AKA Book One in The Witcher Series
I am on a bit of a Witcher craze at the moment. Not only has the series been released now on Netflix (another post I plan to review). I am also playing the Witcher 3 Wild Hunt on Playstation 4 again aswell.
So what was left for me to get my Witcher fix once I had binged the series twice? The books! An boy was I rewarded. Book one is the Last Wish in the world famous series by Andrzej Sapkowski and is a mixture of short stories about Geralt of Rivia. The book does tie in with the first season for the most part with some minor differences. I wont go into these as for those of you whom are yet to watch the series and I dont want to dish out spoilers.
So Geralt, the white wolf, the witcher. If your new to the world then welcome. A Witcher is a being that is part human, part mutant. They undergo mutations as children and are then trained for the purpose of monster slaying. They age slower than normal people. I read that Geralts heart is four times slower than a humans so I will assume all witchers age the same. Anyway Geralt, white hair, wearing dark armour and weilding two swords. One of iron for Humans and one of silver for monsters. A Witchers senses are heightened to a greater level than that of a human.
Witchers can also use a form of magic known as signs. From what I have read and played/ seen thus far they can use signs to manipulate minds, hurl force at things/ objects and create shields. They are also alchemists and are good at making various kinds of elixers to aid them in battle.
On paper he is as good if not better than in the series. Nothing against Henry Cavill, he is Geralt hands down but I always find charatcers in books have more depth in them and time to get more backstory and detail to their exploits in. Just a personal opinion.
So the Last Wish is brilliant, you jump between the present day and the past as Geralt and Dandelion aka Jaskier in the series recount tales of Geralts exploits. Some of which you will recall from the series with slight differences. Its well written and never feels rushed which is nice.
The characters feel authentic and are bursting with personality. The withdrawn, fearless nomad that is Geralt of Rivia. The excitable, loud bard that is Dandelion (Jaskier) and the mysterious, powerful witch that is Yenefer of Vergerburg. The races, the monsters, the places involved in this book in the world of the Witcher are incredible. I havent been this into a series since I read Patrick Rothfuss’ Kingkiller Chronicles. I highly recommend picking up a copy if you can to fill the void before Witcher season 2 arrives in 2021.
A solid read and has left me wanting more. 9 out of 10.
I will be continueing onto book 2 The Sword of Destiny in the Witcher saga. More on that, when I am done!
Wh1te W0lf's Reviews 