Witcher fans, get ready! Geralt of Rivia’s formative years are now chronicled in ‘Crossroads of Ravens,’ the newest addition to Andrzej Sapkowski’s beloved fantasy saga. While it’s the ninth book overall, this English translation, released on September 30th, serves as a fantastic entry point for anyone familiar with the Witcher world through its video games or TV series.
‘Crossroads of Ravens’ takes place before the events of the other Witcher novels and short story collections, making it a true origin story. You can grab the hardcover edition for $24.50 (down from $30) or opt for the audiobook on Audible for $19.68 (originally $22.49). Audible Premium Plus members can even use a monthly credit or purchase it for just $15.74.
This 400-page prequel delves into Geralt’s journey shortly after his graduation from Kaer Morhen. He’s still learning about the world and his place in it, narrowly escaping death before training under Preston Holt, the witcher who saved his life. It’s an exciting dive into the backstory of a character who has become a fantasy icon since his Polish debut almost 40 years ago, even if English translations only began appearing in 2007.
Expand Your Witcher Library
If you’re eager to explore more of Geralt’s world, several collections and individual editions are available:
The Witcher 8-Book Box Set (Paperback)
This comprehensive collection is perfect for those looking to read the entire saga. Published by Gollancz, this international English edition includes the two short story collections, the five mainline novels, and the prequel ‘Season of Storms.’ At around $62.90, it offers excellent value, bringing each book to less than $8. This set of 3,002 pages will keep any fantasy reader engrossed for a long time. Each book features unique color covers with the Witcher series logo, a style echoed by the display box.
The Witcher Saga Novel Box Set (5 Books)
For a focused dive into the main narrative, this 2022 Orbit-published box set contains all five core novels: ‘Blood of Elves,’ ‘The Time of Contempt,’ ‘Baptism of Fire,’ ‘The Tower of Swallows,’ and ‘The Lady of the Lake.’ Priced at $50 (originally $90), it’s a great deal for these more compact paperback editions, totaling 2,208 pages. The white covers are subtly adorned with symbols from the series, with the display box matching this elegant design.
The Witcher Stories Box Set (2 Books)
Complementing the novel collection, this set includes ‘The Last Wish’ and ‘Sword of Destiny,’ the first two books in the series. While not essential before ‘Crossroads of Ravens,’ they are highly recommended reading before ‘Blood of Elves.’ This 768-page collection is currently on sale for $26.90.
Individual Paperback Editions
Budget-conscious readers can also find individual Orbit paperback editions. For example, ‘The Last Wish’ is available for $9.29 (over 50% off its cover price). Other titles include:
- ‘Sword of Destiny’ – $12.85 (was $20)
- ‘Blood of Elves’ – $8.42 (was $20)
- ‘The Time of Contempt’ – $10.44 (was $19)
- ‘Baptism of Fire’ – $13.31 (was $19)
- ‘The Tower of Swallows’ – $11 (was $20)
- ‘The Lady of the Lake’ – $13.23 (was $20)
- ‘Season of Storms’ – $11.87 (was $20)
‘Season of Storms,’ chronologically placed between stories in ‘The Last Wish,’ was the earliest novel in the timeline until ‘Crossroads of Ravens’ pushed the timeline back even further.
The Witcher Illustrated & Hardcover Editions
For collectors and those who appreciate visual enhancements, ‘Crossroads of Ravens’ is initially available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats. While a paperback edition is expected next year, the full series can also be found in stunning hardcover. The first two story collections, ‘The Last Wish’ and ‘Sword of Destiny,’ have gorgeous Illustrated Editions featuring new dust jacket art, Geralt quotes, character sketches, and eight illustrations by talented artists, each priced around $23. The other mainline novels are available in hardcover editions from 2022, generally priced around $20 or less.
- ‘The Last Wish: Illustrated Edition’ – $22.90 (was $40)
- ‘Sword of Destiny: Illustrated Edition’ – $23 (was $40)
- ‘Blood of Elves’ – $21.76 (was $30)
- ‘The Time of Contempt’ – $21 (was $30)
- ‘Baptism of Fire’ – $19.58 (was $30)
- ‘The Tower of Swallows’ – $18.59 (was $30)
- ‘The Lady of the Lake’ – $20.35 (was $30)
- ‘Season of Storms’ – $11.87 (was $30)
- ‘Crossroads of Ravens’ – $24.50 (was $30)