Thief of Time. Terry Pratchett July 4, 2010
Posted by Cyd in fantasy.Tags: Discworld, fantasy, humour, Terry Pratchett
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I haven’t read many of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels, and this one reminded me that I am missing out. It was fun, delightful and a very good read.
Forces are at work to take care of the problem of human messiness once and for all, by commissioning the building of the ultimate clock. Death enlists the help of his granddaughter, Susan, to stop them. Fortunately she is not alone in the effort.
The Monks of History, who look after time – moving it from where it’s not needed to where it is – have noticed a problem, too. Lu Tze and his new apprentice Lobsang Ludd leave the monastery and head off to Ankh-Morpork to stop the clock before it’s completed.
And in the mean time, Death prepares for the End.
As usual, there is a large cast of characters, plenty of action and much mayhem. All in all a highly recommended book – perfect for a summer day.
Good Omens. Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett June 22, 2009
Posted by Cyd in fantasy.Tags: angels, apocalypse, comedy, demons, fantasy, humour, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett
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Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
This novel was originally published in 1990, before Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett were as well known as they are today. It’s a terrifically fun book, full of the silliness that I associate with Pratchett, and the inventiveness that I associate with Gaiman.
Eleven years ago, the stage was set for the end of the world. And now everything has been put in motion for the final battle between the armies of Good and Evil. Except for one small problem – someone’s botched things.
Aziraphale (an Angel) and Crowley (“an Angel who did not so much Fall as Saunter Vaguely Downwards”) are pressed by their respective bosses to make sure that everything goes right in the final moments of the Apocalypse. The problem is things aren’t going right, and the pair, who have been friends for ages (literally), are actually rather happy about that.
Enter into that mix a descendant of Agnes Nutter, Witch, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the last existing members of the Witchfinder Army, a group of kids and an assortment of other characters, and you get this funny story of the end of the world (maybe). There is a lot of action, a lot of confusion, and a good bit of satire about the nature of good and evil, and of end-of-the-world prophecies.
I completely enjoyed reading this book. It’s a great light read, perfect for summer.
