Amazon.com.au:Customer reviews: The Last Wish

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My Honest Book Review

Reviewed in Australia on 20 January 2020

The Last Wish is a collection of short stories about the Witcher – Geralt of Rivia. It is the first book of the Witcher series and is simultaneously based on during Geralt’s recuperation from injury and recounting the stories that provide foundations for integral story threads throughout the whole series. The stories themselves are well-written and translated and as such, the story flows effortlessly. My only draw-down on this collection is that having watched the series and played the video games, I did feel this was a re-read rather than a first read but that is a me-issue not a book-issue.

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2 people found this helpful

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Van

An OK read

Reviewed in Australia on 27 December 2019

Alright book of short stories as an introduction to the Witcher series. As an avid reader of this genre I was disappointed with the Amazon cost when purchasing this on Kindle. There are a lot of books out there, better quality than this and three times longer for a similar price. Would have given it another star if I didn't feel that Amazon were trying to make money off the game and Netflix series

11 people found this helpful

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From Australia

My Honest Book Review

Reviewed in Australia on 20 January 2020

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2 people found this helpful

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kimberly

The beginning of the beginning

Reviewed in Australia on 1 February 2020

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The Last Wish takes us to the very beginning, we meet most of the characters that will become integral in Geralts future. While the plot line jumps around somewhat, if you can handle the higldy pigldy disarray of the tv series this will be someonewhat easier to understand. It allows us an insight in to Geralts life, the choices he makes and his own brand of honor, that may seem somewhat skewiff. I wouldnt say its an integral part of the series of books however i do think that it establishes relationships Geralt has with others, the backdrop of the continent and Geralts personality. Like all good books that have been made in tv series b&b or movies quite a bit has been altered however enough has been left in the shows for the corresponding in the book to be understood.
I always love to read a series after watching or vice versa, just to see the changes made. Anyway, onward to the next book, sword b&bbof destiny

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Anthony Jones

Brilliant

Reviewed in Australia on 10 April 2019

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I’ve played all the games, and these books bring back so many memories and bring so much more light and context to the world and the history of Geralt before the games.

In this volume we find out the back story to the Djinn quest in The Witcher 3 “The Last Wish”.

I’m buying more, and then more and more.

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Kindle Customer

Riveting

Reviewed in Australia on 5 March 2020

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Action packed and full of antics and adventure, there is never a dull moment for Andries Sapkowski’s Witcher. Devoured the Last Wish speedily.

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Justyna Tenel

Quite a decent translation of an excellent book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 January 2017

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I still prefer the book in Polish, and I saw one particular sentence (the anti-djinn exorcism) translated with more panache, but this is quite close to how reading the original felt like, so I can definitely recommend it.

'The Last Wish' is a good introduction into the world of the Witcher, whether you come at it as the fan of the games or general sci-fi aficionado.

And even if you are neither there is something uniquely true about the human nature, the ever changing world and life in general that can be gleaned from it.

I read it originally as a teenager and in Polish, but years have passed, translations have occurred and the book is still very good.

57 people found this helpful

Absurd Chaos

A good read for those that enjoyed the other books or the games

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 September 2018

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I played the Witcher 3 video game and loved the world so have started the books. I have read the first in the series and now this, which is set before the main series.
The last wish is an episodic story telling the tale of geralt and dandelion and they're first meeting with yennifer.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, meeting new characters and monsters and seeing that geralt is more than just a cold blooded killer looking to get paid but thinks and plans for the best outcome for all; a great antihero. I loved his meeting with yennifer and dandelions sarcastic nature.
If you like the game or enjoyed geralt other adventures this is worth your time. If you like fantasy and adventure in an adults world then this is for you. The author has created a wonderfully visceral world with consequences and nuance. I applaud his efforts and can't wait to read book 2

14 people found this helpful

Sarah (Feeling Fictional)

The Witcher book 1

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 January 2020

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I'm going to preface this review by saying I was really unwell when I read this book and that may have affected my opinion of it. It took me much longer to read than it should have done and there were parts I listened to multiple times because my brain was too fuzzy to properly pay attention so it's very possible that I missed major details and that's why I didn't fully connect to the story.

I didn't know much about the Witcher series before I went into this book, I knew my brother was obsessed with the games when he was younger (but I'd never played them myself) and I also knew that it was being made into a series by Netflix (which was the main reason I wanted to read it, I mean come on, did you see the pictures of Henry Cavill as Geralt?!). Apart from that, and the fact it was high fantasy, I didn't know what else to expect so I was somewhat surprised when I realised that The Last Wish is actually a collection of short stories rather than a full length novel. I usually find short stories work better as an addition to series I'm already familiar with rather than an introduction to a new world but it was actually pretty well done in this case and allowed us to find out a decent amount about Geralt's background and some of the main characters I assume we'll see throughout the series.

The book starts with Geralt getting injured in a fight, he is taken to a temple to recover and while there he proceeds to recount stories of some of the other monsters he's come across over the years. These stories are interspersed with short updates on his recovery and what is happening in the current timeline. I really liked the huge variety of different monsters that are included, everything from vampires and werewolves through to djinn and gnomes. I loved that we get so many hints of familiar fairytales included in the stories, it makes the world feel familiar and I was always trying to guess what fairytale creature would pop up next.

As a Witcher Geralt has trained both physically and mentally to protect humans from monsters, even going so far as taking a potion that makes him not quite human himself and gives him extra speed, strength and healing abilities. Witchers provide an important service but it isn't always appreciated so he's always a little on the outside looking in no matter how far he travels. I'm really curious to find out more about Geralt but I don't feel like I know him that well yet and that made it a little harder to connect with the story. While there was a lot I enjoyed about the book I don't think I've been fully sucked into this world yet. My friends have assured me that I can start the TV series now though so I'm looking forward to that and I'm hoping I'll enjoy it so much that it'll make me want to continue reading the books.

One person found this helpful

A great intro to my new favourite thing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 November 2020

Verified Purchase

The Witcher books have been on my radar for ages since I love the video games and Netflix show so much. I love fantasy book it was only a matter of time before I got around to spending some time with Geralt. The Last Wish is more a collection of short stories than a novel, split into chapters with each one detailing one of Geralt’s missions. There are smaller sections between the main stories where Geralt seeks the wisdom of friends and comrades labelled as The Voice of Reason. I recognised some of the missions from the TV show and must admit I saw the actors in my head as I read. I loved this book. It’s a great introduction to Geralt and I will definitely read the rest of the books.

Rebecca Greenwood

A great start to the stories

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 January 2021

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I have watched the Netflix series of the Witcher which I really enjoyed so thought it would be worth giving the books a go. Looking online I discovered the main series of books are the true novels for The Witcher and The Last Wish, Sword of Destiny and Seasons of Storms are more entry books in to the world Geralt lives in and his purpose in the world. So far I have only read The Last Wish and I am so glad I did! The book consists of what feels like short stories set in different time zones so there is a little bit of flicking (just like the Netflix series) but it is easy to follow.
The book is written well, I could see the scene in my head so easily and I found myself getting sucked in to the book completely.. My phone has actually told me that my screen time has been down in the last week due to me picking up my kindle rather than my phone!
So far so good! Looking forward to starting the next book tonight.

cobblepot

A mixed bag, but worth the read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 February 2020

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This series has both good and bad points.

The overwhelming bad part is that the author has apparently never met a woman in his life. Every woman in the series seems to have exactly the same personality - dull. Except Yennefer, who has the permanent mental age of a 15 year old. And I cannot express how many times the phrase "perfect breasts" gets used.
The writing is a little simplistic, but the plots are fun and easy to read, if not particularly gripping.

On the plus side, Geralt is one of the most endearing characters out there. His soft, self-conscious, and incredibly awkward personality is delightful to read, especially since his inability to communicate his thoughts to others makes him come across as sullen and unfriendly. The way the books are written gives you a great view of both Geralt's thoughts, and others' thoughts about him.

It might not be the best written fantasy series ever published, but there's something captivatingly charming about the fairytale-esque stories, especially in 'The Last Wish' and 'Sword of Destiny'. The world Sapkowski has created is appealing in its simplicity.

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