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geekmom's review against another edition
3.5
This was a fine ending to the series, but looking back over the past few books I'm annoyed that there was so much... I don't know... dithering about? Lots and lots of pages - even entire books - where the storyline I was actually interested in didn't move forward and the characters just wandered around doing things that felt random. And the resolution to the big story arc of the series with Geralt and Ciri was okay, but the way this volume was written wasn't satisfying for me. I can't ignore the rampant misogyny and the almost complete lack of agency Ciri ended up having at the end of this whole story. She's the chosen one! She is the one who is going to change the world! Because... she can be impregnated? Sigh. It's also disappointing that various central characters were simply killed off within a few pages... Not to mention that a large part of this book focused on the Big Battle to end the war that's been happening in the background of the series, but because none of the central characters participated, it was told through the POV of various minor side characters (many of whom were introduced just before the Big Battle) which made the whole thing feel detached and unimportant. I was hoping to see more of the interesting and fun ways of subverting fantasy tropes that I found in previous books, but I didn't really find them here. Oh well - I'm glad I finished the series, and I may even read the other, standalone novel, but I wish this one had been less disappointing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
marinaxanna's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Love to hate it, hate to love it—thank god its over, because this is where the honeymoon phase with the series finally ended for me. It’s like Sapkowski just gave up and I, too, stopped believing in this story.
Three books of build up, interesting characters, interesting cultures and worlds—only to have it end like this, with the lackluster that is the Tower of the Swallow and the Lady of the lake.
Reducing strong, intelligent women who had compelling narratives into mindless Geralt simps while throwing around misogynistic takes. Oh and not to mention more vile, completely unnecessary SA scenes/tropes for Ciri. Seriously what the fuck was up with that Gramps BS?
And all that for an anti climactic, cliché as fuck ending that leaves more questions than answers. It felt incredibly unsatisfactory.
Geralt and Yennefers characters were just butchered. Both of them felt 2D as hell by the end of the book and it seemed like the author just wanted to be done with the series.
Well, so did I—Almost dnf. Reading this was just not enjoyable for me at all. I forced myself to finish it since its the last part. Skipped the entirety of chapter 7 when it was clear it was another senseless subplot with Men Being Men TM with a bunch of characters i would never read about again. Seriously, who needs so many detours and timejumps to shape a plot????
Well, so did I—Almost dnf. Reading this was just not enjoyable for me at all. I forced myself to finish it since its the last part. Skipped the entirety of chapter 7 when it was clear it was another senseless subplot with Men Being Men TM with a bunch of characters i would never read about again. Seriously, who needs so many detours and timejumps to shape a plot????
Anyway. Goodbye to this series. This book has killed any love I had for these characters. I’m done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Incest
starsfall's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pedophilia
Okay wow this book was a lot. There were many plottwist that left me quite confused. I really loved how there were so mant different povs, so many characters. Although sometimes I was a bit lost with so many names and places.camoo3032's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Animal death, Drug use, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Vomit, Abortion, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Homophobia, Infertility, Slavery, Excrement, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Colonisation
geordirr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Incest and Antisemitism
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
fiveredhens'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
luciawolfie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The way women are portrayed in this book make me very uncomfortable. Also the ending makes no sense...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug use, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Murder
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