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4.38 AVERAGE
4.38 AVERAGE
I didn't think anything would top my love for Guards! Guards! but Men at Arms is perhaps the perfect sequel.
Reading Men at Arms and reconnecting with Cpl. Carrot, Cpt. Vimes and the guys felt like coming home. I thoroughly enjoyed Guards Guards! and coming back to the Night Watch was an awesome experience, like slipping back into a comfortable pair of slacks.
Story
The main storyline is a murder mystery, wrapped into the regular Discworld crazyness. This time the not-so-subtle undercurrent is a social critique on ethnic diversity, and as usual, it’s handled with aplomb and buckets of absurdities.
World-Building
Men at Arms focuses on the different species and Guilds that populate Ankh Morpork and weaves those very closely into the main story narrative.
Characters
Apart from the warm welcome with the returning Nightwatch cast, we meet some new recruits. Detritus the Troll, Cuddy the dwarf and Angua the… ehm… Wo…, ehm.. man. 1st rule of the Watch, in the Watch, everyone is a man of the Watch. All of these characters have their own little arc and reading their adventures and interactions was a ton of fun.
Writing
Well, it’s a Pratchett novel… As usual I have a whole list of passages that I’ve highlighted, so here’s some of my favorites:
Conclusion
Men at Arms is hillarious and smart and I loved every minute of it.
Story
The main storyline is a murder mystery, wrapped into the regular Discworld crazyness. This time the not-so-subtle undercurrent is a social critique on ethnic diversity, and as usual, it’s handled with aplomb and buckets of absurdities.
World-Building
Men at Arms focuses on the different species and Guilds that populate Ankh Morpork and weaves those very closely into the main story narrative.
Characters
Apart from the warm welcome with the returning Nightwatch cast, we meet some new recruits. Detritus the Troll, Cuddy the dwarf and Angua the… ehm… Wo…, ehm.. man. 1st rule of the Watch, in the Watch, everyone is a man of the Watch. All of these characters have their own little arc and reading their adventures and interactions was a ton of fun.
Writing
Well, it’s a Pratchett novel… As usual I have a whole list of passages that I’ve highlighted, so here’s some of my favorites:
“We’re Watchmen,” said Cuddy. “Our job is to keep the peace.”
“Good,” said Stronginthearm. “Go and keep it safe somewhere until we need it.”
What do you think, Quirke?” “I don’t think, Vimes.” “Good man. You’re just the type the city needs.”
The moon was high now, in a sky as black as a cup of coffee that wasn’t very black at all.
Conclusion
Men at Arms is hillarious and smart and I loved every minute of it.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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:
No
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐║ Absolute banger. Men at Arms is easily one of the funniest and most tightly plotted Discworld books so far. It’s a murder mystery, a comedy, a buddy cop story, and a city-wide circus of chaos all at once. I was wheezing with laughter. Detritus made me laugh so hard I cried.
The Ankh-Morpork City Watch gets a makeover—trolls, dwarfs, a werewolf. The Watch fumbles its way through a series of strange murders while juggling street riots, a missing magical weapon, and workplace diversity training. Everything clicks. The plot is clever and fast. The pacing keeps it rolling without dragging. Scenes twist, collide, and snap into place with just the right amount of absurdity.
The characters carry everything. Vimes is grouchy and grounded. Carrot is a lovable brick wall of sincerity. Angua brings some bite. Cuddy and Detritus bounce off each other like a mismatched comedy duo. Gaspode and Dibbler pop in with ridiculous side energy. Everyone’s got something weird or funny to offer, and it never gets old.
The setting adds even more flavor. Ankh-Morpork is chaotic, dirty, crowded, and perfect. Pratchett plays with species tensions, power structures, and the madness of city life, but always keeps it funny first. There’s commentary here—on racism, weapons, politics—but it’s never the main dish. For me, it’s all about the comedy. The jokes hit hard and often. The writing’s sharp and clear, and Pratchett’s timing is just impeccable.
A few lines or moments sneak up and land with unexpected weight, but the heart of the book is the humor. That’s where it shines brightest.
Men at Arms lands near the top of my Discworld list so far. Reading in publication order has made it even more fun—so many returning faces and evolving threads. It’s wild, silly, smart, and just ridiculously entertaining. Pratchett keeps delivering, and this one might be his smoothest yet.
Discworld by Terry Pratchett
Book 1: The Color of Magic – 2/5
Book 2: The Light Fantastic – 3/5
Book 3: Equal Rites – 3/5
Book 4: Mort – 4/5
Book 4: Mort – 4/5
Book 5: Sourcery – 4/5
Book 6: Wyrd Sisters – 4/5
Book 7: Pyramids – 4/5
Book 8: Guards! Guards! – 5/5
Book 9: Eric – 3.5/5
Book 10: Moving Pictures – 5/5
Book 11: Reaper Man – 4/5
Book 12: Witches Abroad – 5/5
Book 13: Small Gods – 5/5
Book 14: Lords and Ladies – 4/5
Book 15: Men at Arms – 5/5
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
inspiring
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:
No