A review by poetskings
Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski

adventurous fast-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? No

3.0

Violence has broken out across the continent, and amidst the violence Geralt of Rivia must protect the child of the prophecy. In the first book of the series, Sapkowski takes the reader across the continent, following Geralt and Ciri as they come to understand Ciri’s power and her place in the world. 

 

The world building in this book is excellent. The world is fully realised and built up through a series of interactions between the main characters and those encountered on their travels that fleshes out both the cast of characters and the surrounding world. However, it feels far more like a collection of short stories than a full fantasy novel. 

 

I think I would have also enjoyed this more if I hadn’t watched the show or played the game. While the world building was the most compelling part of this book, it was largely lost on me because for me the world has already been built. I can understand this book’s appeal, but I think it would’ve been far stronger for me if I read it before understanding the world Sapkowski created.