Reviews

Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett

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sam_magowan's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

timinbc's review against another edition

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5.0

OK, 4.6 rounded up.

I've seen a lot of reviews here that panned this book but seemed to be doing so mostly because it wasn't what they wanted it to be. Too little of this, too much of that. Pfui. Authors get to write whatever they want.

To me, this one's about Moist and the Discworld growing up, maturing. And I suspect it's a wish that Roundworld would too. The retro grags sure felt like the U.S. Tea Party, but not so specifically that readers in other countries couldn't recognize their fringe conservatives too.

Not enough conflict? Surely the whole point of the book is that some technologies are just so transformative that it is impossible to resist them, and as such there won't be as much conflict.

I rather like the way Vetinari seems not to care any more that the audience can see the strings by which he controls everything. He has a girlfriend in Uberwald and doesn't care who knows it.

Speaking of Vetinari, the I-won't-spoil-it about him at the end didn't work for me.

And I was underwhelmed by the solution for the weak bridge at the end. It only barely holds together, and surely wouldn't stand close examination.

Despite rumours that Moist will move to taxes next, I have to think this is the last Moist novel. I Shall Wear Midnight might have been the last Tiffany Aching. Vimes might have one adventure left, and maybe we can see Nanny and Granny one last time. Beyond that, what's left to talk about? And I wouldn't blame TP a bit of he decided that there is no really good way to wind up the story of the witches; it might be better just to leave it. Unseen Academicals probably wraps it up for the wizards. Maybe we can revisit Death again, perhaps by having one or two of the major characters cash in their chips? Again, I wouldn't be surprised or disappointed if TP decided not to go there. Or can we resolve Captain Carrot's situation, and let a few key players retire?

Whatever happens, I hope TP finds one or two more stories for us in his wonderful world. Maybe he can go sideways and give us another standalone like Monstrous Regiment.

Whatever happens, thank you, Sir Terry, it's been a wonderful ride and you have brought a great deal of happiness to my life. I hope there's more.

laura_storyteller's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

granny_weatherwax's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

_reading_with_kate_'s review against another edition

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As a train enthusiast, I wanted to like this as much as Going Postal and Making Money, but I just didn't.

goobdiddy's review against another edition

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2.0

I wanted to like this, I really did, and it breaks my heart to give a Discworld story 2 stars, but this was a slog to get through. The story revisits several of my favorite characters, but the spark is missing. The surprising cleverness that usually shows up in a Discworld story is just not here. I need to go read some of the first books in the series to remind myself how awesome that world can really be.