Scoop: New 'Witcher' novel coming September 30
Orbit will publish 'Crossroads of Ravens,' the ninth book in Andrzej Sapkowski's fantasy series that spawned video game and TV franchises.
According to Ellen Wright, Orbit will publish a new standalone novel in The Witcher series called Crossroads of Ravens on September 30, 2025. It will be Andrzej Sapkowski’s ninth fantasy book centered on the character of Geralt of Rivia, and his first in seven years.
It sounds like a prequel in the vein of Batman Begins: “In [Crossroads of Ravens], I return to the roots of Geralt’s journey — not the fearless monster slayer we know, but a young Witcher just beginning to understand the burden of his destiny,” says Andrzej Sapkowski.
“Imagine Geralt, but younger, with fewer scars and a bit more haughtiness. This is a story of growth, of idealism meeting harsh reality, and of choices that forge a legend. It’s about finding your place in a world that’s constantly challenging you to be more than you thought you could be. As this new story finds its way to readers across the globe this year, I can’t wait for them to walk alongside a younger Geralt — experiencing the trials that forged him and the journey that set him on the road to his destiny.”
Wright describes the book as “a perfect entry point for new readers, and an unmissable must-read for longtime fans.” Written in Polish, the novel will be translated by David French, who has translated six of the eight previous Witcher books. His translations of the first two books, The Last Wish and Blood of Elves, are coming out sometime in 2026.
“We're very proud at Hachette to be the global English language publisher, at Gollancz and Orbit, for this landmark publication,” says David Shelley, CEO of Hachette. “The Witcher is one of the most loved and most successful literary creations, and its millions of fans will be thrilled by this long-awaited new installment.”
The reclusive 76-year-old Sapkowski, who has been called (fairly or not) “the Polish Tolkien,” made headlines in 2018 when he asked for $16 million in unpaid royalties from the developers of The Witcher video games, and again in 2023 when he alleged Netflix executives “never listened” to his ideas for their TV adaptation starring Henry Cavill.
Forthcoming in The Frontlist
Behind the book with Amal El-Mohtar, author of The River Has Roots (March 4, Tordotcom), and her cover designer Spencer Fuller.
March book preview