Andrzej Sapkowski

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.… (more)

I still remember the disappointment caused by Season of Storms. A week after reading Rozdroże Kruków, I find myself struggling to recall its details. It's a decent read that leaves little impression and makes me question its purpose.

It's not a fully developed novel, rather a loose collection of short stories with a shared theme. They feel familiar as the setting, language, and structure are so reminiscent of good old Witcher. However, the spell breaks quickly because they offer no depth nor surprise. The writing is as safe as it can be, relying heavily on nostalgia, delivering Witcher action and fan service without taking any risks. Fortunately, the book ends before it becomes too boring, making it an easy and quick read.

I'd recommend a drinking game to make this book more fun - take a shot every time someone points out Geralt's young age. I'd love author to focus more on showing this; we get few moments of seeing the difference of experience and maturity that mean something, but most of the time it's heavy handed and forced. One could replace Geralt with any other witcher here and it wouldn't make much difference. All characters are one-dimensional, with none truly standing out. The biggest missed opportunity is the Geralt's "mentor" and their relationship that could be explored in more detail.

It's hard to tell what this book is about. There is a theme of vengeance that seems to tie the story together, but it feels underdeveloped and doesn't convey anything interesting. There is some monsters slaying and casual witchering, but there's no depth or meaning to it. The original stories were not holding punches and left a lasting impact on the reader. These stories give you a reflection of what you read before and do not stand on their own - many things make sense and are remotely interesting only because they reference other Witcher books. If this were someone's introduction to the Witcher universe, I doubt it would leave a good impression.

This book was not as painful as Season of Storms and didn't leave a bad taste in my mouth. Instead, it easily went through like empty calories that keep hunger at bay but leave you longing for something real. If you are a Witcher fan looking to spend some time in a familiar world with characters you loved, add one star to my rating. You might find flavors I didn't savor.… (more)