Blood of Elves

by Andrzej Sapkowski
Blood of Elves cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
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Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £25.00
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  • ID: 9388
  • Added: 2025-12-24
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780575087491
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2010-08-19
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 3

Blood of Elves is the first novel in the Witcher series, which has inspired a Netflix show and popular video games. It is set in a world where humans, dwarves, gnomes, and elves have lived in relative peace for over a hundred years. However, this peace is shattered as the races turn against each other, plunging the world into chaos. Amidst this turmoil, a child of prophecy named Ciri is born, whose unique abilities could change the world for better or worse. Geralt of Rivia, a renowned Witcher, is tasked with protecting Ciri from those who seek to exploit her power. This novel explores themes of destiny, war, and the struggle between good and evil, all while delivering an engaging and action-packed narrative. The book is translated by Danusia Stok and has been recognized by Forbes as one of the greatest book series of all time. It combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and political intrigue, making it a compelling read for fans of the genre. The Witcher series has gained a massive following, and Blood of Elves serves as an excellent introduction to the world and characters that have captivated readers and viewers alike.

Reviews
Reddit - Fantasy · 2025-12-24
engaging 4.50

The storyline is captivating and well done, continuing where the written stories end. The continuation is seamless and engaging.

This reviewer found the storyline to be captivating and well done, appreciating how it seamlessly continues from the previous stories. They enjoyed the continuation and found it engaging. The reviewer also highlighted the depth of the characters and the sophistication of the prose, which they found to be far more compelling than in most fantasy novels. The world created by Andrzej Sapkowski is deeply immersive, making it a standout in the genre.

Quick quotes

    The storyline is captivating and well done, plus it takes over where the written stories end, so it is not a retelling but a continuation.

    The characters are memorable, the prose is far more sophisticated than in most fantasy, and the world Andrzej Sapkowski created is deeply compelling.

    I loved the buildup in this novel, but it lacks a lot of action. It seems to be a prologue of what's to come and merely that.

Books of Brilliance · 2025-08-28
disappointing 3.00

The buildup in this novel is interesting but it lacks a lot of action, feeling more like a prologue to what's to come.

The reviewer found the buildup in the novel interesting but felt it lacked action, making it feel more like a prologue to the main story. They appreciated the depth of the characters and the sophistication of the prose, which they found to be far more compelling than in most fantasy novels. The world created by Andrzej Sapkowski is deeply immersive, making it a standout in the genre. However, the reviewer felt that the ending was weak and that the novel could have benefited from more action.

Quick quotes

    The buildup in this novel is interesting but it lacks a lot of action. It seems to be a prologue of what's to come and merely that.

    The characters are memorable, the prose is far more sophisticated than in most fantasy, and the world Andrzej Sapkowski created is deeply compelling.

    In my opinion, the ending (which is, of course, continued in the later books) is weak.

Grimdark Magazine · 2020-01-09
mixed 3.50

Geralt is portrayed as a good man who tries to treat everyone equally, but there are instances where the writing falls short.

The reviewer appreciates Geralt's character, noting his efforts to treat everyone equally. However, they found some instances in the writing to be lacking. The reviewer also highlighted the sophistication of the prose and the depth of the world created by Sapkowski. They enjoyed the buildup in the novel but felt it lacked action, making it feel more like a prologue to what's to come.

Quick quotes

    Geralt is a good man, and someone who tries to treat everyone equally, but there were still instances in the general writing of it.

    The characters are memorable, the prose is far more sophisticated than in most fantasy, and the world Andrzej Sapkowski created is deeply compelling.

    The buildup in this novel is interesting but it lacks a lot of action. It seems to be a prologue of what's to come and merely that.

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