Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett

Background

Equal Rites is the third novel in the well known Discworld series.   The Discworld is a flat world balanced on the back of four giant elephants, which in turn, stand on the back of the Great A’Tuin, a giant turtle.  The serious could be described as tongue-in-cheek or parody fantasy.  

Synopsis

Drum Billet, a dying wizard tries to pass on his powers to an eighth son of an eighth son, who is just at that moment being born, but things don’t go as planned and the son is actually a daughter, which is discovered just a little too late. Due to the child having magic, the local witch insists on turning the child into a witch, as women can’t be wizards, thus mending the magical damage of the wizard's mistake.

But now the young girl will be forced to penetrate the inner circle of the Unseen University and while she is at it, attempt to save the world…

Review

I bought this book some years back and never got round to reading it, mainly due to the fact that I really struggle with Terry Pratchett’s writing style, but I thought I’d give it another go as I was at a loose end and had just finished another book.

Like other books in the series, that I have read, I enjoyed the story; even though it is very simplistic in its construction, and the interaction between the characters made me smile, even laugh out loud from time to time as Terry has a flair for humour.

But at times the story does seam to struggle to find its way, at times leaving me think ‘OH?’ Once again the writing style did not appeal to me, but this could just be me, as Terry Pratchett has a huge army of fans that would strongly disagree and sales speak for them self.

So for me, at times enjoyable, at times disappoint but in the main just frustrating.

Rating

I give this book an average 5 out of 10, probably great if you are a fan.

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

Background

Skulduggery Pleasant is the first in the Skulduggery Pleasant series of novels and the debut novel by Derek Landy, Thee books follow the titular character Skulduggery Pleasant, an un-dead sorcerer and detective, with his partner Stephanie Edgley as they battle evil.

Synopsis

Meet the great Skulduggery Pleasant: wise-cracking detective, powerful magician, master of dirty tricks etc, but all in the name of the greater good, of course.

… Oh yeah. And dead.

Stephanie's uncle Gordon is a writer of horror fiction. But when he dies and leaves her his estate, Stephanie learns that while he may have written horror, it certainly wasn't fiction.

Pursued by evil forces intent on recovering a mysterious key, Stephanie finds help from an unusual source – the wisecracking skeleton of a dead wizard.

When all hell breaks loose, it's lucky for Skulduggery that he's already dead. Though he's about to discover that being a skeleton doesn't stop you from being tortured, if the torturer is determined enough. And if there's anything Skulduggery hates, it's torture… Will evil win the day? Will Stephanie and Skulduggery stop bickering long enough to stop it? One thing's for sure: evil won't know what's hit it.

Review

This book is best described as a Y.A. novel or even a kids book, but why let that get in the way of a good story, as a lot of adults have read books about a certain boy wizard aimed at a similar audience.  

Being aimed at a younger audience, this book will be an easy read for adults and as such does not take long to read, but this is not just from the fact it is a younger persons book, the major factor in this, is it is such a good story that it is hard to put down until you get to the end.

The plot is solid and the pace is good, with characters that are all fully fleshed out to the point that you can suspend reality and just enjoy the story that weaves, horror, fantasy, adventure and fun in equal measures.

Even though this is a book aimed at younger readers. I really enjoyed it, there was plenty of action and mystery in the plot to keep the pace up, and the banter and interaction between Skulduggery and Stephanie quite often made me smile or even laugh out loud.

Although I have said this is a book for a younger reader, I’d like to categorise that by saying 12+  (or a bit younger if your child is reading ahead), but if you don’t have a child, don’t feel foolish in buying it for yourself, it is a good read.

Rating

I give this book 9 out of 10, a great bit of fun