The Last Wish

Title: The Last Wish

Author: Andrzej Sapkowski

Publisher: Gollancz

Year: Jan 1993 (2007 Gollancz)

Pages: 280

ISBN: 9780575082441

Series: The Witcher #0.5

Genre: Fantasy

Reading Time: 5 - 8 Jan

Binding: Paperback

Goodreads

Stars:

★★★★☆

Blurb:

Geralt was always going to stand out, with his white hair and piercing eyes, his cynicism and lack of respect for authority. . . but he is far more than his striking appearance. He is a witcher, with powers that make him a brilliant fighter and merciless assassin - and his targets are the vile fiends that ravage the land.
 As guardian of the innocent, Geralt meets incestuous kings with undead daughters, vengeful djinns, shrieking harpies, lovelorn vampires and despondent ghouls. Many are pernicious, some are wicked, and none are quite as they appear.

Review:
 I bought a signed copy of this book a little while back in the Forbidden Planet London Megastore and had just given myself a new rule that I could only buy one book in a series at a time. I was spending far too much buying whole series of books and not starting them to even find out if I wanted to continue reading. Oh, how foolish I've been. Not only does this mean I've only got this book at my immediate disposal but I'm also not going to be able to pick up any more signed copies until Andrzej comes back to the UK! Going off what I've written so far, you can probably tell I very much enjoyed this book and wish to continue with the rest. I started by watching the Netflix series a few days after release and LOVED it, finally inspired me to pick up the book and I. Need. More.
 The Last Wish is a collection of short stories, some longer than others and with new companions and monsters to keep the stories engaging and refreshing. I believe there are a few name changes from the original Polish works as well, I might have to do a little digging to find out why. All are centred from Geralt and that makes for some action packed stories and a slight bit more detail of what it takes to be and become a witcher. Given I'd watched the series I already knew of Yennefer and I'm aware she's a big character. I'm a bit shocked she's only in one of these stories and one of the last ones at that. If I were a fan of the series when this was published I'd be annoyed at the lack of her.
 These short stories take place before the action of the main series and so I've seen it recommended online to read this book, followed by Sword of Destiny and then the main series. It's interesting that Netflix has started off with these stories too, it worked well! One thing I didn't work out for a while in the series is that everything is set at a different time. The stories in the book are not in order and I just can't work out why. If someone knows the purpose, please enlighten me! Dramatically on screen it works but as a book I can see it only working as you may hear stories in that world as gossip (out of order and therefore piecing things together). It is probably the only reason I'm not giving this book 5 stars.
 This world is rich with magic and creatures, some pleasant and more not. In short, the base of a fantastic series. Geralt fights them and is a character that will cross countless towns and kingdoms in order to do so. I am sold! Not to mention his dry humour is entirely up my alley!
 On another note, this is a very easy read in my mind. I wasn't expecting this given it has gone through translation. Bravo. Very good!
 If you're looking to get your teeth in to an adult fantasy world, I'd highly recommend this. I'm already obsessed.