Though I'll be the first to admit that there were some painfully slow parts, when things started happening in this book, they happened hard and fast and the pace kept up for hundreds of pages. I do miss the lighthearted fun of the first story collections, but this is some really amazing storytelling.

Sapkowski managed to come up with a whole new set of clever circumstances and new ways to tell the story. When it's good, it's brilliant. I'm really torn between a 4 and 5 star rating, mostly because I felt like there were some loose ends that may never be addressed. Eh, screw it. Five stars. This is Book 7 by my reading order (which follows publication order).

My understanding is that Book 8: Season of Storms is a prequel of sorts. That sounds fun.