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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.
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