Rating: 
Summary: I want to actually give it 3 and a half, OK?
Review: The first time I read this I confess I wasn't that gripped. Agnes seemed flat, the plot seemed difficult and the jokes forced. BUT the second time I read it it had for some reason improved. The descriptions of the theatre are eerie and ring very true, the jokes seemed more natural - although I still don't get the plot properly and Agnes still seems a rather forced character. Also, I think I missed out on a lot of the humour because I haven't seen Phantom Of The Opera. Worth a read, but not the best Pratchett book.
Rating: 
Summary: We Wear the Mask That Grins and Lies
Review: Being a big fan of humorous fantasy, I've been in love with Terry Pratchett's Discworld almost from the moment I began reading it. I adore Nanny Ogg and Greebo, Granny Weatherwax (to a lesser extent), Rincewind, the Bursar, the Librarian, and Death above all. So it's really not much surprise that I loved this book.I think, though, that not only does it stand out among comedic fantasy books as all Discworld novels do, but it also stands out among Discworld novels! For all that I don't know opera or Phantom, the jokes I did understand had me rolling, and the idea of Nanny Ogg writing a cookbook is so priceless that it would have earned the book four stars all on its own. Toss in the translation of an opera verse and the little notes of maniacal laughter, and you've got enough funny stuff to leave a person gasping for breath between snickers. However, it's a valid point to say that this is a story that's probably much funnier if you have some passing knowledge of opera and Phantom; I had the feeling that I was missing out on chunks of it, and really, the plot with Agnes wasn't very riveting. I thought the jokes I did understand more than made up for it, but that's a question of personal taste. This is still one of the Discworld novels that requires the most background knowledge to make most of its hits; it seems full of in jokes, and if you're bugged by that sort of thing, you might want to try a different slice of the Discworld pie instead.
Rating:
Summary: A tragi-comedy worthy of good libretto
Review: Pratchett has an outstanding capacity to research a topic, then present his findings with peerless clarity and wit. This book presents so many aspects of theatre production, operatic lore and, amazingly, book publication they're nearly overwhelming. His prose and humour leave us breathless with mirth and astonishment. Still, one has to wonder what motivated the writing of Maskarade. It's a departure from previous Discworld efforts. Magrat Garlick's married and out of the coven. This imbalance must be restored. Her potential replacement is a new Pratchett character, Agnes Nitt. Agnes, however, has a different career in mind. She wants to be a diva in the opera troupe in Ankh-Morpork. A lofty ambition, indeed. And a voice lofty enough to project throughout the hall - right up to the loft, in fact. As always, the opera business is fraught with problems. Underpaid [and underfed] choir girls, prima donnas who consider their voice grander than its quality justifies, eccentric crew, and the ever present issue of money. Oh yes, and there's a ghost - with a reserved box seat. If the Ankh-Morpork's opera team wasn't having enough to deal with, they are about to be confronted with the remnants of Lancre's witches' coven, Esme Weatherwax and Gytha Ogg. Nanny Ogg's become the Julia Childs of the Ramtops, but with variations on a particular theme. She's published a book about it, but Granny Weatherwax isn't convinced the payment justified. Esme Weatherwax as an author's agent is a formidable figure. As if this transformation wasn't enough, she also becomes a patron of opera. Pratchett's gone slightly awry from his usual path with this book. He raises a host of pretty serious questions with the characters and the plot. It's still in the best of PTerry's style - his wit through the persona of Granny and Nanny Ogg has, if anything, improved. But there are some issues uncommon in Discworld books, and the reader is left more than just entertained. There's some post-laughter thinking required of the reader. Opera is, after all, serious business.
Rating:
Summary: The weakest Pratchett so far
Review: I have to confess that, although I love Pratchett's books and the Discworld generally, I found this the weakest book of the series. Maybe it's because I'm not an opera buff, maybe because the story is not a quintessentially Discworld one (apart from the names and histories of the main characters, the story could take place almost anywhere), maybe because I prefer the Guards to the Witches, or maybe it's just my taste but I just didn't find this as funny or enthralling as his previous books. Pratchett certainly picked up again later and his most recent books are brilliant, but I found the series ebbed a bit here. If, like me, you're reading them all in order (I have, since "Colour of Magic" first came out), then stick with them. If not, make sure you have "Pyramids", "Small Gods", "Guards Guards", "Mort" or "Wyrd Sisters" around to read after this one.
Rating: 
Summary: My least favorite Pratchett Book, but...
Review: It's probably my fault. I don't know, I've loved every other Discworld book, but I don't particularly like Maskerade. I suspect that if I were a fan of opera and the theater in general, and Phantom of the Opera in particular, I'd've split my sides with this book. Unfortunately, I'm not and I didn't.
Rating: 
Summary: Stands on the thin line between 4 and 5 start...
Review: This is truly one of the best Discworld books I've ever read. It's funny, it's intresting, and it's a very good satire on "The Phantom of the Opera". However, it's on the thin line between the really good discworld books (Intresting Times, Feet of Clay), and the excellent books (Carpe Jugulum, Moving Pictures)... It's hard to pinpoint exactly what's missing here. That's why it's on the line (I would've given it 4.5 stars if I could...). It's extremely funny, but not as funny as Mort... It's ideas are quite deep, but don't run as deep as Carpe Jugulum's... So, in the end, it's not the greatest Discworld book, but if I would've made a 'top five list', it would've certainly be one of them...
Rating:
Summary: An awful lot of set up for the last joke
Review: I liked this book, but can see where everyone might not. First off the basic plot is that Perdita X Nitt (nee Agnes Nitt) Has decided to go to the big city to seek her fortune as a singer. She has a singular talent, however of being able to accompany herself. She auditions at the Opera House in Ankh Morpork and is hired along with the beautiful Christine who can sing only passably but has certain other assets (as does her father - a benefactor of the opera) which the new owner find pleasant to comtemplate. In the meantime Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax have decided they need a 3rd witch and Agnes would do. The decide to go to the city to just "check up" on her. They become embroiled in the "ghost of the Opera" legend and succeed in thwarting an evil plot while having a great deal of fun with Nanny Ogg's hard earned money. Just remember it ends like most opera. I liked this novel, but then I love opera. I also have seen almost every variation of the Phantom of the Opera ever made (except the musical). The problem is that for some of the humor, the reader must have some knowledge of Opera and it's performers to understand the parody. While I love it, I understand that it is not for everyone. There is enough humor for the non afficiando not everyone will neccesarily find it hilarious.
Rating:
Summary: On fire!
Review: I haven't read all of Prachett's books (though I intend to), but this is by far my favorite! Before you read, decide what you would bring with you out of your house if it was on fire. Granny can tell quite a lot from a person by their answer! (Of course, she doesn't approve of psychology.) Nanny carries her suddenly vast wealth around in her 'knickers,' and Agnes Nitt (Perdita X. Dream) can sing lower than an elephant to higher than a dog's whistle. The three are witches, and they're going to stop the show without stopping the Opera and solve a murder mystery.
Rating:
Summary: Maskerade
Review: This book was my first exposure to Discworld and I have since returned many times. This ultra funny parody of phantom had drowning in mirth with it's both obvious and subtle humor. It is advantageous to have seen the play first because it makes the parody all the more funnier, and understandable. Even with out seeing the play it is a good book to read. Serious die hard opera fans may be offedended
Rating:
Summary: My favorite Terry Pretchett
Review: I loved it. This was the 3rd book I read with the witches in it. I read this one before reading Lords and Ladies, so this was my first exposure to Agnes. Agnes is wonderful. I think she is a great addition to Nanny and Granny. She and Perdita are hilarious. The translation for the Departure Aria had me in stitches.
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