The Tower of the Swallow - bookrastinating.com

jvt038@bookwyrm.social reviewed The Tower of the Swallow by Sapkowski Andrzej Bere Stanisaw

Review of 'The Tower of the Swallow' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

The Tower of the Swallow is the sequel to Baptism of Fire, and gives a new way of narration and telling stories.

Ciri being hunted by allies and enemies, seeks refuge in a swamp, with Vysogota. Then, the story begins, with Ciri, Vysogota, Dandelion's Fifty Years of Poetry, and a witness in a lawsuit, recounting the events between Baptism of Fire, and the Tower of the Swallow.

With quick-witted dialogue, ingenious ways to finance the Redanian army, and the conclusion being 'that the most effective defence against intellectual domination is roundly to affront the domineering intellectual', I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though a bit more chapters of Geralt's companions would've been appreciated.

5/5

Kadomi reviewed The Tower of the Swallow by Sapkowski Andrzej Bere Stanisaw

Review of 'The Tower of the Swallow' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Finally another Witcher book that actually pushes plot forward. After the wartime saga of Geralt and friends in Baptism of Fire, we get back to Ciri's story. Most of the novel is written from the point of view of Ciri and people involved in the hunt for Ciri talking about what happened in the previous weeks and months.

Ciri is found in the swamps, badly wounded, and as she is treated, she's telling her story how she escaped the sadistic bounty hunter Leo Bonhart who killed the band of robbers she had joined and tried to sell her off to the highest bidder.

Geralt shows up briefly, still looking for Ciri, but he is as far away as ever and cannot do anything to help her. The ultimate villain of the series, the sorcerer Vilgefortz, has sent one of his henchmen to kill Geralt and his friends.

Last but not …

Finally another Witcher book that actually pushes plot forward. After the wartime saga of Geralt and friends in Baptism of Fire, we get back to Ciri's story. Most of the novel is written from the point of view of Ciri and people involved in the hunt for Ciri talking about what happened in the previous weeks and months.

Ciri is found in the swamps, badly wounded, and as she is treated, she's telling her story how she escaped the sadistic bounty hunter Leo Bonhart who killed the band of robbers she had joined and tried to sell her off to the highest bidder.

Geralt shows up briefly, still looking for Ciri, but he is as far away as ever and cannot do anything to help her. The ultimate villain of the series, the sorcerer Vilgefortz, has sent one of his henchmen to kill Geralt and his friends.

Last but not least, we learn about Yennefer, who is in the Skellige islands, looking for Vilgefortz, as she suspects he holds Ciri, who is like a daughter to her.

The strands of the story do not weave together yet but I am ready for the finale now, with a Ciri who has turned out resourceful and powerful on her own, without the aid of her quasi-parents Geralt and Yennefer.

3.5 to 4 stars for me.

Jack

rated it

Sept. 9, 2016

Magusbear

rated it

Sept. 13, 2019