The Time of Contempt (The Witcher, 2) (original 1995; udgave 2013)

For the longest time I was sure to be rating this episode on the wonderful Witcher series with a full five stars, but in the end I couldn't. Some scenes were a little bit too clumsily written, the title was perhaps forced a little too much into the text (perhaps the Polish language has multiple words for 'contempt'?) and some portions could have used some more elaboration, for my taste.

However, now I'm being overly negative, because I simply loved this book. The story is really captivating. It has the fantasy of [a: Heitz|14735691|Marcus Heitz|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], the thrilling setups of [a:Fleming|2565|Ian Fleming|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1364532740p2/2565.jpg] and the humour of [a:Sanderson|38550|Brandon Sanderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1394044556p2/38550.jpg], all in one. Really incredibly enjoyable read and I can't wait for the next one in the series. In fact, I think I'm starting with it right away. :-D

I'm so happy I got The Witcher recommended to me. Somehow it seems that it hasn't found it potential audience of fantasy readers here in Belgium. ( )

Listened to audio narrated by well by David French. I really liked the narrator but the story itself jumps around and there are a lot of names and places making it difficult to follow especially while listening in audio format.

To protect Ciri, Geralt leaves Ciri with Yennefer for her protection and they travel to the conclave of mages, where things don't go as planned.

The world is in a state of unrest, with political plots and maneuverings not only with the humans but the elves and the mages as well. This installment comes across as a chaotic mess, with our heroes coming together and being separated and facing life altering changes. There's attempted rape and then the rescuer rapes her, There are very few likeable characters and the things I loved about the previous stories are in short supply in this one.

While there are important events that happen in this book making it a necessary read in the overall series, as in individual book it was just okay for me.

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I think the book suffers by not being in an anthology format. There were several parts that dragged or felt repetitive that would have been cut in a short story approach.

I really wonder what this book would be like if it were tackled like Rath and Storm. ( )

While I’m not saying these books contain the best writing (perhaps a little becomes lost in the translation), they continue not to disappoint. In this volume, the situation heats up with all out battles and portents of war greater than the world of the Witcher has experienced to date. ( )

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Time of Contempt

Tensions run high as rumors of Nilfgaard’s influence over the other kingdoms begin to cross the land. Sorcerers and warriors alike begin to choose sides, and those who try to remain neutral won’t find it easy. Despite all Geralt has done, the number of enemies searching for Ciri continues to grow. And as skilled as Geralt is, even he is not invincible.

Time of Contempt has more politics than the previous novels. I’m not one for politics, but they do provide a good foundation for why certain characters are pushed in different directions. Though I will confess, with the number of characters and kingdoms mentioned, I can’t remember any of them. I’m a reader who much prefers character development and action. The politics slowed the story down for me, but the moments when I was able to read about the main characters kept me turning the pages.

Ciri’s past will be explained in greater detail, and the girl will receive plenty of page time. I enjoyed reading Ciri’s point of view, even if it meant there was less of Geralt in this book. She is such an opinionated and fierce girl. She so badly wants to be independent and respected instead of viewed as a little girl. But Ciri will learn that with the independence she so badly craves, she will have to do things that will forever change her. It is one thing to learn how to defend yourself with sword and magic, but it is an entirely new experience to kill to protect yourself.

The Witcher series continues to provide an engaging story and characters that I can’t help but enjoy. Geralt has such a different relationship with each of his companions, and I love the diversity in how he behaves with them. I also enjoyed seeing them all together for the first time in this novel. Readers will not be disappointed as the storylines begin to come together for a remarkable journey. ( )