I love Baptism of Fire!! So when I read The Time of Contempt, the story felt different than how I experienced the other books in the series. It was heavier, grittier, darker, more somber.

However, reading the Baptism of Fire, it recaptured the familiar fairytale storytelling, voice, tone, fantastical elements and heartfelt moments that made me fall in love with the series from the beginning (which I’ll get to in the rest of this review). I don’t know why The Time of Contempt felt so off to me – regardless it was critical in progressing the main conflict of the story.

Baptism of Fire has the quirky non-traditional fairytale charm of Shrek. Geralt (Shrek) is on a mission to save Ciri (Princess Fiona). It’s lovely. I love Shrek. If you don’t know what I’m talking about watch Shrek and read this book. You’ll see.

New Friendships – The Fellowship is Created

Geralt finds companionship with an interesting and unexpected new set of friends. In this regard, Baptism of Fire reminds me of The Fellowship of the Ring (the first book in the Lord of the Rings series).

Baptism of Fire brought back the diversity and storytelling style reminiscent of The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny. Which included a glimpse of the various monsters witchers hunt and Geralt meeting characters of all different races (dwarves, gnomes, humans, dryads, etc.). I love reading scenes where Geralt demonstrates his witcher’s knowledge and skills! We didn’t get to see much of this in Blood of Elves and The Time of Contempt as the main focus was on the Nilfgaardians and sorcerers/sorceresses. I find a story solely focused on the war boring because Sapkowski has set up this rich, immersive world with various interesting creatures and characters, only to focus on this war? Like all these other aspects of the world completely vanished? So I’m really happy Sapkowski brought back the diversity!

After the events at the Isle of Thanedd, Ciri, Yennefer and Geralt are all separated from each other. Geralt has suffered severe injuries and has hidden in Brokilon to heal. The Witcher has been desperate to reunite with Ciri before someone else, mainly the enemies, reach her first. At this time, Ciri is rumored to have been captured by Imperator/Emperor Emhyr var Emreis of Nilfgaard. Geralt hearing this rumor is now even more hell-bent on retrieving Ciri back to prevent Emhyr for using Ciri for his plans.

This Witcher believes he can make the journey alone. Thank goodness, his very determined and stubborn companions stick with him on the mission to rescue Ciri – despite his constant insistence to go on alone – because I think they added an element of hope, humor, wholesomeness and support during a time where Geralt was growing frustrated (from losing Ciri and his limit movement from sustained injuries) and hopeless (that it’s too late to save Ciri) about the current situation.

All the odd and unlikely companions that Geralt acquired along this part of his journey are so amazing! It’s like #unlikelyanimalfriends! This lone white wolf created his own unique pack and it made for a beautiful, heartwarming story.

Also the black knight with the birds of prey on his helmet who has haunted Ciri’s dream? Throughout the series, he’s been hinted as an enemy however we get to know him better in this book. And it may be that he is an ally to Geralt and Ciri rather than the villain we originally assumed. But who knows just yet, right? He’s actually tied to Ciri as well so I’m excited to learn more about his character and their connection in the next books.

Here’s somewhat of a side note. Please excuse this mini rant. The other characters were so mean to Dandelion! Now I’m biased towards Dandelion because he’s one of my favorite characters so I hate when people are mean to him. Granted, he tends to be oblivious to certain cues and never stops running his mouth, but I didn’t like how the others disregard him because he’s a poet and they think he’s clueless about politics, survival or military strategies. Dandelion may be happy-go-lucky and annoying at times, but I really wished there was someone to defend him more. Dandelion is so awesome! And certainly not an idiot. On several occasions, he shows cleverness and is very helpful to the group. Hope he’s treated with more kindness as the story goes on.

Ciri’s Change

I am disappointed that Ciri and Geralt don’t actually have scenes together in this book. However, Geralt and Ciri both begin to realize, through clairvoyant dreams of each other, how strongly bonded they really are. They get glimpses of what’s happening in each other’s lives. These visions serve as the magnetic compass and driving force that urges the Witcher to find his daughter by miracle. And fast.

Geralt sees that what Ciri’s been up to. He doesn’t like it.

Ciri…has not grown up for the better. Since the separation, she’s been spending more time with the bandits. She’s become bloodthirsty. Obsessed with killing. Geralt’s urgency to reach her is also to prevent her from falling down an even darker and violent path as he’s well-aware, from a brief moment in the previous books that hinted at her vengeful attitude, that this girl, trained to be a witcher, is very dangerous. Especially when she’s using her witcher skills for the wrong reasons.

Throughout this book, there’s a beautiful comparison between how Ciri and Geralt faced being alone.

We see this juxtaposition where Geralt acquires companions along the way who are healthy for him. Who care for him, haven’t betrayed him, want to help him rescue the princess and ultimately teach him how to trust and welcome help from allies.

On the other hand, we have Ciri continuously following a group of bandits because she’s so afraid to be alone. She is touched against her wishes. She has acquired an appetite for killing and looting.

As a result of their company, we see how Geralt grow as a person for the better and we see Ciri become more destructive. I’m very curious to see if these two end up butting heads upon their reunion. It would break my heart to see that because I loved their father-daughter relationship. And I want it to continue to be a positive relationship. But throughout The Time of Contempt and Baptism of Fire, Geralt and Ciri have undergone great personal changes.

Formation of a Lodge of Sorceresses

Our sneaky sorceresses also come back into the story. After the battle and betrayals at the sorcerers’ conclave, which caused a huge division among their kind, Philippa has decided to create a secret sorceress group to try to preserve the future of magic. These ladies are throwing their own hats into the ring of “people who want to capture and use Ciri for their personal plans”. This raises concerns for Yennefer who has basically regarded Ciri as a daughter.

A New Start

I must commend Sapkowski for always writing stories that embody the book’s title perfectly! Which is exactly what happened with Baptism of Fire.

Geralt is renewed. He has gone through the shit thrown at him in The Time of Contempt. Everyone and everything was against him. The world has basically all fallen into the hands of Nilfgaard. Everything is shit. He faced his worst nightmares. He hit rock bottom. He lost everything he cared about and was left with nothing but his injuries. But everything had to figuratively and maybe literally burn down his world for it to be rebuilt.

The message of Baptism of Fire: Fire burns and destroys but also purifies and allows for new life.

However, what has Geralt gained? Friendship. Assistance. Hope (maybe). I hope Geralt acknowledges the good he’s received despite all that seems to be lost. As I read Baptism of Fire, I felt renewed hope. That the world hasn’t actually completely blown up. That even in the shitty, depressing times of war (or any difficult times) there are still people who support you. There are still little moments of joy. There’s still friendship. I loved this book because it really touched my heart. All of it! The wholesomeness, tender moments, camaraderie, humor and allegiance demonstrated by Geralt’s new group of companions who were all admittedly shady as hell in the beginning of the journey. But so far, they haven’t betrayed him. Only helped him. It really captures how war amplifies our sense of distrust in others. How we easily and instinctively judge strangers as enemies because hell, that’s the only way to survive in times of war! Trust someone, the wrong person, and you die! So it’s great to see this softer, kinder aspect of the story. It nice to see groups working together from different beliefs, races and teams. Because in the end, your enemies aren’t very different from you. And your assumed enemies may turn out to be your greatest allies.

I can’t spoil it here but the ending scene of Baptism of Fire is FIRE! It’s amazing. Moving. Well-written. And just the piece of hope we all needed to read in the crumbling, bleak world of the Witcher. It’s a turning point in the war. The whole book is one of my favorites, but final scene of it all – MUST-READ.

Hope the story continues to move upwards from here. I really loved this book! I’m grateful for this book after the emotionally heavy experience of reading The Time of Contempt – this one seriously felt like a grimdark novel! – Baptism of Fire seems to return to the action, adventure, fantasy style of the previous books.

All Book Reviews for The Witcher Saga (in series order):

1. The Last Wish
2. Sword of Destiny
3. Blood of Elves
4. The Time of Contempt
5. Baptism of Fire
6. The Tower of Swallows
7. The Lady of the Lake
8. Season of Storms