Crossroads of Ravens, a novel by A. Sapkowski (Book review)

 Hello dear readers and fellow bloggers! Today I shall review Crossroads of Ravens by Andrzej Sapkowski. I read this novel a few months ago, but only got to reviewing it now. If you follow my blog regularly, you might remember that I reviewed ‘the last Witcher’ book more than once. In fact, I reviewed what I falsely believed to be the last Witcher book twice. Both times I was proven wrong, as a new Witcher book was published. My mistake is understandable, as writers sometimes have a change of heart. Andrzej Sapkowski kept coming back to his Witcher Universe and publishing more works.

The same thing happened with Ursula K. Le Guin and her Earthsea Cycle, she continued the series years after the ‘last Earthsea’ novel was published. As long as a writer is live and willing to write, a new sequel or prequel can appear in the series. That’s actually wonderful and something to be celebrated. This book labels might cause publishers headache, but the readers will more often than not be genuinely happy to get their hands on the new stuff.

This is the second Witcher book that was published following The Lady of Lake, the novel that chronologically ended the saga.  In a way, Sapkowski did keep his promise of not continuing his story. Both Witcher books published after The Lady of Lake are prequels, and they do not continue the traditional Witcher narrative but precede it. The Lady of the Lake is still the last Witcher book chronologically. However, there are two new prequels. I already reviewed Season of Swords back in 2025. So, today it is time for me to review Crossroads of Ravens, the latest Witcher publication and the earliest Witcher prequel. There is one short story that chronologically precedes it (more about it later), but generally speaking this is the earliest prequel.

Can we expect more prequels? Absolutely. Sapkowski himself said the possibilities are endless when it comes to Witcher Universe when asked about his plans to write more. Sapkowski practically promised new Witcher books. Sapkowski could write a number of prequels to his works, focusing on Geralt’s work as a Witcher. The way he framed the whole Witcher Universe, especially the monster fighting and mythological aspect of it, leaves plenty of room to explore numerous aspects of it. In particular, the short story potential will always be there. The way the stories originated, as reinterpretations of fairy tales and mythological stories, makes it very easy for the author just to keep writing. If you think about it, there could be hundreds of episodes or stories with Geralt fighting different kind of monsters (both human and mythological). I imagine there will be at least one more book (perhaps another short story book collection coming up), if not more.

Witcher books are often described as based on Polish folklore and mythology. That is an oversimplification, but you’ll find it everyone because everyone copies this phrase one from another, English publishers and reviewers in particular. In reality, Andrzej didn’t limit himself to a certain folklore or oral tradition. Sapkowski based his Witcher stories on more than just European folklore and mythology. There are literally mythological figures from Latin American mythology in the Witcher novels. So, it could be said he draws on myths, legends and stories in general.  Many of the original Witcher short stories were based on European fairy-tales, oral literature and folklore, some direct interpretations of it.  

The Witcher books really are rooted in Polish history, but I don’t the average reader will pick up on that, just because the average international reader probably does not know much about Polish history. For instance, there are numerous references to the Renaissance period in Poland in the Witcher novels. One could do a really detailed and interesting comparison of Polish history in context of the Witcher novels, but this review won’t go that deep. Instead, I’ll just focus on the novel in question, that is, the seventh novel and ninth overall book in this ultra popular series.  Published in 2024, Crossroads of Ravens is a prequel to all Witcher books and by that I mean both the novels and the short story collections. The novel opens with young Geralt. If we examine the full Witcher saga, there is one short story that features Gerlat’s mother titled The Road with No Return" that one could be said to proceed this novel but since it is only a story, this novel remains the first Witcher book chronologically and the last one in order of publication.

Throwback to 2015 and another way to style this dress

 

What was this novel like? I have to say that it was exactly how I imagined it would be. I knew what the novel is about going in and on overall, I got what I expected, more or less. I enjoyed reading it, but I also wasn’t too nostalgic when I finished it. It was nice going back into the Witcher world. It felt both familiar and credible. The atmosphere was there. The iconic protagonist was there, younger but still familiar. The writing style was easily recognizable and felt authentic. So, really there isn’t much to complain here.

Geralt did feel very young in this novel, and that is how it is supposed to be. It is not the same Geralt of the latter books, for sure. This is an unexperienced youth that is trying to find his place, a monster hunter with no experience of the world.  This novel tells the story of Geralt youth and his journey of becoming a witcher. For obviously, it takes more than training to make a witcher. At the end of the day, being witcher is more a calling, than a job, similar to being a teacher , a priest or a soldier.  It is not just any kind of job. At the very start of the novel, Geralt is almost hanged to death because he killed a man who was about to rape a girl. Not a fun first day at work, for sure. 

Geralt has literally just ‘graduated’ at Kaer Morhen (i.e the witcher school)  as he starts on his journey, seeing what it is like working as a witcher. Not as easy task at all, as witchers are not the most popular of folks. In fact, everyone seems eager to kill or attack them. This is something that was stressed across canon, and it is the same here in Geralt's younger years. Besides this stigma that comes with being a witcher, there is also the added difficulty of Geralt's youth and inexperience.  I like how that was not swept under the carpet. Geralt himself concludes that some of his first monster kills were more luck than anything. He has the training, but he hasn't got the experience, and he knows it. 

What is the young Gerlat like? He is cautious, and somewhat aware of his youth and naivety.  Older Geralt is often silent as a protest or for self-protection, whereas young Geralt in this novel uses silence to listen and learn. Both are not a witcher of many words, but perhaps not for the same reasons. As I was reading, I kept thinking what an isolating place a world must be for a young witcher, all alone setting on his path.  This young Geralt seems to be open towards learning, accepting a mentor and/or someone who will show him how the world works. Still, it still feels like Geralt. His stubbornness and a sense of humour is already there.

As it seems to be the case with all the witcher books, the narration is in third person but follows Geralt. The author often hints at things that Geralt does not know, reminding of his youth. Geralt is not simple, though. He is simply very young in this novel and the author captures that, his lack of experience and even vocabulary. There are some fun episodes that describe how contracts work in the witcher world, legal stuff and so on where it is clear that Geralt does not know the legal vocabulary, but also that he is a fast learner. I like how we got to see more details about the witcher world, the way banks and contracts work and so on. This is consistent with other witcher novels where we learn about such details. Yennefer in particular seems to know her banking stuff. Anyway, I feel like details like this one really add to the worldbuilding. Geralt learning about how contracts and getting paid work, signing documents and so on. 

Geralt remains at focus throughout the novel. Some characters from the previous novels make an appearance and are mentioned. However, as you might expect Yennefer is not there. For me personally, any book without Yennefer is a lesser book. I just think that the dynamics that these two have are what makes the books. Even when Yennefer was absent from large parts of some of the other latter books, her presence was still felt, and lingered in the air. However, when it comes to this prequel, Yennefer is completely absent because the two of them haven’t met yet. So, I guess fans of Yennefer will be somewhat disappointed, but it is what it is. Obviously, Dandelion and Ciri are not present either. Geralt’s witcher friends are mentioned, but don’t actually appear in the novel itself.

You will hear the names of Vesemir or Eskel in this novel but you won’t see them. In fact, there is only one character that plays an active role and that appeared in earlier Witcher books and that is the priestess Nenneke. She is younger in this book obviously, but already quite wise and resourceful. You could say that the writer captured her personality.

Sapkowski also managed to incorporates Nenneke into the plot. She plays a significant role. She’s not just there for the show or to give Geralt a place to stay. Geralt actually cares about her and the other priestesses. This novel shows that their connection goes way back. That part was well handled and written. Geralt feels naturally protective towards Nenneke. 

I also feel like the whole priestess plot gives Sapkowski some room to express his views on a number of things. There are some themes that run through a lot of Witcher literature such as the relationship between the society and women, and women priestess or sorcerers in particular. Female mages are usually such interesting characters in Geralt's books. 

 What is the plot about? Geralt goes and finds work, and then he finds a mentor. There is an enemy on his track, and someone wants to hurt his mentor as well. There are secrets to be found, evil magicians to defeat, politicians to scorn and monsters to fight. There are also women to charm. It seems that even very young Geralt holds some charm. In other words, this is a typical Witcher plot and novel.

2015, an alternative styling of this pink vintage dress

There is also some intextuality. There is much talk of one book in this book, and that book is basically a hate witcher book. A book so powerful it caused an attacked on Kaer Morhen where a lot of witchers were killed. Now, witchers are not generally popular, and despite the useful service they do, people fear them due to their mutations and strength.  However, this hate book titled Monstrum, or Description of the Witcher seems to have added insult to injury. The more we learn of this book, the more we realize that it was written with a sinister agenda and that there is a while movement or scheme behind it. Who write the book? It is an anonymous anti-witcher hate literature and this book actually drives the plot more often than not. It seems that the author of this book is to be blamed for the massacre of witchers. This book that keeps coming up was published several decades before the events of the novel–and before Geralt ever set foot into the plot. However, the book seems to be the key for one tragic event that resulted in the death of all witchers but one at Kaer Morhen. Who were the attackers? An angry mob, all of whom died. The book seems to have been behind the attack.

This novel mentioned again an event retold in the canon. Older Geralt (in the later books) often remember how the first monster he killed was a man who attacked a young girl. Crossroads of Ravens goes into a bit more detail and shows the young Geralt killing a deserter attempting to rape a young girl. For this, Geralt is to be hanged. As a witcher, he is not supposed to kill a human, and it seems everyone is only too glad to charge him with murder. However, Geralt is saved. An older witcher helps him and offers to mentor him. This older witcher is named Preston Holt. He proposes a companionship to Geralt. Hold is known and respected, so people are glad to hire him. However, Holt is old and not so strong on his feet anymore. Together, Geralt and Hold can kill monsters more effectively.  Geralt gets the chance to work, he is the one who does the killing, but it is Holt’s name that gets them the job.  Slowly but surely, Holt becomes Geralt’s mentor.

Geralt and Holt are not just left alone to mind their own business and build their friendship. Of course, there are plots and subplots. Monster killing episodes included but not limited to. Holt wants something from Geralt, and that something is help in revenge. Holt and Geralt practice together, and Geralt learns a lot from him. Geralt is put under pressure to accuse Holt, but he resists. However, Geralt learns that Holt is the only survivor of the massacre at Kaer Morhen. This can only mean that Holt had abandoned other witchers at Kaer Morhen and ran for his life.  

Is Holt to be held responsible for this or forgiven? Personally, I think Holt should not be judged for this. Afterall, what good would he had done by getting himself killed? Even if Holt abandoned his companions when he shouldn't have had, is he really to be forever judged for it? And who would carry the news Holt didn’t survive? Who would devote himself to revenge?

In general, I found the relationship between Holt and Geralt interesting. Holt decides to send Geralt away at some point, refusing to be his mentor any longer.  Geralt leaves, but trouble always follows him. Still, Geralt manages to meet the sinister author of Monstrum and discover his identity. The plot tickets, and in the end there is some really solid writing and action. This novel had some really well written action scenes. All in all, it was a good read.

1) THE LAST WISH 

2) SWORD OF DESTINY 

  3) BLOOD OF ELVES

4) TIME OF CONTEMPT 5) BAPTISM OF FIRE  6) THE TOWER OF THE SWALLOW  7) THE LADY OF THE LAKE 8) SEASON OF STORMS 

Thank you for reading and visiting!