended up with,’ Geralt continued, shaking his head. ‘Brothers in arms! A team of heroes! What have I done to deserve it? A poetaster with a lute. A wild and lippy half-dryad, half-woman. A vampire, who’s about to notch up his fifth century.
And a bloody Nilfgaardian who insists he isn’t a Nilfgaardian.’
’And leading the party is the Witcher, who suffers from pangs of conscience, impotence and the inability to take decisions,’ Regis finished calmly.
The portions of the book detailing the group’s journey are particularly compelling, as we witness Geralt’s isolationist tendencies being challenged. He gradually comes to endure, if not embrace, his comrades. Special mentions must go to Milva and Regis, two characters who have greatly endeared themselves to me.
Aside from Geralt’s travels, significant insights are provided into the politics of the Lodge of Sorceresses and the movements of Ciri, still in the company of barbarous gang “The Rats.” The novel’s first half is a slow build, setting the scene for the action-packed second half. By the halfway mark, all relevant characters and locations have been introduced, and it’s just a matter of increasingly tempestuous events unfolding.
Sapkowski’s writing shines as we see significant growth in Geralt’s character. Regis’s observation about Geralt encapsulates this evolution:
‘For [Geralt]’ – Regis laughed – ‘the points of the compass have no great importance. It’s all the same to him which one he chooses, as long as he’s not idle. That is truly a witcher’s principium. The world is full of evil, so it’s sufficient to stride ahead, and destroy the Evil encountered on the way, in that way rendering a service to Good. The rest takes care of itself. To put it another way: being in motion is everything, the goal is nothing.’
This characterization, while perhaps true for witchers generally, becomes increasingly untrue for Geralt, whose paternal connection with Ciri (and perhaps his relationship with Yennefer) adds depth and purpose to his journey. Regis’s immediate recantation of his words underscores this transformation.
Overall, Baptism of Fire is a worthy addition to the Witcher series, with its rich character development and engaging narrative. Highly recommended.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
tdnan's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Moderate: Miscarriage, Violence, and War
geekmom's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Abortion, and Murder
obsidianchainsaw's review against another edition
- 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
Minor: Miscarriage, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Abortion, and War
akkalabuns's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Miscarriage and Rape
bellemarier's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Rape and Sexual violence
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Sexual assault and Pregnancy
sage_bee's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and War
skitch41's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: War
Minor: Gore and Miscarriage
breamfish1138's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Biphobia, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Incest, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail