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icarusabides's reviews
574 reviews
Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
One Day All This Will Be Yours by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This novella is Adrian Tchaikovsky's short fiction at its finest as he turns his considerable talent for ideas to the ramifications of a time war and what it would be like to survive such a thing. Its fast paced, humourous, a bit cynical, and jam packed with imagination.
Robots, dinosaurs, fractured pockets of time, and time machines galore, what more could you ask for?
Robots, dinosaurs, fractured pockets of time, and time machines galore, what more could you ask for?
Ogres by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Fifth Elephant by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Maskerade by Terry Pratchett
Three is a good number when it comes to Witches because as the book itself says:
However, that said, two is also a pretty entertaining number when it comes to Witches because those arguments and squabble between Granny and Nanny Ogg make for a rather hilarious double act throughout this book.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I know next to nothing about Opera so perhaps I'm not getting everything I could out of this book but despite my lacking knowledge in this area I still had a fantastic time with this book. The plot works regardless and the Witches are just on incredible form, especially Nanny Ogg who is capable of stealing each and every scene she's even remotely close to.
There's a good supporting cast to the Witches as well with Greebo along for the ride once more, a few cameos from The Watch as they prop up the odd wall here and there, and of course Walter Plinge the amiable outsider who's genial nature and unconventional form leads unfortunately to ostracision and suspicion.
Agnes is an interesting character to explore as, quite like Walter, she's something of an unfortunate outsider wherever she goes and her determination to push against the inexorable pull of her supposed future as a Witch because she sees this as cementing that lonely outsider status is fascinating. It's also pretty understandable to be annoyed by Granny's complete, and usually correct, belief that you'll do what she says eventually.
There's a good supporting cast to the Witches as well with Greebo along for the ride once more, a few cameos from The Watch as they prop up the odd wall here and there, and of course Walter Plinge the amiable outsider who's genial nature and unconventional form leads unfortunately to ostracision and suspicion.
Agnes is an interesting character to explore as, quite like Walter, she's something of an unfortunate outsider wherever she goes and her determination to push against the inexorable pull of her supposed future as a Witch because she sees this as cementing that lonely outsider status is fascinating. It's also pretty understandable to be annoyed by Granny's complete, and usually correct, belief that you'll do what she says eventually.
“Granny really couldn't be having at all with Nanny Ogg, who was her best friend.”
Three is a good number when it comes to Witches because as the book itself says:
"You needed at least three witches for a coven. Two witches was just an argument."
However, that said, two is also a pretty entertaining number when it comes to Witches because those arguments and squabble between Granny and Nanny Ogg make for a rather hilarious double act throughout this book.
"Gytha,” she said, “this is me askin’ you this. Is there any page in this book, is there any single recipe, which does not in some way relate to . . . goings-on?” Nanny Ogg, her face red as her apples, seemed to give this some lengthy consideration. “Porridge,” she said, eventually. “Really?” “Yes. Er. No, I tell a lie, it’s got my special honey mixture in it.” Granny turned a page. “What about this one? Maids of Honor?” “Weeelll, they starts out as Maids of Honor,” said Nanny, fidgeting with her feet, “but they ends up Tarts.” Granny looked at the front cover again. The Joye of Snacks."
Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Last Continent by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The bickering faculty of Unseen University are always good value so half this book is great but the rather metaphysical mind frell of Rincewind's adventure through cliché Australia doesn't work nearly as well. It lacks focus with Rincewind running from place to place and vignette to vignette with no real cohesion to the how or why and he really could have done with a partner to bounce off as he's had in previous books. There are still a lot of laughs to be has and some great quotes in this one, basically anything involving the faculty arguing is gold (or glod) but there's just not enough holding the fever dream of the Rincewind parts together.
Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett
Lords and Ladies is another quick enjoyable page-turner of a Pratchett read even though it has a darker tone for the most part than the rest of the books in the series up to this point. There's a lot of introspection here, especially on the part of Granny Weatherwax, amongst the usual sharp wit and humour of a Discworld book.
It's a book with a fair bit to say about old stories, ageing, and on change being so very important to being human. Granny is her usual forthright self to everyone around her in Lords and Ladies but it was interesting to see the slight angle of self doubt creeping in before she rights herself and fixes her place in the world once more.
Nanny Ogg steals the show, and most of the food, in any given scene she's in and it was great to see her character being built some more following the Witches Abroad. There's more depth with the Ramtops based side characters too that has been seen in the past and that little insight into the wider lives of the likes of Jason and Shawn was lovely.
Ultimately it's a story about Elves. And not the nice ethereal Tolkien kind. No, these Elves are capricious and malevolent creatures that bring to mind the likes of the Gentlemen with the Thistledown Hair from Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. This twisting of them works really well for a story based around perception and how things can become distorted over time
Oh, and there's a good old dash of Ook thanks the wonderful appearance from a few Unseen University faculty which is a joy
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I ATEN'T DEAD
Lords and Ladies is another quick enjoyable page-turner of a Pratchett read even though it has a darker tone for the most part than the rest of the books in the series up to this point. There's a lot of introspection here, especially on the part of Granny Weatherwax, amongst the usual sharp wit and humour of a Discworld book.
It's a book with a fair bit to say about old stories, ageing, and on change being so very important to being human. Granny is her usual forthright self to everyone around her in Lords and Ladies but it was interesting to see the slight angle of self doubt creeping in before she rights herself and fixes her place in the world once more.
Nanny Ogg steals the show, and most of the food, in any given scene she's in and it was great to see her character being built some more following the Witches Abroad. There's more depth with the Ramtops based side characters too that has been seen in the past and that little insight into the wider lives of the likes of Jason and Shawn was lovely.
"Elves are wonderful. They provoke wonder.
Elves are marvellous. They cause marvels.
Elves are fantastic. They create fantasies.
Elves are glamorous. They project glamour.
Elves are enchanting. They weave enchantment.
Elves are terrific. They beget terror."
Ultimately it's a story about Elves. And not the nice ethereal Tolkien kind. No, these Elves are capricious and malevolent creatures that bring to mind the likes of the Gentlemen with the Thistledown Hair from Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. This twisting of them works really well for a story based around perception and how things can become distorted over time
"People remember badly. But societies remember well"
Oh, and there's a good old dash of Ook thanks the wonderful appearance from a few Unseen University faculty which is a joy
Jingo by Terry Pratchett
Then the plot moves away from the City as the focus shifts from the build up to conflict into the actual conflict itself and for a while the book kind of becomes this madcap adventure that's something akin to a Carry On film in a way what with the Watch stranded in the desert, the Patrician juggling, Colon mugging, and Nobby essentially infiltrating a Harem. It's quite a tonal shift and although still very enjoyable and very poignant at times it didn't quite feel as interesting or as focused as the initial build up and the outright jingoism being looked at in the earlier part.
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Jingo is one of the more weighty Discworld books when it comes to its themes, Pratchett often explored a lot of important stuff in these books but Jingo is particularly overt in its exploration of the nature of wars, xenophobia, colonialism, and yes Jingoism. Clue in the title etc. That doesn't mean it's not funny and entertaining still because it absolutely is but right from the outset this book riffs on a partial Falklands War angle.
Personally I preferred the first half of the book, before events moved away from Ankh Morpork, with the furiously introspective Vimes coming to terms with his position distancing him from the day to day operations of the Watch and the City at large, especially when he focuses on not getting to know the immigrant communities of the City. Then there are the rising racial tensions in the city and exploration of the sudden othering of those different to you when conflict arises:
Personally I preferred the first half of the book, before events moved away from Ankh Morpork, with the furiously introspective Vimes coming to terms with his position distancing him from the day to day operations of the Watch and the City at large, especially when he focuses on not getting to know the immigrant communities of the City. Then there are the rising racial tensions in the city and exploration of the sudden othering of those different to you when conflict arises:
"It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things."
Then the plot moves away from the City as the focus shifts from the build up to conflict into the actual conflict itself and for a while the book kind of becomes this madcap adventure that's something akin to a Carry On film in a way what with the Watch stranded in the desert, the Patrician juggling, Colon mugging, and Nobby essentially infiltrating a Harem. It's quite a tonal shift and although still very enjoyable and very poignant at times it didn't quite feel as interesting or as focused as the initial build up and the outright jingoism being looked at in the earlier part.
Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
After Guards Guards and Men at Arms it really feels like the series has settled into the Watch, or perhaps vice versa, in this book. The previous entries have handled most of the character introductions and set ups so Feet of Clay can crack on with developing those characters and it's own plot in a more satisfying way. There are of course still some new additions, this is a Watch book after all, but with the bulk of the cast already introduced there's more time to spend on the delightful Cheery, and the slightly background addition of Constable Visit.
The characters are a delight throughout, this is a Discworld book after all, with the likes of Detritus firmly into his Sergeant-ing now, Nobby off hobnobbing with the nobs, and Colon heading for retirement. Cheery is a particular highlight of the book as they attempt to navigate the rather complex issues of outwardly identifying as a woman in the mono-gendered Dwarf society, something that's reflected a little in the attitudes of the Watch what with the you can be a Man in the Watch outlook regardless of gender.
Then there are of course Vimes and Carrot and whereas Carrot is more or less always Carrot in the series, give or take, Feet of Clay really does feel like the first proper appearance of Vimes. He's good in the previous two instalments in his grumpily doing the right this sort of way but this really feels like the first time that the full righteous fury of Samuel Vimes turns up. His dealings with the humble people of Cockbill Street adds a lot of humanity to his character and seemingly also a lot of fuel for the fire that is the anger he tempers to unleash against those who deserve it. He's a wonderfully flawed and well rounded character that's hard not to root for in general but especially so when he's railing against social injustice.
The characters are a delight throughout, this is a Discworld book after all, with the likes of Detritus firmly into his Sergeant-ing now, Nobby off hobnobbing with the nobs, and Colon heading for retirement. Cheery is a particular highlight of the book as they attempt to navigate the rather complex issues of outwardly identifying as a woman in the mono-gendered Dwarf society, something that's reflected a little in the attitudes of the Watch what with the you can be a Man in the Watch outlook regardless of gender.
Then there are of course Vimes and Carrot and whereas Carrot is more or less always Carrot in the series, give or take, Feet of Clay really does feel like the first proper appearance of Vimes. He's good in the previous two instalments in his grumpily doing the right this sort of way but this really feels like the first time that the full righteous fury of Samuel Vimes turns up. His dealings with the humble people of Cockbill Street adds a lot of humanity to his character and seemingly also a lot of fuel for the fire that is the anger he tempers to unleash against those who deserve it. He's a wonderfully flawed and well rounded character that's hard not to root for in general but especially so when he's railing against social injustice.