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jenbosen's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.75
Points off for too many names, and for making the political and religious history too convoluted. Solid story, it just kept getting bogged down in minutiae that made it hard to keep track of what was important.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
emoryp's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Continues the strong story-telling and interesting characters of the Witcher series. The main character, unfortunately, is a pain in the butt and at a certain point his failures become obnoxious. Sapkowski's other characters are fascinating, however, and he picked a great historical setting in the Hussite revolts. The bit of magic/witchcraft in the book adds another layer of interest. Will definitely read the next two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexual content
2treads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Sapkowski uses the 15th century historical landscape of Poland, using the religious sphere, language, and writs to anchor his story. What I enjoy about his writing is that he doesn't shy away from domestic drama, humour, family feuds, dark creatures, and other machinations that always make his books a good read.
He captures the spreading influence of the Holy See and their attempts to stamp out anything they consider heresy, as well as the prejudices held of Jews and natural 'magic', all while telling an entertaining story of misplaced love, male "honour", and revenge.
I enjoyed the jaunts of our main character as he tries to keep one step ahead of his pursuers, receives advice, meets witches, and garners a protector as he is positively hapless when it comes to defending against physical attacks.
My only grievance with this book is that certain parts seem bloated and this story would have been just as engaging with 100 or so less pages.
He captures the spreading influence of the Holy See and their attempts to stamp out anything they consider heresy, as well as the prejudices held of Jews and natural 'magic', all while telling an entertaining story of misplaced love, male "honour", and revenge.
I enjoyed the jaunts of our main character as he tries to keep one step ahead of his pursuers, receives advice, meets witches, and garners a protector as he is positively hapless when it comes to defending against physical attacks.
My only grievance with this book is that certain parts seem bloated and this story would have been just as engaging with 100 or so less pages.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Blood and Antisemitism
jaskovivich's review against another edition
5.0
Reinmar of Bielawa, a young physician from Silesia gets caught bedding the wife of a powerful knight, who is now set on killing him, and disciplining his wife, Reinmar (Called Reynevan by his friends) starts a quest to find the lovely Adele of Stercza and, in his mind, save her from a dire fate, being confronted with numerous twists, and constantly being called a stupid fool by everyone he meets, and discovering his Brother Peterlin was murdered for possible Hussite Sympathies. Reinmar's quest ends in a way he didn't expect, on his way to Prague, to join the Hussites
The Tower of Fools hit right where all of my interests intersect, Eastern and Central European history, This was an Excellent start to a trilogy, and a great addition to the bibliography of Sapkowski. Much like The Witcher this series takes place in an Eastern European setting (being set in the Historical period of the Hussite wars, where the Catholic church conducted Crusades against Czech follower of Jan Huss and John Wycliffe) this book immediately cemented the series into my all-time favorite series, The historical mixed with fantasy hit a sweet-spot for me. If you like the Witcher, this is definitely worth a read, it is an interesting change of pace but keeps with Sapkowski’s style of writing.
The Tower of Fools hit right where all of my interests intersect, Eastern and Central European history, This was an Excellent start to a trilogy, and a great addition to the bibliography of Sapkowski. Much like The Witcher this series takes place in an Eastern European setting (being set in the Historical period of the Hussite wars, where the Catholic church conducted Crusades against Czech follower of Jan Huss and John Wycliffe) this book immediately cemented the series into my all-time favorite series, The historical mixed with fantasy hit a sweet-spot for me. If you like the Witcher, this is definitely worth a read, it is an interesting change of pace but keeps with Sapkowski’s style of writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual assault, Torture, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, and War