Time of Contempt: The bestselling novel which inspired season 3 of Netflix’s The Witcher (The Witcher, #2)

by Andrzej Sapkowski

David French (Translator)

The adventures of Geralt the Witcher continue in this second novel in the bestselling Witcher series that inspired the Netflix show and video games.

The kings and armies are manoeuvring for position, each fearing invasion from across the river, each fearing their neighbours more. Intrigue, dissent and rebellion fester on all sides.

After decades of oppression, the elves and other races are fighting each other and attacking the humans - and with growing numbers preparing for battle, the threat of all-out war looms ever greater.

Against this backdrop of fear, Geralt and Yennefer must protect Ciri, the orphaned heir who is sought by all sides. For the child of prophecy has the power to change the world - if she lives to use it.

Translated by David French.

• ISBN10: 1473231094
• ISBN13: 9781473231092
• Publish Date: 13 February 2020 (first published 1 January 2013)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Gollancz
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[thepunktheory]

Full review on my blog coming soon!

We're finally getting somewhere. With The Time of Contempt, I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel (and I really hope it's not a train).
The previous book felt like an overlong prologue and I was a bit afraid that this one would evoke the same sentiment but now Sapkowski picks up the pace and you can see the story coming together.
I am, however, still feeling rather ambivalent about Ciri. She had some good moments in this book but she's just acting like a brat so often, it's annoying. A great deal of problems could be solved (or wouldn't even pop up in the first place) if, for once, she did as she is told.
Anyways, the biggest chunk of the book was actually rather enjoyable and I am rather curious to find out how this will all end. There is quite a lot going on, more than you might have expected from the rather dire previous novel.
As much as I like the story, I still have some issues. First of all, the dialogues are super weird and clunky. I'm assuming (or hoping) that the English translation is simply bad and the original Polish version has more pep on that front.
Furthermore, I am continuously flabbergasted by Sapkowski's take on women. Somehow they are all wicked bitches who just want to hump Geralt. Oh, and all they do is gossip.
His descriptions really take the cake. For example in this book he spends a good amount of time talking about the sorceresses' fashion choices. Why you may wonder? Because they all wear super see-through blouses that allow Geralt to ogle at their nipples.
I'm not even getting started on the final bit that happened to Ciri. I honestly had to read that shit twice to make sure I'd gotten it correctly. As to avoid spoilers, I'm not going to mention any details here, but those who read the book will immediately know what I'm talking about. Seriously, what the actual fuck was he thinking.

[kimbacaffeinate]

This was an engaging second novel as the author introduced minor characters and the politics that is war. Geralt is finding it hard to keep his truth north and to remain neutral.

We get to know Ceri more in the Time of Contempt. She is stubborn and her seer abilities are growing. She wants to be with Geralt and train with him. Like a child she doesn’t understand the dangers. Ceri faces many trials and begins to shape her own future.

This installment brings more magic, battles, political intrigue, and danger as the story focuses on Ceri. The child of Destiny. The lioness cub.

Sapkowski has created a world that enthralls me, and Ceri’s time in the desert, the monsters and the gang she encounters kept me up listening. This is where I wish I could unfurl a map in my head and connect places. The author does a fantastic job bringing everything to life and has me craving more.

Peter Kenny is brilliant in his narration of this series. From his voices to his ability to enhance the suspenseful moments. His repertoire of voices astounds me.

The ending has me wanting to dive into the Baptism of Fire, the third audiobook. With a title like that, I am expecting things to be tense! This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[smartflutist661]

After the slow beginning of [b:Blood of Elves|6043781|Blood of Elves (The Witcher, #1)|Andrzej Sapkowski|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1443278828l/6043781._SY75_.jpg|1877722], things really start to pick up in the second in the series. There's a bit more monster-slaying, but it's still primarily a book about war, and the politics that shape it. Ciri begins to come into her own as a character (perhaps the central character, despite the name of the series, though Geralt's importance should not be understated). For the first time in the series I noticed a couple of places where the translation was a little wonky, but overall still meets the standard of the previous books. Definitely an interesting take on the classic sword-and-sorcery genre.