The Time of Contempt: Booktrack Edition

By: Andrzej Sapkowski, David French - translator

Narrated by: Peter Kenny

The Time of Contempt: Booktrack Edition adds an immersive musical soundtrack to your audiobook listening experience! *
Soon to be a major Netflix original series!
To protect his ward, Ciri, Geralt of Rivia sends her away from the home of the Witchers to train with the sorceress Yennefer. But all is not well within the Wizard's Guild in the second book of the NYT bestselling series that inspired the blockbuster video games.
Geralt is a witcher: guardian of the innocent; protector of those in need; a defender, in dark times, against some of the most frightening creatures of myth and legend. His task, now, is to protect Ciri. A child of prophecy, she will have the power to change the world for good or for ill -- but only if she lives to use it.
Andrzej Sapkowski, winner of the World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement award, started an international phenomenon with his Witcher series.
*Booktrack is an immersive format that pairs traditional audiobook narration to complementary music. The tempo and rhythm of the score are in perfect harmony with the action and characters throughout the audiobook. Gently playing in the background, the music never overpowers or distracts from the narration, so listeners can enjoy every minute. When you purchase this Booktrack edition, you receive the exact narration as the traditional audiobook available, with the addition of music throughout.

Critic reviews

"The universe of Sapkowski's The Witcher 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&N

"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."—Nerds of a Feather

"Like a complicated magic spell, a Sapkowski novel is a hodgepodge of fantasy, intellectual discourse, and dry humor. Recommended."—Time

"Like Mieville and Gaiman, [Sapkowski] takes the old and makes it new ... fresh take on genre fantasy."—Foundation on The Last Wish

"A breath of fresh air in a well-worn genre. Don't miss it!"—Fantasy Book Review

"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."—Jacek Sieradzki, Polityka on The Last Wish

"Sapkowski's The Last Wish 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, The Last Wish is a great read - perfect for dipping into or just reading cover to cover, as I did."—Waterstones

"It is [his] world-weariness combined with his battle-honed powers that make Geralt such an interesting character. Here's hoping The Last Wish is merely the opening chapter in his English language adventures."—Edge

"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."—The Deckled Edge

"Sapkowski is very good at creating interesting, imaginative characters with unusual levels of depth to them ... The Last Wish is an enjoyable book full of stories both melancholy and comic."—The Wertzone

"This beautifully written character-based story from Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski ... a refreshing champion."—The Specusphere

"New battle mechanics, a fantastic storyline, and a gritty setting make The Witcher one of the most engrossing, mature RPGs to arrive on the PC in years."—Gamespot.com on The Witcher video game

"The Witcher delivers one of the most intense and rewarding role-playing experiences this year."—GT Reviews on The Witcher video game

Looking forward to the next book

As with all books there were some story lines that I liked better than others. Wasn’t too much of a fan of the ending but loved the book enough to continue reading the series.

Highly recommend

Atmospheric

I enjoyed the atmospheric music. Wasn't overpowering at all. Solid story and narrative performance.

For No Music!

I just found out there is another version of this WITHOUT MUSIC! You have to purchase the one without David A. French. I’m so happy now!

A great book, made even better by Peter Kenny!

Obviously another great book by Sapkowski, but for me, Peter Kenny is the real star!! He's just so great with his character acting, but also just so great at bringing scenes to life! This was my first "booktrack" with the soundtrack and sound effects, and it was a nice little addition I suppose. However, I wouldn't ever pay extra for it that's for sure. All things considered equal though, I would choose it for the same price over one without the soundtrack. ON TO THE NEXT!!

The best book so far

There are a lot of laugh-out-loud moments. I'm pretty impressed with the quality of the English translation. I still have the 4th and 5th books to listen to but I love this book the most so far

Another great hit!

I loved the story and the great job they did with the performance with the voices.

Like the story

If you are into fantasy this series may be for you. Listen to it on audio or read it outright. Up to you

love

keep up the work and here are twelve more words yah bleeding stink bugs lol.

Best book yet

I am currently reading through this series for the first time in order and this so far has been my favorite.

Confusing in places. But I have hope

You could call this book The Time of Confusion instead of The Time of Contempt. There is so much destruction and mayhem in it that it makes Blood of Elves seem simple and straightforward in comparison.

We are introduced to several new characters who wind up dead before this installment of the story. Although a couple of them find out some interesting, and potentially disturbing information about Ciri.

Yennifer is taking Ciri to a female magic school. Yennifer herself is also planning to go to a conclave of mages and enchantresses. But Ciri is beginning to develop an attitude and is trying to rebel against being shut up in an all-female school for the next several years. She runs away, and the search for her brings Geralt and Yennifer together again. When Yennifer gets to the conclave, taking Geralt with her, so she can show him off, the rather strange cocktail party preceding the real meeting is followed during the night by an unexpected battle of epic proportions between the various factions of mages.

Still stranger is the journey Ciri takes alone through a portal that brings her to the middle of a desert somewhere. She nearly dies of thirst, is aided by a unicorn, and finally uses her magic. But this draws the unexpected and unwanted attention of her enemies.

The ending, which doesn’t appear to be really an ending, even just for the episode, is strange, and … I don’t really know what it was all about. I will be looking forward to finding out in the next book. Assuming that we do find out. Meanwhile, I also still need to read the prequel short stories.

Was not particularly bothered by the music track. In fact, most of the time I didn’t notice it.