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My first Discworld. Finally. I knew it was #8 but I have many friends and family members who are fans and they all say to start in the middle and most said this particular one was the best. And it was very fun. But not nearly as funny as I was expecting. I didn't laugh once. (And I laugh a LOT at Good Omens.) I enjoyed how some aspects were deliberately, affectionately pure formula but then other odds and ends slip in more unpredictably. I could take or leave the pop culture references, though. Gets a little Xanthy. The strongest element by far was the characterization. Much more complex than the plot. Particularly liked Vimes. ( )

When a cult of riff-raff lead by an ambitious man decides that they want to supplant the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork with the "true heir"--to Ankh-Morpork's throne. To pull off their plan they want to plague the city with Dragon attacks to have the "heir"--come and "destroy"--the dragon. However, they do not count on the newly formed team of Samuel Vimes, Lady Sybil Ramkin, and the newly arrived Corporal Carrot.

One of the better Discworld books so far (this is number 8). The series is starting to feel repetitive, though, as the novelty of Pratchett's sense of humor wears off; I probably would have given this 4 or 4½ stars if I hadn't already read seven very similar books. ( )

The first book in the Watch series. Solid fun characters, and an excellent police procedural. Few books in the Watch series get better than this. ( )