tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
I like many things about this book. Conina, Cohen the Barbarian's Barbarian/Hairdresser daughter; the Librarian's undaunted quest to save the library; excellent messaging about parents who try to force a particular destiny on their children.
As I read through the series, though, I'm realizing that the wizards are my least favorite Discworld folk. So a book that switches between Rincewind in all his incompetence and the University in all its smugness is never going to make my Discworld Top 10.
This book also has many bits that remind me that, although Ankh-Morpork isn't in our world, it isn't in our world in a very Londonian way, and that people from there have very Londonian attitudes toward the rest of the world. Unfortunately, in several parts I couldn't tell if that was Pratchett making fun of stereotypical English xenophobia or Pratchett displaying stereotypical English xenophobia. Those were distressing moments.
As I read through the series, though, I'm realizing that the wizards are my least favorite Discworld folk. So a book that switches between Rincewind in all his incompetence and the University in all its smugness is never going to make my Discworld Top 10.
This book also has many bits that remind me that, although Ankh-Morpork isn't in our world, it isn't in our world in a very Londonian way, and that people from there have very Londonian attitudes toward the rest of the world. Unfortunately, in several parts I couldn't tell if that was Pratchett making fun of stereotypical English xenophobia or Pratchett displaying stereotypical English xenophobia. Those were distressing moments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Alcohol, and Child abuse
Moderate: Slavery, Blood, Violence, Bullying, Xenophobia, Fatphobia, and Sexism
Minor: Transphobia, Drug use, Alcoholism, Homophobia, and Vomit
Minor saneismcrufts's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Sourcery is the 5th novel in the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett, and the 3rd novel following Rincewind. You could probably read it as a standalone novel, but to get the full background, you could read the earlier Rincewind books; that's The Colour of Magic (#1) and The Light Fantastic (#2).
Following his adventures in those other books, Rincewind (a wizard who can't cast a single spell) has found happy employment as an assistant to the Librarian of the wizards' Unseen University. But one day, a sourcerer comes to the university with powers far stronger than any wizard. In a single day, the sourcerer completes his hostile takeover of the university. The last thing he needs to fully control the institution is the Archchancellor's hat, which happens to have been stolen by a thief...
With its frequent jokes and witty comments, the novel was definitely entertaining to read. There were also some heartwarming scenes. However, I wasn't satisfied with the plot. It seemed like the protagonists encountered a lot of contrived complications and challenges which didn't really change the status of the narrative, making for an over-long middle section. The ending resolution also felt like it could have been coincidental, as opposed to the result of the protagonists' actions.
The characters were definitely likeable. However, Rincewind is a passive protagonist and he spends much of the story running away, or being punted around by various antagonists. Meanwhile, the focus of the story falls onto miscellaneous shenanigans that don't always advance the plot.
Overall, Sourcery was an okay read, but the author has written much better books than this one. You might like Going Postal or Guards! Guards!.
Following his adventures in those other books, Rincewind (a wizard who can't cast a single spell) has found happy employment as an assistant to the Librarian of the wizards' Unseen University. But one day, a sourcerer comes to the university with powers far stronger than any wizard. In a single day, the sourcerer completes his hostile takeover of the university. The last thing he needs to fully control the institution is the Archchancellor's hat, which happens to have been stolen by a thief...
With its frequent jokes and witty comments, the novel was definitely entertaining to read. There were also some heartwarming scenes. However, I wasn't satisfied with the plot. It seemed like the protagonists encountered a lot of contrived complications and challenges which didn't really change the status of the narrative, making for an over-long middle section. The ending resolution also felt like it could have been coincidental, as opposed to the result of the protagonists' actions.
The characters were definitely likeable. However, Rincewind is a passive protagonist and he spends much of the story running away, or being punted around by various antagonists. Meanwhile, the focus of the story falls onto miscellaneous shenanigans that don't always advance the plot.
Overall, Sourcery was an okay read, but the author has written much better books than this one. You might like Going Postal or Guards! Guards!.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Sexual content: References are made to the "libido" of various wizards.Violence: Various scenes of fighting appear during the book, described in a non-graphic manner.
Death: Some minor characters die.
sockandkey's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Racism, Pedophilia, Xenophobia, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual harassment and Violence
There are a couple of unclear age gaps in canon relationships. One character compliments another repeatedly in a way that is kind of icky, but it is seen as a joke in the canon. A lot of the book takes place in Klatch, a continent based on ancient Arabia, and contains some inbuilt stereotypes against Arab people. The relationship between a character and their father is heavily implied to be emotionally, verbally, and physically abusive, which is handled moderately well.
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