Paperback, 328 pages
English language
Published Jan. 27, 2012 by Orbit.
Geralt is a witcher: guardian of the innocent; protector of those in need; a defender, in dark times, against some of the most frightening creatures of myth and legend. His task, now, is to protect Ciri. A child of prophecy, she will have the power to change the world for good or for ill -- but only if she lives to use it.
A coup threatens the Wizard's Guild. War breaks out across the lands. A serious injury leaves Geralt fighting for his life... ... and Ciri, in whose hands the world's fate rests, has vanished...
The Witcher returns in this sequel to Blood of Elves.
After the somewhat lackluster Blood of Elves, Time of Contempt really steps things back up - more Geralt, Ciri's adventures become more interesting, a some real drama and action. The ending leaves things set up to be quite the cathartic blast, with enemies made clear and tension in the air.
I consider this book having 2 parts: before and after the Mages Conclave reception in Aretuza.
The first part is filled with road travelling, discovering the big city of Gors Velen, having fun at the market and Ciri saving the day killing a pseudo-wyvern.
Then The Witcher and Yennefer do social networking at the Mages reception. And it's all about mages gossiping and figuring out who is spying for which king. There were some fun moments with The Witcher being socially awkward and trying hard not to. He meets the young mage Vilgefortz for the first time and we get to know the mage's background.
Then Yennefer makes a really bad decision (view spoiler) that propels Tissaia to deactivate the spell barrier at the Tower and then all hell breaks loose.
Then it becomes pretty dramatic. A huge mage battle begins, deaths everywhere and Scoia'tael adding to the violence. The …
Definitely a more war strategy heavy book than the previous in the series. So if medieval war talk isn't your jam a good bit of this book will be a slog for you. That being said, it's not totally beyond understanding if you're trying to gleam what's going on. I highly recommend looking up a map from the video game to use for reference, because the book doesn't have one.
Any chapter with Ciri in it was a great thrilling read. I love how Sapkowski writes her character, she is the most identifiable 13 year old ever. She makes stupid decisions, but you can understand her motives, even if you don't agree with them.
Don't give up on the book if the war talk bogs you down. It is necessary, just take some clip notes for your reference later.
'A coward', he declared with dignity, when he'd stopped coughing and had got his breath back, 'dies a hundred times. A brave man dies but once. But Dame Fortune favours the brave and holds cowards in contempt.'
As I become more familiar with Sapkowski's writing style and slipping in to a non-linear story telling approach I enjoy the books more. This is another solid installment in The Witcher series but I am grateful I can go from one book to the next.
If I had to wait years for each book to be released I'd feel that there wasn't enough substance in each book to satisfy me. The books connect one to the other perfectly but I don't know if there is enough within each to stand on their own.
Regardless, I'll keep on going through the series because there hasn't been a reason to abandon this gritty fantasy world …
'A coward', he declared with dignity, when he'd stopped coughing and had got his breath back, 'dies a hundred times. A brave man dies but once. But Dame Fortune favours the brave and holds cowards in contempt.'
As I become more familiar with Sapkowski's writing style and slipping in to a non-linear story telling approach I enjoy the books more. This is another solid installment in The Witcher series but I am grateful I can go from one book to the next.
If I had to wait years for each book to be released I'd feel that there wasn't enough substance in each book to satisfy me. The books connect one to the other perfectly but I don't know if there is enough within each to stand on their own.
Regardless, I'll keep on going through the series because there hasn't been a reason to abandon this gritty fantasy world just yet.
We get it, Sapkowski, you hate women. You’re lucky I love the world building and overall story as much as I do, but good gravy please get your act together
