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+title = "Tower of the Swallow (Andrzej Sapkowski, 1997)"
+author = ["Michał Sapka"]
+date = 2024-05-25T22:11:00+02:00
+categories = ["reviews"]
+draft = false
+weight = 2008
+reviewSection = ["Books"]
+abstract = "My review of the 4th book in the Witcher saga"
+rating = 4.25
+image = "reviews/covers/sapkowski-tower-of-swallow.jpg"
+related = ["Witcher Saga"]
+relatedName = "Tower of the Swallow"
+aliases = ["brain-rot/fantasy/witcher/andrzej-sapkowskis-tower-of-swallow/"]
++++
+
+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.
+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.