A review by jarvvis
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski

adventurous dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Started this to get some context as a played The Witcher 3, but The Last Wish is really wonderful in its own right. There’s a lot of classic (read: generic) fantasy in here, but it still manages to forge its own identity and make a name for itself. Geralt is a stoic man designed to kill, but he’s also introspective, philosophical and funny when he wants to be - he’s close enough to any other protagonist to be recognisable but he’s also his own guy. Almost all (I believe all) of these short stories are modelled after fairy tales, some more well known than others, and there’s a really potent mix in this book of things that will be familiar to any audience and a healthy dash of mythology and good original ideas. Also any book that lets one of its main characters be a silly guy in a silly hat goes up in my estimation. Long live Dandelion! 

(My only complaint would be the weird vibe towards women that is just understated enough that I can’t really go into detail but I’ll just say there’s a lot of milky thighs and shapely breasts.)