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The Tower of the Swallows
8.0
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The world has fallen into war. Ciri, the child of prophecy, has vanished. Hunted by friends and foes...
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Witcher - Season 1 in TV
Jan 13, 2020
Good introduction, true to the feel of the books, despite Geralt
I have played a little of Witcher 3, and have read the three sets of Sapkowski's Witcher short stories which precede the main series of books. I found the series to be quite true to the feel of the books. Throughout the short stories you are reading what feels like a decent story of hunting a monster but longing to have something larger with more background to get your teeth into. Similarly, the series shows us certain of Geralt's exploits vanquishing monsters for various lords, which are ok but somewhat lacking.
Cavill as Geralt doesn't say much, which is true to his character in the game (but then as he is the PoV character, it would be odd if he was constantly chatting to you and there is rarely anyone else there!). He tends to grunt and swear and is generally a right brooding bore.
However, throughout the series we have the backstory to Ciri (the young girl destined to accompany Geralt) and Yenefer (the powerful mage Geralt is obsessed with), both of which give much more insight into the world, the politics and some of the magic.
Yenefer's story is especially gripping, going from a deformed kind-hearted girl to the strong, beautiful, powerful witch she becomes.
A few reviews complain that the story jumps around a lot, both in person/place and time and it is quite hard to stitch it together. All I would say is if you stick with it, it all becomes clear. Like with the books, some of Geralt's stories feature what seem like small details but which turn out to be very important for the future parts of the story.
My main gripe is as with the books the Witcher himself is a dreadfully boring, one-dimensional cliché of a character, but those around him, given more focus, make this quote a gripping and enjoyable series.
Cavill as Geralt doesn't say much, which is true to his character in the game (but then as he is the PoV character, it would be odd if he was constantly chatting to you and there is rarely anyone else there!). He tends to grunt and swear and is generally a right brooding bore.
However, throughout the series we have the backstory to Ciri (the young girl destined to accompany Geralt) and Yenefer (the powerful mage Geralt is obsessed with), both of which give much more insight into the world, the politics and some of the magic.
Yenefer's story is especially gripping, going from a deformed kind-hearted girl to the strong, beautiful, powerful witch she becomes.
A few reviews complain that the story jumps around a lot, both in person/place and time and it is quite hard to stitch it together. All I would say is if you stick with it, it all becomes clear. Like with the books, some of Geralt's stories feature what seem like small details but which turn out to be very important for the future parts of the story.
My main gripe is as with the books the Witcher himself is a dreadfully boring, one-dimensional cliché of a character, but those around him, given more focus, make this quote a gripping and enjoyable series.
Wonder Woman & Justice League Dark: The Witching Hour
8.0
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Long ago, Hecate, the goddess of magic, stole the powers of other mystic entities and hid them in...
Mothergamer (1546 KP) rated The Witcher in TV
Dec 22, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
I do really like the show. The fact that Henry Cavill is a big fan of the Witcher books and games shows. He really got Geralt's signature growl and mannerisms down perfectly. I can see how season 1 could be confusing for people with the timelines switching back and forth, but the storytelling is very well done. Season 2 is also good with one exception. I can not stand episode 2 in the season because it completely destroyed the character of Eskel. I didn't even recognize him when they introduced him until Geralt said his name. Eskel in the books and games is referred to as a gentle giant. His demeanor in many ways is like Geralt to the point that many people think they're brothers. Eskel also has his own child of surprise in the books and has a critical role in the books and games. Eskel in episode 2 is vastly different. They basically murdered this character. Eskel in episode 2 is a rude boor, arrogant, and sexist. Then they go completely against Witcher lore and have Eskel infected by a Leshe, something that is not possible for Witchers because of the mutagens in their bodies. Then they kill him. I was stunned and very disappointed because for the showrunners to claim that they want fans of the books and games to like the show, this said the exact opposite. I know Henry Cavill can only do so much, but this was a very poor choice that the writers made completely changing a well known and loved character so drastically and then killing him off. If you lift episode 2 out, season 2 is great. It's the only episode that really doesn't fit in with the others. I really hope season 3 does better with the lore and that the writers actually do the research and learn about the Witcher lore and world.
Blood of Elves
8.3
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Geralt, the witcher of Rivia, is back - and this time he holds the fate of the whole land in his...
Sword of Destiny
Andrzej Sapkowski and David French
8.2
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Geralt is a witcher, a man whose magic powers, enhanced by long training and a mysterious elixir,...
Phil Maxwell (25 KP) rated Blood of Elves in Books
Apr 5, 2020
Great pace (2 more)
Countries, Wars and Politics all well described
Believable characters and understandable plotline.
A magnificent start by Andrzej Sapkowk
I was a relative latecomer to The Witcher series of books, but gosh am I glad I found out about them.
I had only played the video games before then (and absolutely loved them, by the way). This kind of worked in my favour though, as once I started reading Blood Of Elves I already had a broad knowledge of the countries involved, the wars and battles that had occurred, and of course the lovely (and not so lovely) cast of characters within.
Andrzej Sapkowski's writing style was fluid throughout and kept the story moving at an enjoyable pace. Not once did I find myself thinking it was going too slow or too fast.
His descriptions of the different locales were top notch fantasy fayre, as were those of main characters Geralt, Yennefer, Ciri, Triss, Dandelion and it's bit players also.
To say I was enthralled by Sapkowksi's first Witcher story is putting it lightly. I could barely put it down and every little bit of spare time I had was devoted to reading Blood Of Elves. I am now working my way through Time Of Contempt (The second installment) and am finding it equally as enjoyable, if not more so.
I had only played the video games before then (and absolutely loved them, by the way). This kind of worked in my favour though, as once I started reading Blood Of Elves I already had a broad knowledge of the countries involved, the wars and battles that had occurred, and of course the lovely (and not so lovely) cast of characters within.
Andrzej Sapkowski's writing style was fluid throughout and kept the story moving at an enjoyable pace. Not once did I find myself thinking it was going too slow or too fast.
His descriptions of the different locales were top notch fantasy fayre, as were those of main characters Geralt, Yennefer, Ciri, Triss, Dandelion and it's bit players also.
To say I was enthralled by Sapkowksi's first Witcher story is putting it lightly. I could barely put it down and every little bit of spare time I had was devoted to reading Blood Of Elves. I am now working my way through Time Of Contempt (The second installment) and am finding it equally as enjoyable, if not more so.
David McK (3425 KP) rated Blood of Elves in Books
Oct 7, 2019
This is the first full-length Witcher novel, which I read after both the collection of short stories contained with The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny
This is the novel that inspired the video game of the same name, and the upcoming (as of time of writing) Netflix adaptation, with Geralt - as the novel starts - already having taken guardianship of Ciri, and having a history with Yennefer as war begins to brew between the 'elder' races and mankind.
I think I will read some more of these to see where the story goes, although - at the moment - I think I may take a break from this particular genre of novel, having read a few of that genre in relatively close succession.
This is the novel that inspired the video game of the same name, and the upcoming (as of time of writing) Netflix adaptation, with Geralt - as the novel starts - already having taken guardianship of Ciri, and having a history with Yennefer as war begins to brew between the 'elder' races and mankind.
I think I will read some more of these to see where the story goes, although - at the moment - I think I may take a break from this particular genre of novel, having read a few of that genre in relatively close succession.
David McK (3425 KP) rated The Last Wish in Books
Aug 4, 2019
Recently, I heard that Netflix were producing a series based on these novels, starring (the current) Superman himself, Henry Cavill.
I was also aware of the held-in-great-esteem computer game of the same name (or, rather, The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt), even though I'd never actually played it.
When I watched the Netflix teaser trailer, I decided to give the original tales a go.
Translated from Polish into English, this is actually a collection of short stories rather than a full-blown novel in its own right, introducing - or so I've heard - some of the key players in the later full-blown saga, aside from Geralt of Rivia himself.
I think I'll be working my way through more of these!
I was also aware of the held-in-great-esteem computer game of the same name (or, rather, The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt), even though I'd never actually played it.
When I watched the Netflix teaser trailer, I decided to give the original tales a go.
Translated from Polish into English, this is actually a collection of short stories rather than a full-blown novel in its own right, introducing - or so I've heard - some of the key players in the later full-blown saga, aside from Geralt of Rivia himself.
I think I'll be working my way through more of these!
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated The Witcher in TV
Dec 30, 2019
I learned of The Witcher through the video games. When I heard Netflix was making a series about it, I was ecstatic. I will say the series doesn't disappoint!
The plot and other story lines in this are solid. There is plenty of action with a tiny bit of romance thrown in. This series follows the books very closely. The sword fighting scenes are epic and are choreographed brilliantly! One of the things that I found very confusing though was the timelines taking place. It's all over the place, and you don't really know whether you're watching something in the present or something that happened previously in each scene. It would have been nice to have something on the bottom of the screen saying "10 year earlier" or something similar.
The acting is spot on in The Witcher. Henry Cavill plays Geralt perfectly. While the actress who plays Yennefer is a great actress, I don't think she's a great fit for Yennefer. Yennefer is supposed to be very beautiful, but Anya Chalotra is a bit too plain. There are so many actresses they could have had to play Yennefer, yet they go with the one who's not very striking. The man who plays Jaskier was also a good fit, and Freya Allen (Ciri) was also perfect. I also thought Triss was also perfectly casted. (In the books, Triss' hair is a chestnut/auburn color. It's only in the games where she has red hair.)
I hate waiting over a year for the next season, but it is what it is. I will definitely be watching though!
The plot and other story lines in this are solid. There is plenty of action with a tiny bit of romance thrown in. This series follows the books very closely. The sword fighting scenes are epic and are choreographed brilliantly! One of the things that I found very confusing though was the timelines taking place. It's all over the place, and you don't really know whether you're watching something in the present or something that happened previously in each scene. It would have been nice to have something on the bottom of the screen saying "10 year earlier" or something similar.
The acting is spot on in The Witcher. Henry Cavill plays Geralt perfectly. While the actress who plays Yennefer is a great actress, I don't think she's a great fit for Yennefer. Yennefer is supposed to be very beautiful, but Anya Chalotra is a bit too plain. There are so many actresses they could have had to play Yennefer, yet they go with the one who's not very striking. The man who plays Jaskier was also a good fit, and Freya Allen (Ciri) was also perfect. I also thought Triss was also perfectly casted. (In the books, Triss' hair is a chestnut/auburn color. It's only in the games where she has red hair.)
I hate waiting over a year for the next season, but it is what it is. I will definitely be watching though!