zedatkinszed t1_j1m92q6 wrote on December 25, 2022 at 3:35 PM

I would say the short stories are the masterpiece TBH. I thought the novels were fascinating and probably a better example of grim dark than anything other than Abercrombie and GRRM but I enjoyed the short stories much more.

[deleted] OP t1_j1m9jcj wrote on December 25, 2022 at 3:39 PM

Yeah, the short stories were truly brilliant. I think to enjoy the novels you have to have really invested yourself in Geralt and Ciri, otherwise, it might feel a little hollow since the core of the novels is their relationship.

zedatkinszed t1_j1mouqe wrote on December 25, 2022 at 5:45 PM

I agree but honestly for me it was the scenes with Triss having diarrhea and descriptions of the Sorceresses that lost the work points. This and the whole piece on Ciri's periods in Kaer Morhen (this remains one of the worst pieces on menstruation ever written in fantasy) and her multiple SAs from book 3 onward by different elves. Sapowski could have left all of this out. You have to forgive this to enjoy the series.

[deleted] OP t1_j1op69c wrote on December 26, 2022 at 3:50 AM

I think the whole Triss being sick thing has more to it than you think, as sorceresses cant actually get sick. It's probable she was just continuing her creepiness of trying to get closer to Geralt. The Ciri stuff I must agree was a little weird, I don't think I remember it being quite as bad as you say but I will have to see, only on book 4 of the re-read.