TS Chan's Reviews > Sword of Destiny
Sword of Destiny (The Witcher, #0.7)
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by
3.5/5 stars.
The compelling characterisation of Geralt and the imaginative world of Slavic lore and fairy-tale retellings continue in Sword of Destiny, the second collection of prequel short stories.
Sword of Destiny was published after the first three full-length novels of The Witcher series. As a new reader to the series, however, I was able to read the books in chronological order which is quite essential as this instalment served as the bridge between The Last Wish and Blood of Elves.
I found that The Last Wish is overall a better book than Sword of Destiny with the connectivity of having a frame story wrapped around the short stories. This latter book feels more disjointed for me, and I did not enjoy Geralt's development as much, especially when it comes to his overwhelming obsession with Yennefer, whom I do not like much. It pains me to see how Geralt seemed to lose a bit of himself and his badassery whenever he is around the sorceress. It didn't help that she can be quite a bitch at times.
There are also less 'killing monsters' and more romance in this collection of Geralt's adventures. Truth be told, I don't typically favour a lot of romance in my stories. Nonetheless, the tale which borrowed from The Little Mermaid was one of the best in this book, and the love story herein is quite touching. Dandelion, the bard, can aggravate me as much as make me laugh, but the ending of 'A Little Sacrifice' brought tears to my eyes.
Fascinating creatures continue to pop up, and my favourite in this book was the mimic or the doppler - a creature which not only can mimic one's physiognomy but also one's psychology - from the tale 'Eternal Flame'. The story on its own did not seem to contribute much to the overarching story of Geralt except to again solidify the inaccurate general perception of witchers being cold-blooded killers.
However, the arc that I was most looking forward to was the titular story, Sword of Destiny. Ever since I've read the short story 'A Question of Price' in The Last Wish, I was waiting for this crucial moment; the introduction of Princess Ciri and her first meeting with Geralt. And it was a darn good one, which was made all the more interesting with the appearance of the mysterious dryads and their protected land of Brokilon where all humans cannot trespass on pain of death.
The final piece 'Something More' was the clincher to this theme of destiny. As much as the White Wolf did not appear to believe in destiny (or perhaps refused to), it will not let him go. And war is coming with the invasion of the Nilfgaardians.
All I can say is that if you are a fan of The Witcher, do not pass up on this novel. While I find a few of the stories here less than impressive, the last two are essential to the storyline, and the overall book is still enjoyable.
You can purchase the book from Amazon | Book Depository (Free shipping worldwide)
You can also find this, and my other reviews at Novel Notions.
The compelling characterisation of Geralt and the imaginative world of Slavic lore and fairy-tale retellings continue in Sword of Destiny, the second collection of prequel short stories.
Sword of Destiny was published after the first three full-length novels of The Witcher series. As a new reader to the series, however, I was able to read the books in chronological order which is quite essential as this instalment served as the bridge between The Last Wish and Blood of Elves.
I found that The Last Wish is overall a better book than Sword of Destiny with the connectivity of having a frame story wrapped around the short stories. This latter book feels more disjointed for me, and I did not enjoy Geralt's development as much, especially when it comes to his overwhelming obsession with Yennefer, whom I do not like much. It pains me to see how Geralt seemed to lose a bit of himself and his badassery whenever he is around the sorceress. It didn't help that she can be quite a bitch at times.
There are also less 'killing monsters' and more romance in this collection of Geralt's adventures. Truth be told, I don't typically favour a lot of romance in my stories. Nonetheless, the tale which borrowed from The Little Mermaid was one of the best in this book, and the love story herein is quite touching. Dandelion, the bard, can aggravate me as much as make me laugh, but the ending of 'A Little Sacrifice' brought tears to my eyes.
Fascinating creatures continue to pop up, and my favourite in this book was the mimic or the doppler - a creature which not only can mimic one's physiognomy but also one's psychology - from the tale 'Eternal Flame'. The story on its own did not seem to contribute much to the overarching story of Geralt except to again solidify the inaccurate general perception of witchers being cold-blooded killers.
However, the arc that I was most looking forward to was the titular story, Sword of Destiny. Ever since I've read the short story 'A Question of Price' in The Last Wish, I was waiting for this crucial moment; the introduction of Princess Ciri and her first meeting with Geralt. And it was a darn good one, which was made all the more interesting with the appearance of the mysterious dryads and their protected land of Brokilon where all humans cannot trespass on pain of death.
The final piece 'Something More' was the clincher to this theme of destiny. As much as the White Wolf did not appear to believe in destiny (or perhaps refused to), it will not let him go. And war is coming with the invasion of the Nilfgaardians.
All I can say is that if you are a fan of The Witcher, do not pass up on this novel. While I find a few of the stories here less than impressive, the last two are essential to the storyline, and the overall book is still enjoyable.
You can purchase the book from Amazon | Book Depository (Free shipping worldwide)
You can also find this, and my other reviews at Novel Notions.
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Reading Progress
May 10, 2018
–
Started Reading
May 10, 2018
– Shelved
May 19, 2018
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-13 of 13 (13 new)
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My problem with this book is that Geralt keeps mooning over Yennefer...but we see her and how awful & dull she is. It’s like when you have a friend obsessed with a thoroughly unremarkable & unpleasant partner but they just won’t listen or learn from it; and so you throw up your hands and promise “When this goes bad, i will do nothing but tell that friend ‘You are an idiot & i told you so.’”
[Name Redacted] wrote: "My problem with this book is that Geralt keeps mooning over Yennefer...but we see her and how awful & dull she is. It’s like when you have a friend obsessed with a thoroughly unremarkable & unpleas..."
It's the same way with Kvothe and Denna in Rothfuss. The big difference is Sapkowski isn't trying to portray their relationship as function and it really does make Geralt (as well as Yennefer to an extent) the fool. We also find out Geralt is a bastard as he cheated on Yennefer with Triss.
It's the same way with Kvothe and Denna in Rothfuss. The big difference is Sapkowski isn't trying to portray their relationship as function and it really does make Geralt (as well as Yennefer to an extent) the fool. We also find out Geralt is a bastard as he cheated on Yennefer with Triss.
Well, I haven't read Rothfuss's novels, but I understand that Kvothe is the one telling us the tale so it makes sense he wouldn't present himself in as bad a light.
As for Geralt, is his cheating before or after one of Yennefer's MANY CONSTANT cheatings? Because the set-up so far seems to be "Oh, but see, she's a free spirit who can't be tied down and he just needs to understand that and let her cheat as much as she wants! But he'd better never even LOOK at another girl!"
As for Geralt, is his cheating before or after one of Yennefer's MANY CONSTANT cheatings? Because the set-up so far seems to be "Oh, but see, she's a free spirit who can't be tied down and he just needs to understand that and let her cheat as much as she wants! But he'd better never even LOOK at another girl!"
C.T. wrote: "I disagreed with you about this volume I have to admit.
http://booknest.eu/reviews/charles/11...
You did a great review, though. Honestly, the thing about this novel is that its k..."
That's why I still call his characterization compelling even though I didn't enjoy this aspect of him.
Agreed on Ciri and Little Eye.
http://booknest.eu/reviews/charles/11...
You did a great review, though. Honestly, the thing about this novel is that its k..."
That's why I still call his characterization compelling even though I didn't enjoy this aspect of him.
Agreed on Ciri and Little Eye.
[Name Redacted] wrote: "My problem with this book is that Geralt keeps mooning over Yennefer...but we see her and how awful & dull she is. It’s like when you have a friend obsessed with a thoroughly unremarkable & unpleas..."
Sounds about right.
Sounds about right.
TS wrote: "[Name Redacted] wrote: "My problem with this book is that Geralt keeps mooning over Yennefer...but we see her and how awful & dull she is. It’s like when you have a friend obsessed with a thoroughl..."
Glad it's not just me! XD
Glad it's not just me! XD
[Name Redacted] wrote: "Well, I haven't read Rothfuss's novels, but I understand that Kvothe is the one telling us the tale so it makes sense he wouldn't present himself in as bad a light.
As for Geralt, is his cheating ..."
I believe Geralt's cheating starts after they get back together. He tried to be faithful the first time around before he found out about Istred. The second time seems to be turnabout for him as he deliberately slept with one of Yennifer's friends.
As for Geralt, is his cheating ..."
I believe Geralt's cheating starts after they get back together. He tried to be faithful the first time around before he found out about Istred. The second time seems to be turnabout for him as he deliberately slept with one of Yennifer's friends.
C.T. wrote: "[Name Redacted] wrote: "Well, I haven't read Rothfuss's novels, but I understand that Kvothe is the one telling us the tale so it makes sense he wouldn't present himself in as bad a light.
As for ..."
So...she cheats on him and then sneers at/dismisses his horror, which makes her strong and complex, but when he cheats on her in an attempt to follow her example...that just makes him a bastard? I'm not normally the sort to use this sort of term, but it sounds like what she's looking for is a "cuck" and what he's looking for is long-term monogamy. That's what's driving me crazy about this series so far, I guess. Triss, Little Eye, etc. all seem so much more WORTH his investment, but we just get to hear him whinging on and on and on about a woman who only wants him as a side-piece, if at all.
I think I'll follow Thomas J's advice because I'm spending so much time being annoyed at both Yennefer and Geralt.
As for ..."
So...she cheats on him and then sneers at/dismisses his horror, which makes her strong and complex, but when he cheats on her in an attempt to follow her example...that just makes him a bastard? I'm not normally the sort to use this sort of term, but it sounds like what she's looking for is a "cuck" and what he's looking for is long-term monogamy. That's what's driving me crazy about this series so far, I guess. Triss, Little Eye, etc. all seem so much more WORTH his investment, but we just get to hear him whinging on and on and on about a woman who only wants him as a side-piece, if at all.
I think I'll follow Thomas J's advice because I'm spending so much time being annoyed at both Yennefer and Geralt.
Will.J.R. wrote: "Great review! I will be starting The Last Wish next week in preparation for the show :)."
Thanks, Will! I've just finished Blood of Elves, and The Last Wish still stands as the best book in the series so far IMO. Look forward to your thoughts. Enjoy!
Thanks, Will! I've just finished Blood of Elves, and The Last Wish still stands as the best book in the series so far IMO. Look forward to your thoughts. Enjoy!
http://booknest.eu/reviews/charles/11...
You did a great review, though. Honestly, the thing about this novel is that its kind of unique to have Geralt the ultimate badass be the kind of guy who moons over his constantly cheating girlfriend. Ciri is awesome, though, and I was struck by the poignance of Little Eye.