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David McK (3508 KP) rated Wizard's Brew in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Comic fantasy that reminded me slightly of the great Terry Pratchett (writen in that vein), but not quite as good as his.
Set in an alternative medieval period, in the reign of Uther Pendragon (who is one of the characters in the book): in this case, Uther (and not Arthur) is the 'Once and Future King'. Unfortunately, the book also states that the author is working on a sequel: if he did, I never saw any sign of it in any of the bookshops, with the ending of this book leaving plenty (too much?) open to be included in that sequel.
Set in an alternative medieval period, in the reign of Uther Pendragon (who is one of the characters in the book): in this case, Uther (and not Arthur) is the 'Once and Future King'. Unfortunately, the book also states that the author is working on a sequel: if he did, I never saw any sign of it in any of the bookshops, with the ending of this book leaving plenty (too much?) open to be included in that sequel.
David McK (3508 KP) rated Norse Mythology in Books
Jan 28, 2019
I have to be honest: I'm not really sure how to classify this (based on my classification system).
Mainly since I don't have a shelf for 'mythology'.
Which is what this is: a straight re-telling of various of the Norse myths by [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg], an author who is most familiar to me through his colloboration (and friendship) with the late, great, Sir [a:Terry Pratchett|1654|Terry Pratchett|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1235562205p2/1654.jpg] in [b:Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch|12067|Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch|Terry Pratchett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392528568s/12067.jpg|4110990], but who I am aware is famous in his own right and has written many other tales - some of which I have read (such as [b:Stardust|16793|Stardust|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459127484s/16793.jpg|3166179], [b:American Gods|30165203|American Gods|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462924585s/30165203.jpg|1970226] and [b:Neverwhere|14497|Neverwhere|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348747943s/14497.jpg|16534] all spring to mind), others of which I haven't (such as his Sandman series) .
As a straight re-telling, some of these myths are already familioar as they are ingrained in our popular culture (such as Ragnarok), whereas others have become more 'popular' and familiar over the years since the inclusion of Thor (and Loki) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
It is unusual, however, to find such a retelling that is aimed at an adult audience - even if, by reading some of the prose within this, you might think it was aimed at kids (until you realise what's going on)!
Mainly since I don't have a shelf for 'mythology'.
Which is what this is: a straight re-telling of various of the Norse myths by [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg], an author who is most familiar to me through his colloboration (and friendship) with the late, great, Sir [a:Terry Pratchett|1654|Terry Pratchett|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1235562205p2/1654.jpg] in [b:Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch|12067|Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch|Terry Pratchett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392528568s/12067.jpg|4110990], but who I am aware is famous in his own right and has written many other tales - some of which I have read (such as [b:Stardust|16793|Stardust|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459127484s/16793.jpg|3166179], [b:American Gods|30165203|American Gods|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462924585s/30165203.jpg|1970226] and [b:Neverwhere|14497|Neverwhere|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348747943s/14497.jpg|16534] all spring to mind), others of which I haven't (such as his Sandman series) .
As a straight re-telling, some of these myths are already familioar as they are ingrained in our popular culture (such as Ragnarok), whereas others have become more 'popular' and familiar over the years since the inclusion of Thor (and Loki) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
It is unusual, however, to find such a retelling that is aimed at an adult audience - even if, by reading some of the prose within this, you might think it was aimed at kids (until you realise what's going on)!
David McK (3508 KP) rated A stroke of the Pen: The Lost Stories in Books
Dec 29, 2024
This, really, and as it says on the tin (so to speak) is a collection of short stories penned by the late, great, Sir Terry Pratchett back when he was first starting out on his journalistic career.
So we're talking back, mainly, in the late 1970s and perhaps early 80s, before the Discworld series for which he is most renowned came to be.
As such, none of these are as polished as his later works, although it is interesting to see early glimmers of ideas that would later be fully fleshed out (mainly, but not exclusively, in the Discworld series) in several of these stories.
So we're talking back, mainly, in the late 1970s and perhaps early 80s, before the Discworld series for which he is most renowned came to be.
As such, none of these are as polished as his later works, although it is interesting to see early glimmers of ideas that would later be fully fleshed out (mainly, but not exclusively, in the Discworld series) in several of these stories.
David McK (3508 KP) rated Monstrous Regiment: (Discworld Novel 31) in Books
Mar 31, 2023
One of the rare Discworld Standalone novels
Updated 2023 review
I wonder how this was affected by Pratchett's 'embuggerance'?
Original 2011 review
Not one of the strongest of Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld books, this is only loosely - even more so than normal - connected to any of his other books in the series. Loosely connected, but not to the level of ""Small Gods"" (which is set centuries before the rest of the series), or "Pyramids".
In "Monstrous Regiment", Pratchett introduces a whole host of new characters - none of who have yet, been heard of again - as well as some new nations, with Commander Sam Vimes (from the City Watch books) and William De Worde (from "the Truth") only really having cameos in the story. He also exaggerates, to comic effect, the famous stories of women secretly joining the army, with this providing the basis for his plot.
As I said at the top, this is not one of the best of Pratchetts works, but even a below-par Pratchett is miles above any other author in the same genre
I wonder how this was affected by Pratchett's 'embuggerance'?
Original 2011 review
Not one of the strongest of Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld books, this is only loosely - even more so than normal - connected to any of his other books in the series. Loosely connected, but not to the level of ""Small Gods"" (which is set centuries before the rest of the series), or "Pyramids".
In "Monstrous Regiment", Pratchett introduces a whole host of new characters - none of who have yet, been heard of again - as well as some new nations, with Commander Sam Vimes (from the City Watch books) and William De Worde (from "the Truth") only really having cameos in the story. He also exaggerates, to comic effect, the famous stories of women secretly joining the army, with this providing the basis for his plot.
As I said at the top, this is not one of the best of Pratchetts works, but even a below-par Pratchett is miles above any other author in the same genre
David McK (3508 KP) rated Night Watch (Discworld, #29; City Watch, #6) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
2018 update: "Truth! Justice! Reasonably-priced love! And a hard-boiled egg!"
2016 update: Following (Sir) Terry Pratchett's death in 2015 to his 'Embuggerance', I recently came across a blog where the author of said blog was reading all of the Discworld books in order from the first to the last. One of the last entries in the said blog was when he rated the books, from his most to least favourite, and then asked his readers to do the same and later published those responses.
In both cases, 'Night Watch' - which, I think, was one of the last before Pratchett was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's - was in the top 10, so I decided to go back and re-read it ...
<original thoughts below>
One of Terry Pratchett's more recent Discworld novel, in which he makes use of the good old time-travel sci-fi trope to move Commander Sam Vimes of the City Watch back in time to an earlier portion of his life-time.
2016 update: Following (Sir) Terry Pratchett's death in 2015 to his 'Embuggerance', I recently came across a blog where the author of said blog was reading all of the Discworld books in order from the first to the last. One of the last entries in the said blog was when he rated the books, from his most to least favourite, and then asked his readers to do the same and later published those responses.
In both cases, 'Night Watch' - which, I think, was one of the last before Pratchett was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's - was in the top 10, so I decided to go back and re-read it ...
<original thoughts below>
One of Terry Pratchett's more recent Discworld novel, in which he makes use of the good old time-travel sci-fi trope to move Commander Sam Vimes of the City Watch back in time to an earlier portion of his life-time.
Britt Smith (36 KP) rated Galavant - Season 1 in TV
Mar 15, 2018
Cameos (1 more)
Satire
I Slept On The Horse
If you love fantasy/medieval stories, musicals, and satire then you need to see Galavant. For those who like authors like Terry Pratchett, I recommend this show whole-heartedly (can we also just appreciate our leading lady was in Color of Magic STP fans?). It's got some really great moments and amazingly fun cameos. Do yourself a favor and at least make it into episode two with John Stamos, (from which you'll understand the title).
In short, if you like to have fun you are going to love this show. It's about the only musical I can sit through and I hum songs from it/rewatch them constantly.
In short, if you like to have fun you are going to love this show. It's about the only musical I can sit through and I hum songs from it/rewatch them constantly.
David McK (3508 KP) rated Small Gods in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Graphic adaptation of on eof my favourite Discworld books, which is set eras before the 'main' Discworld stories themselves.
I have to be honest: I didn't even know there was this adapatation of the story until I came across it in a local bookstory: having read it, I think I prefer this over the only other graphical take on the stories I had encountered before ([b:The Discworld Graphic Novels: The Colour of Magic & The Light Fantastic|2728900|The Discworld Graphic Novels The Colour of Magic & The Light Fantastic|Terry Pratchett|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1348432296s/2728900.jpg|2754534]) in that the artwork seems more vibrant, more what I would imagine the characters to be like.
I have to be honest: I didn't even know there was this adapatation of the story until I came across it in a local bookstory: having read it, I think I prefer this over the only other graphical take on the stories I had encountered before ([b:The Discworld Graphic Novels: The Colour of Magic & The Light Fantastic|2728900|The Discworld Graphic Novels The Colour of Magic & The Light Fantastic|Terry Pratchett|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1348432296s/2728900.jpg|2754534]) in that the artwork seems more vibrant, more what I would imagine the characters to be like.
The Witch's Vacuum Cleaner: And Other Stories
7.0
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