Geralt the Witcher battles monsters, demons and prejudices alike in Sword of Destiny, the second collection of adventures in Andrzej Sapkowski’s groundbreaking epic fantasy series that inspired the Netflix show and the hit video games.
Geralt is a Witcher, a man whose magic powers, enhanced by long training and a mysterious elixir, have made him a brilliant fighter and a merciless hunter. Yet he is no ordinary killer: his targets are the multifarious monsters and vile fiends that ravage the land and attack the innocent.
Sword of Destiny is the follow up to The Last Wish, and together they are the perfect introduction to a one of a kind fantasy world.
Sword of Destiny is the Witcher book readers argue about. Reviewers who have read both collections disagree sharply on whether it beats The Last Wish. One calls it a step up for character and cohesion. Another calls it a big step down.
The argument comes down to the missing frame. The Last Wish tied its stories together with a present-day thread, and this one doesn't, so it can feel fragmented. Others find stronger links through the recurring characters. Either way, it's the bridge to the novels, and it's where Ciri turns up. Expect plenty of talk, less swordwork, and a Geralt who can look a bit awkward around Yennefer. That's charming banter or petty bickering, depending on who's reading. Action is rare, but well written when it comes.
The split is sharp. Readers love the linked threads, the wittier Geralt and Ciri's arrival. Others find parts of it dull, rushed or unconvincing, and one reviewer said the first four stories didn't work for him.
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Andrzej Sapkowski (born 21 June 1948) is a Polish fantasy writer. He is best known for his series of books, The Witcher, which revolves around the eponymous monster-hunter, Geralt of Rivia. The saga has been popularised through video games, television, stage, comic books and translated into 37 languages, making him the second most-translated Polish science fiction and fantasy writer after Stanisław Lem.
Described as the "Polish Tolkien", he has written multiple novels and short story collections, selling over 30 million copies worldwide. The influence of Slavic mythology is seen as a characteristic feature of many of his works. He is a five-time recipient of the Zajdel Award, Poland's most popular science fiction and fantasy prize, as well as many other awards and honours, including the David Gemmell Award, the World Fantasy Life Achievement Award and the Gloria Artis Medal for Merit to Culture.
The Witcher (Publication order)
