4.33 AVERAGE


(original review, 2015)
Terry Pratchett's final Discworld novel is also one of his best - and I'm not just saying that as a fanboy. After the somewhat muddled and slightly disappointing books of Snuff, Dodger and Raising Steam, this book seems to have been put together with a lot more care and attention to character. There are many echoes of both Lords and Ladies and The Wee Free Men (and if you've read the dust jacket, you'll know why) but it serves well as a cap to Tiffany's story, and to the entire series as a whole. It is both melancholy and exciting in parts, with some great chuckles thrown in there as well. In fact, on one page I was crying and laughing at the same time - which only goes to show Terry's wonderful way with the English language. Farewell Sir Terry, we will miss your words, your work, and you. GNU.

(re-read aloud 2019)
My remembered impressions of this book is that it showed Terry's failing mind - and that, in part, is true - it's lacking the polish and shine of his best Discworld books, and the plot-with-villainy part is lacklustre and repeats some earlier books - but on this second read, aloud (with requisite bad Scottish accents for the Feegles), has reminded me that this book is *not* about the elves, it's about Tiffany and how she deals with everything going on in her life. And in this way - Terry's tale of Tiffany, and all the other characters, is amazing, and full of emotion and heart and depth - he knew exactly what he was doing, but just didn't have the time to polish up the story and sequencing to make it completely smooth. I'm sure that if he had, this book would have been utterly perfect. As it is, it's still a wonderful end to the series, and I do encourage all fans to read it - despite many not wanting to knowing that it is the last.

The last Tiffany Aching book.

I agree with some other reviews, that the book feels unfinished. It is a complete story; it just isn't polished and feels in some places that it isn't Pratchett writing. It probably could have been considerably longer and deeper book - there are some characters and stories that felt like they were itching to be padded out.

That doesn't, however, make it unworthy of a read. In fact, there are still some wonderful characters and some magical moments in this book that make it a fitting send-off.




Felt like an early draft, because really it was; sadly, Pratchett died before he could re-write the heck out of it (the afterword notes this). Still a good read, but you can't help but wonder what might have been. We're very lucky to have it at all.

I think Sir Terry knew this would be his last book while he was writing it. I put off reading this book for two years, because I didn't want Discworld to finish, but The Shepherd's Crown consoles the reader, and shows us that even without Sir Terry, the characters he has woven are able to look after themselves. We can only imagine the incredible things that they may be accomplishing during the age of the railway on the Disc. A masterpiece.

This is perfect as the last Tiffany Aching book (as well as the last Discworld). It has a feeling of things coming full circle from the very beginning.
From Granny Aching's death and all the mentions to previous characters associated with her, to Tiffany growing into her own person instead of following in Granny's footsteps. I also enjoyed that this has a boy who wants to be a witch, when the first Witches story had a girl who wanted to be a wizard. 
It is wonderful to see Tifanny finally enjoying her life as a respected witch, with her own steading, in her own land, while she doesn't close herself off to other things (Preston especially).
  I didn't like Tiffany in her first story and now she is one of my favorite characters. It is impossible not to feel for her and love her.

*cries*

*blows nose*

*cries some more*

I really can't believe that this is the last one. But what a book to end the series on. This feels like it brings part of the series around full circle and has a sense of new beginnings and futures ahead. And although it does have A Very Sad Event in it, it's beautifully handled and really works.

*bursts into tears again*

It's such a joy and a sadness to read this book. It reads SO WELL as a Pratchett novel until the final third when you really miss his meticulousness. It feels like there's a chapter or two missing but it's still a wonderful book to end on. RIP Mr Pratchett.

RIP TERRY.

Crivens! and so it goes. I could leave this review there. This is a sad, sad book. You say goodbye in so many ways, to the whole Discworld series and to the one you have loved with the fullness of your heart. (Although they would object to this. They are not after adoration, just doing their job.)

Tiffany is becoming the witch she deserves to be, and she is showing to the others how to combine the new way of witching with the old. It is beautiful to see how Discworld developed throughout all these years, but also how the core values have stayed the same (be kind to all.) This book is like going back to Equal Rites and Lords and Ladies, but with a softer, more humane way. Tiffany has to take the lead and stop the elves invading the world as the barriers between universes have thinned because of Granny's passing. What Tiffany shows is compassion and understanding to the Queen of fairies. She shows that knowledge can set us free. Narrow views only make everything rotten. This goes both with the Queen and her nature and who can be a witch. It is not tied to gender or the old ways.

The book contains so much soft wisdom. When I say soft, I don't mean "wishy-washy" things. No. I mean the wisdom of everyday life, which holds us together. Pratchett has always shown how normal life matters and how being kind to each other is the cornerstone of a good life and a society. This book follows that line. In addition, Pratchett shows how backwatered thinking in everyday life can jeopardize everything. A mother favoring her sons over daughter will create a sorrowful human life with possibility to go dark and twisty. Wives ignoring and bossing around their husbands makes them end up feeling inadequate and bitter, and they lose the sense of meaning. (This is not some chauvinist agenda, just reality that everyone needs to feel valued and loved. Your basic human needs.) The everyday ignorance for overlooking others' needs and humanity will make the world a tat horrendous place to be. On and on goes the chain. This is why I have loved all the Discworld books. Pratchett shows how important compassion is and how we should cultivate it. Also, he doesn’t shy away from showing where we go wrong. Good, because we need to hear it over and again. We do.

Thank you, Sir Terry Pratchett, for creating this wonderful world. I hope your words live forever, as empathy should never go out of fashion. 

Thank you for reading, and thank you for sharing this Discworld journey with me. We all can make a difference. The first step is in our everyday life by not being a dick, and everything will be better. I would think that sums up all Pratchett wrote. A gentle and wise wordsmith.

Have a great day <3