@@valliyarnl i always wonder how tf they know how to mark the map like what device are they physically in possession of that they are able to wirelessly do all that lol
As an English speaker its very interesting to hear you speak about some of the specifically Polish idioms/references in these books that might not translate exactly. Especially knowing how important Polish culture is to the source material. Great review 👍
yeah it is a case in every language but honestly it can handle if use a bit longer sentence! :S may use some greek or latin phrases as well like hubris which is not exist in english but a negative charged pride cause it can be positive and negative as well; father proud of his son after get good scores in the school / david proud cause he born in a rich family and can solve anything with money and can do whatever what the upper 10% do.
Your explanations on the way Sapkowski really writes the series helps me better understand the lore, i was introduced with the first witcher game and remain a fan of this series. Thank you.
I found your channel just a couple of days ago with your recap of The Last Wish and now I'm hooked to your content! There's nothing better than listening to someone talk about something they're passionate about, especially if it's something I love too, and I feel like you really get The Witcher in a way not everyone does. This was a great review. I'm especially looking forward to your recap of The Sword of Destiny and then the novels.
Your enthusiasm for The Witcher inspired me to start reading the books. The way you talk about The Witcher with so much passion is just so adorable. I'm looking forward to more of your Witcher content.
@valliyarnl Your views to comments ratio and subscribers to comments ratio are both really good. So I don't think the new viewers are responsible because those are ratio metrics. It's just a good community that you've built.
I'll never get tired of new Witcher content!! I hope its out in English soon so that I can read it ASAP! Love the vid! Got me a great overview for what I should look forward to!
Obczaić: maybe - “check it out” ? It’s been so long since I read Wiedźmin... you are making me want to come back to it! Btw, I’m so happy to see you getting sponsored! 🙌 PiS reference is definitely not an accident. 😂 I hate it when S King gets political in his books, but here I don’t mind it.
"Check it out" is too obvious and direct for a jargon of youth. I kinda like "smell the vibes", because "checking the vibes" already means something else.
I don't mind the PiS reference either. It's honestly the sentiment shared by majority of Polish people (since even other conservatives don't like them), and after 8 years of having them in power, I can understand that Sapkowski needed to vent XD It's also why it always makes me laugh when someone criticizes some things done by the games, or the Netflix series-- not because they criticize things, I do too. But because some people seem convinced that it's these bad "leftists" who destroy the source material. I'm like...dude, the author of the source material is a leftist himself.
This was so thorough and helpful! I especially loved hearing you speak, translate, and discuss specific passages. I’d like to reread The Last Wish sometime, so maybe after that, I’ll pick this one up! 💜
I didn't expect a new witcher book! it's interesting to hear the perspective from a polish reader. I read them in spanish and I remember them being really confusing to read and i think it was because of the translation and the cultural references I was missing. Still, my favourite was the first one because of Geralt and stories so I might give this one a try! Hopefully they release one of jaskier at some point haha
I started reading the series this year and I'm going through Time of Contempt now, already dreading devouring it so fast. Afterwards I'm diving right into the games. More Witcher is exciting.
I love how passionate you are about The Witcher.. Similar to how I am with my favorite series! Maybe when I finish with Wind and Truth and Tress I’ll start the Witcher..so many good books out there! Stormlight is taking up all my time right now… but I’m loving it..🙂
Oh my gosh thank you for the explaining the book! Been thinking about returning to the series and so excited that I can while taking in newer witcher content! Love your channel btw just came across it a while back, amazing work girly💖
Excellent timing, I was just contemplating whether I should go out of my way to get it. Big bookstores don't have polish copies over here despite literally being in a neighboring country smh
Need it! Thanks for sharing what you think. No idea how long the wait will be, but I will be anxiously looking forward to the book's english translation! Ngl I am very intrigued with the outright political callouts. I love the great Dante's Divine Comedy and I always enjoy the parts where Dante self inserts and throws shade and his adversaries and political rivals. I'll definitely love to dig into that with Sapkowski. Thanks for blessing the morning and all the good favor to you, Wera!
Grateful for this video ❤ This book is flying under the radar !! It’s not everyday we get a new Witcher book. Although there is probably more hype on Polish social media, I have not seen a lot for it so far in English, maybe that will change when translation is released, but yeah.
Also I saw that note at the beginning hehe :) Yes, “Crossroads of Ravens” sounds better, although, knowing the English translation it will probably get translated as “THE Crossroads,” because we need some superfluous articles to make it sound important ;) (The original title translation of Krew elfów/Blood of Elves was “THE Blood of THE Elves” … what the…) Related to the ravens/crows debacle, it’s also “kruk” used, and not “wrona”? I don’t know for sure the difference, but in Blood and Wine, Regis had kruki, which was ravens in English dub :) and in the Fredro play Zemsta (I watched the movie with English subs & read a translation last year) when Papkin says he was shooting, Dyndalski says he was shooting “na wrony,” at crows :D
@@valliyarnl Kruk is raven (big, black bird, lives in countryside, stay away from the civilization), wrona is crow (smaller bird, common in the city) . In Poland black crows (czarnowrony) are uncommon, as far as I know black crows are pretty popular in USA and Wester Europe, Polish crows are mostly grey with black heads and parts of the wings (wrona siwa). In the cities very common is as welll gawron (rook), smaller than raven, more of the size of crow, whole black, except the bill.
Wera your channel is amazing and its not only Witcher content, I think you provide a fascinating perspective on modern day literary works and bring them to the modern audience in a superb way!. Kudos to you all the way from the Cold chilling snows of Sweden.
Im big fan of Witcher books and games but I didnt have any specific expectations regarding the book. However Rozdroże Kruków turned out to be really enjoyable! It is not up to par with the novels or the saga but its still a really solid entry in the series.
Ngl watching how excited you get talking about the Witcher is adorable 😂. I have only consumed Witcher content through the games but may have to give the literature a shot. To bad I can't read polish
Hi Wera, great video. Two things to add: 1. Sapkowski is a post-modern writer so references to political parties, changing perspectives to tell a story, characters in largely medieval setting using contemporary youth language is not uncommon for post modernism in literature 2. I actually love it about his books a lot that he doesn’t treat readers as idiots who need to have everything explained and served on a silver platter and lets us do our own research. With internet at our fingertips, it shouldn’t be a problem to check out a French, Italian or Latin word? Heck, I even had to look up some Polish ones he used 😂 Although I agree, he’s flexing - but being a savant/learned person he is is certainly a flex!
I've been dying to read this book and I absolutely love that we got this video from you before the English translation actually comes out. However, I can't help to be a bit dissappointed that we can't experience this book as you do in Polish, because as you explained here and also in your recent colab with Dr. Fantasy, some of these colloquialism and tongue-in-cheek jokes are lost in translation. Anyway, so excited to read a few more witchery contracts chapters later this year! And who knows, I'm hoping some of them might even get translated as sidequests or flashbacks in Witcher 4! (one can only dream)
Awesome video! This sounds like a Witcher book I'll probably enjoy quite a bit more than I have some of the ones in the series to date. I'd heard before that the books have a Polish context to them that most Western readers won't pick up on, the examples you pick out and the rough translation really drive home how much gets lost without that.
Thanks, I was really curious about this new Witcher book, and you answered all my questions. Also, I used to have the same curse that the head of the village had until you lifted it with your videos. I don't know how, though.
Feels nice to find a book channel I can chill listening to. Videos are always well made and the Witcher is close to my heart so I love when you cover it.
Thank you for another great video. Sending love from Slovakia. Made me even more excited for the book now 🤗😍 hopefully there will be Czech translation as soon as possible. Cant wait!
Love your content!💜 Sadly there’s no my native language version of this book atm,not even English translated version of this book atm as I know. But I’ve watched a recap video of this book and roughly learned the whole story of this new book. Especially in the end of this book,it truly defined who Geralt really is and what he stands for,and I love it. Will definitely read it when physical English version is released in the future!!
Great and insightful video, as always! I’m relatively new to the Witcher series, I’ve seen the show, played the Witcher 3 a bit (although I do need to finish it) but hearing your thoughts as a native pole is always interesting
"Lets take a looksie" isn't a perfect translation of "obczajmy" , but i think that it fits given how out of place it would be for Geralt we know to speak like that.
A fellow Polish reader here- great job Wera! All the best for your channel 😊 Two things about the political point: 1. “Prawo i sprawiedliwość” is also a quote from the Bible, so you could in theory argue Holt was criticising true wider sentiment rather than only the PiS political party (although I also think it was a dig at the party and its philosophy), 2. Witcher books have always been very political. You can see clear references especially to the history of the Second Polish Republic (pogroms, numerus clausus, ethnic and religious strife) and you can clearly see Sapkowski’s sympathies are not with Endecja. And since PiS is quite clearly an inheritor of Endecja’s tradition…At other point they mention “bratnia pomoc” which is a clear reference to the 1968 attack on Czechoslovakia. Look at how churches and religions and priests are portrayed. And so on. These books have always been very political, this time perhaps it is even more obvious.
The expansion of lore is a freat selling point for me. I loved the infodump from Vilgefortz at Thanned, as well as "random" encyclopedia keywords and excerpts. Really looking forward to read this (because Storm season was a bit of a letdown).
Found the channel through TH-cam suggestions. Being a Witcher geek, I'm not surprised :D Played all the games, read all the books but I think I should read them again. After watching your videos I realized how much I forgot. As for this new book, now I need to wait for it to be translated from Polish, which may take a few months maybe years because apparently Sapkowski only allows his books to be translated directly from Polish or at least German.
haha thank you! I wouldn't call myself an expert by any means but man I really love and care about it. most important series in my life so im very passionate abt it ☺
I'm so excited for its release here in germany...and will reread the other books sooner or later too. The name of his horse roach works better in the german version, here its name is Plötze which is more obvious the name of a fish and not Kakerlake/ Schabe(the insect)
I managed to come to terms with the fact that the games are really different from the books, since Geralt really doesn't do many witchery things on the books, but I think I'll instantly pick this book up the moment it gets translated.
I see Wera posted a video I click but I also didn't know a new Witcher book is now out so I wanted you thank you for that, this is becoming my new go to for witcher news in general kinda lol. I might read it as my first in the series, almost seems like a sign that's what I should do to get into the books, and just do it mostly in chronological order.
Interested to hear your take on Storm of Swords, reading it now and the only way I can describe it is incredibly random, like Sapkowski makes a setpiece then jumps to a new one when he gets bored
@@kinographer5926 without spoiling it, I think it would have worked so much better if it was just a few separate short stories instead of trying to string these loose ideas into one, cohesive narrative. Also I didn't like the tone of one of the storylines to the point that it kind of hurt to read (let's just say his gay characters from the 90's are written so much more sympathetically than in SoS and leave it at that). And he retcons a couple of things, one of which is a bad choice to retcon. These things made it clunky and not as enjoyable for me as the rest of the series. Now there are some fun/cute Geralt hanging out with Dandelion moments (they feel in character and they feel like them). Their interactions were the only time I had that "Ah, I'm at home again" feeling. That was the only positive for me. It didn't feel like it belonged with the rest of the series TBH, but Crossroads of Ravens definitely belongs and I love it. It's so lovely. Some are saying it's a bit of fanservice, but it's GOOD fanservice IMO.
@@music-is-my-world-83 Yeah the "humor" in SoS is kinda offputting the farting guard women were a "wtf is this" moment. Agree about Dandelion and Geralt wholesome interactions
I've started rereading the books since Witcher 4 was announced, sadly I've lost my copy of the Last Wish. Somewhat off topic but since they've said we're going to go to regions that haven't been shown in the previous games I hope we get to go to Cintra in 4, I think there's a bunch of really interesting stuff that could be done with Ciri going back to her ancestral homeland for the first time in decades plus it's been under the rule of Nilfgaard long enough that it would have a very different vibe than the rest of the North. Great video as always.
I will be livid if none of the new trilogy or its DLCs explore Zerrikania. The desert world we briefly visit in Witcher 3 would be an incredible setting for a story.
@@anitaremenarova6662 Zerrikania is the other area I really want to explore since it has cool lore and has been referenced so many times but rarely seen, it's also where Letho and the surviving Viper school witchers went.
Sou Brasileiro, estou terminando a DLC do jogo Blood and Wine pela primeira vez, e estou lendo os livros. Fiquei muito curioso por esse novo livro, ótimo vídeo 😉
Reading (and watching) order should almost always be in the release order. There's rarely any case where this isn't the most obvious and good sense option. Any time when this isn't the best recommendation is because either the author or the publisher royally messed up. Prequels *are* sequels, it's in the name.
Exactly. Prequels are supposed to add more context, they serve a similar function as flashbacks. But nothing can replace the proper first introduction of the world and the characters in the first published book. Because back then, the author knew it would all be new to the readers, so he had to think through this introduction properly - to convey as much as he wanted to tell, to leave the readers with the right impression, etc. Prequels, even if they focus on some new characters, are usually using parts of the already established lore, that the author-even unconsciously- inserts there.
you are my fav book youtuber but tbh the witcher are the only books I ever read so.. I'll probably take this one no matter what but lets see what you say about it. True sunshine in my recommendations
Have you read his Hussite-trilogy? As a huge fan of the witcher books and especially Sapkowskis writing style I have to admit that I may even like this trilogy even more then Witcher. It mixes historical places, people and events with fantasy so incredibly well in my opinion. Also it's pacing is better then that of the main Witcher books. And even if nothing can surpass the "Battle of Brenna"-chapter (in terms of playing with character perspective, for me the best thing he has written) the books hold a very high level.
10:00 As always I’m loving to hear your thoughts, I appreciate the commentary on the prose and if Sapkowski “still holds up.” It was nice to hear a positive opinion, I was reading a lot of comments saying that AS lost his touch, and sadly I probably can’t tell the difference either way because I read translations. But for me this book (prose-wise) felt like Season of Storms, it was not entirely strange, but the more contemporary Sapkowski (although plot-wise it was a marked improvement over that book). For instance, the Latin, which has been common for Sapkowski since the 2000s, he allowed himself to indulge in the Hussite Trilogy and then also went nuts with it in Season of Storms :) Of course I think everyone probably likes the “blue and youthful” period more, like the short stories. (Personally I’m kind of torn on that matter) But there were indeed a few parts of the prose where I was like “yep, that’s our author.” Not just the callbacks (which I loved lol) but in some jokes, POV choices, how sentences are structured, how emphasis is created, and the kind of general playfulness and drama that goes on.
Haven’t read any of the books yet (though I have some of them) but know about the Witcher from the games. I just love the world of the Witcher and it makes me feel like I’m connecting a little with my polish heritage either from reading the books or playing the games
I'm one of those strange people who started with the games (which are all fantastic) but prefers the novels to most of the short stories (which, to be clear, are also good). Lady of the Lake and Tower of Swallows were the best in the series, for me personally. This review/overview really helped to set my expectations for when it gets translated and I read it, so thank you.
Great video and sumup! Really looking forward to the book but last time I checked there were no translations available yet, hoping to get my hands on it soon
So want to the read this book! Sadly, have to wait for the translation. Did get Dark Horse's comic adaptation of the Edge of the World which arrived today, along with another book. The covers are almost colour matches with each other, which was a suprise.
7:55 Nooo 😢 That is frustrating, media literacy is so low… or maybe literacy in general, because I don’t know how one would come to that conclusion if they had read the books. 🥺 Sword of Destiny is especially about this very thing.
Well clearly when Geralt tells Ciri he has to go away bc he always leaves he’s doing it bc he actually doesn’t care about her at all bc of the mutations… duh. 🤪
13:12 in Season of Storms its actually specifically about Geralts Swords so 2 swords is now canon. Im about halfway through so far and its pretty good.
If I remember right, in Season of Storms it was only more or less established that witchers do carry the two swords on their backs as a means of transportation sometimes and thus this is one of the ways they're recognizable, so SoS didn't made exactly what we see in the games canon -- Geralt still certainly doesn't lumber them both around absolutely all the time, specially when it comes to contracts, where we know very well he only takes the one he's going to use and that can't be retconned at this point after so many examples (or at least I hope it won't, otherwise it'd be pretty stupid and only introduce inconsistencies). Still, it's hard to believe Sapkowski wasn't influenced by the games' aesthetics on that -- I think he definitely was, much like how he also changed how silver swords are. At first they were referred to as being pure silver (in the short story "The Witcher" from The Last Wish), but later he retconned them to be only silver-plated (precisely in SoS), which makes much more sense and was the way the games presented them since the very first one (you can see that at the end of the quest "Memory of a Blade", while talking to Zoltan).
Been reading my whole collection again with the TW4 announced. I forgot how much Season of Storm is a good one. Can't wait to get the french translation for this one.
You should try doing a playthrough of the witcher 3 or 4 when it releases. Would be fun to see a polish person's views on how faithful the game is to its source material,
Holy kikimora I’m excited to eventually read this. Currently only on Tower of Swallows, but I know a lot of the broad strokes because of the games and other media.
I can't wait for it to come out in the UK! As excited as i am for Witcher 4, I thought a new witcher game could have focused on younger Geralt so I'm glad we are getting this!
You never did talk about Season of Storms, which after second read might have become my favourite Witcher book of them all. Wonder what’s your opinion about it. Asking this because it’s so comforting to hear you speak, great content!
My first read of the year, actually finished it throughout 1st and 2nd of January. Good piece of lore and worldbuilding. Now reading Tome 2 of "Historia Mundiali" (Football World Cups History) and about to finish it in few days. And that'd already be 2 books/1000+ pages of reading by the end of January.
OH MY GOD FINALLY A NEW VIDEO , I'M SO HAPPY💜💜💜 I been watching almost all of your video while waiting for a new content, always love your passion in these videos you make🥰🥰
People are so silly! It seems obvious to me, even through the English translations, that the idea that witchers have no feelings is propaganda. Geralt obviously feels or most of these stories wouldn't happen.
I think it comes from the way how he's portrayed in the games and in the Netflix series--? So stoic. But it's definitely not what the writing in the books suggest. There's also an old Polish adaptation- it was kind of rudiculed for a long time for being low budget and having made some weird directing choices, but man, the acting there was fantastic! Michał Żebrowski will always be THE Geralt for me- I think his portrayal was much closer to how Geralt was in the books- and he definitely does have feelings!
@@lenamaterek6770 Haha I guess maybe people are taking his stoicism at face-value too much. Oh! I remember hearing about that. Was that the adaptation called The Hexer...? Er...? Is that what it was? I'll have to watch it! Weird directing choices sound fun. Hahaha!
Name’s Preston and he goes settlement to settlement, each one needs help.
Feel like there’s a joke here.
can you mark it on my map?
@@valliyarnl i always wonder how tf they know how to mark the map like what device are they physically in possession of that they are able to wirelessly do all that lol
Fallout 4 minuteman?
OMG you're right hahaha
@@apIthletIccjust marking it on the player characters pip boy
Wind's howling
Is it weird to keep refreshing comments waiting for this
@@dtPolar I prefer coin
(Much appreciated)
Jerald Radanian in Witcher 4 pls CD Projekt
@@FromMahakam nice to see you again zoltan
Indeed my friend. Storm Eowyn was wild last night
I read Wera and Witcher. I press click. I press like.
Thanks bro 🫡
Is it because you are a simple man?
As an English speaker its very interesting to hear you speak about some of the specifically Polish idioms/references in these books that might not translate exactly. Especially knowing how important Polish culture is to the source material. Great review 👍
yeah it is a case in every language but honestly it can handle if use a bit longer sentence! :S
may use some greek or latin phrases as well like hubris which is not exist in english but a negative charged pride cause it can be positive and negative as well; father proud of his son after get good scores in the school / david proud cause he born in a rich family and can solve anything with money and can do whatever what the upper 10% do.
Your channel has gotten me back into reading
This is the greatest outcome. Love to hear it!
Me as well honestly had the Witcher books on my shelf for years finally picking them back up
That's probably the best compliment you could give someone
This means so much to me thank you for letting me know 🥹💕
@valliyarnl no problem, I always look forward to seeing a new video drop
As a brazillian fan of The Witcher, I'm loving this channel.
Your explanations on the way Sapkowski really writes the series helps me better understand the lore, i was introduced with the first witcher game and remain a fan of this series. Thank you.
I found your channel just a couple of days ago with your recap of The Last Wish and now I'm hooked to your content! There's nothing better than listening to someone talk about something they're passionate about, especially if it's something I love too, and I feel like you really get The Witcher in a way not everyone does. This was a great review. I'm especially looking forward to your recap of The Sword of Destiny and then the novels.
Your enthusiasm for The Witcher inspired me to start reading the books. The way you talk about The Witcher with so much passion is just so adorable. I'm looking forward to more of your Witcher content.
Wera,
I've noticed your channel gets more engagement than even channels with way more subscribers. I think that's something to be proud of.
Really? Oh thank you Kevin! Maybe it related to the boost of new viewers since December?
@valliyarnl Your views to comments ratio and subscribers to comments ratio are both really good. So I don't think the new viewers are responsible because those are ratio metrics. It's just a good community that you've built.
@@kevintran502 awhhh that’s so sweet Kevin! 🥹🥹💞
I'll never get tired of new Witcher content!! I hope its out in English soon so that I can read it ASAP!
Love the vid! Got me a great overview for what I should look forward to!
I’m sold
Thank you for the donation 🥰
Obczaić: maybe - “check it out” ?
It’s been so long since I read Wiedźmin... you are making me want to come back to it!
Btw, I’m so happy to see you getting sponsored! 🙌
PiS reference is definitely not an accident. 😂 I hate it when S King gets political in his books, but here I don’t mind it.
"Check it out" is too obvious and direct for a jargon of youth. I kinda like "smell the vibes", because "checking the vibes" already means something else.
I don't mind the PiS reference either. It's honestly the sentiment shared by majority of Polish people (since even other conservatives don't like them), and after 8 years of having them in power, I can understand that Sapkowski needed to vent XD
It's also why it always makes me laugh when someone criticizes some things done by the games, or the Netflix series-- not because they criticize things, I do too. But because some people seem convinced that it's these bad "leftists" who destroy the source material. I'm like...dude, the author of the source material is a leftist himself.
This was so thorough and helpful! I especially loved hearing you speak, translate, and discuss specific passages. I’d like to reread The Last Wish sometime, so maybe after that, I’ll pick this one up! 💜
I didn't expect a new witcher book! it's interesting to hear the perspective from a polish reader. I read them in spanish and I remember them being really confusing to read and i think it was because of the translation and the cultural references I was missing. Still, my favourite was the first one because of Geralt and stories so I might give this one a try! Hopefully they release one of jaskier at some point haha
It is interesting how attentive to detail you are. Even when I have read a book you can bring up things I did not pick up on.
Hey Wera how ya doin. Will there be more parts of your explanation of the Witcher's plot? I loved the first part..
thank you! and yes there will be more. i announced it in my Wera in Reverie for Dec. I'm aiming for sometime in February. :)
@@valliyarnl Omg that's so awesome. I can't wait. I looooooved the first part so much.
@@valliyarnl definitely some good plots in this video
I started reading the series this year and I'm going through Time of Contempt now, already dreading devouring it so fast. Afterwards I'm diving right into the games. More Witcher is exciting.
I love how passionate you are about The Witcher.. Similar to how I am with my favorite series! Maybe when I finish with Wind and Truth and Tress I’ll start the Witcher..so many good books out there! Stormlight is taking up all my time right now… but I’m loving it..🙂
Oh my gosh thank you for the explaining the book! Been thinking about returning to the series and so excited that I can while taking in newer witcher content! Love your channel btw just came across it a while back, amazing work girly💖
Excellent timing, I was just contemplating whether I should go out of my way to get it. Big bookstores don't have polish copies over here despite literally being in a neighboring country smh
Need it! Thanks for sharing what you think. No idea how long the wait will be, but I will be anxiously looking forward to the book's english translation!
Ngl I am very intrigued with the outright political callouts. I love the great Dante's Divine Comedy and I always enjoy the parts where Dante self inserts and throws shade and his adversaries and political rivals. I'll definitely love to dig into that with Sapkowski.
Thanks for blessing the morning and all the good favor to you, Wera!
Thanks Brandon!
winds howling
Looks like rain
ploughing temeria
💔
@@Jerald_radanian ah man, you got beaten to the punch.
Smh
You're not him
Grateful for this video ❤ This book is flying under the radar !! It’s not everyday we get a new Witcher book. Although there is probably more hype on Polish social media, I have not seen a lot for it so far in English, maybe that will change when translation is released, but yeah.
Also I saw that note at the beginning hehe :) Yes, “Crossroads of Ravens” sounds better, although, knowing the English translation it will probably get translated as “THE Crossroads,” because we need some superfluous articles to make it sound important ;) (The original title translation of Krew elfów/Blood of Elves was “THE Blood of THE Elves” … what the…)
Related to the ravens/crows debacle, it’s also “kruk” used, and not “wrona”? I don’t know for sure the difference, but in Blood and Wine, Regis had kruki, which was ravens in English dub :) and in the Fredro play Zemsta (I watched the movie with English subs & read a translation last year) when Papkin says he was shooting, Dyndalski says he was shooting “na wrony,” at crows :D
To me Wrona is more Raven and Kruk is more Crow but tbh I don’t think it matters too much in this case
@@valliyarnl Kruk is raven (big, black bird, lives in countryside, stay away from the civilization), wrona is crow (smaller bird, common in the city) . In Poland black crows (czarnowrony) are uncommon, as far as I know black crows are pretty popular in USA and Wester Europe, Polish crows are mostly grey with black heads and parts of the wings (wrona siwa). In the cities very common is as welll gawron (rook), smaller than raven, more of the size of crow, whole black, except the bill.
Wera your channel is amazing and its not only Witcher content, I think you provide a fascinating perspective on modern day literary works and bring them to the modern audience in a superb way!. Kudos to you all the way from the Cold chilling snows of Sweden.
Im big fan of Witcher books and games but I didnt have any specific expectations regarding the book. However Rozdroże Kruków turned out to be really enjoyable! It is not up to par with the novels or the saga but its still a really solid entry in the series.
Ngl watching how excited you get talking about the Witcher is adorable 😂. I have only consumed Witcher content through the games but may have to give the literature a shot. To bad I can't read polish
I love that book! Geralt's "no weź" was the funniest thing ever for me. 😆
Great video as always!
Thanks so much for this video! I can't wait for this book to be translated, either English or Dutch would be fine
Hi Wera, great video. Two things to add:
1. Sapkowski is a post-modern writer so references to political parties, changing perspectives to tell a story, characters in largely medieval setting using contemporary youth language is not uncommon for post modernism in literature
2. I actually love it about his books a lot that he doesn’t treat readers as idiots who need to have everything explained and served on a silver platter and lets us do our own research. With internet at our fingertips, it shouldn’t be a problem to check out a French, Italian or Latin word? Heck, I even had to look up some Polish ones he used 😂
Although I agree, he’s flexing - but being a savant/learned person he is is certainly a flex!
I've been dying to read this book and I absolutely love that we got this video from you before the English translation actually comes out.
However, I can't help to be a bit dissappointed that we can't experience this book as you do in Polish, because as you explained here and also in your recent colab with Dr. Fantasy, some of these colloquialism and tongue-in-cheek jokes are lost in translation.
Anyway, so excited to read a few more witchery contracts chapters later this year!
And who knows, I'm hoping some of them might even get translated as sidequests or flashbacks in Witcher 4! (one can only dream)
Cant wait for global release. Thanks for the video!
8:00 the whole point of the series is contained in this frustrated sigh lol. Geralt is constantly thoughtful, feeling, and principled
Awesome video! This sounds like a Witcher book I'll probably enjoy quite a bit more than I have some of the ones in the series to date. I'd heard before that the books have a Polish context to them that most Western readers won't pick up on, the examples you pick out and the rough translation really drive home how much gets lost without that.
Thanks, I was really curious about this new Witcher book, and you answered all my questions. Also, I used to have the same curse that the head of the village had until you lifted it with your videos. I don't know how, though.
Feels nice to find a book channel I can chill listening to. Videos are always well made and the Witcher is close to my heart so I love when you cover it.
Lovely to get this upload to kick back and relax by candlelight after Eowyn took out my power. Cheers Wera.
Oh my god I’m so sorry! Hope you get power back soon 💕
I did lose any thankfully but I don’t think I was hit as bad as Galway and the north
@valliyarnl 🤝
---> *_Still waiting for:_*
"The entire plot of The Witcher explained by a Polish fan | pt. 2" ⚔ 🐎
Thank you for another great video. Sending love from Slovakia. Made me even more excited for the book now 🤗😍 hopefully there will be Czech translation as soon as possible. Cant wait!
Love your content!💜
Sadly there’s no my native language version of this book atm,not even English translated version of this book atm as I know.
But I’ve watched a recap video of this book and roughly learned the whole story of this new book. Especially in the end of this book,it truly defined who Geralt really is and what he stands for,and I love it.
Will definitely read it when physical English version is released in the future!!
i’m reading the last wish right now and i’m very excited to get to the other books in the series
Fineeeeeee Wera I’ll read it! Great video.
Ed
Great and insightful video, as always!
I’m relatively new to the Witcher series, I’ve seen the show, played the Witcher 3 a bit (although I do need to finish it) but hearing your thoughts as a native pole is always interesting
"Lets take a looksie" isn't a perfect translation of "obczajmy" , but i think that it fits given how out of place it would be for Geralt we know to speak like that.
This channel is blowing up. Well deserved. Intelligent and well delivered content. Youre amazing!
A fellow Polish reader here- great job Wera! All the best for your channel 😊
Two things about the political point:
1. “Prawo i sprawiedliwość” is also a quote from the Bible, so you could in theory argue Holt was criticising true wider sentiment rather than only the PiS political party (although I also think it was a dig at the party and its philosophy),
2. Witcher books have always been very political. You can see clear references especially to the history of the Second Polish Republic (pogroms, numerus clausus, ethnic and religious strife) and you can clearly see Sapkowski’s sympathies are not with Endecja. And since PiS is quite clearly an inheritor of Endecja’s tradition…At other point they mention “bratnia pomoc” which is a clear reference to the 1968 attack on Czechoslovakia. Look at how churches and religions and priests are portrayed. And so on. These books have always been very political, this time perhaps it is even more obvious.
The expansion of lore is a freat selling point for me. I loved the infodump from Vilgefortz at Thanned, as well as "random" encyclopedia keywords and excerpts. Really looking forward to read this (because Storm season was a bit of a letdown).
Found the channel through TH-cam suggestions. Being a Witcher geek, I'm not surprised :D Played all the games, read all the books but I think I should read them again. After watching your videos I realized how much I forgot. As for this new book, now I need to wait for it to be translated from Polish, which may take a few months maybe years because apparently Sapkowski only allows his books to be translated directly from Polish or at least German.
Thx for the info. I will read it for sure.
You are quite knowledgeable about quite a few authors & stories; but your perspective on the Witcher series, Mwah! One of the best I've seen.
haha thank you! I wouldn't call myself an expert by any means but man I really love and care about it. most important series in my life so im very passionate abt it ☺
@@valliyarnl The passion is very obvious! And further, I would say this it is the reason you are gaining subscribers!
I'm so excited for its release here in germany...and will reread the other books sooner or later too. The name of his horse roach works better in the german version, here its name is Plötze which is more obvious the name of a fish and not Kakerlake/ Schabe(the insect)
Always so fun to see how passionate you get talking about The Witcher! Someday I’ll read it and you’ll be the first to know 😌
I love to hear people talking with passion about things they enjoy. Books, movies, games ect. Can't wait to read this new witcher book.
*_When it's translated to English and/or when the English AudioBook is out; I'll buy it._*
I managed to come to terms with the fact that the games are really different from the books, since Geralt really doesn't do many witchery things on the books, but I think I'll instantly pick this book up the moment it gets translated.
i love how you explain with passion
I see Wera posted a video I click but I also didn't know a new Witcher book is now out so I wanted you thank you for that, this is becoming my new go to for witcher news in general kinda lol. I might read it as my first in the series, almost seems like a sign that's what I should do to get into the books, and just do it mostly in chronological order.
Interested to hear your take on Storm of Swords, reading it now and the only way I can describe it is incredibly random, like Sapkowski makes a setpiece then jumps to a new one when he gets bored
@@kinographer5926 without spoiling it, I think it would have worked so much better if it was just a few separate short stories instead of trying to string these loose ideas into one, cohesive narrative. Also I didn't like the tone of one of the storylines to the point that it kind of hurt to read (let's just say his gay characters from the 90's are written so much more sympathetically than in SoS and leave it at that). And he retcons a couple of things, one of which is a bad choice to retcon. These things made it clunky and not as enjoyable for me as the rest of the series. Now there are some fun/cute Geralt hanging out with Dandelion moments (they feel in character and they feel like them). Their interactions were the only time I had that "Ah, I'm at home again" feeling. That was the only positive for me. It didn't feel like it belonged with the rest of the series TBH, but Crossroads of Ravens definitely belongs and I love it. It's so lovely. Some are saying it's a bit of fanservice, but it's GOOD fanservice IMO.
@@music-is-my-world-83 Yeah the "humor" in SoS is kinda offputting the farting guard women were a "wtf is this" moment. Agree about Dandelion and Geralt wholesome interactions
The only one I stopped reading halfway through... just didn't click for me.
I've started rereading the books since Witcher 4 was announced, sadly I've lost my copy of the Last Wish. Somewhat off topic but since they've said we're going to go to regions that haven't been shown in the previous games I hope we get to go to Cintra in 4, I think there's a bunch of really interesting stuff that could be done with Ciri going back to her ancestral homeland for the first time in decades plus it's been under the rule of Nilfgaard long enough that it would have a very different vibe than the rest of the North.
Great video as always.
I will be livid if none of the new trilogy or its DLCs explore Zerrikania. The desert world we briefly visit in Witcher 3 would be an incredible setting for a story.
@@anitaremenarova6662 Zerrikania is the other area I really want to explore since it has cool lore and has been referenced so many times but rarely seen, it's also where Letho and the surviving Viper school witchers went.
Sou Brasileiro, estou terminando a DLC do jogo Blood and Wine pela primeira vez, e estou lendo os livros. Fiquei muito curioso por esse novo livro, ótimo vídeo 😉
Reading (and watching) order should almost always be in the release order.
There's rarely any case where this isn't the most obvious and good sense option. Any time when this isn't the best recommendation is because either the author or the publisher royally messed up.
Prequels *are* sequels, it's in the name.
Exactly. Prequels are supposed to add more context, they serve a similar function as flashbacks. But nothing can replace the proper first introduction of the world and the characters in the first published book. Because back then, the author knew it would all be new to the readers, so he had to think through this introduction properly - to convey as much as he wanted to tell, to leave the readers with the right impression, etc. Prequels, even if they focus on some new characters, are usually using parts of the already established lore, that the author-even unconsciously- inserts there.
Damn, I have to binge watch and catch up on my favourite Polish Witcher reviewer TH-camr videos!!!
you are my fav book youtuber but tbh the witcher are the only books I ever read so.. I'll probably take this one no matter what but lets see what you say about it. True sunshine in my recommendations
Did not know this existed so very excited to read this!
Have you read his Hussite-trilogy? As a huge fan of the witcher books and especially Sapkowskis writing style I have to admit that I may even like this trilogy even more then Witcher. It mixes historical places, people and events with fantasy so incredibly well in my opinion. Also it's pacing is better then that of the main Witcher books. And even if nothing can surpass the "Battle of Brenna"-chapter (in terms of playing with character perspective, for me the best thing he has written) the books hold a very high level.
10:00 As always I’m loving to hear your thoughts, I appreciate the commentary on the prose and if Sapkowski “still holds up.” It was nice to hear a positive opinion, I was reading a lot of comments saying that AS lost his touch, and sadly I probably can’t tell the difference either way because I read translations.
But for me this book (prose-wise) felt like Season of Storms, it was not entirely strange, but the more contemporary Sapkowski (although plot-wise it was a marked improvement over that book). For instance, the Latin, which has been common for Sapkowski since the 2000s, he allowed himself to indulge in the Hussite Trilogy and then also went nuts with it in Season of Storms :) Of course I think everyone probably likes the “blue and youthful” period more, like the short stories. (Personally I’m kind of torn on that matter)
But there were indeed a few parts of the prose where I was like “yep, that’s our author.” Not just the callbacks (which I loved lol) but in some jokes, POV choices, how sentences are structured, how emphasis is created, and the kind of general playfulness and drama that goes on.
Haven’t read any of the books yet (though I have some of them) but know about the Witcher from the games. I just love the world of the Witcher and it makes me feel like I’m connecting a little with my polish heritage either from reading the books or playing the games
I would say that segment on how to deal with your opponents with bears hands (or a key😉) is plot relevant, so this justify very detailed description.
I'm one of those strange people who started with the games (which are all fantastic) but prefers the novels to most of the short stories (which, to be clear, are also good). Lady of the Lake and Tower of Swallows were the best in the series, for me personally. This review/overview really helped to set my expectations for when it gets translated and I read it, so thank you.
This is your first video I'm not watching start to finish because I don't want spoilers lol but I will be reading it when translated!
Great video and sumup! Really looking forward to the book but last time I checked there were no translations available yet, hoping to get my hands on it soon
You law of surprised my TH-cam feed. ❤️
For those curious, there will a english translation releasing early this year, couldn't find an exact date tho
You should definitely read season of storms, I really wanna hear your interpretation of it
I hope you’re going to keep summarizing the books, the first one was great!
So want to the read this book! Sadly, have to wait for the translation. Did get Dark Horse's comic adaptation of the Edge of the World which arrived today, along with another book. The covers are almost colour matches with each other, which was a suprise.
Wera getting all the views!
I didn’t even know about this book before your video with dr chase where you mention Ines Vitre
7:55 Nooo 😢 That is frustrating, media literacy is so low… or maybe literacy in general, because I don’t know how one would come to that conclusion if they had read the books. 🥺 Sword of Destiny is especially about this very thing.
Well clearly when Geralt tells Ciri he has to go away bc he always leaves he’s doing it bc he actually doesn’t care about her at all bc of the mutations… duh. 🤪
I hope they make one that matches my hardcover set! Great video 🖤
13:12 in Season of Storms its actually specifically about Geralts Swords so 2 swords is now canon. Im about halfway through so far and its pretty good.
If I remember right, in Season of Storms it was only more or less established that witchers do carry the two swords on their backs as a means of transportation sometimes and thus this is one of the ways they're recognizable, so SoS didn't made exactly what we see in the games canon -- Geralt still certainly doesn't lumber them both around absolutely all the time, specially when it comes to contracts, where we know very well he only takes the one he's going to use and that can't be retconned at this point after so many examples (or at least I hope it won't, otherwise it'd be pretty stupid and only introduce inconsistencies).
Still, it's hard to believe Sapkowski wasn't influenced by the games' aesthetics on that -- I think he definitely was, much like how he also changed how silver swords are. At first they were referred to as being pure silver (in the short story "The Witcher" from The Last Wish), but later he retconned them to be only silver-plated (precisely in SoS), which makes much more sense and was the way the games presented them since the very first one (you can see that at the end of the quest "Memory of a Blade", while talking to Zoltan).
Thanks for the insight, looking forward to the English edition. :)
Your enthusiasm is infectious.
Thanks for this video! I was wondering how this book turned out. Can't wait for the english version.
Always a pleasant experience listening to your angelic voice
Been reading my whole collection again with the TW4 announced. I forgot how much Season of Storm is a good one. Can't wait to get the french translation for this one.
You should try doing a playthrough of the witcher 3 or 4 when it releases. Would be fun to see a polish person's views on how faithful the game is to its source material,
Holy kikimora I’m excited to eventually read this. Currently only on Tower of Swallows, but I know a lot of the broad strokes because of the games and other media.
Your happiness is visible, you are turning red while explaining it!
Thanks for the review.
I can't wait for it to come out in the UK! As excited as i am for Witcher 4, I thought a new witcher game could have focused on younger Geralt so I'm glad we are getting this!
You never did talk about Season of Storms, which after second read might have become my favourite Witcher book of them all. Wonder what’s your opinion about it. Asking this because it’s so comforting to hear you speak, great content!
Welp, another book to my infinite tbr! Glad to see you getting traction and getting sponsors! See you at the next reverie
Thanks Rafael! See you soon!
i am excite with great release!!!!!!!!!
Waiting for the English translation. Can't wait to read it
My first read of the year, actually finished it throughout 1st and 2nd of January. Good piece of lore and worldbuilding. Now reading Tome 2 of "Historia Mundiali" (Football World Cups History) and about to finish it in few days. And that'd already be 2 books/1000+ pages of reading by the end of January.
I'm definitely going to read it when it's available in us
Idk how much time we will have to wait for getting that book translated. I´ve been waiting years for a new Witcher book
OH MY GOD FINALLY A NEW VIDEO , I'M SO HAPPY💜💜💜
I been watching almost all of your video while waiting for a new content, always love your passion in these videos you make🥰🥰
Chill. I just started reading the last wish.
People are so silly! It seems obvious to me, even through the English translations, that the idea that witchers have no feelings is propaganda. Geralt obviously feels or most of these stories wouldn't happen.
I think it comes from the way how he's portrayed in the games and in the Netflix series--? So stoic. But it's definitely not what the writing in the books suggest. There's also an old Polish adaptation- it was kind of rudiculed for a long time for being low budget and having made some weird directing choices, but man, the acting there was fantastic! Michał Żebrowski will always be THE Geralt for me- I think his portrayal was much closer to how Geralt was in the books- and he definitely does have feelings!
@@lenamaterek6770 Haha I guess maybe people are taking his stoicism at face-value too much. Oh! I remember hearing about that. Was that the adaptation called The Hexer...? Er...? Is that what it was? I'll have to watch it! Weird directing choices sound fun. Hahaha!
I hope the new book gets an English translation soon. I would love to read a new Witcher book, even if its a prequel.