Blood of ElvesAudiobook review by Paul Fiander
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Written by: Andrzej Sapkowski
Narrated by: Peter Kenny Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins Series: The Witcher Saga, Book 1 Publisher: Orion Publishing Group |
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Why Should I Listen to Blood of Elves?
Blood of Elves constitutes the first part of the Witcher Saga that has so enthralled readers throughout the years. The last Wish and Sword of Destiny although tales of the Witcher can be thought of as prequels to this main narrative. As such the saga has a linear structure for the books but within the pages we jump around throughout our main cast as only Andrzej Sapkowski can. Throughout the title we are concerned with the plight of Geralt and more importantly Ciri. Their whereabouts consume everyone from kings to merchants all desperate for the tale along with a chance to capitalise on the former princess of Cintra. The story has a strong political strand running through it and we also get to have a spot of fun with Geralt on his official Witchering duties. There are some wonderful instances of interactions that show off Sapkowski’s gift for character development making this a great entry to the Witcher Saga. |
Review
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Where Sword of Destiny and The Last Wish have an odd timeline of creation and release the same can not be said for the main saga of the Witcher. Starting with Blood of Elves the series runs through another three books (to date) and make up the bulk of the tales of Geralt. This Audiobook was published in 2014 with the original book coming to print in its native polish in 1994. Now I’m completely unqualified to comment on the accuracy of the translation but from what I have researched it’s pretty accurate to the original. This is important as we need to know we are getting the best book available and thanks to the translation and the fact the Audiobook is unabridged means we are.
The Unabridged aspect is very important in a book with a rather complex narrative like Blood of Elves unlike The Last Wish it is not being told out of time instead the narrative jumps around between characters and time in a chronological order. Geralt is the central focus but Princess Cirilla (or Ciri for short) could fight for the main billing with him thanks to her essential role in the coming events described within the the story. For me this almost dual leading of the narrative is great as we can happily leave Geralt to explore other story threads in the knowledge they are essential plot points. It could be said that Geralt is actually being swept along in the throws of Destiny rather than being the actual agent responsible for it, but that is a bit of a leap at this early juncture in the Saga. |
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I came to this idea thanks to the desires of the vast majority of the nobility within the lands of the story. They all desire the Surprise as she is known by many including Yennifer. This relates to the deal Geralt made in the short story “A Question of Price” where Geralt asks for "that which you already have but do not know". The story is within The Last Wish and the way the tales are woven together shows the pre planning that must have gone into the Saga’s creation and the kind of detail that makes for exquisite reading. In saying this you do not have to have read The Last Wish to read Blood of Elves it does help but is not essential. I do though highly suggest reading all the books as they all have strands that interweave and help to build the narrative of the saga.
The story of a Blood of Elves is set just after the Kingdom of Cintra is attacked and destroyed by the Empire of Nilfgaard. This leads to a great deal of turmoil throughout the land and the Leaders of the bordering Kingdoms grow wary of the growing threat of the Nilfgaardian Empire. There is though a thorn in the side of both parties and that is the heiress of the Kingdom Cirilla. The search for Ciri runs throughout the book as many see her as an opportunity to make a legitimate claim for the deposed Kingdom. Of course the Young Lions whereabouts are unknown though it is suspected she is with the Witcher Geralt. As the story progresses we see the lengths all parties will go to get their hands on the princess. Some are devious others more brazen but ultimately all roads to Ciri lead through Geralt. The story is filled with political infighting but there is of course the deeds f the Witcher which although not numerous are still fun to listen to.
The narration by Peter Kenny is again first class however it’s his depiction of Ciri that really stands out. This is a girl whose life has really been flipped turned upside down, from losing her family, to knowing she is now the de facto child of a Witcher and destined to follow in his footsteps. His portrayal is of an inquisitive youth who has inner strength but also an air of vulnerability. This comes across in a fantastic performance and really makes the Audiobook a go to choice for this particular book.
Quite simply this is the start of something really deep in its storytelling. The politics mixed with the character development show the more modern side of the Fantasy genre and Sapkowski is a master exponent of this. The book is great to consume in any way you can but due to Kenny’s narration then the Audiobook is a great option.
The story of a Blood of Elves is set just after the Kingdom of Cintra is attacked and destroyed by the Empire of Nilfgaard. This leads to a great deal of turmoil throughout the land and the Leaders of the bordering Kingdoms grow wary of the growing threat of the Nilfgaardian Empire. There is though a thorn in the side of both parties and that is the heiress of the Kingdom Cirilla. The search for Ciri runs throughout the book as many see her as an opportunity to make a legitimate claim for the deposed Kingdom. Of course the Young Lions whereabouts are unknown though it is suspected she is with the Witcher Geralt. As the story progresses we see the lengths all parties will go to get their hands on the princess. Some are devious others more brazen but ultimately all roads to Ciri lead through Geralt. The story is filled with political infighting but there is of course the deeds f the Witcher which although not numerous are still fun to listen to.
The narration by Peter Kenny is again first class however it’s his depiction of Ciri that really stands out. This is a girl whose life has really been flipped turned upside down, from losing her family, to knowing she is now the de facto child of a Witcher and destined to follow in his footsteps. His portrayal is of an inquisitive youth who has inner strength but also an air of vulnerability. This comes across in a fantastic performance and really makes the Audiobook a go to choice for this particular book.
Quite simply this is the start of something really deep in its storytelling. The politics mixed with the character development show the more modern side of the Fantasy genre and Sapkowski is a master exponent of this. The book is great to consume in any way you can but due to Kenny’s narration then the Audiobook is a great option.
Review copy and Cover Image courtesy of Publisher
