Sword of Destiny

The second collection of short stories starring Geralt feels different than the first, with many of the disparate tales folding back into relevance as the book progresses. The final story was well conceived and written, setting all the major characters up with depth and motivation for the novel series that follows.

Among the better fantasy stories I’ve read; definitely recommend this one!

The Witcher, the Sword of destiny is the second collection of short stories by Sapkowski.
It discusses various ethical, moral, and unnatural subjects, such as what makes someone a monster, and a big recurrent motive is destiny. Does it exist? Are peoplebreally destined for each other?
I like the way Sapkowski implies that destiny can only exist when people believe, and strive for it; more is needed than just destiny for destiny to happen. And I think personal beliefs and faith is required for destiny to happen.

Either way, the book really goes more in depth of Geralt as a character, and it elucidates his reluctance to take certain jobs. For example, in "a shard of ice" he ultimately decides to reject a job, because he doesn't perceive certain species as "monsters", due to them having a consciousness.

Ultimately, I'll give it a 4/5.

піду проти течії, поставлю... трояка. чим, певно, здивую багатьох (знайомих і незнайомих) читачів, котрі оцінили на п'ятірку. причини бачу різні, але згадаю тут лише «найслабшу», суб'єктивну: чекав зовсім іншого від «відьмака», якоїсь запальної пригоди... отримав пафосне і сльозливе філосовствування від по-підлітковому зацикленого на закоханості, самозануреного персонажа, з потрійним повторюванням фраз за основний художній прийом. вирок: не позбавлене художньої цінності, але на мій смак і вимогу — навіть поруч не лежало з «грою престолів».

This one is a darker book where the characters are temporarily separated from each other, and some serious confrontation between the mages/sorceress take place. Everyone is looking for Ciri and she is on the run. And there are donuts in the Witcher’s world! Another read I couldn’t put down that lead me to "The Time of Contempt" straight away.