Ultra Meital Reviews: Blood of Elves (The Witcher Saga, #3) by Andrzej Sapkowski

Honestly I don't even know where to start. I LOVED everything about this book. There's so much going on, with our MCs, as well as the world around them - a lot of politics and people of power trying to gain more power and control. Yet still, for me, it's the story of Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri. It all evolves around them.

If you've seen the 2nd season of the TV series you might think you know what's going on in this book. You'll be right, yet you'll also be VERY wrong. Mostly concerning Yennefer. But not only.

We start this one with little Ciri, still a very innocent child, in the care of Geralt of Rivia and his fellow Witcher brothers in Kaer Morhen (the place they all call home). She learns how to fight and fend for herself but Geralt knows it's not enough. There is something special about her and he needs to find a tutor. Someone with magical powers. He contacts Triss Merigold, as speaking with Yennefer is FAR too complicated for him at the moment. She helps. A LOT. But it's not enough. She is not enough and the experiences in Kaer Morhen in general is not enough..

Which is why and how Geralt and Ciri says their goodbye for a while. The connection they formed in the time they spent together was so sweet. Geralt isn't exactly the father of the year, but he tries.. and he cares for Ciri dearly which is obvious in every move he makes. She is everything to him. Which is why he takes her to the Temple of Melitele and the knowledgeable hands of his own motherly figure - the priestess Nenneke. Life is very different for Ciri over there and she surely misses Geralt.

In the meanwhile Geralt somehow returns to his life as a witcher. Slaying monsters for money but it's different now. It seems too many people know and are looking for his 'ward'.. Wizards, kings and spies, all have their hands mixed in the Lion Cub of Cintra. They want her for different reasons. Not all of them disclosed. There's a lot of politics between the kings, Sorcerers and too many spies and murderers with orders from unknown characters. The war has ended 2 years ago and yet the forces standing still at either side doesn't mean it's over. Both sides try to plot a way to influence the other. I'll admit that even with the help / knowledge of the TV series there are a few characters and situations I was more than puzzled by. There are many unanswered questions on both sides.

The last part of the book surprised me. Firstly because it couldn't be more different than the TV series. Yennefer tutoring Ciri. There's a very long chapter dedicated to their connection and the way it formed. It was interesting seeing this side of Yennefer. From our previous encounters with her (in the books) she isn't a very likeable character and though it starts exactly this way between her and Ciri it changes and I truly can't wait to see what happens when Ciri finds herself between her two new found "parents" (I'm guess a lot of LOL moments for me! and confusing ones for ALL three).

I like the tender way the author deals with Ciri's growing up process, what she needs to learn - the hard way - and the way she discovers and uncovers the truths around her. What it means to "not take a side". For Geralt, for others around him. What it means to be a fighter and what and whom she'll be protecting. Ciri - like your ordinary child - has many questions to the people around her. She is very perceptive and in tuned. It's not easy on either Geralt, Yennefer or anyone else who gets "in her way" but it's also a clever way of us learning through her about this special world Andrzej created.

I'm so happy I started listening to this series. I'll be delving into the next one today!