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.. 

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. 

Cocklebur's Christmas (Stuff My Stocking) by Amy Lane

Let's just say it, okay? I didn't really get it. I'm not sure if it was the hour, the fact that I was stressed the HELL out, maybe because it was too damn short and there were too many details about the world the story was built into that confused me. Don't know! All I do know is I didn't get the whole thing. It was a story about a Healing Elf who is now married (?) to someone who is pregnant with twins (one his the other not?) and he tells his wife (?) through a visual dream how he came to befriend their house elf who is a bit grumpy. Not that I know WHY he is grumpy(maybe it's another part I didn't get? who knows..) 

Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #3) by Laini Taylor

I really intended on reading this book - front to cover, even though the previous installment prepared me that this one is heavier on the Fantasy side than I would prefer. I'm not even sure if that's the problem really I just couldn't find my interest in the plot. I felt lost. Everything moves SO damn slowly I just wanted for something to HAPPEN and nothing actually did. I should say that maybe 18% into a book isn't a lot, yet considering the length of this novel, I'd say more than 100 pages into a book something SHOULD happen. 

Night of Cake & Puppets (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #2.5) by Laini Taylor

This one is a short sweet romance novella of Zuzana and Mik's first date, mentioned briefly in the previous installment. The idea behind their first date and how Zuzana had orchestrated it was very special and so like her. I really enjoyed her character as a side character in the previous installments of the series so it was nice being inside her head but also interesting getting for the first time Mik's POV and finding out how actually alike they are in the special way they see things. 

Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #2) by Laini Taylor

I'm a bit confused and quite disappointed with this installment and the fault is all MINE. 
When I was looking for the right "tags" for this series I categorized it "Paranormal Romance" because that's the general concept for me - "another world" or "creatures" and a love story. But I added "Urban Fantasy" because the series centers around Karou. Then I rightly added "Young Adult" since she isn't even 18.. (Though very mature for her age) But I guess I was all wrong.. This is neither of those genres. It's simply a "Fantasy" series. The funny thing is, when I look NOW at the books' GoodRead page I see most people categorized it as "Fantasy"! Stupid me!

Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #1) by Laini Taylor

This has been one of the best Paranormal Romance I've ever read. I wasn't expecting to be pulled into the story so fast and enjoying every minute of it, never getting lost in the intricate world of "Angels vs. Demons" Laini created. Yeah, I was waiting for things to be unraveled, but I didn't have the general feel we have through most Paranormal novels - when the world is too difficult or there are too many details or characters you are not sure who is who and what everything means. Also my biggest fear of this being too childish evaporated SO quickly. I LOVED Karou. Nothing about her felt childishly annoying. On the contrary she kept surprising me with how mature she can be even if she does enjoy being silly at times (we all do :)). Akiva was a sweet heart as well but I need more page time with him to get to know him a little better.

Spoils of War by Aleksandr Voinov & Raev Gray

A nice, free, very short read. I'm not sure how many pages it was, I think about 20.  Achilleus dies on the battle field, he isn't afraid of dying yet he is somewhat surprised to find himself in a new surroundings.. He is brought to the gods home up above by Ares the god of War, much to his brother Hermes' displeasure, to be offered eternal life. 

Thirst by T. Baggins (S.A. Reid)

WOW, this is so NOT what I was expecting and it's definitely NOT a romance novella, it's a short horror story with male-on-male action (and not always with consent.. be advised..). Well, there is some sort of love but it's twisted and "wrong" all over.. It's also REALLY short - round 20 pages yet it pacts a story with a great punch. 

My Haunted Blender's Gay Love Affair, and Other Twisted Tales by Abigail Roux, Andrea Speed & Anne Tenino

Anthologies are a certain bet I guess especially if you don't know the authors of most of the authors but here I felt like this is a bet I'm REALLY ready to make - two great authors - Abigail Roux of Cut & Run which was the first MM Romance series I've ever read and Anne Tenino which I just recently read two books by her (in the Romancelandia series) the other author - Andrea Speed - I didn't know. For me she was the bet I guess and yet her story was the best of the three IMO. 

I didn't bother read the synopsis of the Anthology , figured, they are short anyway.. so I totally missed the fact that this one is a Paranormal MM Romance. Was trying REAL hard to think of how to explain the weird things that were happening in the first one I picked hehe. It was a nice Anthology but not very engaging, the three stories were quite slow going. 

My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy #1) by Tellulah Darling

I've been having a rough time lately. Too much to do, less time to sleep. This weekend I promised myself a whole lot of NOTHING to do. 
Decided to pick a book, wasn't sure which from my never ending list of books. This one seemed "harmless" and an easy read. Didn't know what to expect so I opened it and started reading...

The Eternity Cure (Dawn of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa

I had bigger hopes for this one.
As I said about the 1st book "The Immortal Rules" and the prequel novella "'Till The World Ends". I'm NOT a fan of apocalyptic books (or movies for that manner..), I AM a big fan of vampire books.
This one doesn't "do it" for me. 
Don't get me wrong there is A LOT of action going on. I kept reading and reading this book, finding I don't want to put it down, want to see what's going on. 

'Til The World Ends (Dawn of Eden #0.5) by Julie Kagawa

A nice novel. I read this one after reading the first book in the series. 
As I wrote in my review to the first book - I'm NOT a fan of apocalyptic books and this one is sort of an explanation (at least in part) of what happened before the first book. 
It seems that we encounter the kin of a character in the first book. But it doesn't feel "significant". Well, it IS a side story that doesn't matter to the main plot.

The Immortal Rules (Dawn of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa

I'm not the kind to read "apocalyptic" books. so I guess that's why I'm not a big fan of this book.
The book itself was interesting and I like the characters.
I'm a huge vampire books fanatic but this one isn't one of my favorites.
I've heard the next one is amazing and this one is basically an "introduction" to the story / world. So, I'll see how it goes :)