title: Baptism of Fire (The Witcher)
author:  Andrzej Sapkowski 
description: <i>"</i>The universe of Sapkowski's <i>The Witcher</i> is one of the most detailed and best-explored in modern fantasy, offering endless opportunities for fresh ideas ... Complex character relationships enrich this already complex world; this is the sort of series fantasy fans will cherish."<b><i><i>B&amp;N </i></i></b><br /><br />"One of the best and most interesting fantasy series I've ever read. Though it functions well as adventure fiction, it has added depth and value as satire and commentary on fantasy literature ... Sapkowski is a genuine stylist."<b><i><i>Nerds of a Feather</i></i></b><br /><br />"Like a complicated magic spell, a Sapkowski novel is a hodgepodge of fantasy, intellectual discourse, and dry humor. Recommended."<b><i><i>Time</i></i></b><br /><br />"Like Mieville and Gaiman, [Sapkowski] takes the old and makes it new ... fresh take on genre fantasy."<b><i><i>Foundation</i> on<i> The Last Wish</i></i></b><br /><br /><i>"</i>A breath of fresh air in a well-worn genre. Don't miss it!"<b><i><style type="text/css"> p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Calibri; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} </style> <i>Fantasy Book Review</i></i></b><br /><br />"Sapkowski has a phenomenal gift for narrative, inventing sensational events, creating a suggestive mood, and building up the suspense along with a dazzling, slightly cynical sense of humor."<b><i>Jacek Sieradzki, <i>Polityka </i>on<i> The Last Wish</i></i></b><br /><br />"Sapkowski's <i>The Last Wish</i> is a great collection of short stories centered around a witcher, Geralt - a rare sorcerous breed who hunts down the monstrous but is feared by the innocent. With a wondrous mix of Eastern European folklore and myth, beautiful princesses, mischievous demons and where all is not as it seems, <i>The Last Wish</i> is a great read - perfect for dipping into or just reading cover to cover, as I did."<b><i><i>Waterstones</i></i></b><br /><br />"It is [his] world-weariness combined with his battle-honed powers that make Geralt such an interesting character. Here's hoping <i>The Last Wish</i> is merely the opening chapter in his English language adventures."<b><i><i>Edge</i></i></b><br /><br />"I really, really enjoyed this book ... None of the characters in Sapkowski's world are black or white; they are all shades of grey, including Geralt and the monsters."<b><i><i>The Deckled Edge</i></i></b><br /><br />"Sapkowski is very good at creating interesting, imaginative characters with unusual levels of depth to them ... <i>The Last Wish</i> is an enjoyable book full of stories both melancholy and comic."<b><i><i>The Wertzone</i></i></b>
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  BAPTISM OF FIRE
  
  ANDRZEJ SAPKOWSKI
  
  GOLLANCZ
  
  LONDON
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CONTENTS
  
  [Cover](./Text/titlepage.xhtml)
  
  [Title Page](Baptism_of_Fire_split_000.html#filepos109)
  
  [Chapter One](Baptism_of_Fire_split_002.html#filepos1779)
  
  [Chapter Two](Baptism_of_Fire_split_003.html#filepos111493)
  
  [Chapter Three](Baptism_of_Fire_split_004.html#filepos250740)
  
  [Chapter Four](Baptism_of_Fire_split_005.html#filepos340323)
  
  [Chapter Five](Baptism_of_Fire_split_006.html#filepos431587)
  
  [Chapter Six](Baptism_of_Fire_split_007.html#filepos553658)
  
  [Chapter Seven](Baptism_of_Fire_split_008.html#filepos667790)
  
  [Also By Andrzej Sapkowski](Baptism_of_Fire_split_009.html#filepos813130)
  
  [Copyright](Baptism_of_Fire_split_010.html#filepos813675)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [CHAPTER ONE](Baptism_of_Fire_split_001.html#filepos998)
  
  Then the prophetess said to the witcher: "I shall give you this advice: wear
  boots made of iron, take in hand a staff of steel. Then walk until the end of
  the world. Help yourself