rhillinck's review against another edition
4.0
Sapkowski constructs a vivid world that reads a lot like if Game of Thrones had been written by Turgenev. All the politics and grit you'd expect from Martin, but viewed from the more humble levels of society, not exclusively from the sires of Kings and powerful merchants. Here we see Geralt — a travelling monster exterminator — just trying to make a living while dealing with superstitious peasants, corrupt local pols, and wanton Lords, and monsters that aren't always that monstrous. Some of the early dialogue is a bit awkward, but while I don't know whether that's an artifact of translation, it's well worth sticking through. Will definitely read further.
iina's review against another edition
4.0
Ooh, what an epic introduction to the series. I enjoyed all the stories here immensely, but especially The Last Wish where Yennefer makes her first appearance, as well as the story with the striga... Can’t wait to read more!
tarynnardi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
geordirr's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed the framing story as a way to connect the separate short stories. Made me excited to complete the series
melomindy's review against another edition
4.0
Borrowed paperback copy-
I think I enjoyed this book more for already having seen the show. It was easier to understand the jumping timeline and knowing who the characters were before hand. I enjoyed the fairytale aspects, especially the beauty and the beast one. I’m interested to see what the main story is like.
I think I enjoyed this book more for already having seen the show. It was easier to understand the jumping timeline and knowing who the characters were before hand. I enjoyed the fairytale aspects, especially the beauty and the beast one. I’m interested to see what the main story is like.
mbublik's review against another edition
4.0
I initially read it because of the Netflix series, as many people have. I liked the short stories as a sort of introduction to the main series, it makes me excited for the rest of it.
greatlibraryofalexandra's review against another edition
3.0
I don’t really know how to rate this! I enjoyed it a lot, but since I watched (and loved) the show first, I can’t extract my feelings on the book from my already overwhelmingly positive feelings for the show.
“The Last Wish” is a collection of fairytale adjacent stories that serve as foundation-laying prequels for the stories that begin with “Blood of Elves.” Had I been reading these books with no knowledge of the show, I’d have come back to this book after reading all the books proper. I love prequels and fell they should be read as prequels. That said, I loved this collection and the way it was crafted - Geralt remembering. I’ll always wonder what I’d have felt if I read this blind, but since I did not, it felt like coming to chat with an old friend. It definitely has more clarity than the show.
I’m very driven to continue reading and get beyond what the show has touched on. I missed Ciri in this novel! And I cannot believe I have to think of Jaskier as Dandelion…
“The Last Wish” is a collection of fairytale adjacent stories that serve as foundation-laying prequels for the stories that begin with “Blood of Elves.” Had I been reading these books with no knowledge of the show, I’d have come back to this book after reading all the books proper. I love prequels and fell they should be read as prequels. That said, I loved this collection and the way it was crafted - Geralt remembering. I’ll always wonder what I’d have felt if I read this blind, but since I did not, it felt like coming to chat with an old friend. It definitely has more clarity than the show.
I’m very driven to continue reading and get beyond what the show has touched on. I missed Ciri in this novel! And I cannot believe I have to think of Jaskier as Dandelion…
fusrodah's review against another edition
4.0
Let me just admit I picked this up because I absolutely love the Witcher games, and I wanted to read books that inspired them. At the same time, I'm really not a fan of Andrzej Sapkowski owing to his underhanded approach to the games that arguably made his work truly famous, but it wouldn't influence my thoughts on this book. It was a sublime read!
The Plot revolves around Geralt of Rivia, a Witcher who's professions involves killing monsters and getting the bounty on their heads. In this world, there's a rift between the world of monsters and men, causing various of these supernatural beings to enter the human world. That's where Witchers come in, mutants who are akin to bounty hunters as they find contracts and slay monsters in return for money.
The book is split into the past and the present. The past features a set of individually standing stories, each a chronicle of Geralt's life this far as a Witcher. The present is continuous with Geralt nursing himself back to health after a particularly tedious contract. Both are very well done, the stories interesting and having a good amount of dry humour sometimes.
The Writing is great to read. Not oversimplified, but at the same time not too frivolous in its execution. The Last Wish was translated to english by Danusia Stok, and major props to her.
The real standout by far are the characters! Geralt I already loved. The process that converts a normal human to a Witcher gives them mutations that strip them of emotions, and this leaves Geralt full of dry humor. He's a badass monster hunter, but still has all the vulnerabilities of a human. Even aside from Geralt, all the side characters are very well done, each having distinct characters both good and bad.
My only gripe is not all the stories were consistently good, one or two not as compelling a read as the others. But all in all, The Last Wish was a great read and I can't wait to read the sequel.
The Plot revolves around Geralt of Rivia, a Witcher who's professions involves killing monsters and getting the bounty on their heads. In this world, there's a rift between the world of monsters and men, causing various of these supernatural beings to enter the human world. That's where Witchers come in, mutants who are akin to bounty hunters as they find contracts and slay monsters in return for money.
The book is split into the past and the present. The past features a set of individually standing stories, each a chronicle of Geralt's life this far as a Witcher. The present is continuous with Geralt nursing himself back to health after a particularly tedious contract. Both are very well done, the stories interesting and having a good amount of dry humour sometimes.
The Writing is great to read. Not oversimplified, but at the same time not too frivolous in its execution. The Last Wish was translated to english by Danusia Stok, and major props to her.
The real standout by far are the characters! Geralt I already loved. The process that converts a normal human to a Witcher gives them mutations that strip them of emotions, and this leaves Geralt full of dry humor. He's a badass monster hunter, but still has all the vulnerabilities of a human. Even aside from Geralt, all the side characters are very well done, each having distinct characters both good and bad.
My only gripe is not all the stories were consistently good, one or two not as compelling a read as the others. But all in all, The Last Wish was a great read and I can't wait to read the sequel.
mrolla20's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5