Andrzej Sapkowski's iconic and sometimes likeable characters struggle through a war-torn land filled with death, peril and political intrigue. The way the characters complement each other in the writing leaves you unable to put the book down, but the complexities of the political side of Sapkowski's world is sure to have you scratching your head from time to time. Sometimes a difficult read for its complexities and slower pace, but I would definitely recommend it.  That being said, Sapkowski's gratuitous fixation on sexual violence feels unneccecary and excessive at times, leaving a somewhat bitter taste in the reader's mouth.