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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Been reading this in very short chunks. Finally had a chance to sit down and read it properly and realised I actually didn't care much what happened. The writing was fun but the structure made it hard for me to get invested
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I just loved this book! Phantom of the opera meets the Macbeth witches!
Upon re-reading this book after about twenty years, my reaction was mixed. Really mixed.
The pros: A fun take on The Phantom of the Opera, pretty cleverly plotted, and some interesting commentary on opera and music.
The cons: A ton of fatphobia, ableism, and cringe-y portrayals of disability. To the point it overshadows the narrative. And like many Pratchett books, it tends a little heavily toward the silly - whether it's too silly is a matter of taste.
Overall it's a decent read, but not one I can recommend unequivocally.
The pros: A fun take on The Phantom of the Opera, pretty cleverly plotted, and some interesting commentary on opera and music.
The cons: A ton of fatphobia, ableism, and cringe-y portrayals of disability. To the point it overshadows the narrative. And like many Pratchett books, it tends a little heavily toward the silly - whether it's too silly is a matter of taste.
Overall it's a decent read, but not one I can recommend unequivocally.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Maskerade is the eighteenth entry in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series and the fifth to feature the witches of Lancre-- Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg. In this installment, the duo finds themselves embroiled in the mysterious goings-on at the Ankh-Morpork Opera House, where a shadowy figure known only as “the Opera Ghost” is causing mayhem.
This turned out to be my favorite Witches book so far. Even though I’ve never actually seen The Phantom of the Opera, doing a quick scan of its plot points beforehand was enough to help me appreciate Pratchett’s parody. He does a brilliant job of weaving those familiar beats into something uniquely Discworld.
The plot was engaging all the way through, perhaps one of the most tightly plotted Discworld novels I’ve read yet. I found myself actively making predictions and piecing together clues, which made the experience even more enjoyable. This isn’t just a book with jokes thrown on top of a loose narrative...it’s a genuine mystery that respects its genre while also poking fun at it. The humor, as usual with Pratchett, was sharp and clever, though not the belly-laugh variety, but more of the quiet “that was really well done” type that sticks with you.
As always, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg shine. Their dynamic is unmatched, and their presence injects every scene with a mix of wisdom, chaos, and dry wit. The subplot with Nanny’s smutty cookbook was absolutely hilarious.
I’m hitting a real hot streak with Discworld right now, and Maskerade is another highlight. It balances humor, mystery, and character work beautifully. I’m eager to see where the witches go next.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes