Book Review: The Tower of the Swallow by Andrzej Sapkowski

About:

The Tower of the Swallow by Andrzej Sapkowski (translated by David French) is the fourth installment in The Witcher series, following Ciri who has vanished. While the book is in The Witcher series, it mainly follows the Child of Destiny.

• 464 pages
• Publisher ‏ : Orbit Books
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English=
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316273716

My rat­ing for The Tower of the Swallow — 4
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Thoughts:

The Tower of the Swallow by Andrzej Sapkowski (translated by David French) continues from the point where Blood of Elves has ended. In this novel, however, Geralt is almost a supporting character in his own series.

The book is mired with historical background to political events. I found those stories fascinating, while they have little to do with the current events, they do build the universe. Altogether, the storytelling is intricate and masterful, taking beloved characters and expending on them. At the same time, introducing new ones which are just as memorable as the old.

One needs to pay attention, there are multiple timelines, various point of views, and strongly several narrative styles. Mr. Sapkowski certainly outdid himself in this book, which is nevertheless, a fun read.

Siri is being pursued by… well… everybody. Some want to help her, some capture her, and some kill her. Geralt has put together a gang of misfits, but true to form he is gruffy and commanding.

Overall, this novel shows the author’s ability to create characters and build worlds. The reader will have to pay close attention though, as many new and old characters alike are included.

That being said, the novel seems to wonder around with little direction. The parts which have to do with Siri’s storyline are excellent. The rest however gets lost in the shuffle. The author jumps around and creates anticipation with no reward at the end.

While the ending on the ice is masterfully written, the novel ends abruptly. There is no resolution, the characters are left in limbo and the reader…?

Well, this reader can’t wait to read the next part of The Witcher saga.

Synopsis:

Ciri, now a danger to many is being hunted. She is, however, hurt and is found by Vysogota the hermit. The two begin to bond, and confide in one another who they really are.

Ciri, also called the Child of Destiny, wants to leave, but she’s being hunted by friend and foe alike. Bonhart and Archmage Vilgefortz, two Nilfgaardians, are hunting her. Geralt and his gang are trying to make their way to where they thing Siri is. Yennefer and Triss also are looking for CIri, for different reasons and in different timelines.

All this before Ciri gets to the tower and get her powers.

Buy The Tower of the Swallow from Amazon.com*
More Books by Andrzej Sapkowski*
More Books written or translated by David French*

Zohar — Man of la Book
Dis­claimer: I bought this book
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