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theaceofpages's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“I believe you find life such a problem because you think there are good people and bad people. You're wrong, of course. There are, always and only, the bad people, but some of them are on opposite sides.”
Oh man, I absolutely love Pratchett and this book was no exception. Im slowly making my way through the books again (started in September 2022) and will hopefully actually make it through the whole series this time. Life has always gotten in the way and for some reason I always feel the need to restart... I’m not letting that happen this time.
In Guards! Guards!, a secret brotherhood has stolen a book about summoning dragons from the local magical library located in the wizarding university (much to the orang-utan librarian’s dismay). Their goal is to overthrow the partitioner and replace him with a man that they can control. It is up to Carrot and the rest of the Night Watch (who, let’s face it, have been pretty useless up to this point) to save the day, with the help of Swamp Dragon breeder Lady Sybil Ramkin, Goodboy Brindle Featherstone/Errol (who is eating everything (although at least he sniffs it first?) and who may or may not explode) and the Librarian (who can only communicate with “ooook”s).
I love the way that Pratchett is able to criticise the horrors of humanity in such a humorous and tongue in cheek way. All without losing the significance and weight of the issues he is writing about. I’m picking up on and appreciating this more and more as I get older and the world gets worse. He does this both through the human characters (whom are often believably cruel to each other) and also through the dragon – a beast of fierceness and rage. The dragon notes, for example, “But we were dragons. We were supposed to be cruel, cunning, heartless and terrible. But this much I can tell you, we never burned and tortured and ripped one another apart and called it morality.”even while she is negotiating a treaty in which she will be fed people after being elected king, or queen.
Filled with Pratchett’s signature puns and literal translation of concepts, this is not a book to be missed. It definitely made me groan or laugh out loud on multiple occasions (which I must say, may humour books really don’t do for me). He definitely always manages to hit the spot. The characters are also incredibly enjoyable. I found Carrot’s struggles to accept he’s human and not a dwarf) and his struggles to understand the very new and crazy and corrupt world he’s been thrown into very relatable. I loved how the watch played off each other (even if they are more than a little mean at times) – how Carrot inspired them to do actual police work, and how they drew his idealistic self into more of a reality (even if it meant he couldn’t follow up on all of the laws in his book). And being a (swamp) dragon breeder as a job? Isn’t that just the dream! Although I do hate how much prejudice Lady Ramkin experiences. Although, it really is the case for any odd hobbies I guess. Especially when its one that no one really understands.
While this may be the eighth book of the Discworld series, it is the first of its story arc. So if it sounds like your cup of tea (made in the new tea kettle the watch requested after their old one got eaten by Errol) feel free to dive right in.
Oh man, I absolutely love Pratchett and this book was no exception. Im slowly making my way through the books again (started in September 2022) and will hopefully actually make it through the whole series this time. Life has always gotten in the way and for some reason I always feel the need to restart... I’m not letting that happen this time.
In Guards! Guards!, a secret brotherhood has stolen a book about summoning dragons from the local magical library located in the wizarding university (much to the orang-utan librarian’s dismay). Their goal is to overthrow the partitioner and replace him with a man that they can control. It is up to Carrot and the rest of the Night Watch (who, let’s face it, have been pretty useless up to this point) to save the day, with the help of Swamp Dragon breeder Lady Sybil Ramkin, Goodboy Brindle Featherstone/Errol (who is eating everything (although at least he sniffs it first?) and who may or may not explode) and the Librarian (who can only communicate with “ooook”s).
I love the way that Pratchett is able to criticise the horrors of humanity in such a humorous and tongue in cheek way. All without losing the significance and weight of the issues he is writing about. I’m picking up on and appreciating this more and more as I get older and the world gets worse. He does this both through the human characters (whom are often believably cruel to each other) and also through the dragon – a beast of fierceness and rage. The dragon notes, for example, “But we were dragons. We were supposed to be cruel, cunning, heartless and terrible. But this much I can tell you, we never burned and tortured and ripped one another apart and called it morality.”
Filled with Pratchett’s signature puns and literal translation of concepts, this is not a book to be missed. It definitely made me groan or laugh out loud on multiple occasions (which I must say, may humour books really don’t do for me). He definitely always manages to hit the spot. The characters are also incredibly enjoyable. I found Carrot’s struggles to accept he’s human and not a dwarf) and his struggles to understand the very new and crazy and corrupt world he’s been thrown into very relatable. I loved how the watch played off each other (even if they are more than a little mean at times) – how Carrot inspired them to do actual police work, and how they drew his idealistic self into more of a reality (even if it meant he couldn’t follow up on all of the laws in his book). And being a (swamp) dragon breeder as a job? Isn’t that just the dream! Although I do hate how much prejudice Lady Ramkin experiences. Although, it really is the case for any odd hobbies I guess. Especially when its one that no one really understands.
While this may be the eighth book of the Discworld series, it is the first of its story arc. So if it sounds like your cup of tea (made in the new tea kettle the watch requested after their old one got eaten by Errol) feel free to dive right in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Confinement
Minor: Animal cruelty
woweewhoa's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
A fun time! I'm working through all the Discworld books in order and currently this is my favorite one! I really enjoyed all the characters and the comedic timing was top notch. I listen to the audiobooks of the books and the narration was really good and characterful for this one for sure!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Moderate: Fatphobia, Death, Violence, and Sexism
Minor: Animal cruelty
theirgracegrace's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Death, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
cults are a prominent plot point of this book
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