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    The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher
    Unavailable
    The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher
    Unavailable
    The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher
    Audiobook10 hours

    The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher

    Written by Andrzej Sapkowski

    Narrated by Peter Kenny

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    The New York Times bestselling introduction to the Witcher series that inspired the Witcher video games.

    Geralt is a witcher.

    Yet he is no ordinary killer-for-hire.

    His sole purpose: to destroy the monsters that plague the world.

    But not everything monstrous-looking is evil and not everything fair is good. . . and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth.

    Witcher novels
    Blood of Elves
    The Time of Contempt
    Baptism of Fire
    The Tower of Swallows
    Lady of the Lake

    Witcher collections
    The Last Wish
    Sword of Destiny

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHachette Audio
    Release dateMay 5, 2015
    ISBN9781478904717
    Unavailable
    The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher

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    Reviews for The Last Wish

    4/5

    1,462 ratings49 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 2/5
      I was a little disappointed in this one. Normally, I'm rather fond of stories in translation, because their origins in a foreign culture imbue them with very authentic "alienness" can't be faked by writers from my own culture. With a foreign sensibility, characters end up making odd choices and associations and treating them as obvious. Commonplace. Even the narrator will do so. And this all makes for a deliciously eerie experience.

      Usually.

      In this case, however, the oddities didn't feel delicious. Just odd. I was frequently confused about sequences of events, changes of scene, and even dialogue attribution. Some phrases get repeated regularly enough to suggest the repitition might mean something, but try as I might, all I can make them mean is "boring writing." (Although I suppose it could mean "sloppy translation" instead.)

      The story itself was decent, but today - less than 24 hours after finishing it - I find it hard to recall what the whole thing was about.

      In the end, the flaws drew too much attention to themselves and the story wasn't strong enough to distract me from noticing that fact.
    • 3/5
      liked this one cos it was different from fantasy that I usually read. it was all about Geralt's different adventures. So there were a bunch of loosely attached stories and it worked well.

      So what to we have then? Geralt, a witcher who hunts vampires, dragons and every evil thing there is. He does his job and that's it. In between stories we see him at a temple where he talks to a priestess as they are friends. On two trips he also has a troubadour with him, but other than that it's a very lonely job.

      What's great about these "hunting trips" (yes I just watched Supernatural), is that the author takes in a few fairytales here and there. He makes this into a believable world and the fairytales are nothing like you know from before. There is a beauty and the beast one, there is a mentioning about a glass slipper, Rapunzel and a story about Snow White in a way. And trust me, Snow White is what you think she is. The stories fits well in the world and it's like the truly do belong there cos he takes them and makes them his. Like they are those kind of things that happens in every world, in every age. Because of this there is a fairytale quality over it all. And I do like how he uses a wide variety of monsters and since he is Polish, a of Eastern European ones. Monsters I have not come across often or ever, which is good since most just go with the safe ones.

      A famous game seems to be based on this, but since I am not really a gamer I can't say much about that, but, I would like to try it.

      Conclusion:
      I enjoyed the tales and monsters that he met. It was a refreshing take on fantasy and traditional fairytales. A mix that worked well.
    • 4/5
      This is the book the popular videogame "The Witcher" was based on. I haven't played the videogame, so I can't say how similar the game might be to the book, but my guess is 'not so much.' However, I can see how the book would lend itself to such a conversion, because it's written in an episodic format - different adventures loosely tied together. The Witcher Geralt is a man, but one trained and treated from youth for his profession of catching and killing supernatural monsters, until he may have near supernatural powers himself. But in a world where fewer and fewer monsters plague the land, Witchers may be a dying breed as well. This makes for a nicely angsty hero, but there's still enough for him to do in his mercenary-like lifestyle to fill up some quite entertaining stories. Most of the adventures refer in some way to traditional legends and fairytales, but with surprising twists.
      In a few places, the language is a bit awkward (probably a result of the translation from the Polish), but overall, this was a very entertaining, and sometimes thought-provoking fantasy.
    • 4/5
      This book has drawn inspiration from various fairy tales that I am aware of and could qualify as adventures' collectives of the witcher.
    • 4/5
      I was interested in this book because I love the games and was curious about the source material. I was hoping to learn more about Geralt and some more lore from the world. I enjoyed reading these short stories and look forward to reading more.
    • 2/5
      A collection more of short stories rather than linked vignettes. At time’s slightly difficult to follow. There’s no maps in the book at all, for example. Disjointed and lacking Something in general,This is a book for the decimal fan not the occasional Gamer.
    • 5/5
      Best of the bunch.
    • 5/5
      I have to admit the Witcher books somehow avoided me before the Netflix series. Now I`ve started to reading them and I wasn`t disappointed. Well written, entertaining fantasy stories, some of them paraphrasing old fairy tales.
    • 5/5
      Having been turned to this book - like so many through the game - I am not surprised that I like it that much. The character of the witches came to life for me and explained so many things I was puzzled about in the game.

      Andrzej Sapkowski describes the world spares but enough to find your imagination run with it. He does spend more time on the characters which makes them come to life and gives them more depth.

      I thoroughly enjoyed this book of short stories.
    • 3/5
      I'd already watched the first season of the show, so I knew how a lot of these stories turn out. And the show has great acting and fight choreography and things to go with it, so it's hard to compare. Often the book is still interesting even after the show or movie because it has much more background and information that had to be cut, but for these stories, it really felt like most of the information had been included. And the stories that had been cut entirely generally did feel like the weakest of the bunch. So it wasn't quite as fabulous as I'd hoped. But, there was some additional information, and a few things that were changed in the series that I actually liked better here. So it was still definitely worth reading and I will continue with the series.
    • 4/5
      I was surprised at how much I loved this book. Though skeptical about video game books, this turned out to be a fantastic fantasy adventure with a flawed Geralt and some truly disturbing and sometimes hilarious monsters. The pacing of the book was great - the interludes at Melitele connected the stories with ease and it didn't feel disjointed at all. I will definitely be picking up more Witcher books!
    • 5/5
      Not terribly keen on short stories and this one is connected short stories that kinda make sense only as you get to the end of the book. Slightly confusing read but overall, very good.
    • 4/5
      First read through I thought it was ok. The short stories not being in chronological order had me a bit confused. After watching the series and reading this a second time I understand the reasoning and can now appreciate the approach.
    • 4/5
      This is the first of the Witcher books, and it suffers from being a translation. Some of the rhythms and choices in the writing come across as quirky and odd, but the story still shines through.
    • 3/5
      Interesting premise and an interesting fantasy world. I'd really like a bit more backstory and proper history for the characters, but otherwise I thought this was decent.
    • 4/5
      A collection of the adventures of Geralt the Witcher who hunts monsters for their bounty. The code of his order directs his duty to slay the evil and spare the misunderstood. In this collection, Geralt tangles with the undead, with the cursed, with elves, sorcerers and snotty knights. It's a rollicking action novel with much potential for development later on. Despite his humble persona, Geralt is being haunted by prophecy and some power of fate is determining his future.
    • 5/5
      Simple and enjoyable.
    • 4/5
      Each story is compelling, and the world Sapkowski creates is deep and complex. He has an exceptional ear for dialogue. Good stuff.
    • 5/5
      The Last Wish (Saga o Wiedźminie #1) by Andrzej Sapkowski is one kick ass ride of a fantasy. My grown son said it is also a video game but I don't play but this would be one I would want if it was like the book. This has so many creative scenes, action, imagination, and clever sorcerer skills that it makes reading this book a real joy. Great plot, characters, fantasy, and action. Loved it. I got this from the library and I am going to see if they have more by this author!
    • 3/5
      What is a witcher - a fighter mage devoted to protecting people by killing monsters to do when there are fewer and fewer monsters and people are starting to want to keep the ones that are left? A series of stories which romps through the tatters of a number of familiar tales, loosely connected by a framework of recollections during recuperation from the first tale. Not without charm or wit, but both best appreciated by someone more saturated with testosterone than I. There is an occasional awkwardness in the translation and inconsistencies in Geralt killing some folk needlessly - if not unprovoked - yet insisting that he doesn't kill for money. Convenience or whim, yes, money no?
    • 5/5
      I made the mistake of trying to start with the first "novel" in this series instead of starting with this collection of shorter stories. I am glad I went back and read this one. All the stories go together really well and the whole thing reads as cohesively as a novel anyway. And, they clearly set up the third book. The introduction to the world of the Witchers is just delightful. I especially love all the (twisted) references to fairy tales.
    • 4/5
      A short story collection of Geralt the Witcher and his adventures. This is an introduction who Geralt is, what a Witcher is, popular characters from the video game, and some world building. They are good short stories. Geralt is an interesting character and the other people and creatures he interacts with can be very interesting and entertaining. None of the stories are amazing, but they are all very good. It will likely be more entertaining to someone who has played the games and knows the story.
    • 3/5
      I read this for the "Borrowed From A Friend" part of my 2020 reading challenge. I wasn't a fan. I watched the Netflix series first and didn't love that either. It was well acted and well filmed, I just wasn't interested in the plot at all. I found the book very much the same, it was kind of slow and plodding.
    • 5/5
      I decided to read some of the Witcher books to get ready for the series this fall. Plus I'm trying to play the game and I figured some backstory would be helpful.I was not prepared for how good these stories are and how well written. The world is fascinating, and the characters, while familiar from the game, are even more complex and engaging. The stories are more or less in a sequence, slowly introducing the world of the Witcher. Geralt is an interesting anti-hero, a mutant who's primary job is to kill monsters, yet is constantly trying to reaffirm his humanity. There's a lot taken from fairy tales and other lore, some I knew and some I didn't. Some are Slavic and some Celtic, with some others thrown in, but all with a refreshing new take. Geralt doesn't always want to kill the monsters. He feels some are redeemable and tries to find alternatives. I can't wait to dive further into this world. I already have the next two books on my reader.
    • 4/5
      The first book of The Witcher series was a pleasant surprise. Rather than a traditional quest type set up I was expecting it is made up of seven loosely connected short stories that provide non-linear insights into the main characters of the series and the world they inhabit.At times it’s an irreverent, cynical, and at times humorous look at sword and sorcery stories while still providing some fun adventures to ride along with. It also manages to expose some of the absurdities inherent in the genre without becoming a full on parody.The more I think about the more I appreciate how cleverly written it was (and kudos to Danusia Stok, the translator, too).
    • 4/5
      Honestly I love how much this fleshed out the show for me. I had some questions and this book definitely filled in the gaps! I loved how many of the monsters had backstories from fairy tale lore that we all know and love (Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White). The stories are told mostly through flashbacks as Geralt recovers from wounds he got while fighting a Striga. From meeting Yennefer for the first time, to travelling to the "end of the world," to the law of surprise - Geralt has many an adventure. Nearly all the stories in the book are told during season one of the Netflix series, The Witcher. Freaking fun and I definitely plan on reading more in this series. I want to know more about the man and his adventures!
    • 4/5
      Absolutely enjoyed and will gladly keep going with the series.
    • 5/5
      Was wanting to play witcher 3, and got the suggestion to read the first couple books to catch up on the storyline. But I think instead of playing the game, I will read the whole series lol!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      I liked this book quite a lot. It is made up of a bunch of short stories about the Witcher Geralt. As someone who really likes the video games, I was excited to read the stories that inspired it.

      It lived up to my skeptical expectations and even exceeded them.

      I'd recommend this book!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Having enjoyed the games which arose from these books, I decided to try the books to see if the character of the witcher is accurately portrayed in the game. I am delighted to confirm that he is. Geralt of Rivia does not remember his parents or how he ended up in the care of the witchers but he went through the intensive training and underwent the painful process of mutation that gave him his unique abilities. He now travels around the land looking for work taking care of monsters. His frequent companion is a troubadour named Dandilion . Along with the action (and boy, is there action) are moments of humor and compassion which help to make this series (both the game and the books) so enjoyable.If you've played the game, you'll enjoy the books. If you've read the books, give the games a try.

      1 person found this helpful