Title: Blood of Elves
Author: Andrzej Sapkowski
First published January 1, 1994
398 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780316029193 (ISBN10: 031602919X)
Rating: 4.1
Overview
The popular video game, The Witcher, was inspired by the bestselling series that starts with Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski. In a world where humans, dwarves, gnomes, and elves once lived together peacefully, war has broken out once again.
Elves are being hunted and killed without mercy. Geralt of Rivia, also known as The Witcher, has been waiting for the prophesied child who has the power to change the fate of the world.
As war looms and the child’s life is in danger, it’s up to Geralt to protect her and prevent the world from falling into chaos. In this thrilling sequel, Geralt will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of the child and the future of the land.
About the Author
Andrzej Sapkowski is a renowned Polish fantasy writer, born on June 21, 1948 in Łódź. He initially studied economics and worked for a foreign trade company as a senior sales representative.
However, his passion for writing led him to publish his first short story, The Witcher (Wiedźmin), in Fantastyka, Poland’s leading fantasy literary magazine, in 1986. The story was a huge success with both readers and critics, inspiring Sapkowski to create a cycle of tales set in the same world.
The Witcher series follows the adventures of Geralt, a mutant assassin trained from childhood to hunt and destroy monsters. Geralt’s character exists in a complex moral universe, and yet he manages to maintain his own code of ethics, making him a character reminiscent of Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe.
The world in which Geralt’s adventures take place is heavily influenced by Slavic mythology.
Sapkowski’s works have made him one of the most popular fantasy authors in Poland since the 1990s. He has won numerous accolades for his writing, including five Zajdel Awards for his short stories and novels.
In 1997, he was awarded the prestigious Polityka’s Passport award, which recognizes artists with strong prospects for international success.
In 2001, a TV series based on Sapkowski’s Witcher cycle was released in Poland and internationally. However, both the TV series and the film adaptation received critical and box office failures.
Sapkowski’s books have been translated into several languages, including Czech, Russian, Lithuanian, German, Spanish, French, Ukrainian, and Portuguese. An English translation of his short story collection, The Last Wish, was published by Gollancz in 2007.
In 2007, CD Projekt, a Polish game publisher, created a role-playing PC game based on Sapkowski’s universe, called The Witcher. The game was a huge success and has since been adapted into a mobile version.
Sapkowski’s novel, Blood of Elves, won the David Gemmell Legends Award in 2009, cementing his status as one of the most celebrated fantasy writers of his time.
Editoral Review
Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski Review by Washington Post
Andrzej Sapkowski’s Blood of Elves is the first full-length novel in The Witcher series, originally published in Polish in 1994. This book introduces us to the world of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter known as a Witcher, who had previously only appeared in short stories by the author.
This high-fantasy novel continues the adventures of Geralt and explores the complicated political landscape that’s engulfing the fictional continent. Sapkowski’s writing style is detailed, nuanced, and character-driven, which is a refreshing change in the fantasy genre.
The author spares no effort in painting the complex world of The Witcher, with its various kingdoms, customs, and mythical races, and we can sense the underlying tensions and histories of the different factions. The author creates fully-realized characters who live and breathe with all their strengths and flaws, and their relationships develop organically over the course of the story.
The main plot of Blood of Elves revolves around Geralt’s protection of Ciri, a young girl with extraordinary powers, who is pursued by various forces that seek to exploit her abilities. This conflict provides a solid foundation for the novel, but it’s the intricate political maneuverings and the personal struggles of the characters that make the story truly engaging.
There are plenty of action and magic in the book, but they’re used sparingly and only when necessary, which makes the story more realistic and believable. There’s a social and historical relevance to Blood of Elves that’s hard to ignore.
The book explores themes such as power, prejudice, war, and the impact of individual choices on larger events. The author doesn’t shy away from grappling with difficult issues, and his commentary on human nature and social systems is thought-provoking.
That being said, Blood of Elves is not without some flaws. The pacing can be a bit slow at times, and the book assumes that the reader is familiar with the world and the characters from the previous short stories.
Some readers may find the prose dense or challenging, but it’s worth the effort as the story rewards close attention and patience. Overall, Blood of Elves is a beautifully written and engrossing novel that expands the horizons of the fantasy genre.
The book is an excellent introduction to The Witcher series, and it showcases the author’s skill in crafting complex and compelling characters and narratives. If you’re a fan of high-fantasy or looking for a meaningful and enjoyable read, Blood of Elves is definitely worth your time.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
