The Witcher creator Andrzej Sapkowski has given followers a launch window for the extremely anticipated subsequent ebook within the collection, alongside a attainable tease of its story.
As reported by IGN Poland, Sapkowski stated throughout Comedian Con Vienna that the subsequent ebook, which at present lacks a title, will arrive worldwide in early 2025 following a debut in its native Poland in late 2024.
Recognized for his dry and sarcastic humour, Sapkowski additionally shared a short tease as to what the story would possibly contain. “[Netflix] made a collection primarily based on one quick story. They compelled me to proceed,” he stated. “I am not complaining. Due to this, I now have the funds for for the lease.”
Sapkowski saying Netflix is making a collection primarily based on one quick story is not fairly correct, however the streaming service did simply announce the animated movie Sirens of the Deep earlier in November 2023, which is predicated on a single quick story. Season 1 of the Netflix present can also be primarily based on a set of The Witcher quick tales written by Sapkowski, whereas Season 2’s opening episode is predicated on the A Grain of Fact quick story.
Whereas it’s miles from confirmed, the likeliest candidate is Sirens of the Deep, which already seems to incorporate content material not from the quick story it is primarily based on, A Little Sacrifice. It is due to this fact attainable Sapkowski is writing a follow-up or extension of that story, which options Geralt of Rivia, his greatest pal Dandelion, and a rival bard referred to as Essi Daven.
Heartbroken from his first break-up with Yennefer, Geralt travels The Continent with Dandelion earlier than the pair come throughout Essi. The three then mediate a lover’s quarrel between a prince and a mermaid that appears to develop much more intense within the Netflix adaptation.
Essi has lengthy been a fan favorite character, so an extension of her story would possible be welcome to followers of The Witcher. It additionally matches expectations the subsequent ebook will inform a facet story that does not immediately have an effect on the principle Witcher saga, that is instructed all through 5 books and is customized as of Season 2 of the Netflix present. This was the case with the earlier Witcher ebook, Season of Storms, which launched in 2013 and instructed a self-contained story of Geralt years earlier than the principle saga.
Not solely does Geralt’s story come to a reasonably definitive finish in the principle saga, however a (technically unofficial) development has already taken place by way of the CD Projekt recreation collection, which takes place within the few years following the books.
Whereas these are the one actually canonical entries in The Witcher franchise, the universe has now advanced far past the unique ebook collection. The sport trilogy (and several other incoming sequels and spin-offs) are joined by the Netflix present, a comedian ebook collection, a tabletop RPG, manga, and even a cookbook.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll speak about The Witcher all day.
