This 3 out of 5 star review is loaded with a heavy amount of "benefit of the doubt".

To start off, this is a full novel, rather than a collection of short stories like the first two books (Last Wish and Sword of Destiny). Then there is the shift of character focus - Ciri becomes the centre of the story, and Geralt shuffles off into the background. Finally, everything about the book feels like a part 1, or a launchpad for a grander story.

When all put together, this makes reading The Blood of Elves a bit of a jarring experience, slow and uneventful except for a handful of moments, and lacking the cynicism if Geralt's character.

Will be continuing with the series, in the hope that things pick up in an interesting way.