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You made me want to go and reread this again Ellestra Send a noteboard - 29/11/2010 12:07:46 AM
Which is bad as the books are an ocean away.

I keep feeling lost by you referring to this as too 4th/3rd book. I'm so used to the short stories being considered separate from the Geralt saga.

I also never understood why they didn't publish Sword of Destiny. I think that they either shouldn't publish the short stories at all or just take the ones important for the Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri back stories from both Polish collections and put them in one volume.

The nefarious mastermind whom the assassin Rience served in Blood of Elves is revealed and from there, at roughly the halfway point of this 272 page novel, the novel explodes into a maelstrom of action as the Nilfgaardians advance; the elvish Squirrels, the dwarves, the gnomes, and refugee humans continue to distrust and poach the weak and unwary among the others; and Ciri discovers some of the elements of her terrible power, leading to a series of surprising events that conclude this volume.


I think that I was spoiled by how much happens in those books despite the fact that they are so short (compared to most of the fantasy books nowadays). I caught myself often feeling that the most fantasy stories are way, way longer then the plot demands and wishing for a Reader's Digest version (GRRM I'm looking at you).

Those readers who disliked the dialogue-heavy scenes in Blood of Elves probably will not find this book to their liking.


Dialogue is the best part :|
I don't know if it's as much fun in Spanish (or English) as it is in Polish but in Polish it's so quotable :)
But it was a problem in comic book adaptation to fit it all in a panel and still have place for drawing :P

However, for those who want to read an imaginative and character-driven Sword and Sorcery-influenced novel, then Times of Contempt will be a pleasing read. Sapkowski explores not just the external scenic trappings, but he delves into the complex "ecological" relationships between living beings and their surroundings. He touches upon the traumas inflicted upon individuals, families, and nations in the name of "glorious" warfare.


This is the part that I loved the most. All the connections. The fighting theories and prophecies. People with good intentions doing as much damage as those with bad. The 'good side' being only good because it is one under attack and the heroes are from it not because of any moral superiority. And the 'bad guys' being much more ordinary then evil. But I think I'm getting ahead ;)
Evolution, just like gravity, works even if you don't believe in it.

Stupidity doesn't hurt but it kills.
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Andrzej Sapkowski, Times of Disdain/Tiempo del odio - 27/11/2010 03:24:22 AM 1279 Views
Re: Andrzej Sapkowski, Times of Disdain/Tiempo del odio - 27/11/2010 09:37:07 PM 843 Views
The main reason why I lean toward "hatred" is later on - 27/11/2010 09:43:43 PM 809 Views
Yeah, there may be a slight difference between Czech and English meaning of the word - 28/11/2010 10:49:23 AM 781 Views
Makes sense to me - 28/11/2010 07:13:08 PM 838 Views
Now for that passage near the end of the book I said I'd post - 28/11/2010 02:35:38 AM 766 Views
Hm. I'd actually say it makes me more inclined to think "contempt" is right after all. - 28/11/2010 10:50:09 AM 844 Views
I didn't quote what happened immediately afterward, as that is a major spoiler - 28/11/2010 07:16:39 PM 736 Views
Fair points. *NM* - 29/11/2010 12:26:28 AM 398 Views
Re: Now for that passage near the end of the book I said I'd post - 28/11/2010 11:03:18 AM 770 Views
Re: Now for that passage near the end of the book I said I'd post - 29/11/2010 01:12:58 AM 638 Views
- 29/11/2010 04:53:12 AM 776 Views
You made me want to go and reread this again - 29/11/2010 12:07:46 AM 821 Views
I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow - 29/11/2010 12:32:23 AM 910 Views
Re: I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow - 29/11/2010 01:05:30 AM 854 Views
Re: I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow - 29/11/2010 05:02:48 AM 841 Views
Re: I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow - 29/11/2010 04:39:02 PM 877 Views
I REALLY can't wait for this to come out in English - 30/11/2010 04:50:56 AM 832 Views
Re: I REALLY can't wait for this to come out in English - 30/11/2010 03:45:33 PM 844 Views

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