Wintersmith (2006)

The plot wasn't quite as engaging to me as the first two Tiffany Aching books, but still a joy to read. Loved Miss Treason and You the cat and all the Annagramma stuff. ( )

Holds up nicely to a second read-through. 'werk' ( )

I never met a Terry Pratchett novel I didn't love. But you have to start at the beginning, more or less, or you'll be too confused. ( )

The trouble is you can shut your eyes but you can’t shut your mind.

Tiffany returns, this time slightly older and in just a bit more trouble than before. This time around, she accidentally danced with the Wintersmith (the very embodiment of winter) and, as one thing leads to another, the Wintersmith beings to fall in love, trying to become human along the way.


Iron enough to make a nail
Lime enough to paint a wall
Water enough to drown a dog
Sulphur enough to stop the fleas
Potash enough to wash a shirt
Gold enough to buy a bean
Silver enough to coat a pin
Lead enough to blast a bird
Phosphor enough to light the town
Strength enough to build a home
Time enough to hold a child
Love enough to break a heart


Perhaps the best part of the book is how Tiffany owns up to what she's done and does her best to put everything back together. There are some wonderful scenes with the main Witches from other Discworld books (Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg in particular), but the focus remains on Tiffany.

As with the other Tiffany Aching books, it's a wonderful Discworld'y with a fairy tale feel. Well worth the read. Honestly, I liked this one more than A Hat Full of Stars, possibly even more than the Wee Free Men--although of course you'd want to start there when first reading the series.

Well worth the read once again.

Finally, because one must:

Because no man wants to be a coward in front of a cheese.

What? It makes sense in context. ( )

Once again, Tiffany Aching finds herself in big trouble, but this time, it is of her own making. While witnessing the Black Morris dance celebrating the arrival of winter, Tiffany is so enthralled that she jumps in and catches the eye of the elemental, Wintersmith. He decides to become a man to be with her. Meanwhile, Miss Treason the witch with whom Tiffany is apprenticing dies; politics place the snooty Annagramma into her stead. With help from friends, including of course the Wee Free Men, each is able to overcome their problems. Tiffany is really a wonderful character, a strong willed, but sensible 13 year-old ... wise beyond her years. ( )