Chrzest Ognia (English: Baptism of Fire), written by Andrzej Sapkowski, first published in Poland in 1996, is the fifth book in the Witcher series and the third novel in the Witcher saga, thus continuing the saga of Geralt and Ciri directly onwards from the end of Times Of Contempt.

Like all previous English translations of Sapkowski's work Baptism Of Fire will be translated by Danusia Stok. In the UK it will be released by Gollancz Books and in the US by Orbit Books. Currently each publisher is focusing upon releasing Times Of Contempt for English speaking readers and so neither company have made statements pertaining to the intended release of the novel. 'However' the internet site Amazon has a system for pre-ordering the novel set up already (which has been set up since early 2011 on the, 'then', impending release of Times Of Contempt). It's release is of course dependent on The Time Of Contempt being published yet, as of early May, Amazon state the book will be released on the 20th February 2014[1] (there has been no confirmation by the publisher however).

No cover artwork has, to date, been confirmed for the english translations but Alejandro Colucci's work is likely to be chosen for the novel as his art has been on each english translation to date.

Brief synopsis Edit

Geralt recovers in Brokilon forest after the Thanedd incident, but he is intent on leaving as quickly as possible and continuing on his path to find Ciri. In Brokilon, he meets a young woman who will follow him on his journey towards Nilfgaard. Meanwhile, Ciri has settled into a life with some people elsewhere whom she finally can call her friends. The witcher, accompanied by Dandelion and the young woman he meets in Brokilon, undertake a dangerous journey, meeting new people along the way and discovering the truth about the mysterious Black Rider who has been plaguing Ciri's dreams. One of the new friends they make along the way turns out to be rather interesting...

While recovering in Brokilon from his injuries sustained during the Thanedd coup, Geralt meets Milva, a hunter and expert archer. Her mastery of the bow is unequalled. Despite not particularly liking the convalescing witcher, she decides to follow Geralt, who is accompanied by Dandelion, on his way towards Nilfgaard and hopefully, Ciri. The journey is not easy, the war is encroaching seemingly from all directions and nearly every city is ablaze.

Along their journey they meet a group of dwarves led by one Zoltan Chivay. As it seems they are all going in the same direction, Geralt's party joins the group who are also shepherding some refugee women and children.

At several points in their journey, Geralt and his companions come across Cahir, the erstwhile "Black Rider" that plagued Ciri's dreams. Initially, the knight is being transported as a prisoner — in a coffin no less! — by some hawkers, when Geralt spares his life for the second time. However, the witcher wants nothing to do with the young Nilfgaardian and leaves him to his own devices, Cahir is ever persistent and continues to shadow the witcher and his entourage. Eventually, through Milva's intervention, the young knight comes to join the group.

Finally, the troupe is joined by Regis, a vampire, some might say "monster", who rather surprisingly becomes the monster hunter's good friend. Regis proves invaluable for his medical skills.

As the group travels east, they are inevitably caught between the warring factions which leads them into the thick of the Battle for the Bridge on the Yaruga where the group is pivotal in queen Meve's victory. It is shortly after his battle that Geralt is knighted by the queen and officially becomes "Geralt of Rivia".

Meanwhile Ciri has settled into life with a party of young rebels who call themselves the "Rats" and has become known as "Falka". With the Rats, she experiences killing on quite a regular basis, but also forms a strong bond with Mistle. Killing ultimately becomes an obsession for the former princess.

Covers of different editions Edit

The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski
Short story collections
Wiedźmin (obsolete) | The Last Wish | Miecz przeznaczenia (The Sword of Destiny) | Coś się kończy, coś się zaczyna (Something Ends, Something Begins)
Novels
Blood of Elves | Times of Contempt | Chrzest Ognia (Baptism by Fire) | Wieża Jaskółki (The Tower of the Swallow) | Pani Jeziora (The Lady of the Lake)
Adaptations
Wiedźmin (graphic novels) | The Hexer (movie & TV series) | Wiedźmin: Gra Wyobraźni (PnP RPG) | The Witcher] (video game) | The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (video game) | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (video game)

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