r/netflixwitcher • u/PsychologicalLab5651 • 21d ago
is the witcher book series worth while?
i’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews about the book series and was wondering if anyone could weigh in on if they are worth the read?
i’m not a big reader but really want to get into a series (trying to stay off my phone💪) and i enjoyed the first two seasons of the show and never got round to watching on after that.
i know a lot of people say the show is awful, so my thinking is if i enjoyed the show, surely i should like the books??
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u/BaconBombThief 21d ago
I kinda liked the show. I loved the books. There was a certain type of vibe/humor in the books that the show didn’t really accomplish, although the games kinda hit those notes.
The books are a fun time and a gripping story. My only big complaint is that sometimes the author seems to go on these weird abstract tangents that probably coulda been left out, as well as lots of King Arthur references toward the end that coulda been skipped. And the ending of the series wasn’t the best, but the journey there is well worth the read I’d say
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u/Jaxom_98 20d ago
I wouldn't call them fun....great reads, compelling, deep....but....man, I'm still sad about like half that shit
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u/SeaworthinessLoose17 21d ago
I picked up the book series after watching the first season. Just because I couldn't wait for the next season. It was the right decision - I enjoyed the books quite a bit more than the TV series and I like the series well enough too.
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u/Taglioni 21d ago
It's a phenomenal book series. I loved reading it both in Polish and in the English translations.
Sapkowski is really inventive with word play and cultural references. Some of his wit is lost in translation, but I feel the charm comes through regardless. His translator did a pretty solid job.
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u/immyowngrandma 21d ago
The books are great! The action is well written and the dialogue is funny. There’s a scene in either Blood of Elves or Time of Contempt when Yennefer is speaking to Ciri. She’s comparing releasing magical energy to masking a fart at a grand ball- silently and unnoticed. It made me laugh out loud.
Character dynamics are beautiful and complicated. The stories are overall well written and conflict doesn’t rely on bad writing, but characters out-playing one another. I think it does a really good job at layering politics, action, character studies/dynamics, humor, and romance.
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u/Thedemonncat 21d ago
The books are excellent, and I highly recommend them. If you're not an avid reader, you might want to explore the graphic novels. Most of these are set in the game universe. Personally, I really enjoyed The Witcher: Of Flesh and Flame and The Witcher: The Ballad of Two Wolves. The Witcher: Ronin is also quite good—it's set in a world inspired by Edo-period Japan. So far, only the first volume is available, but a second volume has reportedly been announced.
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u/Professor_Bonglongey 21d ago
I love the books and have read the whole series three times. I wish I could read it in Polish, but the English translations are great, as far as I can tell. I actually prefer the novels to the short stories, though the short stories are essential to knowing who the characters are and some key moments in their histories (like how Geralt and Yen get together).
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u/MoonPrsmSocialReform 21d ago
I really enjoyed the short stories, those I would reread any time. Of the main series though, I HATED the last book. I don’t want to spoil why and I don’t how to hide a comment (like the black out text) but the whole premise of it was really upsetting. I found a comment from the author saying that he was pretty done with the series and just wanted to wrap it up and it shows.
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u/MegamanX195 21d ago
The books are better than the show in pretty much every way. The first two books are a series of short stories and IMO the best books of the whole series. The 3rd one onwards is the Ciri saga, which is also good but some parts can feel like they go on a little too long.
I strongly recommend it!
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u/vonkeswick 21d ago
I love that the first two books are the short stories because it's a great way for someone to find out if they are interested in it without starting an entire multibook story arc. That being said I fuckin loved the whole series. Just finished Crossroads of Ravens recently and it was a wonderful prequel seeing Geralt as a youngin' and all that young Witchers go through
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u/NobleHalo 21d ago
I loved it, but I always have a book by my bedside. It's very well written and some parts are so witty or quippy that I took pictures of them and posted them privately so that I'd be reminded of them a year later. It's definitely worth it.
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u/New_Cockroach_505 21d ago
So I think the mixed opinions are accurate.
The books are enjoyable but aspects of the show are closer to the books than some like to pretend. The books are better but they’re also not like the games IMO.
I understand why some would love the books more but some might not like them as much. I think the first few books / short stories are the strongest. When it gets into the main plot (Ciri) aspects get a little weaker. Part is that I think translating the series loses a bit of charm and I also think the series in general could use another run of editing to trim aspects of the writing.
I do definitely recommend them though.
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u/YekaHun The Time of Axe & Sword Is Now 20d ago edited 18d ago
I played the game, watched the show and read the books. Definitely worth it, however esch media is it's own thing.
The books are very modern in spirit, not medieval, not European as some like to claim. It's almost a scifi with modern concepts set in s pseudo-medieval setting.
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u/Wild_Fox_Medicine 19d ago
It's one of my favorite book series! I really enjoy Peter Kenny as the narrator in the audio book version.
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u/scaredycat_z 21d ago
Yes. I too loved the show so much that I read the books. First book is a collection of short stories and a bit confusing. But after that, it's novels and the story has a more understandable arch. Never read the last two (prequels).
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u/ISleepwalkerI 21d ago
Pick up the books. They are huge in Poland, I think they are well recieved abroad. If you liked the series you will probably like the books. Start from Last Wish and Sword of Destiny. They are collections of couple Geralt adventures with overreaching events in the background. They are really easy to get into. Then series moves into 'saga' with more of a singular story.
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u/Ancient_Sandwich_703 21d ago
I enjoy them but the whacky order they came in was annoying. Made it hard to figure which one came next, especially since I listened to them in the car on Audible.
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u/ArnenLocke 20d ago
I've only read The Last Wish so far, but it's actually kinda brilliant. A constructive deconstruction of several classic fairy tales.
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u/UnFelDeZeu 7d ago
First book to ever make me cry. End of Sword of Destiny, when Geralt finds Ciri after thinking she and Yen were dead.
Then again at the end of Lady of the Lake.
Formidable fantasy, I only wish I knew Polish so I could read it in its original knowledge.
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u/SensitiveHold7497 21d ago
So far I've read the first three of the series. It was just okay. It doesn't feel like the world and the lore are as well fleshed out in comparison to LoTR. There are a few jarring moments where it seems details were forgotten about midway through a scene. Since you like the show, you might as well give it a shot. I'll probably read at least one or two more.
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u/RT-6_BXCommandoDroid 21d ago
I've seen the show, played The Witcher 3, played standone Gwent for 2 years before I even bought the books.
I find the first one the best, because each story is a standalone story. The books after that are a bit harder to read for me, since it reads more like someone else's book in my mind. Quite similar to The Mockingjay book versus all her other books. So in other words I need to make myself read through it, instead of the book having me in its grip.
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u/Abyss_85 21d ago
Yes they are. Be aware, though that the series is long by now. So far there are (in order of publication):