Book Review: The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski

About:

The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski (translated by Danusia Stok) introduces The Witcher, a monster hunter with supernatural abilities. This book is a collection of short stories, preceding the novels.

• 384 pages
• Publisher ‏ : Orbit Books
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780316029186

My rat­ing for The Last Wish — 5
Buy The Last Wish Amazon.com*
More Books by Andrzej Sapkowski*
More Books written or translated by Danusia Stok*

Thoughts:

The first Witcher book I read, Blood of Elves, was very enjoyable and I set my eyes on reading more of the series. I must admit that what turned me onto the books is the Netflix series.

The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski (translated by Danusia Stok) is a collection of stories about Geralt of Rivia , The Witcher, a human mutant bread to hunt monsters for money. His trials and tribulations, adventures and sorrows. Some of the series favorite characters such as Siri, Dandilion, and Yennefer of Vengerberg make an appearance as well.

The introduction to Slavic myths in a distinctly European settings was, for me, the star of this book. I enjoyed the fantasy tales which don’t overwhelm the reader, but help the world building. The narrative is very relaxed, especially for a novel about a man hunting monsters.

I was fascinated by Geralt in the Netflix show, but he is even more fascinating in the source material. This is, by the way, as it should be. While the relationship between Geralt and Yennefer in the show is addressed, it is much more obvious in the books that they are each other’s one true love.

This is not part of an epic saga which is a staple in the world of fantasy. Geralt rides the countryside, meeting people, talking to them. Every once in a while he accepts a contract for money – could be from a peasant or a king. You will not miss any part of The Witcher arc if you skip this book.
But why would you want to?

This is a well written, deceptively simply book for anyone who enjoys fantasy or wants to get into the genre. I will reminisce if I don’t’ mention the wonderful translation by Danusia Stok which kept the “feel” on the narrative to English speakers.

Synopsis:

At the start of the novel we find Geralt of Rivia in the Temple of Melitere recovering from injuries. Geralt tells of his adventures in short sections, going back to the present every once in a while.
Each story is based on a fairtale most of us have heard as kids. Mr. Sapkowski, however, always adds some sort of twist to keep the audience surprised.

Buy The Last Wish Amazon.com*
More Books by Andrzej Sapkowski*
More Books written or translated by Danusia Stok*

Zohar — Man of la Book
Dis­claimer: I bought this book
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account