Title: Blood of Elves
Author: Andrzej Sapkowski
Series: The Witcher #3
Pages: 315
Published: 1994
Publisher: Gollancz
Did you know that the famous video game The Witcher is becoming a TV Series by Netflix? And it's starring Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia? It will be Netflix's own epic fantasy series and it is going to be based on the books by Andrzej Sapkowski.
As my boyfriend is a huge fan of the video game The Witcher he basically forced this book on me and four months later I took it upon myself to find out what the deal really was, about this Geralt of Rivia.
This book is hilarious. It's right out funny, humorous and entertaining. The characters Ciri, Geralt, Tess and Yennifer bounce off each other so well and you notice the lack of fire when they have conversations with other characters that aren't as witty and give off less of an impact. My personal favourite is Ciri, who has no shame and really drives the story forward. She makes this book a page turner.
For people new to fantasy, this is the book you should check out. If you are sceptical towards reading page after page about a long journey in an ancient land full of description and no dialogue, then fear no more. This book is all dialogue. At points it almost reads as a script and the only way of following the dialogue is through the tone of voice the characters present, which is cleverly presented through the choice of words. Sapkowski is the king of dialogue. There are no lengthy descriptions of locations or events, but it's not necessary. As a reader you get the feel of a place without extravagant words. Sapkowski's writing is effective and has the right impact for a fast paced storyline.
Personally, I enjoyed the first half of the book the most. This does not mean I was not a fan of the second half of the book but I am not the biggest fan of politics. And most of the political conversations did take place in the second half, but it was also here that the plot moved forward more and introduced the reader to the bigger picture. So although the first half was entertaining and truly introduced you to the characters the second half drove the plot forward and left us with a very anti-climatic ending that just begged to continue.
Blood of Elves proves that a fantasy does not have to be long and wordy, or that humour only belongs in contemporary fiction. This is quite the reading experience. Pick up Blood of Elves now and spend the time waiting for the TV series reading the story in anticipation. Good luck Netflix, I trust you will do these book justice.
Plot Summary:
For more than a hundred years humans, dwarves, gnomes and elves lived together in relative peace. But times have changed, and now the races fight each other once again. In this tumultous time a child is born: Ciri. She has strange powers and a stranger destiny, for a prophesy names her as one with the powers to change the world, for good or for evil.
The Witcher Geralt has taken Ciri to the relative safety of the Witchers' Settlement, but it soon becomes clear that that Ciri is not like the other Witchers. As the threat of war hangs almost palpably over the land, Geralt and Ciri are pursued by someone who understands what the prophesy means - and exactly what Ciri's powers could do. This time Geralt may have met his match.
Favourite Quote:
'Remember,' she repeated, 'magic is Chaos, Art and Science. It is a curse, a blessing and progress. It all depends on who uses magic, how they use it, and to what purpose. And magic is everywhere. All around us. Easily Accessible.' - Yennifer
My Rating:
8/10
Other Books in the Series:
The Last Wish (The Witcher #1 collection of short stories)
The Sword of Destiny (The Witcher #2 collection of short stories)
Blood of Elves (The Witcher #3)
Times of Contempt (The Witcher #4)
Baptism by Fire (The Witcher #5)
The Tower of Swallows (The Witcher #6)
Series: The Witcher #3
Pages: 315
Published: 1994
Publisher: Gollancz
Did you know that the famous video game The Witcher is becoming a TV Series by Netflix? And it's starring Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia? It will be Netflix's own epic fantasy series and it is going to be based on the books by Andrzej Sapkowski.
As my boyfriend is a huge fan of the video game The Witcher he basically forced this book on me and four months later I took it upon myself to find out what the deal really was, about this Geralt of Rivia.
This book is hilarious. It's right out funny, humorous and entertaining. The characters Ciri, Geralt, Tess and Yennifer bounce off each other so well and you notice the lack of fire when they have conversations with other characters that aren't as witty and give off less of an impact. My personal favourite is Ciri, who has no shame and really drives the story forward. She makes this book a page turner.
For people new to fantasy, this is the book you should check out. If you are sceptical towards reading page after page about a long journey in an ancient land full of description and no dialogue, then fear no more. This book is all dialogue. At points it almost reads as a script and the only way of following the dialogue is through the tone of voice the characters present, which is cleverly presented through the choice of words. Sapkowski is the king of dialogue. There are no lengthy descriptions of locations or events, but it's not necessary. As a reader you get the feel of a place without extravagant words. Sapkowski's writing is effective and has the right impact for a fast paced storyline.Personally, I enjoyed the first half of the book the most. This does not mean I was not a fan of the second half of the book but I am not the biggest fan of politics. And most of the political conversations did take place in the second half, but it was also here that the plot moved forward more and introduced the reader to the bigger picture. So although the first half was entertaining and truly introduced you to the characters the second half drove the plot forward and left us with a very anti-climatic ending that just begged to continue.
Blood of Elves proves that a fantasy does not have to be long and wordy, or that humour only belongs in contemporary fiction. This is quite the reading experience. Pick up Blood of Elves now and spend the time waiting for the TV series reading the story in anticipation. Good luck Netflix, I trust you will do these book justice.
For more than a hundred years humans, dwarves, gnomes and elves lived together in relative peace. But times have changed, and now the races fight each other once again. In this tumultous time a child is born: Ciri. She has strange powers and a stranger destiny, for a prophesy names her as one with the powers to change the world, for good or for evil.
The Witcher Geralt has taken Ciri to the relative safety of the Witchers' Settlement, but it soon becomes clear that that Ciri is not like the other Witchers. As the threat of war hangs almost palpably over the land, Geralt and Ciri are pursued by someone who understands what the prophesy means - and exactly what Ciri's powers could do. This time Geralt may have met his match.
Favourite Quote:
'Remember,' she repeated, 'magic is Chaos, Art and Science. It is a curse, a blessing and progress. It all depends on who uses magic, how they use it, and to what purpose. And magic is everywhere. All around us. Easily Accessible.' - Yennifer
My Rating:
8/10
Other Books in the Series:
The Last Wish (The Witcher #1 collection of short stories)
The Sword of Destiny (The Witcher #2 collection of short stories)
Blood of Elves (The Witcher #3)
Times of Contempt (The Witcher #4)
Baptism by Fire (The Witcher #5)
The Tower of Swallows (The Witcher #6)
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