The Witcher Books are a collection of brief stories and books within the fantasy genre, authored by Andrzej Sapkowski, a renowned Polish author. The literary collection, referred to as The Witcher Saga, has garnered a devoted following around the world.
The central focus of The Witcher Saga centers on the primary protagonist of the collection, Geralt of Rivia. Our protagonist works as a witcher, a profession that entails the pursuit and elimination of various monsters and beasts. Witchers undergo rigorous training from an early stage of their lives, enabling them to cultivate extraordinary capabilities for the purpose of hunting and exterminating monsters and untamed beasts.
Geralt underwent rigorous training at the renowned stronghold of the School of the Wolf (Kaer Morhen), where he persevered through a series of arduous mental and physical trials in order to acquire exceptional capabilities bordering on the extraordinary.
Following the initial significant conflict that ensued among the North Kingdoms and the Nilfgaard Empire, Geralt embarks on a journey around the Continent with the objective of eliminating monstrous creatures and safeguarding Ciri, a child who is believed to possess the potential to either bring mercy or destruction to everybody.
In this article, we’ll go through Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher books in order of publication. Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
Sword of Destiny
First Published – 1992
Type – Fiction
Genre- Fantasy Epic
Author: Andrzej Sapkowski
Synopsis: Geralt is a witcher, a man whose magic powers, enhanced by long training and a mysterious elixir, have made him a brilliant fighter and a merciless assassin. Yet he is no ordinary murderer: his targets are the multifarious monsters and vile fiends that ravage the land and attack the innocent.
This is a collection of short stories, following the adventures of the hit collection THE LAST WISH. Join Geralt as he battles monsters, demons and prejudices alike.
The Last Wish
First Published – 1993
Type – Fiction
Genre- Fantasy Epic
Author: Andrzej Sapkowski
Synopsis: Geralt the Witcher—revered and hated—is a man whose magic powers, enhanced by long training and a mysterious elixir, have made him a brilliant fighter and a merciless assassin. Yet he is no ordinary murderer: his targets are the multifarious monsters and vile fiends that ravage the land and attack the innocent.
But not everything monstrous-looking is evil and not everything fair is good… and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth.
Blood of Elves
First Published – 1994
Type – Fiction
Genre- Fantasy Epic
Author: Andrzej Sapkowski
Synopsis: For over a century, humans, dwarves, gnomes, and elves have lived together in relative peace. But times have changed, the uneasy peace is over, and now the races are fighting once again. The only good elf, it seems, is a dead elf.
Geralt of Rivia, the cunning assassin known as The Witcher, has been waiting for the birth of a prophesied child. This child has the power to change the world – for good, or for evil.
As the threat of war hangs over the land and the child is hunted for her extraordinary powers, it will become Geralt’s responsibility to protect them all – and the Witcher never accepts defeat.
The Witcher returns in this sequel to The Last Wish, as the inhabitants of his world become embroiled in a state of total war.
The Time of Contempt
First Published – 1995
Type – Fiction
Genre- Fantasy Epic
Author: Andrzej Sapkowski
Synopsis: Geralt is a witcher: guardian of the innocent; protector of those in need; a defender, in dark times, against some of the most frightening creatures of myth and legend. His task, now, is to protect Ciri. A child of prophecy, she will have the power to change the world for good or for ill — but only if she lives to use it.
A coup threatens the Wizard’s Guild.
War breaks out across the lands.
A serious injury leaves Geralt fighting for his life…
… and Ciri, in whose hands the world’s fate rests, has vanished.
Baptism of Fire
First Published – 1996
Type – Fiction
Genre- Fantasy Epic
Author: Andrzej Sapkowski
Synopsis: The Wizards Guild has been shattered by a coup and, in the uproar, Geralt was seriously injured. The Witcher is supposed to be a guardian of the innocent, a protector of those in need, a defender against powerful and dangerous monsters that prey on men in dark times.
But now that dark times have fallen upon the world, Geralt is helpless until he has recovered from his injuries.
While war rages across all of the lands, the future of magic is under threat and those sorcerers who survive are determined to protect it. It’s an impossible situation in which to find one girl – Ciri, the heiress to the throne of Cintra, has vanished – until a rumor places her in the Niflgaard court, preparing to marry the Emperor.
Injured or not, Geralt has a rescue mission on his hands.
The Tower of the Swallow
First Published – 1997
Type – Fiction
Genre- Fantasy Epic
Author: Andrzej Sapkowski
Synopsis: The world has fallen into war. Ciri, the child of prophecy, has vanished. Hunted by friends and foes alike, she has taken on the guise of a petty bandit and lives free for the first time in her life. But the net around her is closing. Geralt, the Witcher, has assembled a group of allies determined to rescue her. Both sides of the war have sent brutal mercenaries to hunt her down. Her crimes have made her famous.
There is only one place left to run. The tower of the swallow is waiting.
Season of Storms
First Published – 2013
Type – Fiction
Genre- Fantasy Epic
Author: Andrzej Sapkowski
Synopsis: Geralt of Rivia. A witcher whose mission is to protect ordinary people from the monsters created with magic. A mutant who has the task of killing unnatural beings. He uses a magical sign, potions and the pride of every witcher — two swords, steel and silver. But what would happen if Geralt lost his weapons?
In this standalone novel, Geralt fights, travels and loves again, Dandelion sings and flies from trouble to trouble, sorcerers are scheming … and across the whole world clouds are gathering – the season of storms is coming.
So there we have it! The Witcher Book series in order of publication. Have you read any? Which are your favourites? Let us know in the comments below!