Blood of Elves is the first novel of
The Witcher’s saga and the third of The Witcher’s series. First and second
books – Sword of Destiny and The Last Wish – contain only short stories
introducing to the saga. The author, Andrzej Sapkowski, is also one of the most
famous Polish fantasy writer.
After the Empire of Nilfgaard
attacked the Kingdom of Cintra, granddaughter of the queen, Cirilla, manages to
flee from the burning city. Emhyr van Emreis, the emperor knows, that she has a
great importance because of her royal blood, magical potential and elven blood
in her veins. That is why he sends his spies to find her. The main character is
Geralt of Rivia – one of the Witchers. He is a magically and genetically
mutated monster slayer for hire. Geralt finds Cirilla and takes her to the
Witchers’ keep – Kaer Morhen. There Ciri
is being taught by other Witchers to fight with a sword. During her education,
the sorceress Triss Merigold comes to Kaer Morhen. She is called by Geralt to
help with occasional abnormal behaviour he has seen in Ciri. Triss realises
that Ciri is a Source and advises to seek help with Yennefer, more experienced
sorceress.
At the same time, Gerald’s friend
Dandelion is being tortured by
mysterious wizard Rience, who is looking for the girl. Dandelion is saved by
Yennefer, who engages in a short magic combat with Rience.
In the springtime Gerald leaves Kaer
Morhen and delivers Ciri to the Temple School in Ellander. In this temple
Yennefer starts educating Ciri in the way of magic. Gerald, with the help of
Dandelion and Shani, forces a confrontation with Rience, during which both are
injured. Rience’s master intervenes again, opening the portal for him. Last of
assassin dies, so Gerald has no source of information.
In my view, this book is a good
example of an interesting story about many great people. Fantastic plot,
well-created characters and beautiful world aren’t the only advantages of this
book.
As far as I am concerned, I can
recommend this novel for every reading fan. If you start reading it, you won’t
be able to stop for a long time.
Grzegorz Cieśla
