Times of Contempt
The fourth book in The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski, originally in Polish but currently being translated to English.
While mentoring Ciri in the art of magic, Yennefer is invited to the upcoming sorcerer council at the Thanedd Island, where they reunite with Geralt. However, things go downhill fast when a coup d'etat breaks out amongst the mages. Geralt is crippled (would be killed, if it were not for Triss), Yennefer disappears without a trace until book five, and Ciri is teleported by stray magic deep into the Nilfgaard territories. Meanwhile, Nilfgaard renews its assault, crushing the Northern Kingdoms one by one.
Tropes used in Times of Contempt include:
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"He [Geralt] killed a dozen Squirrels, slaughtered Artaud Terranova and caused unhealthy arousal of Keira Metz." |
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- Curb Stomp Battle: Lampshaded. While recovering from his fight with Vilgefortz, Geralt thinks of what he could do to avoid ending badly damaged, and comes to conclusion that nothing would have helped -- his opponent was so above his level that if he wanted to leave the fight unharmed, he should have run away.
- Information Broker: Codringher (and Fenn), an Amoral Attorney complete with Right-Hand-Cat, who for a good price can find any info or secure any court verdict. Geralt hires him to gather info on matters related to Ciri.
- Named After Somebody Famous: In-Universe, Ciri names herself Falka (an infamous rebellion leader in the North) to the Rats.
- Party Scattering: Happens to the main cast of during the Thanedd coup at the end of the book.
- Ragtag Bunch of Misfits: The Rats.
- Rape Is Love: Mistle pretty much rapes Ciri but she doesn't mind, and the two are a couple in the next book.
- Teleporters and Transporters: The portal in the Tower of the Seagull is supposed to be connected to the mysterious Tower of the Swallow but has long been known to malfunction.
- Wizarding School: Arethusa on Thanedd, where Yennefer intends to enroll Ciri.