So, I'm done. I've read all nine books. I still plan on reading more stuff. I still have some side content and I'm also currently reading The Count of Monte Cristo. I'll still take some time to update my new goals. What I'm saying is that I won't stop at 9 books. I just haven't decided what to go for next. ^^"
I really enjoyed the remaining books. That of course includes the two remaining series that I didn't get to in my last challenge (the Tiffany Aching books and the Moist von Lipwig ones). However, there definitely was a shift in tone. In general, the pace in which the world evolved sped up quite a bit. A lot of changes happened in the bigger political spectrum. And I feel like it was the combination of Pratchett's illness getting worse and worse as well as him wanting to leave the series with a positive message (something we don't see today as often, as negativity and that stuff just sells better <_<).
In regards to how I rank the different storylines I don't think much has changed for me. I put the Tiffany Aching series on the same level as the witches books, followed by the City Watch. This one took a little bit of a dip, though. The earlier books put more focus on all the watchmen while the later ones where alittle bit too focused on Samuel Vimes in particular. He's not a bad character by any means. I just wished the others stayed as relevant.
Third I'd put the Industrial Revolution books (the ones centered around Moist von Lipwig in particular). I didn't like Moving Pictures all that much. But that's mostly because I'm not a fan of movies in particular. So the whole topic kinda went over my head.
It's kind of similar with the Death series which I rank fourth. There were some books I liked a lot ("Reaper Man" and "Hogfather" and even "The Thief of Time"). But books like "Mort" and "Soul Music" didn't really resonate with me. Again, the latter because I'm not hugely into music. Only thing I'm sad is that this series kinda feels the most unfinished. There could have still been a book or two.
Lastly, the Wizards books kinda suffered a little from having a protagonist who didn't want to be a protagonist. It didn't help that the luggage is also a mini deus-ex-machina device in a way. You can tell that Pratched had issues with keeping those two in that position. WHich is why it's perfectly understandable why the latter books focus more on the other wizards. Especially Mustrum Ridcully the Archchancelor as well as Ponder Stibbons the nerd among the wizards who basically ended up running everything because the others didn't. xD
All in all I can definitely recommend the series. If you want to read them all I actually recommend reading them in publishing order. It's just very rewarding when things that were introduced in one book happen to be a staple in the following ones. Everything just builds on the previous things. That's something you kinda miss out on when you decide to just read by series.
Progress report... I actually started a book! Yep me! Thanks to our dear Megan, I finally started reading Pratchett again.
I decided to begin with the Tiffany Aching series because they are YA books so they're not full of stuff I don't want to deal with right now. They are not epicly long either, and they also resonate with me quite a bit.
My grandfather was basically Tiffany's granny. Tiffany's life was similar to my own for a good chunk of my childhood. I always enjoy discovering the wee bits and pieces Terry put in that were actually based on genuine real-life.
I'm about halfway through The Wee Free Men so far, but unfortunately had to take a break for a while as my head wasn't playing ball. I will hopefully get that finished soon then I can get on to the rest of them! 📚
That's definitely a fun series to read. I do admit that it took me a little to get into the series. I want to say the second book was where I got really into it. One sad thing, for me though, is that the last book of the series also happens to be the last book of his that got published. So it came with some extra weight. ^^"
I do like how these books not only focus on Tiffany growing up and growing into her role and becoming a witch who is standing on her own. But they also give focus to the community around her.
You absolutely sold me at cats... then I read the rest of the post 😭
I recommend "The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents". It's the YA novel Pratchett wrote before starting the Tiffany Aching series. :)
