WITCHER BAPTISM OF FIRE BOOK REVIEW

[@GinoGonzalez12]

My realization that it was the Regis that i knew and loved from the blood and wine dlc was freaking epic. I was jumping with joy

[@bhob2612]

MY FAVORITE BOOK OF THE SERIES! Just the evolution of Geralts character of being an emo kid and having no feelings and wanting to be alone to someone who realizes how important the people around him are. Also this book had a badass archer chick I really loved so yeah lol.

[@alexanderbieler3897]

Badass Archer chick 🤣👍

[@dacsus]

Yea, Milwa FTW!!!

[@anomalus625]

i liked how the baptism of fire theme was explored in a literal sense but also metaphorically. it could refer to nilfgaard burning everything to the ground or the girl that was to be burned at the stake, but also has a deeper meaning for some of the individual characters. i also thought the ending was great. the witcher officially being knighted gerralt of rivia and him smiling to himself like he saw it as conformation that destiny was still on his side and he was on the right path.

[@TheLordCrash]

There are quite a lot of events that Sapkowski keeps kind of vague on purpose. You could argue that almost everything that happens The Lady of the Lake is told by Ciri to Galahad. And you could also argue that huge parts of Geralt's journey with his bands of misfits is told by Dandelion in his Half a Century of Poetry. The unreliable narrator is a core element in the Witcher novels and yes, you can't always trust that everything is a fact or events that actually happened this way exactly. And then again there is Sapkowski's style that he often cuts stuff to the shortest. He doesn't spend much words on scenery introduction very often and he isn't a fan of too many words. It's quite the opposite, Sapkowski likes brevity. He wants to transports his core motives and his characters primarily by dialogue and certain highlighted descriptions. But he leaves A LOT up for the reader's imagination. I think that's pretty unsual for many fantasy readers, especially Anglo-American ones who are often used to bloated language and settings and events that are literally described to the death, even describing clothing and stuff in big detail. Sapkowski is the complete opposite. He sets a general imagination (like Yennefer always wearing black and white and smelling like lilac and gooseberries) but leaves everything else to the reader to make their own picture. For people with a good imagination that is a huge plus because it makes the story your own in many ways. Your interpretation of the world and the events that are described are your own and they feel that way. It's one of the reaons why I love the Witcher novels so much. They are most often reduced to the important elements rather than holding my hands to extreme degrees.

[@TheLordCrash]

Will you continue with your reviews of the last two books? I'd really like to know what you think about them.

[@IlijaBossrock]

The Witcher series is my fav fantasy book series. I love all books. BoF is great.

[@LanaFeyah]

After somebody pointed out that, contrary to my deceptive memory, the Witcher world isn't exactly as well-established and built in Sapkowski's novels, as it is in CDPR's video game series, I convinced myself that I seriously need to re-read the books that started it all. I haven't got around to that yet, unfortunately, but I vaguely remember not being as impressed as the novels as I had hoped. Still, it is thanks to Sapkowski's saga that I have my favourite video game series of all time (that and Dark Souls) and that the world became just a bit more familiar with Eastern European culture, mythology and even our worldview, to an extent. He managed to turn the tale of a white-haired, monster-whooping, mutated warrior into something far more than a mere action fantasy novel. Geralt is definitely a favourite character of mine - he is just so perfectly badass that I fell in love with him immediately upon beginning the series. In a way, because of the political intrigue, Geralt and Ciri's personalities, the idealism veiled behind cynism and its post-modernistic flirt with fairytale cliches, it was one of my first dips into "adult" fantasy, right up there with Lord of the Rings.

[@iimsoxo]

Lana Sídhe agreed i just finished the witcher 3 wild hunt and at the same time reading the books and now on The tower of Swallows and boy was I confused at some parts, especially finding out in the game that emir is ciri’s dad ?!? Like huh lol and so much more but either way i love it all

[@rennebright5886]

This one was always my favourite in the series. People criticise it for "middle book syndrome" with regard to its plot, but honestly the characterisation and dynamics feel so raw and real in this one. I love Geralt's band of companions and their interactions with each other, they're all compelling characters in their own right and I'd take a book chock full of that over one with bland character writing and fast plot progression, honestly. However, I'm not even sure I agree with the idea that this book doesn't move the plot along at all because the characters introduced in this one all end up being story relevant and we need time for them to be built up if we want their role to have any impact on us.

[@igortsarcov927]

That thing about Yennefer being involved in the conspiracy is brought up one more time in the last book: 'On the contrary,' continued the sorcerer, 'to you Ciri was only a silly sentiment, consisting of equal parts of the penalty of your infertility and your guilt. Yes, yes, Yennefer, a sentiment of guilt! After you had actively participated in genetic experiments, by which Ciri came into the world. Incidentally the experiment failed because the experimenters lacked knowledge.' She neither confirms nor denies it though. If not for this dialogue I would've thought that Triss was just being a clueless moron as always. It just doesn't make much sense. Firstly, the active experiments happened over a century ago, Yennefer is only in her 90's by the end of the books. Secondly, during the Lodge's meeting Yennefer is the one who asks Francesca the names of the mages involved in the conspiracy. Shouldn't she know already if she's in on it? Thirdly, it just doesn't fit Yennefer's character. She's never been all that into politics, so having her be part of it but not Philippa? No way. Maybe when Yen was still a very young sorceress Tissaia ordered her to prevent some pregnancies without explaining the reason? So she was technically involved without knowing? Or maybe the rumors spread because of Geralt's involvement in Pavetta's marriage and so everyone just linked that to Yennefer?

[@ebnovels]

Thanks for mentioning that! I was pretty sure she wasn’t old enough, and I couldn’t remember her confirming it herself. Perhaps it’s one of those things he keeps purposefully vague 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@glomar9982]

This book was really hard to read for me, because it was just a bunch of random wandering with the characters. Like you, I loved that we had Geralt's POV but like, we had almost no Ciri or Yennefer at all, and I was just waiting every time I turned the page to find out what happened to Ciri because we left her at a very intense point in the last book. Also, Milva's arc was the best ever. The last scene with her and Geralt was beautiful.

[@chrisscarfo8832]

It's called suspence

[@blacklabelz9]

The troupe that forms with Geralt along his journey is amazing. I love how the book starts from milva’s point of view and also ends with her. Her arc was one of my favorite parts of the story. She was one of the most genuine characters in the world outside from the main characters. The vampire and dwarfs were refreshing and a joy to read about. Dandelion is amazing as always. The dwarfs and gnome have such personality. The characters themselves are so different but form such strong bonds over their trip and through their misfortunes. I also felt similarly about the genealogy portion. I had to take a nap and reread it to make sure I didn’t miss anything haha!

[@chiefpurrfect8389]

About that bit with Yennefer that you asked about (spoilers for the book, obviously). It's been a while since I've read it so sorry if I get anything wrong, but as far as I can remember, it's left vague like that. It's one of those things in the books that seem to be subtly built up, but are never actually confirmed or explored further. With what we know, I think it's fairly likely that Yennefer took some sort of part in the genetic experiments with the Elder Blood in the past century as many other sorceresses did- but to what extent, we can't really know. I doubt she was some sort of mastermind though. I feel like the sorceresses that were leading the conversation during the meeting (as far as I remember Francesca Findabair and Sile de Tancarville) were the ones with positions important enough to be making decisions behind the "project". Doesn't one of them get blamed for being "careless" after they had issues tracking down the geneological tree at some point, if I recall correctly? To which she responded with "we are dealing with people, not rabbits" and then, isn't Yennefer written to feel guilty, which is what starts Triss' internal monologue of assumptions about her? I could be getting characters mixed up though, like I said it's been a while. Bottomline is we don't really know what happened for sure. There seems to be an equally subtle nod to this in W3 too as far as I remember when you speak in Avallac'h's lab, but it's equally unexplored and uncomfirmed. Even if it was though, I wouldn't count it as anything where the books are concerned because a lot of the facts and lore has been changed in the games in a way that contradicts canon so....

[@ebnovels]

Thanks for that! Yeah, I didn’t think it got confirmed. I couldn’t remember though, but I know Sapkowski likes to keep things up in the air. Haha, in this particular book, it felt like Triss wanted to think ill of Yen. But that’s just me being annoyed with her I think 🤣

[@d7LS]

Loved this review!! This one is my favorite because geralt has no idea what to do the whole time. And because i love milva and regis, duh. Geralt’s knee is all messed up and he doesn’t know where ciri is and is basically just walking in a direction until he sees something. Totally different from the short stories where he’s the smartest, coolest, most capable guy in the room. Like he’s really trying his best and being honorable and stuff but it’s just not enough! Good stuff sapkowski!

[@systemofafox6487]

This one has the best character moments in my opinion, when the plot comes to almost a complete halt in the middle if the books the characters truly shine.

[@Bnasty1414]

This book reminded me of The Fellowship. Definitely my favorite!!!

[@brechtgeers]

Milva is my favorite too xD

[@Rysco_29]

Agreed! Absolutely loved the ending!

[@edgaraggtown]

Cahir though, at the end when he gathered all the soldiers to return to fighting. And Geralt is now officially Geralt of Rivia. Great book overall.

[@Levels6789]

I feel that lore lends itself to worldbuilding and in this case the magic system(genetic based). Sanderson describes his systems in detail yet in the witcher you only get a taste here and there as well as a reason why people truly hate the sorcerers meddling. In addition to this scene and comments below there is an implied relationship with Vilgefortz you feel Yen has after Geralt has his talk with him looking at paintings.

[@Nick-kb2jc]

Have you played CD Projekt Red’s spin off game Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales? You play as Queen Meve and get to see the Battle of the Bridge from the end of this book and the entire invasion of Aedirn through her eyes. It’s such a great game that deserves more attention. You’ll especially like it if you enjoyed Gwent.

[@ebnovels]

I have not played that! But I loved Gwent 😄

[@Nick-kb2jc]

Elliot Brooks Then I highly recommend Thronebreaker! The storytelling is top notch and on par with Witcher 3. I was surprised but also not surprised, it’s CD Projekt Red haha 😁

[@vaibhav2364]

Dang, I played that game before reading Baptism of Fire. Now I remember somewhat the events from Thronebreaker. Meve is great, the best and most noble monarch in the entire series

[@Nasser851000]

All I know about the witcher is from the third game, which I love :)

[@christopherjones3185]

Dream Master you should definitely read the books!

[@ebnovels]

I love it too!

[@Nick-kb2jc]

Oh man, you’re doing yourself a disservice by not reading the books. They enhance the experience of the games so much.

[@ando336699]

Will you do a review of tower of swallows ?

[@chrisscarfo8832]

This is my personal favorite!

[@savitbharadwaj4023]

Have you played Witcher 3? It's amazing!

[@sergivan08]

She has mentioned she has played it multiple times

[@SI-selo]

I dont know which is my favorite, but I know Time of Contempt is my least favorite haha. By the way, are you planning on continuing the witcher 3 playthrough you had going on? That was very entertaining!

[@GEORGIOARCADE]

Lol im not even gonna vinture out into the comment section cuz i don't wanna get spoiled. However i do like that you said that Geralt is the main focus & we see his growth as a witcher monster slayer in the first few books. I guess that they wanted everything about those around him & the environments. Sounds like this book is still interesting tho. I might get the Witcher 3 on Nintendo Switch cuz it has all the DLC & it comes with a manual & map. All in all, i enjoyed this book review. There's a reason why i call you the expert of Witcher. Have a nice day 🐺💫💛

[@darrylksii]

I think you captured what I was disliking about the boot. I loved the story but Ciri's part seemed lacking. Her romance and just everything in her story I couldn't connect with as much. Thanks

[@xkxxxx]

Will you do the rest of the books?

[@danielvanrooyen9602]

Sword of destiny is still my favourite in the series so far, but Baptism of Fire is a close second.

[@johane.turbib.8108]

Yeah i see you lol but I do love family tree lol...!!!

[@Morfeusm]

Sweet Summer of 2004 when I was Baptised by Fire.... and DNFd it :D

[@veritasaequitas2386]

you are remarkable

[@ahmadsalman88]

In witcher 3 they hent that yen have bart in ciri Bowers

[@ebnovels]

The games aren’t cannon though 🤔

[@aaront6727]

From what I’ve read I’d say: 5.sword of destiny 4.blood of elves 3.time of contempt 2.baptism of fire 1.the last wish

[@iimsoxo]

Just finished this one and now on “ The tower of Shallows” ! But im curious to hear someone else’s thoughts 💭 so i might be a new Sub! And your beauty helps lmao 🤣😍😘

[@hajime6939]

uh, this all sounds like youre trying to make the book sound about something that its not. Besides whats that Japanese novel in the lower right?

[@xBoothy]

Vagabond manga I believe