The Witcher

 Spoilers ahead, read with caution.

For a book called "The Witcher", I was expecting more witcher-ing. There was a lot of fucking, though.

Overall, I feel the series could have been half the pages. There were rather long descriptions of fight scenes and there is only a limited number of feints, pirouettes, and blows that one can take. There were also a few adventures that weren't necessarily adding anything of value and felt a bit disconnected to the story, regardless of how much enjoyable they were to read.

The first two books consisted of short stories (not in chronological order) that were interesting, funny, and little by little added details and layers to Geralt's character (and Yennefer's, although in a small amount). The final book, also a short story, was a disappointment compared to the others and all that mattered was the final chapter. 

Regarding the characters, it was particularly enjoyable to read about Geralt's humanity, despite everyone else being convinced he was immune to human emotions. However, there were times that he behaved in a hopeless way and, for someone with quite a lot of experience and years on him, rather teenager-like (for how long can someone sulk without getting bored with it?!).

The sorceresses were all described roughly the same way - cold, calculating bitches with way too many jewels and plunging necklines that are always gossiping about each other. I wonder if the author has such a low opinion of the women in his life that hold a position of power. I wish there were more scenes between Yennefer and Ciri, how their relationship evolved from mentor-mentee to mother-daughter. 

Emiel Regis is an enjoyable character. Mysterious enough so the reader couldn't guess what he was from the first moment and human enough (more than the average!) so the reader loved him anyway once it was revealed. The initial conflict between him and Geralt and how their relationship evolved was well written and challenging the concept created by humans of what is a monster.

Cahir went from being the villain (particularly if you watch the series (Henry Cavill was the perfect choice!) before reading the books) to one of a tragic non-reciprocated lover and I was left wanting for more. His character could have been more explored.

The worst scene for me was the sexual abuse Ciri suffered. Twice. It was a total waste of space with no relevance at all. It added nothing to her arch and is there only for the gross factor. As if Ciri didn't already go through enough trauma to last her several years of therapy. On top of that, making her bissexual? Can't a woman be a strong bloodthirsty warrior and still be feminine at the same time? I couldn't understand the masculinization of her character at all. 

Although initially I didn't quite grasp the ending, after a while I ended up liking it. It wasn't final and left enough room for interpretation, but with a positive tone. 

They are indeed right. There is evil everywhere and in every world and witches will always be needed.

Dandelion/Jaskier is still a babe.