In a world of magic spells, mythical creatures and fantasy lands you would think nothing could go wrong, right? In the world of Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher, nature was filled with life until the humans came and wiped out sacred elf lands and the homes of other races. Eventually they began to use magic to alter the chemistry of a human to enhance themselves in order to kill stronger creatures. The ritual extracts emotions from the person and gives them great power. The rest of the world does not see these people as humans anymore, but instead as “witchers.” Vagabonds who roam the lands seeking for work, give the Witcher money and the Witcher will slay your village monster. You are introduced to “Geralts of Rivia” the most famous witcher known for slaying the most impossible of creatures. If you love fantasy and adventure then this is the book for you.
I found this book interesting seeing that it feels more like a collection of short stories with the same main character than a single narrative, which to me gives a new twist and feel to the world. You get to meet many fascinating characters. Although the Witcher encounters some people, and some monsters, if Andrzej Sapkowski were to take away the description of their physical attributes you could not tell whether or not the Witcher is talking to a person or beast.
Though the Witcher walks the path in-between, in this world the ugly may be fair and the beautiful may be foul. All people and monsters alike fear and hate the witchers. This makes Geralts life more difficult, yet he seems to be different from the other witchers. Geralts has been shown to have some emotions which are unheard of in the world of the witcher. If you are interested in fantasy adventures with a great detailed world filled with mystery and endless legends then the Last Wish might just be your first wish. Available now at eLibraryNJ and eBCCLS as ebooks and digital audiobooks.
Written by:
Andre Lebron
Circulation Assistant
Hoboken Library Staff Picks 