Time of Contempt (Polish original title: Czas pogardy, early title was translated less literally as Time of Anger) is the second novel in the Witcher Saga written by Polish fantasy writer Andrzej Sapkowski, first published 1995 in Polish, and 2013 in English (under the title The Time of Contempt). It is a sequel to the first Witcher novel Blood of Elves (Krew elfów) and is followed by Baptism of Fire (Chrzest ognia).
In the aftermath of the Witcher Season 2, I decided to finish The Time of Contempt once and for all..
The Time of Contempt is the sequel to Blood of Elves. The geopolitical tensions in the continent have reached a peak, and the Nilfgardiaan threat has increased even more.
This book contains a brilliant geopolitical plot, a la A Song of Ice And fire. Combined with the deeper lore about the elves, the conjunctions, and the universe itself, it is a great fantasy novel. Not too thick, like ASOIAF, yet enough plot to talk about for hours.
Second in the main series, the titular Time of Contempt refers to the war sweeping the Continent and the ensuing treachery and cruelty. The Nilfgaardian Empire continues to grind northward, and the divided kingdoms in its path both cooperate with and defect upon one another, each seeking some marginal advantage. Geralt, the Witcher, attempts to remain neutral in the conflict, but finds himself inexorably drawn in as he attempts to protect his young magically talented charge Ciri from those who wish to possess her.
This volume introduces a great deal of turmoil to the nations and organizations seen in previous books, upending the tenuous status quo. Ciri takes center stage for most of the narrative, with Geralt and sorceress Yennefer in prominent supporting roles. The events of the story are epic in scale, but I appreciated that—rather than through dry exposition—the author tended to relate events filtered through the eyes …
Second in the main series, the titular Time of Contempt refers to the war sweeping the Continent and the ensuing treachery and cruelty. The Nilfgaardian Empire continues to grind northward, and the divided kingdoms in its path both cooperate with and defect upon one another, each seeking some marginal advantage. Geralt, the Witcher, attempts to remain neutral in the conflict, but finds himself inexorably drawn in as he attempts to protect his young magically talented charge Ciri from those who wish to possess her.
This volume introduces a great deal of turmoil to the nations and organizations seen in previous books, upending the tenuous status quo. Ciri takes center stage for most of the narrative, with Geralt and sorceress Yennefer in prominent supporting roles. The events of the story are epic in scale, but I appreciated that—rather than through dry exposition—the author tended to relate events filtered through the eyes of messengers, spies, and mercenaries. This kept the human, ground-level perspective intact throughout.
Geralt gets comparatively little exposure in the narrative and he doesn’t do any monster-slaying, which may disappoint some readers. I enjoyed the tumultuous plot and Ciri’s school of hard knocks-style introduction to the wider world, however. This book left me excited for the next volume.
Started off pretty decent, got REALLY dull following military marches and banquets, and then got a bit better at the end. The book ended on a slight Ciri-related cliffhanger, and Geralt seems mostly out of the story now (which is odd, considering that the series is seemingly named for him).
Anche questo volume della serie non ha una fine quindi riconfermo la teoria secondo la quale ogni libro è solo un pezzetto di una storia unica. Spero almeno che l'ultimo libro (La signora del lago) abbia una conclusione altrimenti mi arrabbio >_< Proseguono le avventure, o meglio disavventure, di Geralt, Ciri e Yennefer sullo sfondo di una guerra e intrighi politici e altrettanto prosegue il mio apprezzamento per questa serie e per i personaggi. Se devo trovare un neo a questo libro è il modo in cui sono raccontati alcuni eventi, soprattutto la guerra. L'ho trovato un po' confuso e di conseguenza mi è sembrato che la guerra sia stata solo una vicenda marginale. Per il resto, se continua così, The Witcher entrerà appieno nelle mie serie Fantasy preferite.
