feat: TOS

2 files changed, 76 insertions, 2 deletions

diff --git a/content/brain-rot/fantasy/witcher/andrzej-sapkowskis-tower-of-swallow.md b/content/brain-rot/fantasy/witcher/andrzej-sapkowskis-tower-of-swallow.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ddb42a
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+++ b/content/brain-rot/fantasy/witcher/andrzej-sapkowskis-tower-of-swallow.md
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++++
+title = "Tower of the Swallow (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 fourth book in the Witcher saga"
+[menu]
+  [menu.brain-rot-wicher]
+    weight = 3003
+    identifier = "tower-of-the-swallow-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.
diff --git a/content/brain-rot/fantasy/witcher/time-of-contempt.md b/content/brain-rot/fantasy/witcher/time-of-contempt.md
index aa5f977..4049fbc 100644
--- a/content/brain-rot/fantasy/witcher/time-of-contempt.md
+++ b/content/brain-rot/fantasy/witcher/time-of-contempt.md
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@ It's not that I've never read any of The Witcher, but somehow I always stopped a
 Last year I've decided to finally fix this.
 I am a proud nerd for crying out loud!
 
-{{< img-r "sapkowski-time-of-contemt.jpg" >}}
+{{< rating 3.5 "sapkowski-time-of-contemt.jpg" >}}
 The classic cover
-{{< /img-r >}}
+{{< /rating >}}
 
 _Time of Contempt_ is the second part of The Witcher Saga, but it's also the 4th book about Geralt and his world.
 Let's ignore the short stories for a second and let's talk about this book in context of The Saga.