The actions and grit of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher series has returned in Time of Contempt, a happy sight given the lacklustre beginning in Blood of Elves. However, things aren’t all sunshine and rainbow’s in this addition the series. In fact, Time of Contempt has left me with a bitter taste in my mouth, reconsidering if I will continue with the seires.

After decades of oppression, the elves and other races are fighting each other and attacking the humans in ever-growing numbers. The kings and armies fear invasion from across the river – but fear their neighbours more. Dissent and intrigue fester in th time of contempt. As Ciri learns to control her magic, Geralt and Yennefer must protect the orphaned heir who is sought by all sides. For the child of prophecy has power to change the world – if she lives to use it.

Trigger warning: Time of Contempt contains sexual abuse and assault and it is recommended that you check reviews and wanrings prior to beginning this novel.

Let’s start with the drastic difference between between Blood of Elves and Time of Contempt. What was missing in The Blood of Elves is front and centre in this novel, bringing to life all sorts of rich imagery, high tensions, and overwhelming emotions. The characters are leaping of the page, especially Ciri whom is going through all sorts of experiences and dangers. With Geralt and Yennefer reunited once more, we also have some character interactions and relationship building to work through with them, along with the character and relationship building between Ciri and Yennefer and Ciri and Geralt. Note: I’m choosing to disregard the way in which the enchantresses were portrayed at the banquet because it seems historically women in fantasy are given one-dimensional, often poorly representative images with little to no independence and meaning. It does, however, bring my ranking down. I won’t be forgiving the ending though.

There is one thing I can’t quite wrap my head around, and it plays a rather significant role in the storyline. Is Geralt the main character? If so, why is he seemingly pushed to the side of the narrative? If the main character is Ciri, then why do we have so many moments she is not a apart of? I will admit, with how drastic the shift between Blood of Elves and Time of Contempt felt in terms of story writing, things feel a little imbalanced. Where is Geralt’s vocation as a witcher in all this? I appreciate a little moral dilemma here and there, and there are a lot of other things he’s dedicating his time to in this series, case and point Ciri’s safety. It just feels a little out of touch with the Geralt of The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny.

And then the ending. Let me start by saying this: adult fantasy will contain things not everyone wants to read. If you are familiar with Game of Thrones, even if just the tv show, then you will know that certain adult fantasy includes actions and details not pleasing to the average reader, and espeically for non-male readers. Time of Contempt is one such novel where, seemingly out of the blue, Ciri is the victim of sexual assault, but for whatever reason, is lead to believe everything is fine because she is no longer on her own. It is vile. Why Ciri would believe this, given the power she possesses in both her magic and her mastery with weapons thanks to her witcher training, I don’t know.

I don’t know if I will continue the witcher novel series. I really enjoyed the short stories, but the novels are taking all the good things about those short stories and replacing them with little more than page filler dialogue and heavily sexist interpretations of characters. I will certainly be picking up Season of Storms given that there will be monsters and Geralt actually being a witcher involved, but time will tell if I soldier on through the Witcher novels.