Although I got this a little while ago starting it was
delayed due to my glacial reading speed (well, that and relatively little
reading time). However, I very much enjoyed this part of the Witcher and Ciri’s
tale.
Like preceding books it has a varied POV in different
sections, with Geralt being the main character and Ciri being the story’s heart.
Together they’re aided, or not, by assorted major characters, and as someone
who discovered the Witcher’s world via the last videogame it’s interesting to
see the names I know in an earlier time.
There’s a stronger sense of continuity and connection
between the differing segments of the book than in some predecessors, and this
really works to its advantage. The personal tribulations of the leading characters
blends seamlessly with wider political machinations and global events. I don’t
want to spoil the story so I won’t say much more on that front, but the
development of the world and secondary characters helps to strengthen the
foundations upon which the dramatic tension is built. Characters feel three-dimensional
and credible, which makes their plight or success matter more.
I enjoyed this book a lot, and if you’ve read the previous
few entries then this one should be right up your alley.
Thaddeus
