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gorillaofdestiny's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
durknya's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
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
4.25
lissi_k's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexism and Murder
blimeburner's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? No
5.0
jmrocha's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lex_y's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
kkw24's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? No
4.5
polloloco44's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
magicstasis's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
slettlune's review against another edition
3.0
Read it before; Still think it's a weak entry in the series.
Something in this one just feels uncharacteristically underdeveloped for a Discworld novel (delightful as individual parts of it may be). Like how the initial antagonist really only appears in a single scene at the start; How the city is meant to be a powderkeg of racial tension, which really amounts to two-three fantasy slurs and the recollection of a single ancient battle; How this is the book Vimes and Sybil get married in, but there's not a single moment of tenderness or love shown between them; How Carrot has undergone a massive upgrade in intelligence, articulation and common sense from the previous book to this one, to the point where it rings false when the narration refers to him as simple -- and the tiring way we're told over and over and over how charismatic and respected he is.
Elements bump up against each other without the cohesion or heart I expect from a Discworld novel. It's still not a bad book by any normal metric, but it's disappointing as an entry in the series.
Points of interests, though:
- The Sam Vimes boots theory of socioeconomic unfairness, which is a jewel of a concept.
- Vetinari serves as a point-of-view character in parts, and proves he's just as odd and idiosyncratic as everyone else. Love the Leonard of Quirm segment.
- Gaspode is the most solid character concept in the book. Love that talking dog.
- The Hitler analogy is a poodle named Fido and it somehow works, even if he's fairly abruptly introduced and brushed aside.
Something in this one just feels uncharacteristically underdeveloped for a Discworld novel (delightful as individual parts of it may be). Like how the initial antagonist really only appears in a single scene at the start; How the city is meant to be a powderkeg of racial tension, which really amounts to two-three fantasy slurs and the recollection of a single ancient battle; How this is the book Vimes and Sybil get married in, but there's not a single moment of tenderness or love shown between them; How Carrot has undergone a massive upgrade in intelligence, articulation and common sense from the previous book to this one, to the point where it rings false when the narration refers to him as simple -- and the tiring way we're told over and over and over how charismatic and respected he is.
Elements bump up against each other without the cohesion or heart I expect from a Discworld novel. It's still not a bad book by any normal metric, but it's disappointing as an entry in the series.
Points of interests, though:
- The Sam Vimes boots theory of socioeconomic unfairness, which is a jewel of a concept.
- Vetinari serves as a point-of-view character in parts, and proves he's just as odd and idiosyncratic as everyone else. Love the Leonard of Quirm segment.
- Gaspode is the most solid character concept in the book. Love that talking dog.
- The Hitler analogy is a poodle named Fido and it somehow works, even if he's fairly abruptly introduced and brushed aside.