Reviews with content warning for Infertility - La espada del destino

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as the first one, I don't think. I like that a lot of these stories focused a lot more on the characters than anything else, though! It definitely helped me to connect with them more than I did in the first book, particularly Geralt. In the first book, I had some trouble connecting with him and really loving him the way everyone else seems to, but this book definitely got me closer to it, even if I'm still not all the way there. I think my favorite stories were A Little Sacrifice and The Sword of Destiny. I really enjoyed both of those. I don't really have much else to say about this book that I didn't already say in my review of the first one, though.

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readandplaydk's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

So, the objectification and sexualization of women was profound in this installment. Not that this wasn’t also present in The Last Wish, but it was glaring in this book, especially the longer the story went on.

For example, at one point we follow two grown ass men as they fight over which of them our FMC should be with. Apparently, this isn’t a decision she can make herself. C’mon.. 😒. Also, the absurd and almost comical obsession with every female character’s breasts — nipples, especially. At one point we’re introduced to a mermaid — a really interesting and unique character — and instead of discussing literally anything else about her, we get clobbered over the head by how her “charms” look every time she exits the water.

I’m giving this 3 stars for the world and its creatures. The characters and the quests are also fun and interesting and I really liked the audiobook narrator. I do have a lot of love for Geralt, Dandelion, and all the shenanigans they get up to, especially as I was first introduced to this world through the game. However, the author could have moved the story forward in ways that didn’t include ceaseless sexism and constantly objectifying the female characters.

Not sure how I feel about continuing. If I do, I’ll be taking a very long break before then.

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obstinateheadstrongcurl's review against another edition

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adventurous tense fast-paced

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

3.5

Did I read this in the wrong order? Yes. Don't do what I did, people. Go off the original publishing order, not the English publishing order. Not that it's terribly confusing, but if, like me, you fall in love with this series, you'll kick yourself for not starting it correctly.

Is this book pretty sexist? Hell yes. Is the third person objective perspective the most effective way to tell these stories? Maybe not. But damn did I have a good time reading this. It was paced and fun and just a good old fashioned adventure story.

Definitely going to continue with the series and might actually give this a re-read in the correct order.

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