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It's a buzzy time to be a Witcher fan. The Witcher 4 has been announced by CD PROJEKT RED, the studio behind The Witcher video game series. We've recently gotten our first look at Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia in the upcoming season 4 of Netflix's TV show adaptation. And, of course, Andrzej Sapkowski's The Witcher: Crossroads of Ravens is nearly here. There is a lot going on! 

But first, let us turn our attention to Crossroads of Ravens, which will be out in bookstores on September 30. Our video producer Ashley Victoria Robinson and staff writer Jules Chin Greene are here to give you a spoiler-filled review of the book. Check it out below - but be warned, there are spoilers!

What is The Witcher: Crossroads of Ravens about?

The Witcher: Crossroads of Ravens is a prequel to the rest of the Witcher books by Andrzej Sapkowski. It features an 18 year-old Geralt of Rivia before he was, well, of Rivia. He was just Geralt, a young Witcher. The publisher of the book, Orbit, supplies the following as the synopsis:

"Before he was the White Wolf or the Butcher of Blaviken, Geralt of Rivia was simply a fresh graduate of Kaer Morhen, stepping into a world that neither understands nor welcomes his kind.

And when an act of naïve heroism goes gravely wrong, Geralt is only saved from the noose by Preston Holt, a grizzled witcher with a buried past and an agenda of his own.

Under Holt’s guiding hand, Geralt begins to learn what it truly means to walk the Path – to protect a world that fears him, and to survive in it on his own terms. But as the line between right and wrong begins to blur, Geralt must decide to become the monster everyone expects, or something else entirely."

Should you read The Witcher: Crossroads of Ravens?

Yes you should! Whether you're a longtime Witcher fan, or a casual enjoyer of the Netflix show, there is something for everyone in Crossroads of Ravens. The book provides a good introduction to Geralt's character, while still showing a different side (and perspective) on him that seasoned readers will be entranced by. 

Can you read The Witcher: Crossroads of Ravens if you haven't read any other Witcher books?

Yes, Crossroads of Ravens is a standalone novel, so it will make sense even if you're a newcomer to the world of The Witcher. That said, the book doesn't talk down to its reader either. As long as you come to the book with an open mind about absorbing fantasy novel details, then you're golden. Happy reading! 

Return to the Continent - be it the original Witcher books, the great Witcher games, or the excellent Witcher TV series franchise at Netflix. To help you on your journey, we have our key articles about Geralt's adventures here:

• How to read the Witcher novels & short stories in order
• How to watch the Witcher series and spinoffs in order
• The Witcher timeline explained