SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
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Witcher Series 6 Books Set Collection
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Series: Witcher by Andrzej Sapkowski ("The Last Wish")
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Thank you! Even though Season of Storms takes place during the first two short story books, it was published after the saga ended, and that's the only way to read it, otherwise you will be spoiled about the ending of the saga, and you'll miss out on all the character development that happens in the timeline these books were published. It's also so different in style it wouldn't make much sense to read in the middle of everything. As I always say (with most fantasy series), the only way to read is in publishing order.
I'm rereading "Sword of Destiny" at the moment.The first story "The Bounds of Reason" was the first I've ever read about Geralt. It's a retelling of a famous Polish fairytale about The Wawel Dragon. I mentioned it when discussing "Uprooted" by Naomi Novik.
The story takes place in Kraków. During the reign of King Krak, the dragon was killing the civilians, pillaging their homes, and devouring their livestock. In many versions of the story, the dragon especially enjoyed eating young maidens. Great warriors from near and far fought for the prize and failed. A cobbler's apprentice (named Skuba) accepted the challenge. He stuffed a lamb with sulfur and set it outside the dragon's cave. The dragon ate it and became so thirsty, it turned to the Vistula River and drank until it burst. The cobbler married the King's daughter as promised, and founded the city of Kraków.
If you ever visit Kraków in Poland, you will find a statue of the Wawel Dragon near Wawel Hill and the castle.
In the original, the language of this story is a fun mix of modern fantasy language with a language typical for historical novels by Henryk Sienkiewicz.
"A Shard of Ice" has bored and annoyed me a little. Istredd and Geralt are acting egoistic and treat Yennefer as a trophy without any consideration of her feelings.
"Eternal Flame" was fun to read. There is more worldbuilding, and Jaskier + Geralt duo is working great as usual.
I'm in the middle of "A Little Sacrifice" and I have no recollection of this story.
Thanks for the background story about the first short story!As for A Shard of Ice, that isn't how I read it at all. Yennefer is the one manipulating both Gerald and Istredd. She can't chose between them and pits them against each other, so she doesn't have to make the choice. She tells Geralt he'd an emotional witcher so it shouldn't matter much to him, and he believes her. Istredd wants to fight Geralt but Geralt willingly walks into dangerous territory, hoping to be killed, as he is unwilling to fight Istredd, and will leave Yennefer with a partner who didn't kill the other. In the end, after having talked, and Geralt asking Istredd if he doesn't feel stupid, Istredd agrees and they both walk away from the situation, leaving Yennefer with nothing. She's the one being selfish and luckily both men realize it.
However, it is definitely a slow paced story with little action, as most of it is conversation and moral debating, so I can understand why you were bored.
Hope you enjoy the rest of the stories!
Oh and TOTALLY agree that everything perks up as soon as Jaskier enters the picture. Those two carry a lot of the fun but also quite heavy stuff later in the saga.
I'm so sorry Dawn, somehow I've missed your reply. I remember my thoughts were similar to yours last time, but this time somehow my perspective changed. I'm not sure why.
I loved the other stories. I didn't remember "A Little Sacrifice" and was pleasantly surprised by this funny/sad story.
"Sword of Destiny" and "Something More" are two of my favorites.
I think I'll postpone "Blood of Elves" for now because only short stories are available in my audiobooks subscription. I hope it will change and I have too many eye reads scheduled at the moment.
Last week a kid brought a book about legends connected to Polish cities to my classes (I help kids that struggle with reading). There was an interesting legend about the Silesian city of Katowice. It is a miners' city and the story goes like this. Miners were transporting bars of iron through the woods, and transports started to vanish. Those who were transporting it were never found. No horse came back to his stable alone. There was a man in Katowice and people called him a "master" but no one knew why. Maybe he was a scholar or a craftsman? He could be also an executioner. Man of many professions was called "master" at the time. So miners decided to ask him for help because they didn't have other ideas. Master agreed to help. He asked them to bring him a wagon full of iron and a horse to cross the woods. There was no sign of him for three days. Miners thought that he has vanished like the others. But in the evening of the third day, he came back covered in blood but not hurt. And all the iron in the wagon was covered in blood and a frightened horse too. Master told everyone that there won't be any problems anymore. He didn't tell the miners what happened and they were too afraid to ask. They just assumed he was an executioner and executed whatever was in the woods. The executioner is "kat" in Polish like in Katowice.
I've never heard of this story before, but since we've read it I can't stop thinking about it. Did Sapkowski know this story? Was it an inspiration? Geralt is frequently called "master" or "master witcher". Interesting...
He is from Poland so this certainly wouldn't be a surprise.
I think so. The legend is not among the popular ones. I’m happy I had a chance to read it.
This is perfect timing Aga, I'm just about to start reading the Sword of Destiny with a subgroup here.
I haven't yet read the series but is on my TBR list.
The best and most recommended reading order:
1) The Last Wish [short stories] First impressions Final thoughts*spoilers*
2) Sword of Destiny [short stories]
3) Blood of Elves {Saga Book 1]
4) The Time of Contempt {Saga Book 2]
5) Baptism of Fire {Saga Book 3]
6) The Tower of the Swallow {Saga Book 4]
7) Lady of the Lake {Saga Book 5]
8) Season of Storms [prequel]