The Book Report Episode #27

Episode #26

Time of Contempt By Andrzej Sapkowski

Spoilers Ahead

The Book

Time of Contempt is the second book in the main series but the fourth book of the full series. The book was first published in Poland by the publisher SuperNowa in 1995. It wouldn’t be until 27th June 2013 that David French translated the book into English and published it by Gollancz. Then in the US in August by Obit. The book has 352 pages.

What Did I Think

R.I.P Aplegatt. This needs to be said. The King’s messenger, doing his job, minding his own business. He travels to his next destination to deliver his message. Killed by an arrow, for just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. By a group of Elves, the Scoia’tael, who watched him as he rode by.

A lot has happened in this novel and I believe one part of the story concludes the third season of the TV series, The Witcher. And other parts of the book are used through the seasons.

Yennefer is still teaching Ciri and has decided to enrol her in school for magic, Aretuza. But first needs to sort some financial problems out and meet with her Banker friend Giancardi Molnar. While there, Ciri is taken for a tour of the town where she kills a Wyvern when it escapes its prison at a sideshow.

While trying to run and hide she activates a charm, for help, and is stopped by other sorcerers believing she is a pupil. This is eventually sorted with Yennefer’s help and after some drinks. Ciri goes to school. Geralt eventually meets up with them and attends the Council of Wizards party. Finding out Yennefer is one of the board members.

The armies and spies of Nilfgaard are going full steam ahead and have taken most of the kingdoms. The Council of Wizards meeting is ambushed and many are killed. Geralt and Yennefer miss some of this due to a reconnection of lost time. This leaves Ciri alone to try and escape. Geralt and Yennefer, arrive and try to defend what is left.

Bad Luck

It ends with Ciri going the wrong way, jumping through a portal and landing in the Korath desert badly injured. Geralt fights Vilgefortz after denying him when asked to join his side. Geralt gets royally beaten. Ciri barely survives the desert but is helped by a Unicorn. But while trying to survive, she has to fight to maintain control of her magic when she absorbs the energy of fire.

Geralt is taken to heal with the dryads and Dandelion arrives later to update him on the goings around the kingdoms.

When she thinks she might be safe Ciri is captured and again has to fight her way out but gets help from a group called the Rats. And for the help she gets and gives, she is molested by one of the ladies of the group. Just after nearly getting raped by one of the male members of the group.

During all this, a fake Ciri has been planted with the Emperor.

So Far…

This chapter in the series picks up on the action, that was, missing from the previous book. And helps move the story along, enough for me to enjoy, to a point, where I am interested in what happens next. But this doesn’t leave me excited. I want to be excited. I want to be pulled back in, instead of feeling obliged because I watch the series. But I am interested now and I want to read what happens next. But interest doesn’t mean excitement.

The characters work well together and the world they live in brings together what should be a world, that everyone, should want to visit. But for me, there is still something missing. I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s me. But I still want to know what happens next. I will continue.

The prophecy is explained more and we find out who is supposed to come and fix everything. We don’t have a name. But we know who. I am wondering. How will the story conclude? Without a time jump into the future or past to have all the pieces come together. We shall see.

The Audiobook

Would I Recommend

Yes. I would recommend this book. But as much as I would like to give this book a better score. As much as the action and fighting and things I like are all there. There is still a certain something missing. I can’t work out what it is but as much as I want to be more excited I can’t. Hence the score below. But by all means, don’t take my word for it. You may see it differently yourself. So, please! Read the book.

Would you like to purchase your very own copy?

You could try these online stores: Amazon UK/USA. Waterstones. AbeBooks UK/ USA, Barnes and Noble and eBay UK/ USA.

Alternatively, you could try your local bookshop or even your local library.