𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚𝙨: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Short Stories, Epic Fantasy
𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 5⭐️
If you haven’t heard of Geralt of Rivia, the White Wolf, or the Butcher of Blaviken, you’re missing out. “The Last Wish” is the first book in the popular “The Witcher” series, which has been adapted into video games, an animated series, and a live-action series on Netflix.
Geralt, a man of few words, makes his way through a high fantasy world as a monster hunter (called witchers). Witchers are adept at swordsmanship, alchemic potions, and some magical signs (runes). While this makes them heroes in the traditional sense (monster-killers), witchers are mostly shunned by humans, despite humans requiring witcher services for hundreds of years. It’s this juxtaposition that is intriguing.
The way Andrzej Sapkowski told the story was also unique for high fantasy books. Technically, the book is a collection of short stories. To me, it felt like a collection of flashbacks woven together by a single thread that pushed the momentum forward and kept you guessing what would happen next.
If you’re a fan of the show or games, I highly recommend reading the original source material for additional background and masterful storytelling.
Goodeads synposis
Geralt the Witcher—revered and hated—is a man whose magic powers, enhanced by long training and a mysterious elixir, have made him a brilliant fighter and a merciless assassin. Yet he is no ordinary murderer: his targets are the multifarious monsters and vile fiends that ravage the land and attack the innocent.
But not everything monstrous-looking is evil and not everything fair is good… and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth.
Author: Robyn Storm
