The Fifth Elephant by Terry Pratchett

370 pages Paperback (Fiction)

What? Another Pratchett book. Am I only reading comic books and Terry Pratchett? I realize I have had a bunch of reviews of Pratchett lately, but it is a bit misleading. I am reading about four other books right now. Pratchett is awesome though and well worth reading a bunch in a row. You will do the same if you pick up some of his better books.

My wife and I bought each other this book as a gift last year and we were taking a trip together so we decided to have a little fun and race each other through the book. The Fifth Elephant follows the continuing adventures of the Ankh-Morpork guards. The main character, Sam Vimes, is promoted to a diplomat. He is being sent to Uberwald to attend the coronation of the new Low King. Of course nothing goes smoothly in on Discworld. There is an assassination attempt and a theft of the Royal Scone. Soon families of werewolves and vampires stick their nose into the problem and the help of trolls and dwarves is needed. An investigation in a foreign country makes life difficult for everyone, they hope they can solve the crime, but more importantly the hope to survive until they do.

Pratchett, as usual, tells a entertaining tale intertwined with humor in a fantasy world. The reader finds themselves in a story built on the foundation of myths and fairy tales. I enjoyed it and any fan of Pratchett deserves to add this to their reading list.

3 Intellectual/Emotional - Although I care a lot about the characters in these books. I wasn't as drawn into this story as much as I have in others in the series. 

4 Style/Readability - Pratchett's writing is engaging without ever losing the reader. It isn't simple, but it comes never makes it hard on the reader.

2 Long Term Impact - Prachett seems to skirt the edge of popularity in the fantasy genre, but the more well known he becomes the better it will be for fantasy in general.

9 out of 13. This is respectable. This wasn't may favorite of his books, but this is in comparison to some of his best works. It is a worthwhile read for any fan. I would suggest anyone that hasn't delved into Discworld start somewhere else such as Guards! Guards! or Going Postal.

As always, Keep Turning Pages.

On Deck:

A Bend in the River

Blood Meridian

Reality is Broken

The Hogfather by Terry Pratchett

354 pages (Fiction) Paperback

It didn't take me long to read another Pratchett book. He really is a fantastic writer and since it was almost Christmas I decided to give this book a read. This has actually been made into a two part miniseries on the BBC. I have seen the show and knew what was going on already, but there was enough additions to make the book interesting.

It is Hogswatch night, a night that is eerily similar to our Christmas Eve. The main difference is that instead of a jolly old elf sweeping the world delivering gifts; The Hogfather, a half man, half pig, pulled by a team of wild boars; distributes toys to those who believe. Only this night the Hogfather isn't showing up, someone else is. Death has noticed a lack of belief in the world and if the Hogfather doesn't deliver then there won't be enough belief in the world and that will have drastic consequences.

The tale follows Death as he attempts to fill the role of the Hogfather. It accompanies Susan, Death's granddaughter, as she attempts to find out what happened to the Hogfather. We look in on the Unseen University as the wizards there start to figure out that effects of belief are strangely out of whack. We also join an assassin and his band of ruffians who are attempting to make sure the Hogfather never delivers another present.

Pratchett delivers again. I enjoyed the book from beginning to end. In the show it is a bit confusing as to what actually happens at the end of the story, but in the book it seems to make more sense. It is lighthearted as all of Pratchett's books are and entertaining. Not only does he come up with interesting tales that poke fun at everyday happenings of our world, he ties it all together with interesting characters and a magical world. In addition to that he has a great way with language and uses that to add depth and humor to the book.

3 Intellectual/Emotional - Susan is becoming a favorite character as she has appeared in a few books. Death is a major player in this one and has always been a favorite. Even the bad guys are likable.

5 Style/Readability - Pratchett doesn't spoon feed a reader and allows you to figure out things for yourself. I never find it difficult to read, but find pleasure in the way he puts sentences together and uses the language to describe as well as amuse.

3 Long Term Impact - I don't understand why Pratchett isn't more renown. I have seen people glamorize his early book, The Color of Magic, but I honestly didn't think it was anywhere as good as his later stuff. Hogfather is one of his better books and deserves more recognition than it gets.

On Deck: The Fifth Elephant by Terry Pratchett (HA HA Another one!)

As always, Keep Turning Pages