The Lady of the Lake is the fifth novel in Andrzej Sapkowski’s “Witcher” series, following the events of The Tower of Swallows The novel follows the witcher, Geralt of Rivia, as he navigates the political landscape of the continent and deals with the growing threat of the Nilfgaardian Empire.
If you’re like us and binged the Netflix show in one weekend and put countless hours into The Witcher video game, then the only next step is to take a look at the epic novels that inspired not one, but two different media adaptations!
This is the fifth novel in the Witcher series, so make sure you’ve checked out Tower of Swallows first! Otherwise, let’s take a look at another stop in this epic fantasy ride.
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Official Description
The Lady of the Lake
After walking through the portal in the Tower of Swallows and narrowly escaping death, Ciri finds herself in a completely different world. . . an Elven world. Time does not seem to exist and there are no obvious borders or portals to cross back into her home world. She is trapped.
But this is the child of prophecy, and she will not be defeated. She knows she must escape to finally rejoin the Witcher and his companions—and also to conquer her worst nightmare. Leo Bonhart, the man who chased, wounded, and tortured Ciri, is still on her trail. And the world is still at war.
“It is better to go forward without a goal, than to have a goal and stay in one place, and it is certainly better than to stay in one place without a goal.”
Andrzej Sapkowski, The Tower of Swallows
Our Overview
The book opens with Geralt being summoned by his former lover, Yennefer of Vengerberg, to the kingdom of Cintra. There, they are tasked with finding and protecting Ciri. Who is being hunted by the evil Nilfgaardian Empire.
As they travel, the trio learns more about Ciri’s powers and the Nilfgaardian Empire’s plan to use her for their own purposes. They also encounter a mysterious woman known as the Lady of the Lake, who offers to help them if they help her in return. Despite their reservations, they agree to the deal. They traverse em on a dangerous journey to a hidden island in the middle of a lake.
They soon discover that the Lady of the Lake is actually a powerful sorceress who has been trapped there for centuries by a curse. The sorceress reveals that she needs Ciri’s help to break the curse, as she is the only one with the power to do so. However, they soon discover that the curse has been placed by an even more powerful being known as Avallac’h, who seeks to use Ciri for his own nefarious purposes.
Geralt and his companions must fight against Avallac’h and his minions to protect Ciri and the Lady of the Lake. Through trials and battles, they learn that Ciri’s destiny is far greater than they ever imagined. She is the key to unlocking the secrets of the Elder Blood and the fate of the world.
In the end, Geralt and Yennefer are forced to make a difficult decision. They must choose between saving Ciri and fulfilling their promise to the Lady of the Lake, or letting her go to fulfill her destiny.
Our Review
Ciri has easily grown to become our favourite character. She is a complex and engaging protagonist who is easy to root for, and all of her scenes feel incredibly moving. We have seen her grow up in a way through the series. The Lady of the Lake is a mysterious and powerful sorceress who adds an extra layer of mythical twist to the story.
The writing in “The Lady of the Lake” is excellent. Andrzej Sapkowski’s prose is rich and evocative, and his descriptions of the world of the Witcher are vivid and immersive. The book is well-translated into English and is a joy to read – we find that the translators never get enough praise, but from what we have heard from Polish fans, the translators have done a magnificent job in carrying his wit and prose into English.
This novel was especially engaging, and we’re probably a little biased in saying it’s because Ciri is the protagonist. She’s so engaging & lovable in a way which we can’t quite connect to in a way with the likes of Geralt.
Our rating: ★★★★★
Check it out on Netflix
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Lady of the Lake in the Witcher?
The Lady of the Lake is a mysterious and powerful sorceress in the “Witcher” universe. She is known for her knowledge of magic and her role in shaping the fate of the world of the Witcher.
What is the main plot of The Lady of the Lake?
“The Lady of the Lake” focuses on Ciri, the adopted daughter of Geralt of Rivia, who has returned to the world of the Witcher after disappearing for many years. The book follows Ciri as she tries to discover her true identity and the secrets of her past while being pursued by those who want to control her powers.
How many Witcher books are there?
There are a total of 9 books in the series, which include 3 short story collections, 5 main novels and a standalone novel.
- The Witcher (1990)
- Sword of Destiny (1992)
- The Last Wish (1993)
- Blood of Elves (1994)
- Time of Contempt (1995)
- Baptism of Fire (1996)
- The Tower of the Swallow (1997)
- The Lady of the Lake (1999)
- Season of Storms (2013)
What is Ciri’s Role in The Lady of the Lake?
Ciri is one of the main characters in “The Lady of the Lake” and is central to the book’s plot. She is on a quest to uncover the secrets of her past and her connection to the Lady of the Lake.
