As a card-carrying member of the Geralt of Rivia fan club, I dove into Baptism of Fire with high hopes and a heart already pledged to our beloved Witcher. Yes, I’ll admit the world of Geralt isn’t without its, ahem, problematic views, but my adoration began with the games and continued unabated into the books.

Baptism of Fire certainly didn’t disappoint. Sure, it served up some unsettling imagery that made me question my life choices for a moment, but in the grand scheme of things, it did its job: I was thoroughly entertained.

Did this book revolutionize the series with breakneck plot twists? Not exactly. The focus was more on the characters’ slog through a war-torn landscape than on adrenaline-pumping action. But let’s be honest, that’s where the magic happens. We got to revel in Geralt’s grumpy charm, enjoy some political intrigue, and witness character growth from Mr. Witcher himself. Plus, the dynamic between Geralt and Dandelion had me chuckling, the found family trope hit all the right notes, and a favorite character made a triumphant return.

The one tiny gripe? The role of Ciri. The blurb promised a grand quest to retrieve her, so naturally, I expected her to be front and center. Instead, she was more like a background extra with minimal screen time.

But despite this minor hiccup, Baptism of Fire was a delightful journey through Geralt’s world, leaving me eager for more. And if I’m being honest, as long as it’s got Geralt, I’m sold.