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sunn_bleach's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It's easy to see how this adapted perfectly to games, as each short story acts as a standalone quest much like what's in a standard epic fantasy game. But otherwise, I find this very difficult to go back to, and I would only recommend it for someone like me who's interested in the background of The Witcher series rather than these actually being good. The games sanded off much of the roughness of the 90s, fixed the writing issues, adapted the best ideas, and forewent much of the poorly-aged aspect, like how every woman is either stupid or must be assaulted, like the insipid "realism" people point to in defense of Game of Thrones. It's not "real", it's just crass, and you should read an actual history book.
Overall a meh experience. The translator problems are real; Geralt pirouettes more than a Bolshoi Ballet prima, and everyone is always locking eyes with each other while sneering. The fractured fairytales approach is so ingrained in modern pop culture (and wasn't new back then) that I find it difficult to care or find subversive.
There's a small part of me that would read "Sword of Destiny" as the next short story compilation, but I could also be fine with leaving my book experience of The Witcher here and sticking to the games, which are simply better in every respect.
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Vomit and War
toastyghosty13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I also like reading about Yennefer since she was one of the characters I liked most from what I saw in the show. Her background story in the show was so interesting to me, and the way that she and Geralt's fates intertwine in the book was really interesting to see as well as to get an idea of the dynamic of their relationship in the future.
I ended up buying a physical box set with illustrated editions after listening to this audiobook because I liked the characters, stories, and world building so much. I loved the way the narrator did all of the voices in the audiobook, but it was also hard to keep track of who all of the characters were when there were so many as well as so many places. I chalk this up mainly to the fact that this book and the next (Sword of Destiny) are labeled as prequels and short stories, so I assume that Blood of Elves will be the first full length story rather than somewhat cohesive mini tails. Even though I don't normally like short stories, I feel that this fit perfectly with the fairy tale retelling aspect since a lot of the stories seemed somewhat familiar but also so unique.
I am excited to see more of Geralt and the other characters that were introduced in this installment, as well as see when
Moderate: Death, Incest, Infertility, Sexism, Blood, and Vomit
grayreadsmanga's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Medical content
Minor: Body horror and Vomit
fantasy discriminationmcmeiss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gore, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Infertility, Infidelity, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
calamitydane's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Incest, Infertility, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
casdelvo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Xenophobia, and Vomit
Minor: Infertility, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
ohthatsgrayt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Cursing, Death, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
belladonnashrike's review against another edition
4.25
“yen,” she repeated, giving in to him completely. “nobody’s ever called me that. say it again.”
“yen.”
“geralt.”
GOD.
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Blood
Minor: Incest, Infertility, Rape, Vomit, and War
draakedan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Gore and Blood
Moderate: Alcoholism, Vomit, and Alcohol
Minor: Body horror, Cursing, and Sexual content
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Excrement, Vomit, Cannibalism, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Fatphobia, Incest, Suicide, Torture, and Sexual harassment