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diff --git a/content/reviews/books/andrzej-sapkowskis-baptism-of-fire.md b/content/reviews/books/andrzej-sapkowskis-baptism-of-fire.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5ba624e --- /dev/null +++ b/content/reviews/books/andrzej-sapkowskis-baptism-of-fire.md @@ -0,0 +1,84 @@ ++++ +title = "Baptism of Fire (Andrzej Sapkowski, 1996)" +author = ["Michał Sapka"] +date = 2024-04-25T16:27:00+02:00 +categories = ["reviews"] +draft = false +weight = 2007 +reviewSection = ["Books"] +abstract = "My review of the third book in the Witcher saga" +aliases = ["/brain-rot/witcher/andrzej-sapkowskis-baptism-of-fire/", "/brain-rot/fantasy/witcher/andrzej-sapkowskis-baptism-of-fire/"] +rating = 4.25 +image = "reviews/covers/sapkowski-baptism-of-fire.jpg" +related = ["Witcher Saga"] +relatedName = "Baptism of Fire" ++++ + +_Baptism of Fire_ is the third novel in the _Witcher_ saga. +While I had not that positive reaction to _Time of Contempt_[^fn:1], this time I loved every page. + +We start where we left last time: Ciri joins Rats in the middle of nowhere, while Geralt tries to find her. +Reads like every novel in the series. +Andrzej seems to have a template for a book at this point. + +But I **loved** this book. +And it comes to who is it about. +Yes, we've got Ciri. +Yes, we've got Yennefer. +They exist, but we spend almost the entirety of the book with Geralt, Jaskier and a band of mischiefs who form a fellowship. +We've got Milva, an archer. +We've also got Zoltanm, a dwarf. +And we've also got Regis, a vampire. + +Having spent quality time with an interesting, diverse crowd made it very enable ride. +They even joke sitting by fire! +I think lack of such interactions is why I disliked the last book. +It was full of Ciri, Yennefer and other sorceresses while Geralt was ignored most of the time. +And sorceresses are so up-tight and irritating, so it was not what I would call a nice time. +Also, here, whenever the action moved to, either Rats or mages, my enjoyment went down significantly. + +I don't know why, as I generally don't read fantasy. +Maybe they are written poorly? +I don't know the standards. +For sure the female characters here have nothing to show compared to _Game of Thrones_'s ones. +It is very hard to write powerful characters who are also female. +Most of the time, they are male characters in skanky clothes. +R.R. Martin was able to create menacing woman, who were still woman. +Sapkowski? +Not so much. +And they are not even funny! + +They look as a poor rendition of older hits. +As an example, the sorceresses have a multi-generational plan to mix genomes from selected people in order to create a very specific being. +It's _Dune_, but while Bene Gesrit so much more involved, twisted and multidimensional, here it comes out of nowhere (I think?) and disappoints. + +But let's ignore the woman for a moment, and we've got ourselves an awesome little book. +I loved how, in one introduction to a chapter, we see the same legend told from both sides - Humans and Elves. +This is where _Witcher_ shines. +It's a great commentary about racism and hatred. +No wonder it comes from Poland, with our complex history. +It's as subtle as a bulldozer, but it's not that type of story. +It's obvious, blunt and takes no prisoners. +History is never easy, there is never a clear split between the good and bad guys. +Most likely everything you know is wrong, as it was written by victors. +This is the overarching theme in the _Witcher_. +Even a vampire may be a good person! + +So, for me Witcher is a moral series _dressed_ as fantasy. +The magic system is barely there, no one explains _how_ Witchers work. +And I think it's a plus. +The meat of the story is not diluted by mechanics of the world. +The fact that we've got that lovable bunch here is just icing on the cake. + +Also, the ending here is much better. +I finished my review of _Time of Contempt_ assuming that I will get to know the Rats in the follow-up. +I didn't know anything about them (nor I cared about them), but I assumed they will be the focus. +I was wrong. +I still have no idea who they are outside superfluous facts the short burst of their story the book has. +I _know_ Regis and I want to spend more time with him. + +So, I left very satisfied. +I found charm and a lot of substance. +I hope that Ciri's plot will develop in interesting ways, as her teenage rebellion may be the end of me. + +[^fn:1]: vide [my review](/brain-rot/witcher/andrzej-sapkowskis-time-of-contempt/) |