The Tower of Fools
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3.4 • 44 Ratings
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- $29.99
Publisher Description
"A fantastic novel that any fan of The Witcher will instantly appreciate." —The Gamer
Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher series has become a fantasy phenomenon, finding millions of fans worldwide and inspiring the hit Netflix show and video games. Now the bestselling author introduces readers to a new hero on an epic journey in The Tower of Fools, the first book of the Hussite Trilogy.
Reinmar of Bielawa, sometimes known as Reynevan, is a healer, a magician, and according to some, a charlatan. When a thoughtless indiscretion forces him to flee his home, he finds himself pursued
not only by brothers bent on vengeance but by the Holy Inquisition.
In a time when tensions between Hussite and Catholic countries are threatening to turn into war and mystical forces are gathering in the shadows, Reynevan's journey will lead him to the Narrenturm—the Tower of Fools.
The Tower is an asylum for the mad...or for those who dare to think differently and challenge the prevailing order. And escaping it, avoiding the conflict around him, and keeping his own sanity will prove more difficult than he ever imagined
"A ripping yarn delivered with world-weary wit, bursting at the seams with sex, death, magic and madness." —Joe Abercrombie
"This is historical fantasy done right." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A highly enjoyable historical fantasy." —Booklist
The Tower of Fools is an historical novel set during the Hussite Wars in Bohemia during the 1400s, a period of religious conflict and persecution. Characters in the novel may express views that some readers might find offensive.
Also by Andrzej Sapkowski:
Witcher collections
The Last Wish
Sword of Destiny
Witcher novels
Blood of Elves
The Time of Contempt
Baptism of Fire
The Tower of Swallows
Lady of the Lake
Season of Storms
The Malady and Other Stories: An Andrzej Sapkowski Sampler (e-only)
Translated by David French
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
We love the high-fantasy universe Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski created in his sprawling Witcher saga. The first book in his unrelated Hussite Trilogy places us smack in the middle of another place and time: a feudal medieval Europe that’s a wee bit different than the one in the history books. (For one thing, magic is real!) After an impetuous moment with a powerful nobleman’s wife, cocky young magician Reinmar of Bielawa is being chased by everybody from revenge-minded henchmen to Inquisition armies. Eventually, he’s imprisoned in an insane asylum full of colorful characters—and with forces of evil magic consolidating power all over the continent, a little crazy energy might be just what Reimar needs. We were fascinated by the real-life historical elements that Sapkowski weaves into his fantasy epic, setting the tale during the Catholic Church’s brutal war against the “heretical” Hussite sect. Narrator Peter Kenny perfectly captures the wit and whimsy of Sapkowski’s captivating world with his lively character voices. Let The Tower of Fools kick off your next fantasy obsession.
Customer Reviews
Slow it down
Slow it down to 3/4 speed to understand better. Difficult to follow for me due to the accents given to the different characters. I barely got into the second chapter and quit. Backed up several different times trying to pick up story line. To much work and not enjoying for me.
Satirical, Witty, Erudite
Not for the lazy reader! A very complex read which I plan to review with a written copy, as I am unfamiliar with names and places of Eastern Europe. There is a lot of Latin, most of which I could follow... I found myself recalling Voltaire and Eco as I listened. I’m very impressed, and hope that the audiobooks for Volume 2 and 3 will be available soon!