By Andrzej Sapkowski
This is a prequel to The Witcher series. It is a collection of short stories. The reason I rounded down to a 3 is due in large part to the fact that as soon as I started bonding with a character or storyline, it ended. I am hopeful that I will really enjoy the novels when I get to them though, as again, I really liked the characters and plots I encountered here.
The central character, Geralt, is a Witcher, whom we learn makes a living going from town to town dispatching monsters for a fee. He is a noble knight, living by a code of honor and ethics that transcend his fees, Somehow, this superhuman warrior, is starting to slip. An illness is alluded to from other characters, but he still seems to have better reflexes than star athletes enjoy.
In this world of fairy tales turned dark, some of the characters and sub plots will seem familiar to followers of the Grimms, Andersen, and Disney remakes. And we learn that this monster killer has a heart of gold, trying everything to reverse or undo spells before he has to actually kill anything or any one. There is redemption available for most of us in these tales, and the monsters seem to have more humanity than the men who are featured.
Soundtrack
Walk by Foo Fighters
Monster by Skillet
The Mountain by Three Days Grace