SF Signal: REVIEW: Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

REVIEW: Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

MY RATING:

(For more Pratchett reviews, see The Great Pratchett Reading Project table.)

This book starts off The Watch series of novels which introduces some of my most favorite characters from Discworld, the Night Watch. In this book, the Night Watch is not a prestigious position, and is commanded by Captain Sam Vimes. He only has Sergant Colon and Corporal Nobbs under his command when Carrot is sent to Anhk-Morpork by his adopted dwarven father. In this book, we see the first steps in the transformation of both the Watch and of Sam Vimes into respectable and important parts of Anhk-Morpork. In between all that transforming, we have shadowy summoners, dragons of all sizes, romance and an almost fairy tale type fashion which I found very entertaining.

This book was laugh out loud funny for me in several locations with some famous scenes from movies and TV being transformed into something appropriate for Discworld. There is a Dirty Harry-esque scene involving a dragon and Sam Vimes in furry slippers that was genious in its own way, and it is just another reason why these novels work. When combined with the banter of the "villians" of this novel, you have a very funny book. The other advantage for readers of this particular series of books is that they are not the first Discworld books and demonstrate Mr. Pratchett's growth as a writer.

If someone were to ask me where to start when reading Discworld novels, I would suggest here. Admittedly there would be some characters that are not as fleshed out and some questions regaring the world, but that is a minor when compared with the humor and enjoyment found here.