Rate: 5/5

Medium: Audiobook

Overview (No Spoilers):

A few months ago I was instantly intrigued upon I stumbled across a trailer for the upcoming season of Netflix’s The Witcher. The premise looked like everything and more I look for in TV shows and seemingly had the potentially fill the gap in my life left by Game of Thrones. I’d initially thought that the show was based on a video game, not even realizing until a coworker brought it up that there was a book series that inspired both platforms. I started watching the show prior to my library hold coming available, which is a major change from my typical order of operations. The first episode, while visually stunning, was beyond confusing with no indication that we were watching scenes from various time periods, let alone, which was the more recent of two point of views. I found I had to Google a synopsis of the episode to establish order to the quagmire. Honestly, took about four episodes to really get our feet under us in this new magical realm, but after that we were hooked with the finale leaving us wanting more. Midway through the TV show, I couldn’t wait to see how the book would bring this literary world to life. I was surprised to find that the show was actually a prequel to the events that unfold in The Blood of Elves, and in hindsight it was actually perfect to read the book, staggered with the show. There’s a brief reference to an interaction in the first book of The Witcher series about a dragon that we get to witness fully play out in the show. Additionally, minor characters introduced in the show, such as a particularly memorable dwarf, ends up playing a bigger role in the book. Due to watching the TV show ahead of time, the characters had built in backgrounds and personalities that I didn’t have to focus on the book providing as a reader, which felt a bit like cheating.  Overall, just as when I finished the TV show, upon reaching the last page of The Blood of Elves I was left eagerly anticipating the next installment, ready to continue with Geralt and Ciri’s adventures.

Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound):

• How did the Emperor of Nilfgaard know of Ciri and her importance?
• Why was Geralt training Ciri as a Witcher? Perhaps he didn’t know what else to do with her?
• Without watching the TV show, Yennefer’s feisty letter to Geralt would have made little to no sense.
• Who is Rience working for? What are the odds that Yennefer happened to be in the same area as Dandelion the bard when he was in danger?
• I want to learn more about the elves and Aelirenn! Why did the elf react to Ciri wearing the rose like she did?
• What did Philippa find out from the last Michelet brother?
• Does Geralt know that Dandelion is a spy for King of Redania?
• I’m happy Triss survived! Where is she after her brush with death? What made her sick?