A review by knkoch
The Tower of Swallows by Andrzej Sapkowski
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I wonder what difference it would make to read these books cover to cover. It would be a weighty undertaking, considering the number of books in the series, but easier in perhaps in clarity.
I’m not doing that, which impacts my memory of the details. This is a big world, with l o t s of place names and characters of no small significance. I’ve been forging on with the sense that some details are passing over my head, but trusting that I’m grasping enough of the general plot to get by. I wish there was a map of the region contained, like in the Lord of the Rings; I’m very lost as to the geography of this place, and which regions border each other.
Sapkowski does a lot of misdirection with the way they story is told. It’s quite brilliant, and underlines both the nature of storytelling (passed around like rumors and embroidered by the teller) and the historical context it resides in (as some parts of the plot are relayed years after their occurrence). It’s a nice way to avoid dwelling forever in one character’s head, and more creative than endless third-person. It’s nice to jump perspectives, even from Geralt, once in awhile!
None of the books in the main plot line (starting with Blood of Elves) has given me a strong stand-alone sense of identity as a book; they feel like continuations of each other as the plot unfolds. But this is just my first reading, so separating them could get easier with greater familiarity. The magic in this world doesn’t operate from a sense of logic or rules that we’re privy to as the reader; it often acts as a plot device we just have to trust. I liked that Ciri emerged as a strongly-defined character here, and her scenes in this book were the best. I’m deeply confused about Yennefer’s role, owing to memory deficiency and (intentional?) plot obscurity. But my heart belongs to Regis.
I’m not doing that, which impacts my memory of the details. This is a big world, with l o t s of place names and characters of no small significance. I’ve been forging on with the sense that some details are passing over my head, but trusting that I’m grasping enough of the general plot to get by. I wish there was a map of the region contained, like in the Lord of the Rings; I’m very lost as to the geography of this place, and which regions border each other.
Sapkowski does a lot of misdirection with the way they story is told. It’s quite brilliant, and underlines both the nature of storytelling (passed around like rumors and embroidered by the teller) and the historical context it resides in (as some parts of the plot are relayed years after their occurrence). It’s a nice way to avoid dwelling forever in one character’s head, and more creative than endless third-person. It’s nice to jump perspectives, even from Geralt, once in awhile!
None of the books in the main plot line (starting with Blood of Elves) has given me a strong stand-alone sense of identity as a book; they feel like continuations of each other as the plot unfolds. But this is just my first reading, so separating them could get easier with greater familiarity. The magic in this world doesn’t operate from a sense of logic or rules that we’re privy to as the reader; it often acts as a plot device we just have to trust. I liked that Ciri emerged as a strongly-defined character here, and her scenes in this book were the best. I’m deeply confused about Yennefer’s role, owing to memory deficiency and (intentional?) plot obscurity. But my heart belongs to Regis.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Gore