The Last Wish summary

The Witcher's Beginnings

In The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski, we are introduced to Geralt of Rivia, a Witcher, a professional monster hunter with supernatural abilities. The book is a collection of short stories that provide a glimpse into Geralt's early life and his encounters with various mythical creatures. The title story, The Last Wish, follows Geralt as he battles a striga, a cursed princess, and makes a fateful wish that binds his destiny to a powerful sorceress, Yennefer.

As the narrative progresses, we learn more about Geralt's unique upbringing and training at Kaer Morhen, the Witcher stronghold. We also witness his complex relationship with Yennefer, a woman as enigmatic and dangerous as he is. Their love is passionate yet tumultuous, marked by their shared experiences and the magical bond created by Geralt's wish.

Geralt's Adventures

In the subsequent stories, Geralt's adventures take him to various locations, each teeming with its own set of supernatural beings. He confronts a striga in the capital city of Temeria, a golden dragon in the mountains, and a cursed man-turned-monster in a remote village. Throughout these encounters, Geralt's moral code is tested, and he often finds himself in situations where the line between good and evil is blurred.

One of the most memorable stories is The Lesser Evil, where Geralt is forced to make a difficult choice between two evils. This story serves as a poignant reminder of the harsh realities of the Witcher's world, where there are rarely clear-cut solutions or happy endings. Geralt's decisions are often driven by his own code of ethics, which emphasizes neutrality and the lesser evil.

Yennefer and the Djinn

Returning to the overarching narrative, we find Geralt and Yennefer embroiled in a dangerous quest to capture a djinn, a powerful genie-like creature. Their pursuit is driven by Yennefer's desire to break the magical bond between them, a bond that was created by Geralt's wish in the title story. However, their plan goes awry, and both Geralt and Yennefer are gravely injured in the process.

As Geralt lies on the brink of death, he makes his second and final wish to the djinn, a wish that remains a mystery to the reader. The consequences of this wish are far-reaching and set the stage for the events that unfold in the subsequent books of the series. The book ends with Geralt and Yennefer's fates hanging in the balance, leaving readers eager to discover what lies ahead for the Witcher and his sorceress.

In Conclusion

In The Last Wish, Andrzej Sapkowski crafts a rich and immersive world filled with magic, monsters, and moral ambiguity. Through Geralt's eyes, we explore the complexities of human nature and the harsh realities of a world plagued by supernatural threats. The book's episodic structure allows us to witness Geralt's growth as a character and his evolving relationships with the people around him, particularly Yennefer and his bard companion, Dandelion.

Overall, The Last Wish serves as an excellent introduction to the Witcher series, offering a compelling blend of action, intrigue, and philosophical musings. It sets the stage for the epic saga that follows, promising readers a thrilling journey through a world where monsters lurk in the shadows and heroes are not always who they seem.