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