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Markus's Reviews > Blood of Elves
Blood of Elves (The Witcher, #1)
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Markus's review
bookshelves: fantasy, 2010-2012, extraordinary-gentlemen, lovely-ladies, the-white-wolf
Dec 18, 2013
bookshelves: fantasy, 2010-2012, extraordinary-gentlemen, lovely-ladies, the-white-wolf
"The era of the sword and axe is nigh, the era of the wolf’s blizzard. The Time of the White Chill and the White Light is nigh, the Time of Madness and the Time of Contempt: Tedd Deireádh, the Time of End. The world will die amidst frost and be reborn with the new sun. It will be reborn of the Elder Blood, of Hen Ichaer, of the seed that has been sown. A seed which will not sprout but will burst into flame. Ess’tuath esse! Thus it shall be! Watch for the signs! What signs these shall be, I say unto you: first the earth will flow with the blood of Aen Seidhe, the Blood of Elves..."
Cintra is burning.
The legions of the Nilfgaardian Empire have crossed the Yaruga again, and the independent future of the Northern Kingdoms is in grave peril. It is against this backdrop that the story opens. The story of Cirilla, Ciri, the orphaned princess with a mysterious destiny. Of the great struggle between the free kingdoms of the north and their overwhelming imperial adversary. And of the lone mutated witcher known as Gwynbleidd, the White Wolf.
And so it begins.
After introducing Geralt of Rivia, the White Wolf himself, in a set of stunning short stories, Sapkowski kicks the main story off with a bang as Blood of Elves introduces a somewhat different, yet astounding, fantasy epic.
I first read Blood of Elves many years ago now, after having played the first game and read the absodamnlutely amazing short story collection The Last Wish. While I would seriously consider that book a masterpiece of the fantasy genre, this one is more of a traditional series novel. It focuses more on the actual storyline, which is quite fortunately intriguing enough to pull you in and never let go.
The world of the Witcher, most recently broadcasted by Netflix after having been stunningly presented in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, undoubtedly one of the most immersive and beautiful video games ever presented to the public, is shown just as enchantingly on the pages of the Witcher books, as they take the reader from the burning city of Cintra to the ancient Witcher fortress of Kaer Morhen and beyond.
While it is still relatively unknown by comparison to the giants of the genre (as a result of coming from a non-English-speaking country), I would not hesitate to call this one of the most impressive series in fantasy. And with the rise in Witcher adaptations in recent years, it appears more and more people are finding their way to it.
Witcher reviews:
#1 The Last Wish
#2 Sword of Destiny
#3 Blood of Elves
#4 Time of Contempt
#5 Baptism of Fire
#6 The Tower of the Swallow
#7 Lady of the Lake
#0 Season of Storms
Cintra is burning.
The legions of the Nilfgaardian Empire have crossed the Yaruga again, and the independent future of the Northern Kingdoms is in grave peril. It is against this backdrop that the story opens. The story of Cirilla, Ciri, the orphaned princess with a mysterious destiny. Of the great struggle between the free kingdoms of the north and their overwhelming imperial adversary. And of the lone mutated witcher known as Gwynbleidd, the White Wolf.
And so it begins.
After introducing Geralt of Rivia, the White Wolf himself, in a set of stunning short stories, Sapkowski kicks the main story off with a bang as Blood of Elves introduces a somewhat different, yet astounding, fantasy epic.
I first read Blood of Elves many years ago now, after having played the first game and read the absodamnlutely amazing short story collection The Last Wish. While I would seriously consider that book a masterpiece of the fantasy genre, this one is more of a traditional series novel. It focuses more on the actual storyline, which is quite fortunately intriguing enough to pull you in and never let go.
The world of the Witcher, most recently broadcasted by Netflix after having been stunningly presented in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, undoubtedly one of the most immersive and beautiful video games ever presented to the public, is shown just as enchantingly on the pages of the Witcher books, as they take the reader from the burning city of Cintra to the ancient Witcher fortress of Kaer Morhen and beyond.
While it is still relatively unknown by comparison to the giants of the genre (as a result of coming from a non-English-speaking country), I would not hesitate to call this one of the most impressive series in fantasy. And with the rise in Witcher adaptations in recent years, it appears more and more people are finding their way to it.
Witcher reviews:
#1 The Last Wish
#2 Sword of Destiny
#3 Blood of Elves
#4 Time of Contempt
#5 Baptism of Fire
#6 The Tower of the Swallow
#7 Lady of the Lake
#0 Season of Storms
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
January 1, 2012
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Finished Reading
December 18, 2013
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by
Anirudh
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rated it 4 stars
Jul 03, 2014 12:14PM
This is another excellent read. I loved the game a lot too. Best part is that it has completely new kind of creatures.
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Anirudh wrote: "This is another excellent read. I loved the game a lot too. Best part is that it has completely new kind of creatures."Indeed. The Witcher is one of my favourite fantasy series. I just hope they can hurry up with the translation of the last two books!
I know!! It's been so many years but still no English Translation! Very surprising. Are there any good Norwegian fantasy books which are available in English?
Anirudh wrote: "I know!! It's been so many years but still no English Translation! Very surprising. Are there any good Norwegian fantasy books which are available in English?"
My book! I'll just need to write it first, lol! :D
But seriously speaking, I don't think I've read a single Norwegian fantasy novel, so I can't really say. At least there are no famous Norwegian fantasy authors. Our most famous authors all write crime fiction and/or thrillers.
Sure! Do write :) Yeah Crime Fiction books I've heard of a few. I asked Because The Witcher writer was Polish right? Liked his works. So wanted to try non English fantasy books :)
Anirudh wrote: "Sure! Do write :) Yeah Crime Fiction books I've heard of a few. I asked Because The Witcher writer was Polish right? Liked his works. So wanted to try non English fantasy books :)"
Indeed. I think Sapkowski is actually the only fantasy author I've read that's not British or American Oo
No, wait, there is another. You haven't by any chance read The Shamer's Daughter, have you?I read it like five years ago or something. It's written by a Danish author, and was translated to the so-called New Norwegian language. It's meant for younger readers if I recall correctly, and I might be wrong, but I remember it being absolutely awesome.
Markus wrote: "No, wait, there is another. You haven't by any chance read The Shamer's Daughter, have you?I read it like five years ago or something. It's written by a Danish author, and was trans..."
I haven't read it :) Thanks will check it out :)
I have read
German Writer. But it was not good.
I had a look at your review. I have to admit the book did not seem very appealing, lol.But to turn your original question around, are there any good Indian fantasy authors? (or historical fiction for that matter). I've always wanted to read a fantasy book based on Asian culture and mythology, and I actually feel like I have a small connection to India now. (I was travelling there in the winter, and my father has a lot of connections there)
Yeah it was a disaster :D Unfortunately no. I can't recommend any Indian Fantasy author. Here fantasy is an unexplored genre.
Historical Fiction also I did not like any. They focus more on Serious literature. Or love stories :D
Oh you've been here? Nice :) Which city or state?
Anirudh wrote: "Yeah it was a disaster :D Unfortunately no. I can't recommend any Indian Fantasy author. Here fantasy is an unexplored genre.
Historical Fiction also I did not like any. They focus more on Serio..."
I went to Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Khajuraho and Varanasi. It was mostly sightseeing and tourist activities, but I did get to see a lot of northern India, for which I'm very grateful. You live in a fascinating country :)
I'd like to recommend some good Irish fantasy authors to you guys but most of our writers just write a bunch of depressing poetry/plays then become non-functioning alcoholics :(
Markus wrote: "Anirudh wrote: "Yeah it was a disaster :D Unfortunately no. I can't recommend any Indian Fantasy author. Here fantasy is an unexplored genre.
Historical Fiction also I did not like any. They foc..."
Thank you:-) I haven't been to most of the places you mentioned :-D
Conor wrote: "I'd like to recommend some good Irish fantasy authors to you guys but most of our writers just write a bunch of depressing poetry/plays then become non-functioning alcoholics :("That sounds a lot like Norwegian painters Oo
Hey I wanted to read these, but I'm finding the two languages a little confusing. Is this one and The Last Wish the only ones translated into English?
Celise wrote: "Hey I wanted to read these, but I'm finding the two languages a little confusing. Is this one and The Last Wish the only ones translated into English?"Currently The Last Wish, Blood of Elves, Times of Contempt and Baptism of Fire have been Translated.
What about the book previous to this one in the series? When reading this, does it feel like you're missing something from an earlier story?
Oh wait. On the main book page is say Saga o Wiedzminie #3, but when I click on Markus's review, it says it's The Witcher #1.
Celise wrote: "Oh wait. On the main book page is say Saga o Wiedzminie #3, but when I click on Markus's review, it says it's The Witcher #1."It's a bit confusing yes. I think short stories are marked as 1 and 2 in Polish.
That would make sense. Thank you for your help!
Celise wrote: "That would make sense. Thank you for your help!"No problem :)
You can read short stories The Last Wish. But is not that crucial to read first book. Only one story in the book is related to Blood of Elves if I recall correctly. It sets the stage for it.
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ randomly turns off notifications on my reviews -.-@Celise, please read The Last Wish first. This is the first book in the Witcher Saga, but you should read those prequel short stories first. You should not skip straight to this book unless you intend to never read The Last Wish. I just wrote a full review of that one here, and will do this next :)
One of those books that made me cry. It doesn't happen often. I love it.
Mayim wrote: "One of those books that made me cry. It doesn't happen often. I love it."Aye, this is an amazing series.
Great reviews, Markus :) I love Geralt <3
Orient wrote: "Great reviews, Markus :) I love Geralt <3"Thanks, Orient. I'm glad :)
Great review Markus! I've not heard of The Witcher series but with such praise coming from you, I think I should add it to my ever-growing TBR.
thanks for the great review. video games were amazing, will definitely try books
TS wrote: "Great review Markus! I've not heard of The Witcher series but with such praise coming from you, I think I should add it to my ever-growing TBR."
Thanks, TS. It's one of my favourites for sure!
Mikheil wrote: "thanks for the great review. video games were amazing, will definitely try books"Thanks for reading it, Mikheil. Check out my review for The Last Wish too if you want (link at the end of this review), which is essentially the first book in the series.
This reminds me I need to finish Blood and Wine D;
Nelson wrote: "This reminds me I need to finish Blood and Wine D;"I haven't played either of the DLCs yet. Is it good?
Markus wrote: "Nelson wrote: "This reminds me I need to finish Blood and Wine D;"I haven't played either of the DLCs yet. Is it good?"
Hearts of Stone was perfect :O what a great story, I was impressed. I haven't start with Blood and Wine but it has its own map and it's huge! :O
Nelson wrote: "Markus wrote: "Nelson wrote: "This reminds me I need to finish Blood and Wine D;"I haven't played either of the DLCs yet. Is it good?"
Hearts of Stone was perfect :O what a great story, I was im..."
Yeah, I've heard. Blood and Wine looks amazing. I've been too busy and also trying to save money, but I'm very tempted to play it again anyway, so I should get them both :P
Great review, Markus =) I still need to read the first one! I have it, but haven't gotten to it. Isn't that always the way it goes!
Melissa � Dog Lover � wrote: "Great review, Markus =) I still need to read the first one! I have it, but haven't gotten to it. Isn't that always the way it goes!"Thanks, Melissa! The first one is the best.
You're most welcome =). Then I'm good to go since it's the only one I have :-D
