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-title = "Tower of the Swallow (Andrzej Sapkowski, 1997)"
-author = ["Michał Sapka"]
-date = 2024-05-25T22:11:00+02:00
-categories = ["brainrot"]
-draft = false
-weight = 3003
-primary_menu = "brain-rot-wicher"
-abstract = "My review of the 4th book in the Witcher saga"
-rating = 4.25
-[menu]
-  [menu.brain-rot-wicher]
-    weight = 3003
-    identifier = "tower-of-the-swallow-andrzej-sapkowski-1997"
-+++
-
-It's hard to overestimate how popular the Witcher books were amongst polish youth in the 90s.
-Everyone talked about it, the books were borrowed everywhere[^fn:1].
-And yet I have never read it.
-Now, in 2024, I am so close to no longer being a _bad Pole_.
-
-_The Tower of Swallow_ starts with throwing out the window everything I was expecting after reading _Baptism of Fire_.
-Rats? Nope.
-Mages? Some.
-Ciri? Lots.
-Geralt? Lots.
-Sapkowski's craft improves with every book and I could not be happier.
-
-Let's start with the bad.
-This book ignores most social commentary, which is a huge letdown.
-With each passing book there's less and less of that.
-Instead, we're getting better story, characters become more interesting and the story is actually gripping.
-They are _better_ stories, but _worse_ books.
-If it wasn't for the huge increase in quality of the story, I'd be disappointed and my day would be ruined.
-
-Now, the good.
-
-First thing that may surprise the reader: chronology is also thrown out the window.
-We learn most of the story from Ciri's gossip _after_ it happened.
-Guess Sapkowski became a bit bored with winning all the awards by just being there, so he tried to make it more difficult.
-At first, I though that this will remove all the suspense - we know that Ciri will survive, but it fits the story.
-It's not about if she gets through, but rather who she will be afterwards.
-
-And this is the second thing.
-_Tower of Swallow_ aimes at different audience, I guess?
-Not only is it not about social commentary, not only is not about things Witchers do, but it is no longer an adventure story (for a huge chunk of the text).
-Ciri is having a very terrible time here.
-She is captured, tortured and abused.
-And even though Sapkowski makes it very clear that no sexual abuse is happening, it's still far from what I would expect.
-
-{{< rating 4.25 "sapkowski-tower-of-swallow.jpg" >}}
-Cover
-{{< /rating >}}
-
-The character of Ciri is also changing.
-She is (rightfully) angry, spiteful and thirst for vengeance.
-Basically, a teenager with a sword.
-
-The books becomes more and more gruesome.
-Now, I love edgy stuff so every time Sapkowski describes mutilation, I am all for it.
-It is, however, a stark change from the early Witcher stories.
-We've got no humor, no fun.
-Just pain and suffering.
-Even Geralt at one point says that he is no longer a Witcher hunting monsters.
-It's a completely different story.
-And even if it's less adult oriented, with all the subtext removed - but it's more serious at the same.
-The stake are higher, the risks are bigger.
-I dig it.
-
-But the biggest problem at this point is CD Projekt.
-We've got the games which take place _after_ the books.
-We know that all the destruction, that everyone is talking about, will not have real consequences.
-But even if this makes the entire series a bit pointless, it is still a pleasure to read.
-
-[^fn:1]: at least amongst us, nerds.