Book Bites: 3 Sentence Intro About What This Story Is

They call him the witcher; a skilled assassin, trained with magic and knowledge of the occult and supernatural, who deals with the monsters terrorizing the world. But Geralt of Rivia is no ordinary witcher. This anthology introduces the audience to the brilliant fighter and morally ambiguous Geralt as he journeys through his world, facing mythical creatures of childhood nightmares, and making difficult decisions to decide who the real monsters are he’s up against.

*Content contains some strong language and gore/violence

*As usual, to see the official book teaser/summary of this, go to anywhere books are found and read up more about what this book is about.

Now on to My Commentary (**May Contain Spoilers: Read at Your Own Risk)

This anthology contains six short tales to introduce readers to Geralt of Rivia, the witcher and protagonist of the bestselling series The Witcher Saga by Andrzej Sapkowski.

If you’re not familiar with the novels, you might have heard of this series from the popular video games based off the books. And also because Netflix has The Witcher TV series starring Henry Cavill. I love Henry Cavill. I love The Witcher Saga so far. Pretty much a plate of perfection for me to consume.

Action packed supernatural and fantasy stories that will have you questioning the world like Geralt does: Who are the real monsters? And how do I decide between two unfavorable options?

The story flips between Geralt’s present situation, his stay at the Melitele temple in Ellander (you’ll understand what this all means once you read the book) and his past, as he recounts some of his notable adventures as a witcher. The Last Wish provides a wonderful introduction to Geralt’s character and personality. And readers get a chance to walk alongside Geralt as he travels from town to town in a medieval world full of fantastical creatures to hunt monsters for a price.

I was blown away by this prequel to the main saga. I didn’t think I’d like The Last Wish as much as I did. Bewitching storytelling that will have your eyes glued to the pages and hungry for more action. Each chapter was filled with a great cast of characters, compelling cases, and a critical lesson that demonstrates more of Geralt’s code of conduct. And each story could be enjoyed individually (if you’re looking for a quick read) or you can regard it as the premise that excites you for the main series (because you know you want to read the rest of the novels!).

Enter into the Witcher’s World

Through each case he works, we get more backstory into Geralt’s life and insight into how his world operates. We learn the benefits and consequences of being a witcher, how people react to his kind, and how the witchers are kind of considered outcasts in society.

Times are changing in his world. The witchers have cut down the population of monsters so much over centuries that these creatures rarely pose a threat to society anymore. Humans are sympathizing more with traditional monsters as they become less ubiquitous. Whereas, formerly, witchers were praised for ridding the town of these threatening monsters, people in town are beginning to view witchers as heartless, greedy murderers who kill to make money. His profession has become widely despised by those he tries to protect and by the creatures he hunts.

Geralt struggles with finding work during these changing times and he begins to contemplate if the time of witchers will soon be extinct. As his friend put it, it’s a paradoxical lifestyle. Witchers want to bring peace by eliminating all monsters but they need more monsters in order to prevent their profession from becoming obsolete.

Can he continue to survive doing what he’s doing now? If not, what’s next for him?

Geralt’s Character

I love Geralt! He’s a very intriguing character to read! I also have a soft spot for characters who are misunderstood. And have white hair. And has occult knowledge. And is a kick-ass fighter and sorcerer.

Geralt’s a cheeky fellow but he speaks truth. His lines are very funny to read! I find Geralt’s character mysterious (which piques my interest and holds my attention), sassy, sarcastic, compassionate, wise, and perceptive.

To me, Geralt feels like a morally ambiguous character as he’s willing to go against rules or orders to make the fairest judgment per case and to take the best course of action. He’s constantly deciding which lesser evil to choose in every situation. This can end up as a death for one in order to save another – but is that death always justified? That’s debatable. Geralt heroism is not so clear-cut. Though he’s very likable, probably because we can relate to him on a human level. He reads as a traditional grimdark type protagonist (look up grimdark if you don’t know what this is! I love grimdark stories!).

Each time Geralt was asked to perform a job to kill some creature, he mentions to the client that he’s not some “blind murderer” who kills indiscriminately. Geralt doesn’t kill innocent creatures – a moral characteristic that differentiates him from other witchers. We fall in love with his character and develop this respect for his role because of Geralt’s constant desire and sincere attempts to uphold his moral code.

Geralt really does have a kind heart even if his actions seem brutal. He always tries to protect and save people even if it harms him. Some have mentioned that this quality hurts Geralt as Geralt himself has realized how having a kind heart and acting like a hero or knight-in-shining-armor has gotten him into trouble. There was one story where Geralt mentions how he kills a monster to save a girl and her father, expecting gratitude from the two for rescuing them, but ending up traumatizing them because they witnessed his violent killing of the monster. And instead of begin admired for heroism, they are frightened of him. Despite moments like these, he still tries to move about the world and his job with the best, fair, most honest judgment he can make.

And like in life, sometimes you just have to make a decision (whether right or wrong but seems the best at that moment) and have to deal with the consequences (whether positive or negative).

You have to play the villain to some in order to be the hero to others. A very human and relatable experience.

Geralt collects nasty looks wherever he goes because he’s a witcher but once people get to know him, he’s really not a bad guy and he’s an honest man.

Furthermore, I’m super curious and excited for Geralt and Yennefer’s relationship: like do they care about each other or hate each other? What’s their dynamic?!

And Geralt’s friendship to Dandelion is hilarious! Dandelion provides great comic relief! This is necessary in such a grim setting.

Dark Fairytales

The stories are infused with fairytale elements but these are not your Disney fairytales (thank goodness).

These are the raw, darker, twisted Grimm’s style fairytales set in a medieval backdrop. Sapkowski pulls from various myth and folklore to create an enchanting and thrilling environment. As I was reading, I found influences and inspiration from tales like Rapunzel, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Rumpelstiltskin, Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Troll Under the Bridge and many more.

I was ecstatic to be able to recognize these parallels to classic fairytales in each short story. And it made me feel nostalgic! But in a way that satisfies my emo-gothic-loving-heart. Move aside Disney fairytales! These stories felt real and honest, unashamed to paint a darker image which I always find to be a closer reflection of humanity. UGH, I LOVE IT!

I like that the “monsters” are multi-layered, not just evil creatures who attack for the sake of attacking or because they can’t control their base instincts. Sapkowski brings humanity to the monsters through appealing and sympathetic backstories, reminding us that all monster-looking beings have human qualities and a soul too. Geralt also determines whether or not to kill based on the “monsters” character as a whole.

Remember, Geralt doesn’t kill indiscriminately or because he’s ordered to. He focuses on eliminating evil. And sometimes that doesn’t require death.

Because the witchers don’t actually have a code of ethics, Geralt is forced to continuously make personal judgments based on his own moral code, his witcher’s code. I love Geralt’s character as he’s neither good nor evil and his job as a witcher (monster hunter) forces him to assess who the monsters really are. It’s a great lesson in empathy, where we begin to understand that those who are “monster-like” may be redeemed or are morally good. You can’t just determine someone’s integrity by whether or not they have fangs, wings, horns, change under a full moon, so forth.

I think Geralt probably empathizes with the creatures he hunts because he feels like a “monster” himself. He’s a mutant and he’s only able to be a successful witcher because he has these enhanced powers through a mysterious elixir. Which also physically transforms him to became something not so human looking. Some see him as a hero and savior, but overall, in The Last Wish, it seems like most view him as some kind of monster himself.

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

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of Lord of the Rings, Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales, and Supernatural, you’ll enjoy The Witcher Saga. I found it to be a mix of these types of stories and themes. I mean I love all three of those so again, it’s perfect for people who are like me and enjoy stories of morally ambiguous heroes, supernatural, myth, medieval fantasy, and pure epic goodness.

I’m not a huge young adult genre reader, but I really loved this one. It was real and it helped me contemplate about the lost things in my own life that are waiting to be found.

Check out this book if it piques your interest. Hope you enjoy it as your next read or a re-read!

And remember, “Every story is worth the read. Someone (some poor, overworked, ink-stains-on-the-clothes lovely soul) took the time to write it.”