(87) Witcher 3 Complete Walkthrough Part 72 All quests Death March (all side quests + commentary) - YouTube
Some big revelations, CPDR's continuation of the novels.
The " Isle of Mists" is a clear reference to the island "where the apple trees bloom eternal" from the final novel. It is same-same but different, and not related. The concept of a magical island is from Arthurian lore, which Sapkowski was inspired by, especially for his book 7. Also the gang of Ciri's friends is also a clear reference to the rats, except this group of wanderers are mischievous rather than bloodthirty and damaged.
A major retconn is the relationship between Avallach and Ciri. It is extremely abrupt and jarring at first. Avallach was strange figure. Compared to Eredin he was benign but was extremely obsessed with Ciri's blood (not the person, as noted in the game) for the 'greater good' and for self serving reasons. He is untrustworthy but powerful character in the novels, which is noted by Geralt in the game. Really someone that is neither an enemy nor a friend, and someone that should be worked with more like a business deal.
A way that CDPR could have segwayed relationship better was to make Avallach more humanized and sympathetic of a character with a Geralt- Avallach quest. Turn him towards being a friend.
CIRI, The Child of Destiny - Archive (the-comic.org)
It is also significant that CPDR does not remove the Yenn/Geralt kiss at the reunion whether or not the player choses Triss or Yenn paths, and keeps Geralt's reaction as ambiguous. This is a clear reference for readers of the novel.