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robyn_and_demigods's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
3.25
mmariskaa's review against another edition
Not vibing with it. I'll try again some other time.
notorious_mjt's review against another edition
3.0
So this was my first foray into Pratchett's Discworld series and it wasn't what I expected. It was interesting and I definitely recognized the fantasy tropes that he was satirizing. I read form other supplementary materials that Pratchett doesn't really focus too too much on world building and things tend to change from novel to novel so it was a little difficult keeping up with the action happening in the story. However, I am still looking forward to reading more Discworld
hjswinford's review against another edition
3.0
My Overall Thoughts - 3.8/5
Okay, so I’ve never delved into Pratchett’s Discworld series. I wasn’t introduced to it until about ten years ago, and since then it’s sat no my to-read list without much acknowledgment. My only experience with Pratchett was in Good Omens, and I picked that up because of Neil Gaiman’s by-line as much as anything. I LOVED Good Omens. So after my recent very heavy read of Seveneves, I decided it was time to start the renowned hilarity of Discworld: a perfect series to sprinkling into my heavier reading from time to time. My feelings on The Color of Magic are pretty neutral, especially coming in with Good Omens in my mind. Good Omens was more directly funny, whereas The Color of Magic was underhandedly clever; not bad at all, but not what I was expecting. I enjoyed it, absolutely. And it’s gotten me more excited about reading further into the Discworld conglomeration of books. I loved Pratchett’s style and I spent most of the time I was reading this with an amused smirk on my face. *thumbs up* But the book itself mostly felt like just that: an introduction. If it had stood alone, I doubt I would have liked it so much. The time spent worldbuilding out weighed the time spent developing character or telling a story. And that’s fine for the entry point to a gigantic world like Discworld. I knew that going in, and I’m glad.
So for anyone who, like me, has wanted to dive into Discworld, but just hadn’t gotten around to it yet…or perhaps didn’t know where to start, pick up The Color of Magic and read along with me as I add more and more of Pratchett’s work to my have-read pile.
Some mild spoilers follow.
Character Development - 4/5
I loved Rincewind from the get-go. The unwilling protagonist is a fun troupe, and Rincewind was no exception. I loved even more that he was the “reluctant hero” while not being a hero in the story by any means. He was just an escort for another character. Twoflower, also, is a fun character and their dynamic was enjoyable. There’s not a lot of character growth in this bit of the story, but I’m also aware that it’s just the intro to Rincewind’s saga. My next book in the series will definitely be Rincewind #2, The Light Fantastic.
Story Structure - 4.5/5
The structure was straight forward. It was the opening to an adventure. And while that adventure didn’t end, and the book ended on a cliffhanger (or, rather, an edge-of-the-world-hanger), it had some sense of resolution, even with its open-endedness.
Tone/Style - 5/5
Stellar, really. As I said before, not what I had really expected. Pratchett is funny in the same way that, like, Fawlty Towers is funny. With less slapstick, perhaps. And, hey, they’re both very British. I don’t think I ever laughed out loud, but I also grinned pretty much the whole way through. The wit is sharp and tongue-in-cheek. Both are things I love.
World Building - 4.5/5
World building is probably one of the book’s strongest suits, aside from tone/style. There’s a lot of exposition, but Pratchett’s voice means that this exposition reads as something very clever and you don’t really care that he’s just flat out telling you about the silly world you’re in.
Representation/Diversity - 1/5
It’s British and it’s from the 80s. It doesn’t really care about diversity. There are people. There are dragons. There is Luggage. End of story.
Content
PG language. Perilous situations.
My Final Thoughts
Recommended to fans of British comedy, especially of the clever variety. If you need something light, humorous, and short to kill a bit of time, OR if you want to start a new expansive series that’s sure to make you smile, then I recommend picking up The Color of Magic. It’s a great jumping off point into Discworld.
Okay, so I’ve never delved into Pratchett’s Discworld series. I wasn’t introduced to it until about ten years ago, and since then it’s sat no my to-read list without much acknowledgment. My only experience with Pratchett was in Good Omens, and I picked that up because of Neil Gaiman’s by-line as much as anything. I LOVED Good Omens. So after my recent very heavy read of Seveneves, I decided it was time to start the renowned hilarity of Discworld: a perfect series to sprinkling into my heavier reading from time to time. My feelings on The Color of Magic are pretty neutral, especially coming in with Good Omens in my mind. Good Omens was more directly funny, whereas The Color of Magic was underhandedly clever; not bad at all, but not what I was expecting. I enjoyed it, absolutely. And it’s gotten me more excited about reading further into the Discworld conglomeration of books. I loved Pratchett’s style and I spent most of the time I was reading this with an amused smirk on my face. *thumbs up* But the book itself mostly felt like just that: an introduction. If it had stood alone, I doubt I would have liked it so much. The time spent worldbuilding out weighed the time spent developing character or telling a story. And that’s fine for the entry point to a gigantic world like Discworld. I knew that going in, and I’m glad.
So for anyone who, like me, has wanted to dive into Discworld, but just hadn’t gotten around to it yet…or perhaps didn’t know where to start, pick up The Color of Magic and read along with me as I add more and more of Pratchett’s work to my have-read pile.
Some mild spoilers follow.
Character Development - 4/5
I loved Rincewind from the get-go. The unwilling protagonist is a fun troupe, and Rincewind was no exception. I loved even more that he was the “reluctant hero” while not being a hero in the story by any means. He was just an escort for another character. Twoflower, also, is a fun character and their dynamic was enjoyable. There’s not a lot of character growth in this bit of the story, but I’m also aware that it’s just the intro to Rincewind’s saga. My next book in the series will definitely be Rincewind #2, The Light Fantastic.
Story Structure - 4.5/5
The structure was straight forward. It was the opening to an adventure. And while that adventure didn’t end, and the book ended on a cliffhanger (or, rather, an edge-of-the-world-hanger), it had some sense of resolution, even with its open-endedness.
Tone/Style - 5/5
Stellar, really. As I said before, not what I had really expected. Pratchett is funny in the same way that, like, Fawlty Towers is funny. With less slapstick, perhaps. And, hey, they’re both very British. I don’t think I ever laughed out loud, but I also grinned pretty much the whole way through. The wit is sharp and tongue-in-cheek. Both are things I love.
World Building - 4.5/5
World building is probably one of the book’s strongest suits, aside from tone/style. There’s a lot of exposition, but Pratchett’s voice means that this exposition reads as something very clever and you don’t really care that he’s just flat out telling you about the silly world you’re in.
Representation/Diversity - 1/5
It’s British and it’s from the 80s. It doesn’t really care about diversity. There are people. There are dragons. There is Luggage. End of story.
Content
PG language. Perilous situations.
My Final Thoughts
Recommended to fans of British comedy, especially of the clever variety. If you need something light, humorous, and short to kill a bit of time, OR if you want to start a new expansive series that’s sure to make you smile, then I recommend picking up The Color of Magic. It’s a great jumping off point into Discworld.
cookiemaki's review against another edition
5.0
Possibly one of the most fun book I've ever read !
Not a lot of development on the discworld setting side, but nonetheless a great read.
Not a lot of development on the discworld setting side, but nonetheless a great read.
helenmcg's review against another edition
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
4.5
tesla13's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.75
The beginning and end of the book was very fun, but the middle was very hard for me to get through. Certain parts were also quite random and confusing.
deanjksmith's review against another edition
5.0
'My name is immaterial,' she said.
'That's a pretty name,' said Rincewind.
I'm honestly annoyed at myself for not starting this series sooner, because I don't think I've ever laughed more at a piece of fiction. It's absolutely my sense of humour and I relate to Rincewind so much that it's honestly a little scary.
If I wasn't taking part in a reading challenge, I'd read this book again immediately.
'That's a pretty name,' said Rincewind.
I'm honestly annoyed at myself for not starting this series sooner, because I don't think I've ever laughed more at a piece of fiction. It's absolutely my sense of humour and I relate to Rincewind so much that it's honestly a little scary.
Spoiler
I mean, the last few pages where he's arguing with Scrofula had me genuinely laughing out loud. It was so witty.If I wasn't taking part in a reading challenge, I'd read this book again immediately.
redaereader's review against another edition
Inappropriate, not my kind of book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
evem152's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.75