4.
Title: [Men at Arms]
Author: Terry Pratchett
Genre: Satiric Fantasy
Medium: Paperback
Acquisition: Purchased
Date Completed: January 18, 2017
Rating: *****

Of course Corporal Carrot is the heir to the AnkhMorpork throne: it's written in his narrative blood. He's physically imposing, while thoroughly charming, a natural leader to whom others can't help but listen, and so honest and earnest he registers as simple. But woe be unto him who confuses simple with stupid, as Carrot certainly isn't the latter.  In fact, he's too smart to fall for the romance of kingship, and smart enough, too, to recognize just how well his city of birth operates under the controversial-yet-thoughtful patrician, Vetinari. Unfortunately, as they are wont, the noblemen aren't satisfied with a social system that puts guilds members at their elbows as opposed to below their feet, and one such nobleman takes it upon himself to depose the tyrant patrician and raise up the rightful king.  And he has a secret weapon.

On the ground, this weapon causes strife and mystery, and it's up to Sam Vimes to get to the bottom of it - before his untimely marriage to Lady Sibyl, upon which he'll retire to become a gentleman of *shudder* leisure. New guardsmen and women have joined the ranks of the Night Watch, and the wheels of change are firmly in motion.

The guards books remain some of the strongest in the Discworld series, cutting critical paths through wide swathes of social territory with wit and humor, and unforgettable characters.  If anyone is uncertain over whether or not they'd like to Pratchett, this may be the book to try - if you don't enjoy this one, I don't know that you'd enjoy any.

3.
Title: [Lords and Ladies]
Author: Terry Pratchett
Genre: Satiric Fantasy
Medium: Paperback
Acquisition: Purchased
Date Completed: January 2017
Rating: ***1/2

When the Ramptops witches return from their fairy godmothering jaunt, the youngest witch, Magrat, finds her future has been organized in her absence.  King Verence, with whom she has had a quiet but unsettled "agreement" has chosen a wedding date, purchased her bridal gown, and otherwise assumed the particulars, as his research has told him he ought. Following a riff with Granny Weatherwax which leaves her feeling alienated in their coven once again, Magrat accepts Verence's orchestrations and moves into the castle, while Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax organize themselves to fight an old foe who has been awakened by silly girls playing at The Craft.

Pratchett's take on A Midsummer Night's Dream thinks about folklore and community traditions, and reaches back into a history when people really knew that all that's beautiful isn't good. Satirizing contemporary appreciation for cultural knowledge, this fantasy well develops an otherwise hyperbolic crone, and balances humor and tension in an overall enjoyable story.

2.

Title: [Small Gods]

Author: Terry Pratchett

Genre: Satiric Fantasy

Medium: Paperback

Acquisition: Purchased

Date Completed: January 7, 2017

Rating: ***

"Your sexual organs to sprout wings and fly away! ... Your intestines to be wound around a tree until you are sorry!" (34)

Small Gods tells the tale of Om, a once-great Discworld god now consigned to the physical manifestation of a turtle, desperately clinging to his sole true believer (despite a nation of thousands which proclaim their devotion). Faith makes the god here, and Om tries to direct Brutha in ways that may reignite the faith of others, or at least wreck petty vengence on those whom Om judges harshly, before he is forgotten and fades entirely. At times plodding and others fantastically engaging, Small Gods satirizes ancient religious cultures and peoples, and offers critique that is not that alien today. Though I think I enjoyed it much more the first time around, it's possible that this easily stand-alone novel just couldn't hold up to the other fun things begging for my attention this weekend.