Rating: 
Summary: A New Level of Discworld Novel
Review: Since "The Color Of Magic" was published, readers have learned to expect a unique brand of wit and humor that is characteristically Pratchett's. What many readers and reviewers have missed, however, is the growing thread of serious issues in some of these books. "Carpe Jugulum" is, I believe, an important example of the synthesis between serious and humorous threads that are a growing characteristic of these novels. It is not a ripoff of "Lords And Ladies", as some have stated - the connection between these two books is limited to 1)bad guys come into the world and 2)they have contempt for normal people. These themes are general enough for a dozen books.An attentive reading of the book, however, shows that there is not only inspired humor, but an examination of a serious question - who are we? can we take responsibility for the hard decisions? can we pick light or darkness, or are we condemned to live in the middle? Following the fugue of character development among the 4 witches and the priest of OM reveals a gentle but serious exploation of these issues. So, read it for fun - the fun is certainly there - but appreciate that the book is far from the simple literary slapstick some people seem to expect from Pratchett.
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Summary: A BRILLIANT BOOK
Review: V. Funny and just generally a great book!!!
Rating: 
Summary: The Witches' Return to do...what, exactly?
Review: Terry Pratchett is the master of so many genres, it must be hard to stay fresh, yet he does not even make the attempt in "Carpe Jugulum". The story is a virtual re-write of another boring tale from Pratchett's pen, "Lords and Ladies", and it seems to me that his increasing dependence on letting the characters weave their own stories is losing steam. The Witches no longer seem fresh; their personalities, once intriguing and mystical, have grown stale and predictable; and even the new characters, the Magpyrs and Mightily Oats, are given paper thin veneers to their characters. I almost screamed aloud at the predictable "Granny saves the day" ending, which I wish that Pratchett would get away from. In its defense, the book is slick and well written, as are all of the Discworld books, but "Carpe Jugulum" leaves (pardon the pun) a bad taste in the mouth. Rincewind's "The Last Continent" got better with repeated readings, (though it is still not a worthy successor to arguably the best Disc book, "Interesting Times,") and the Guards novels compete with one another in cleverness, but it seems that the witches books have lost their charm. "Wyrd Sisters", "Witches Abroad", and even "Equal Rites" were all brilliant stories with new characters bursting to acquire identities. The dark "Lords and Ladies", the horrible "Maskerade" and "Carpe Jugulum" have all shown that the bloom is off the rose; the latest Disc novel, "The Fifth Elephant", is another Guards novel, and let's hope that Terry has decided that Vimes, Angua, Carrot, Ramkin and Vetinari are where the future of the Discworld lies. And come to think of it, we haven't had a good Death book in about 4 years...
Rating: 
Summary: Why not keep English covers?
Review: Another Pratchett book arrives with another inexpressive american cover! Pratchett's current american publisher has a penchant for abstract, crudely rendered covers most inferior to the lively, baroque cartoons used on the original english editions. (Pratchett's old american publisher, NAL, often substituted american cartoons for english, but at least they kept up with the spirit of the thing.)Is the work of Josh Kirby and other british artists being kept off american covers by some copyright convention fluke, or just the poor taste of Pratchett's american publishers?
Rating:
Summary: Good but not the best
Review: Once again Pratchett comes up with a good story, certainly better than the dire Lost Continent. But still is it me or is he beginning to lose his touch. With books like Interesting Times, Maskerade and Feet of Clay he was on a role, classic after classic. Now with Carpe Jugulum all he can manage is a Lords and Ladies rehash. This is by no means a bad book, the plot works and it is still extremely funny but compared to some of the others this is a slight dissapointmment.
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Summary: The Pratchett Magic Continues to Spin Discworld!
Review: The book starts slower than most Disc novels, but the end is fabulous. The Disc struggles again with modernity as a family of Up-to-Date Vampires abandon the superstitous Ueberwald for the Kingdom of Lancre. Multiple personalities abound as Agnes, Magrat, and Nanny form a coven as the Maiden, the Mother, and ... er... the other one. I loved Granny's showdowns with Vampires and Death.
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Summary: One of the best!
Review: I simply loved it! Since I bought it I already read the books several times just in case I missed some jokes - and indeed I did... not just once. Whoever likes Vampyres - either old-fashioned or modern - is going to love this book. I especially got to like the witches who I did not favour more than any other character before this book. Agnes prooves that she is more than just "the one that poures the tea" and Nanny that she can be an "old crow". From the first line on I never got bored or could lay the book aside. It's sparkling of wit and creativity. Hilarious!
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Summary: Superb - Absorbing - Funny and re-readable
Review: Great book full of humor, religion, witchcraft and undead. Oats has to be the best new character out of the last few books and I hope he is featured in more to come.
Rating:
Summary: Very funny - Terry Pratchett at his best!!!
Review: I have always felt that Terry Pratchett was at his best writing about the witches. They seem to be written with such pleasure. In Carpe Jugulium, the side plots are great and the ending was a surprise. I read the last page and started all over again. Thank you, Terry!
Rating:
Summary: An imaginative and thrilling Discworld story.
Review: "Carpe Jugular" was an excellant book. The continuation of events in Lancre, where "Maskerade" had left off, were well-crafted. The introduction of the modern-thinking Count Magpyre and his two Gen-X kids as the threat to the tiny kingdom was interesting. Especially the resemblence of his two teenage kids to the 'cooler then thou' goth culture that has appeared in the youth culture. The appearance of the gnomes, (er..pixies), was hilarious. Pratchett's humor was best convied through the hard-working, but under-appreciated, Igor and King Verence II. I say, read this book. It's humorous, insightful, and will even surprise you, occasionally.
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