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A review by bickleyhouse
Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The first full-length novel in The Witcher series, Blood of Elves is a fun read. I thought it was beginning with the sacking of Cintra, but it turns out that the beginning sequence is a nightmare that Cirilla is having, as she is already with Geralt, as they are on their way to Kaer Morhen. But almost instantly, after just a few pages, we get delightful exchange among a number of people gathered at "the glade beneath Bleobheris, the great oak." Dandelion, the bard, has just finished one of his trademark ballads. A lengthy conversation ensues, wherein the gathered folks debate the fate of Geralt of Rivia, as well as that of Cirilla and the magician/witch Yennifer.
The interactions between people in this novel are classic. Sapkowski's sense of humor that comes out in conversations is delightful. My favorite bit is at the end, as Cirilla and Yennifer are discussing their future together.
We get properly introduced to Triss Merigold in chapter two, as she arrives at Kaer Morhen, to help the witchers teach Cirilla. And then, as Triss, Geralt, and Ciri head for Nenneke's place, they run into Yarpen Zigrin and his band of dwarves. Cirilla and Yarpen get along famously.
It is interesting to note the differences between the written tales and what is shown on the Netflix series. For example, the episode where Geralt has to fight the aeschna as they travel by boat has Ciri on the boat with him. In the chapter in this book, Geralt is alone (at least not in the company of any of his usual companions), and they get all the way to the port of destination before the aeschna attacks. At the port, he is attacked by some Temerian soldiers who are looking for Ciri (as everyone and their proverbial dogs seem to be).
There is a lot of talking in this book, much more than there is "witchery" action. The TV shows, of course, are much more action-filled, because I imagine your average TV watcher prefers that. But it is my experience that Witcher fans are far from average TV watchers. I rather enjoy the political repartee that goes on in this book. And it is quite convoluted, as Nilfgarde seems to be attempting to take over the world while other kingdoms are fighting them. The elves seem to be simply trying to survive, and all of them are looking for Ciri, because she has Elven blood.
Ciri's character in the book seems much younger than she is depicted in the show, as well. She seems to act much more like the Ciri that we meet at the beginning of the Playstation game, Witcher III: The Wild Hunt.
Another major difference that I see in the book is that Yennefer, Triss, Tissaia de Vries, Vilgefortz, and the others are never called "mages" in the book. They are always either "magicians" or "witches," but more often "magicians."
All that being said, I do enjoy Sapkowski's writing and look forward to continuing the book series. I have only just begun, as The Carpenters sang so long ago, and the next book is called The Time of Contempt.
The interactions between people in this novel are classic. Sapkowski's sense of humor that comes out in conversations is delightful. My favorite bit is at the end, as Cirilla and Yennifer are discussing their future together.
We get properly introduced to Triss Merigold in chapter two, as she arrives at Kaer Morhen, to help the witchers teach Cirilla. And then, as Triss, Geralt, and Ciri head for Nenneke's place, they run into Yarpen Zigrin and his band of dwarves. Cirilla and Yarpen get along famously.
It is interesting to note the differences between the written tales and what is shown on the Netflix series. For example, the episode where Geralt has to fight the aeschna as they travel by boat has Ciri on the boat with him. In the chapter in this book, Geralt is alone (at least not in the company of any of his usual companions), and they get all the way to the port of destination before the aeschna attacks. At the port, he is attacked by some Temerian soldiers who are looking for Ciri (as everyone and their proverbial dogs seem to be).
There is a lot of talking in this book, much more than there is "witchery" action. The TV shows, of course, are much more action-filled, because I imagine your average TV watcher prefers that. But it is my experience that Witcher fans are far from average TV watchers. I rather enjoy the political repartee that goes on in this book. And it is quite convoluted, as Nilfgarde seems to be attempting to take over the world while other kingdoms are fighting them. The elves seem to be simply trying to survive, and all of them are looking for Ciri, because she has Elven blood.
Ciri's character in the book seems much younger than she is depicted in the show, as well. She seems to act much more like the Ciri that we meet at the beginning of the Playstation game, Witcher III: The Wild Hunt.
Another major difference that I see in the book is that Yennefer, Triss, Tissaia de Vries, Vilgefortz, and the others are never called "mages" in the book. They are always either "magicians" or "witches," but more often "magicians."
All that being said, I do enjoy Sapkowski's writing and look forward to continuing the book series. I have only just begun, as The Carpenters sang so long ago, and the next book is called The Time of Contempt.