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A review by grrr8_catsby
The Tower of Swallows by Andrzej Sapkowski
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
As I've mentioned in previous reviews, the Witcher series has been an interesting blend of writing styles and has had individual thematic focuses throughout the series as a whole. The first two books, The Last Wish and Sword Of Destiny, were collections of short stories, serving to introduce us the the adventures of monster-hunting witcher Geralt. The third book in the series (and first book in the saga) Blood Of Elves served as a character study for previously secondary characters such as Ciri and Yennefer, while the fourth book in the series (and second book in the saga) The Time Of Contempt was a plot driven affair, showing us the response of the world to the march of the invading Nilfgaardian army. The fifth book in the series (and third book in the saga) Baptism Of Fire is again a plot driven narrative, this time focusing on the adventures of Geralt in his attempt to track down and rescue Ciri.
The Tower Of Swallows, while perhaps the best written book in the Witcher saga to this point, is also the most disjointed. Told in a series of disconnected flashbacks, The Tower Of Swallows does more to confound faithful readers of the series than to serve as a faithful adaption of the penultimate tale. Throughout the narrative, author Sapkowski urges multiple messages of "running out of time" and "no time to spare", but no sense of urgency is truly felt by the reader. In fact, new characters and plot threads are introduced halfway through the book with only slight teases as to how they connect with the overarching story. With one main saga entry remaining after The Tower Of Swallows, lingering plot points feel more swept to the side than satisfactorily concluded.
It is almost certain that at this point "The Witcher" refers to Ciri, as Geralt is barely afforded a short passage in this book. This is not a bad thing; the character has unfortunately undergone stark character assassination over the last few books, changing from the once rough, tough, badass, morally gray witcher to a cranky, pouting, conservative-valued hiker-with-a-sword. Geralt-containing passages are best told through Dandelion, Regis, and Milva, who shine together as an ensemble.
I did not enjoy the plot to The Tower Of Swallows; truthfully, the only thing saving it from a lower grade is the quality of the writing itself.
The Tower Of Swallows, while perhaps the best written book in the Witcher saga to this point, is also the most disjointed. Told in a series of disconnected flashbacks, The Tower Of Swallows does more to confound faithful readers of the series than to serve as a faithful adaption of the penultimate tale. Throughout the narrative, author Sapkowski urges multiple messages of "running out of time" and "no time to spare", but no sense of urgency is truly felt by the reader. In fact, new characters and plot threads are introduced halfway through the book with only slight teases as to how they connect with the overarching story. With one main saga entry remaining after The Tower Of Swallows, lingering plot points feel more swept to the side than satisfactorily concluded.
It is almost certain that at this point "The Witcher" refers to Ciri, as Geralt is barely afforded a short passage in this book. This is not a bad thing; the character has unfortunately undergone stark character assassination over the last few books, changing from the once rough, tough, badass, morally gray witcher to a cranky, pouting, conservative-valued hiker-with-a-sword. Geralt-containing passages are best told through Dandelion, Regis, and Milva, who shine together as an ensemble.
I did not enjoy the plot to The Tower Of Swallows; truthfully, the only thing saving it from a lower grade is the quality of the writing itself.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence