Should I Read The Witcher: The Last Wish or The Blood of Elves First?
The Witcher is a popular book series written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The series has gained a massive following worldwide, and its Netflix adaptation has further increased its popularity. If you’re new to the series, you might be wondering where to start. In this article, we’ll discuss whether you should read The Last Wish or The Blood of Elves first.
Understanding the Order of the Series
Before we dive into the answer, it’s essential to understand the order of the series. The Last Wish and The Blood of Elves are not the first books in the series. The Last Wish is a collection of short stories, while The Blood of Elves is the first full-length novel in the series. Sword of Destiny comes before The Blood of Elves in terms of chronology.
Why You Should Read The Last Wish First
There are several reasons why you should read The Last Wish before The Blood of Elves. Here are a few:
- Character Introduction: The Last Wish introduces you to the main characters, including Geralt of Rivia, the witcher, and his world. This helps you understand their motivations and personalities better.
- World Building: The short stories in The Last Wish provide a glimpse into the world of The Witcher, its politics, and its magic. This will help you appreciate the more detailed world-building in The Blood of Elves.
- Story Chronology: While The Blood of Elves comes chronologically first, The Last Wish is a more accessible starting point. It’s a self-contained collection of stories that can be read independently of the rest of the series.
Why You Might Want to Read The Blood of Elves First
Some readers might prefer to start with The Blood of Elves because:
- Depth and Complexity: The Blood of Elves is a more complex and mature novel than The Last Wish. It delves deeper into the world of The Witcher, its politics, and its magic.
- Full-Length Novel: The Blood of Elves is a full-length novel, whereas The Last Wish is a collection of short stories. Some readers might prefer the more substantial storytelling in The Blood of Elves.
In Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between reading The Last Wish or The Blood of Elves first depends on your personal preference. If you want to start with a more accessible and self-contained introduction to the world of The Witcher, The Last Wish is the better choice. If you prefer a more complex and mature story with deeper world-building, The Blood of Elves might be the way to go.
Order of the Series
Here’s a summary of the order of the series:
- The Last Wish (short story collection)
- Sword of Destiny (short story collection)
- The Blood of Elves (first full-length novel)
- Time of Contempt (second full-length novel)
- Baptism of Fire (third full-length novel)
- The Tower of the Swallow (fourth full-length novel)
- The Lady of the Lake (fifth full-length novel)
- Season of Storms (sixth full-length novel)
Timeline of the Series
Here’s a brief timeline of the series:
- The Last Wish: Events take place during Geralt’s younger years.
- Sword of Destiny: Events take place during Geralt’s younger years.
- The Blood of Elves: Events take place shortly after the events of Sword of Destiny.
- Time of Contempt: Events take place after The Blood of Elves.
- Baptism of Fire: Events take place after Time of Contempt.
- The Tower of the Swallow: Events take place after Baptism of Fire.
- The Lady of the Lake: Events take place after The Tower of the Swallow.
- Season of Storms: Events take place after The Lady of the Lake.
We hope this article has helped you decide which book to start with in The Witcher series. Happy reading!