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Rate: 3/5

Medium: Audiobook

Overview (No Spoilers):

The Witcher series, continuing with Sword of Destiny, assumes a relatively slower pace compared to The Last Wish. This next installment is comprised of related short stories that seemed much longer than the first book in the series. Throughout this read, we were treated subjected to many more painful Yennefer and Geralt interactions as the complexity of their relationship was established.

Having watched the show, I loved seeing several key adventures play out in text. Sapkowski’s take on the “The Bounds of Reason” was significantly more satisfying than the Netflix adaption of this short story. That being said, as a whole, I feel as though the show did a great job bringing several of the short stories to life. In this instance, however, the changes distracted from an already intriguing tale. In the spoiler section I’ll highlight one instance where the show made both a change for the better and a glaring omission.

The Sword of Destiny had a feel akin to a placeholder, with significant effort made to establish often fraught relationships, introduce new characters, and build backgrounds. So while it didn’t capture my undivided attention, unlike the first two books in this series, it still served a necessary role in expanding an already intriguing literary world. Overall, the Sword of Destiny was filled with tale after tale of Geralt finding himself in impossible situations, while simultaneously strengthening the foundation for the rest of the series to develop upon.

Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound):

• I wonder why the TV show cut out Ciri and Geralt meeting in the woods? With how many times they bumped into each other in this book it gave the role Destiny plays in the lives of characters in this literary realm more credence.
• Why didn’t Ciri become affected by the water of Brokilon?
• My favorite story involved Geralt’s dealings with the mimic, Tellico. Dainty’s reactions throughout this scene were amusing as he tried to keep up with what was happening in his quickly evolving life.
• Ok, I changed my mind. The mermaids were my favorite. Where did the steps into the ocean actually lead? Was it to the hidden city as Dandelion had predicted? Also did Sh’eenaz regret leaving the ocean? Was she able to control her greedy Duke Agloval? What was Dandelion’s reaction about learning the shell he took from the steps (that were covered in the shells) contained such a large pearl?
• Would Geralt had selected from the playing children correctly had he wagered a guess as the Queen of Cintra had demanded? Honestly, this whole interaction of Geralt going to the Queen when Ciri turned six was rather dull.
• I wish Essie (Little Eye) had been in more of this series!
• I significantly enjoyed that in the pursuit of the Dragon that in the book Yennefer was there of her own accord instead of being hired by some glory filled noble in the TV show.
• How was Gerald born to a sorcerer? Why doesn’t he tell Yennefer?