Rating: Summary: Great story & great pictures Review: This is another book in Terry Pratchett's series on the Discworld--a flat world, supported on the back of four massive elephants riding on the back of a planet-sized turtle, anything hilarious can happen here, and eventually does. In this book, Cohen the Barbarian decides to "return" fire to the gods. Unfortunately for the Discworld, this is not a friendly act. An alarmed Lord Vetinari puts together a team to stop Cohen and the Silver Horde, a team composed of Rincewind, Captain Carrot of the Watch, and the brilliant Leonard of Quirm. With a cast of characters like this, adventure and hilarity are bound to follow!This book is quite different than the other Pratchett books I've read. The story is somewhat short, but this large book makes up for that with the large and well-drawn illustrations of Paul Kidby. I enjoyed finally seeing Carrot, Lord Vetinari, and Ponder Stibbons (Oh, so that's what Harry Potter will look like in a few years!), not to mention some breathtaking pictures of the Discworld and Ankh-Morpork (both two-pages large!). Like other Pratchett stories, this one is simultaneously funny and fascinating. I enjoyed the story, and I enjoyed the pictures. This is a great book, one you should buy!
Rating: Summary: Who is the Last Hero? Review: This is a book for all Discworld fans, and apart from the Witches all the usual characters can be found here. Cohen the Barbarian is bored, and so with the Silver Horde in tow, decides that it is time to go on one last quest - to return to the Gods what the 1st hero took, but in a bigger and louder form. Unfortunately, this will end with the destruction of the Discworld. So a team is put together to stop this happening, which includes Carrot and everyones fave Wiz(z)ard, Rincewind. It all gets very silly from here on in, when they take off in a new flying machine (the Kite) designed by Leonard da Quirm. Then we get into the realm of parody (of the moon landings), unexpected stowaways and crash landings. Getting away from the story - so I don't spoil it for you - the pictures that accompany Terry's story are also fabulous. My particular favourite would have to be Paul Kidby's illustration of Death holding a kitten. Any chance of a poster? I hope so. I would recommend this book to all Pratchett fans, and anyone else into comic fantasy. It only took me an afternoon to read, so it must be good. BUY THIS BOOK, as Death would say. P.S. Incase you can't guess - the Discworld isn't destroyed - so more books to come, phew.
Rating: Summary: Outstanding Review: At the end of "Interesting Times", the last book to feature Cohen the Barbarian and the Silver Horde, the decrepit warriors had conquered the Agatean Empire. Unfortunately, and not very surprisingly, it seems they got a little bored. Remembering that a hero should die in battle, they have now decided to pick the right enemies and attack Dunmanifestin. To put it another way, a band of very old barbarians led by the world's greatest hero are going to invade the Discworld's Home of the Gods and blow it up. They've even brought along a bard to write the saga of their last, greatest and most glorious assault. Unsurprisingly, word of this latest development has reached the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork. This news has caused no little amount of panic, as the destruction of Dunmanifestin and the Gods will lead to the end of the world. So, as the Gods sit back, throw dice and have some fun, Lord Vetinari sends out a team to try and stop Cohen and his cohorts. Supported by the head wizards of the Unseen University - including the newly appointed Head of Inadvisably Applied Magic, Ponder Stibbons - Rincewind, Leonard of Quirm, Captain Carrot and a certain hairy stowaway take a trip few Ankh-Morporkians have ever taken. While "The Last Hero" may be shorter than most of the Discworld novels, it's still well worth reading. The new "villain" Evil Harry Dread, The Evil Dark Lord, would be an asset to any future book and Paul Kidby's illustrations are a superb addition. While it may be better to have read a couple of the Discworld books previous to this -just to "know" the characters a little better - I'm not sure it would be any great disadvantage if you hadn't. Pratchett's books are simply fantastic, and this matches anything he has written.
Rating: Summary: Outstanding Review: At the end of "Interesting Times", the last book to feature Cohen the Barbarian and the Silver Horde, the decrepit warriors had conquered the Agatean Empire. Unfortunately, and not very surprisingly, it seems they got a little bored. Remembering that a hero should die in battle, they have now decided to pick the right enemies and attack Dunmanifestin. To put it another way, a band of very old barbarians led by the world's greatest hero are going to invade the Discworld's Home of the Gods and blow it up. They've even brought along a bard to write the saga of their last, greatest and most glorious assault. Unsurprisingly, word of this latest development has reached the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork. This news has caused no little amount of panic, as the destruction of Dunmanifestin and the Gods will lead to the end of the world. So, as the Gods sit back, throw dice and have some fun, Lord Vetinari sends out a team to try and stop Cohen and his cohorts. Supported by the head wizards of the Unseen University - including the newly appointed Head of Inadvisably Applied Magic, Ponder Stibbons - Rincewind, Leonard of Quirm, Captain Carrot and a certain hairy stowaway take a trip few Ankh-Morporkians have ever taken. While "The Last Hero" may be shorter than most of the Discworld novels, it's still well worth reading. The new "villain" Evil Harry Dread, The Evil Dark Lord, would be an asset to any future book and Paul Kidby's illustrations are a superb addition. While it may be better to have read a couple of the Discworld books previous to this -just to "know" the characters a little better - I'm not sure it would be any great disadvantage if you hadn't. Pratchett's books are simply fantastic, and this matches anything he has written.
Rating: Summary: One of the best Discworld tales Review: I won't detail the plot, too many others do that better than I, but I will say this book is just as wonderfully conceived and written as the rest. The drawings really make the book special, esp. the "portraits" of the Silver Hoard. I have gotten several people into the Discworld series just because the cover artwork is so intriguing, they have to pick the book up and see more. Pratchett and Kidby are definetly at the top of their form here, it's a great buy.
Rating: Summary: Beautifully illustrated. Review: Terry Pratchett's first illustrated story is a wonderful work of art. If you're a Terry Pratchett fan, then this book is absolutely necessary and you will enjoy it immensely. If you have never read any Pratchett before, I would recommend an earlier work to get involved in the stories (yes, plural) of Discworld before getting this illustrated volume. Besides, the wonderful illustrations actually confirms one's mental images of all of the subjects that are illustrated, which adds to your enjoyment if you already have a mental picture.
Rating: Summary: Cohen's Last Stand Review: Pratchett's unique and ultra-creative characters would typically be too complex and, well, outlandish to appropriately capture in artwork. Fortunately, Paul Kidby was up to the challenge and he has done a magnificent job in bringing Discworld to life. The Last Hero, in truth, is the story of Discworld's GREATEST hero, Ghenghiz Cohen the Barbarian. The fabled adventurer-turned-Emperor is getting old and is not very happy about it. He blames the gods for his plight, reasoning that his great deeds should grant him immortality. Joining him are the Silver Horde - his fellow adventurers who, though also in their declining years, have lost little of their battle prowess. Kidnapping a minstrel (since every great adventure needs to be remembered in song) they head to the mountain home of the gods with a gigantic explosive and aim to detonate it at the top. The problem is - this will also destroy all magic and, hence, the world. The world's only hope lies with Ankh-Morpork's resident genius-with-ADD, Leonard of Quirm, and his flying machine. This book was an unexpected surprise and a top-notch addition to the Discworld universe. For those keeping score, this technically belongs in the "Watch" sub series, possibly falling after The Fifth Elephant. Highest possible recommendation.
Rating: Summary: Nothing Short of Wonderful Review: What a fabulous, fabulous book! Not only is it another wonderful yarn by Mr. Pratchett, but it is filled with absolutely WONDERFUL art that is at times stunning, and at other times very humorous. For fans of Mr. Pratchett's other novels, there are numerous walk-ins by his other famous characters, which only adds to the fun. The story is original, though obviously satyrizing numerous greek myths. I cannot recommend this book enough, it is an absolute delight.
Rating: Summary: This is no "Colour of Magic" but again Pratchett delights Review: Let me be totally honest, you are unlikely to get an unbiased review of any Terry Pratchett book, from me, Quite simply I have read and re-read all 28 books in the Discworld series, and every time his subtlety of contextual humour, hits you like a brick in the funny centre of your brain. Let me be honest. Pratchett is no poet laureate, no William Shakespeare, but he has probably mastered the art the of pun, and double entendre, mixed with a sardonic and typically British look at the world. His humour is sophisticated, yet simple and can be understood at many levels. It has always amazed me, that it so understood in America, given that a lot of the puns, are very British in their source of parody. So what can I say, buy this book, but not as the first discworld book you ever read, if your a fan, you don't need to read this review, and if your not a fan, I really would advise you to start at the source, and read book one in the Discworld series and move on from there book by book. I guarantee you will love these books, although this writer accepts no legal responsibilty if you don't. The man is funny, evilly wicked in his humour and a joy to read, put simply I would rather read his books than any other writer's.
Rating: Summary: Illustrations bring the story to life Review: Another wonderful tale from Pratchett. This one is a little shorter than usual to accommodiate the format, but the great illustrations really support the story.
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