The Jane Austen Collection - Sense and Sensibility [Audible Original]

Truth being told I'm not even sure WHEN I've listened to this audio book. It's been a while, maybe not a whole month but close to it. I'm not sure what I expected, I knew I probably seen some sort of movie version of this one and it's naturally one of the more famous ones but listening to it, I felt a little bored and / or annoyed by the two main female characters. They felt childish and not very truthful towards one another and mostly towards themselves. Maybe it's an age thing.

I'm not going to write a lot about the plot. Generally speaking two sisters - Marianne and Elinor Dashwood - together with their widowed mother (and younger sister) move out of their family home after the death of their father (and through that the loss of their fortune) and try to make it on their own as well as find a suitable husband. Well, maybe they aren't exactly looking for a husband but there is a lot of interest in finding a companion they feel comfortable and who appreciates them. 

Season of Storms (The Witcher Saga, #8) by Andrzej Sapkowski

Where do you begin when it's time to say goodbye? I'd say that I'm unsure about this book especially in regards to the recommended reading order. I'll say this with conviction - this book NEEDS to be read after the first installment of short stories ("The Last Wish") BUT the epilogue should be read ONLY after finishing the last full length novel ("The Lady of the Lake") if possible IMMEDIATELY after. I think it will give the reader a much more positive way of concluding the series. Though I still consider it a VERY open ending. 

This book, as mentioned, takes place, chronologically after the story "The Last Wish", which means, Ciri is not a part of the story and not mentioned even briefly. This is mostly Geralt's story as a Witcher (something he really HADN'T been for a few books). Going after demons and finding the real monsters are humans. His connection with Yennefer is still confusing to both of them. Geralt finds a "romantic interest" even if he realizes Coral isn't the one he really wants. And Yennefer? who knows with her, right? She has a rather short appearance in this one. But at least we have Dandelion with his shenanigans hehe. 

The story itself was intriguing even if annoying in the way Geralt was treated and the misfortune following him around wherever he goes. I felt bad for him. I think this is the kind of Geralt we saw in the very beginning and almost forgot. Witchers aren't appreciated or admired, they are mostly seen as half monsters themselves. He is lucky to have Dandelion and naturally everyone in Kaer Morhen. 

The Lady of the Lake (The Witcher Saga, #7) by Andrzej Sapkowski

It has been a few hours since I finished this book and I'm still not sure what I think about it. Andrzej closed nicely quite a few threads yet the MAIN thread, well, I don't know. Was it a good finale? In a way. But I can't help the feelings we didn't get EVERYTHING that needed to be said and done, especially concerning our 3 MCs - Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri.

This book is MUCH longer than the previous ones. It seems to me Andrzej had a lot of things he wanted to disclose. About life and death, politics, destiny. He spent about half of the book with side characters, some we haven't even met, dealing with the "conclusive" war between the North and the South and especially how FUTILE it all was for both sides. It doesn't matter who won, they all lost. Blood, pain and tears. The loss of loved ones, of hope as well as "humanity". It was a good reflection on life. "Worked" well for me on the Holocaust remembrance day as well as these days with the war between Russia and Ukraine. What does war bring really? What is it for? Who does it serve? It seems the answers are "Nothing" and "Nobody". 

In this stage of the series, on the last book, I needed more of our MCs. Which is why if I had to give my rating for the first half of the book it would have been a rounded up 3 stars. Even when we got Geralt and Ciri they weren't "themselves" with the decisions they were making and there was too little of Yennefer (as usual). When the three are FINALLY united it was painful every step of the way. Even in the happy parts, even when there was understanding and love. Too much has happened to them. They were left almost silent. How could they express everything that was said and done? The tender love between these three was everything I wanted and hoped for but the lingering taste we were left with was sadness, sorrow and regret. I'm trying to think about all three and if at the very end of the story they got what they most longed for. What they deserved. I'm left with no answer. No answer at all. Even if they did, the price was too high. 

The Tower of Swallows (The Witcher Saga, #6) by Andrzej Sapkowski

Hello again.. It's been a while. I missed Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer. It's not just them, it's Andrzej's unique voice / tone of writing. This is fantasy and yet it feels "realistic", humane. Our beloved characters didn't have an easy time in this one, some of the scenes were truly hard to listen to. I kept thinking what each of our characters would think had s/he knew what his/er loved ones were going through, it felt "fitting" for the journey each needed to take and go through to survive but it was still rather cruel. 

Most of the book is around Ciri and Geralt - not yet together. Ciri finds a very secure hiding place where she can return back to health after a hellish few days. She has lost so much, loved ones but also part of herself. Sitting around the fire with her new friend Vysogota she tells him her story and we get to hear it through her. She wasn't spared much during these days. The Ciri at the end of this book is so very different from the one Geralt and Yennefer knew (One thing for sure - she is bad a$$!). What would happen when they finally meet? I hope we'll get to that sooner rather than later as generally speaking there is only one book left to the story. 

Geralt's "gang" hasn't changed much from the previous book. Mostly Dandelion, Cahir, Milva and Regis. It's not always easy, especially between Geralt and Cahir and yet I have to say I really appreciated Cahir for how honest he was. I don't think they can truly be friends though they could have been if it wasn't for Ciri. I wonder how Ciri would react to THAT friendship (even if it really isn't). Geralt still hasn't finished healing but he is determined to find a way to Ciri. His (shared) dream of her, badly wounded during the equinox doesn't help at all. Everyone is worried about her but she is no where to be found, not by his company but also everyone else who is looking for her. 

Baptism of Fire (The Witcher Saga, #5) by Andrzej Sapkowski

This series has become an addiction. I simply can't STOP listening. There were "things" I needed to do today but I didn't care. I was too engrossed in the story. Stopping wasn't an option. I started this book sad and aching for Geralt and though he didn't achieve what he wanted at the beginning, the book ended  with Geralt of Rivia hiding a smile. 

The last we heard of our three main characters Geralt was mortally injured (and being transferred to Brokilon Forest by Triss Merigold), Yennefer fighting to allows Ciri to escape (then disappearing into thin air) and Ciri running into Tor Lara, also known as The Tower of the Gull, right into an unsafe and very old portal. 

At Brokilon Forest Geralt is being treated by the dryads and receiving news about the world through Milva / Maria Barring. At first she is reluctant to help but with a bit of pressing from the dryads she agrees. It doesn't take her long to realize he isn't what and who she thought AT ALL. While she was helping the Scoia'tael she decided to follow him and Dandelion and offer to join them on their long journey to find Ciri. 

The Time of Contempt (The Witcher Saga, #4) by Andrzej Sapkowski

WOW. In one words, or rather two - I'm HOOKED! This book was impossible to put aside. It's fast paced and when it's not there's a lot going on politically. In the moments when things aren't going in all directions and Ciri is with either Yennefer or Geralt (or both ;)) it's also sweet and tender as well as laugh out loud funny (I'm LOVING Yennefer!).

I don't even know where to start honestly.. We finished the last one with Ciri and Yennefer on their way from the Temple of Melitele to.. well, from Ciri's POV - the unknown. From Yennefer (and somewhat Geralt though he isn't there) it's obvious she needs to master her magical abilities so Aretuza it is.. When Ciri learns of that she is VERY unpleased. She wants to see Geralt and she is in NO hurry to be a "prisoner" on the island (as she sees it). 

But things don't exactly go as Yennefer had in mind for different reasons.. First because of Ciri. She learns FAST, that's for sure. I was laughing so much listening. Yennefer wasn't laughing but I wonder if in her heart she could admit she admired Ciri for her bravery, resilience and strong mind - So much like herself. There's a moment she is standing between the two - Yennefer and Geralt and her reaction was kinda sweet. Choosing between them isn't an easy task. These two together though.. Frustrating at times with how much they are unable to say to one another though they do have a heart to heart in this one. It's obvious Andrzej isn't a romance novelist, it wasn't exactly and "ideal" setting but I guess it was suited for them. Again a laugh out loud moment. It's obvious from their actions how much they care for one another. While with Geralt it's truly clear, with Yennefer we see how she shifts things from her side to help him (hoping he won't find out). 

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.. 

Emma [Audible Production] by Jane Austen

This book was so much fun! I have never listened to anything like it! It's a REAL production. All the audio books I've listened to were narrated by one-two people who worked hard to bring to life all the characters with different voices and dialects. In this one we had a narrator (the one and only Emma Thompson) AND a full cast of characters, background sounds, music etc. I felt like I was truly inside a play. That's without even mentioning what I thought of the book itself! Which I DID enjoy. 

What was fun about this book, for me, was the ridiculous situations the characters found themselves in, the silly games they were playing all in the name of what's "proper" in society (and maybe what they could get away with...). But in a way, that's part of this book's charm. No one was REALLY likeable ESPECIALLY Emma Woodhouse, as Jane Austen herself said "I am going to take a heroine whom no-one but myself will much like". If this was any other "regular" romance novel I would have REALLY pitied the hero for "settling" for someone like her, but honestly, though Mr. George Knightley is portrayed as practically perfect, that in itself felt like a flaw. 

I just recently realized the 90s movie "Clueless" is based on this novel and you know what, the title couldn't be more fitting as Emma is truly and absolutely CLUELESS of the world around her. She tries to match make the people around her in the worst way possible, missing the mark SO FAR it was simply embarrassing to everyone involved. The way she catalogues people around her (and their worth...) felt like a series of excuses I'm not sure how she herself bought (so no wonder she changed her mind about half of them). She behaved as righteous and good natured but in the end she was another snobby and boring rich girl, looking to brighten and color her days with the lives of others, mostly adding the color with her meddling.

Teddy Spenser Isn't Looking for Love by Kim Fielding

Where to begin? ~sigh~ I didn't like this book. Simply didn't. If it wasn't an audio version I wouldn't have finished it. Teddy Spenser isn't a likeable guy and / or hero material (IMO). I didn't see what Romeo found in him and even if I did, their relationship developed VERY strangely. From a dislike to a "like-like" WAY too fast, as well as the whole progression of the relationship. I understand that spending a few days together 24/7 makes a different impact than regular "dates", and yet, it was still totally and absolutely ridiculous. 

I don't know how old Teddy Spenser is (or Romeo for that matter). But he feels early 20s. He has been working at an innovative company, on the marketing side. He is tasked to work on a special project with Romeo Blue the software guy. Teddy has A LOT of assumptions on the guy. Most of them are either mean or just plain negative. That's with barely speaking to the guy. Granted he has his own office, unlike the others who work in cubicles, yet it seems like no one gives him any credit or tries to figure the guy out. 

The company is in a very sensitive place, unsure if they'll even survive due to lack of funds so when a VERY rich and influential (former?) designer offers to take a look and consider the project, Teddy is HIGHLY motivated. Meeting her is a dream come true, he just didn't think he'll do it with Romeo by his side. 

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

I'm sorry for what I'm going to write in this review as I feel like it's not going to be very nice. It's my personal opinion (obviously) and should be taken as such. I added this book through a recommendation and read a few other very positive reviews when I finally decided to add it so .. take all of that into consideration. For me this book can be described with just one word - 'Pointless'. Also, generally speaking "nothing happened", it was mostly in our MC's head. Which was strange as it wasn't written in 1st person - which felt even stranger on an audio book. 

 Georgie McCool knows what she wants, for me it feels like she wants to "eat the world" but not always willing to pay the price. Her main focus is her own TV show. She is VERY close to achieving this goal but her family - husband and 2 daughters - are standing in her way. Rather, the family vacation to Neal's mom on Christmas is timed all wrong for her latest deadline. Granted it IS a very important one but it's also seems like the way she lives. She LOVES her husband but he is just there behind the scenes, taking care of the house, the kids, her (as she can't even cook basic food). He career is FAR more important to her than anything else in her life. She might say "Neal, Neal, Neal" a thousand times throughout this book, but spoken truthfully, it's obvious through even move she made throughout the years, she expected Neal (with the kids) to follow and accept the fact she basically lives with her "best friend" (co-writer) in their office. She spends far more time with him. I could see why Neal was jealous even if he didn't really expressed that. 

Sword of Destiny (The Witcher Saga, #2) by Andrzej Sapkowski

The second collection of stories which prequal the series itself. We get more of all of main characters - naturally Geralt in all of them as well as with Yennefer, Dandelion and in the last two Ciri as well.  it's mostly quite different than the TV series showed and funny enough, half of them were portrayed in the 1st season.

3 out of the 6 stories were WONDERFUL. But the other ones were at best "okay reads". All of them shows us exactly who Geralt is, the companionship he shares with Dandelion (a true friendship even WHILE they quarrel), his more than complicated relationship with Yennefer (I have to say she is WAY more likeable in the TV series, I'm interested to see how their relationship builds through the books) and lastly his new found connection with Ciri which was mostly sweet and endearing. 

The Last Wish (The Witcher Saga, #1) by Andrzej Sapkowski

The Witcher - Geralt of Rivia - came into my life, like for many others, with the great Netflix TV Series. Usually I'm the type who first reads then watches, but as I haven't even heard of this series and didn't have time to delve into it I just watched and immediately got addicted. After the 2nd season (which was even MORE superb) I knew I have to find the time to read the whole thing before the next season arrives but the place I'm in currently simply wouldn't allow that so I "settled" on Audible and I SO happy I did! It was as wonderful as I hoped it would be!

If you haven't heard about this series, you must be living on a rock somewhere so very far away even I (who live on a rock myself) can't see you.. This series focuses on 3 main characters - Geralt of Rivia - a Witcher - a mutated human who hunt monsters (some created by men, some appear through parallel dimensions), Yennefer of Vengerberg a VERY powerful sorceress and the young Princess Cirilla of Cintra ("Ciri") with a heritage that promises unimaginable power. Yet she needs to learn how to harness that power, which is exactly why she needs the guidance of both Geralt and Yenefer. 

The plot, from the TV series, is quite complicated politically with people in power (nobles, mages) having their own idea of how things should progress and who will yield the ultimate magical power through Ciri. But Ciri's story is for another day as she hasn't been born when the stories in this one takes place.