Rating: 
Summary: Pratchett at his best
Review: Unlike some of the more recent Discworld novels, which have been a bit on the sombre side for my taste, this one is pure, delightful comedy. Cohen the Barbarian and his Silver Horde are heading for Cori Celeste, home of the gods, with an explosive device, with which they intend to blow up the gods and themselves, going out in a blaze of glory. En route they kidnap an unwilling mistrel and take him with them, determined he shall write the saga of their glorious end, whether he likes it or not. They are also joined by their old friend Harry, an Evil Dark Lord who has fallen on hard times, and Mrs McGarry, a woman warrior who is now a grandmother. One of the funniest bits is where they are discussing what has become some of their old foes. Pamdar the Witch Queen, according to Cohen "runs a shop now. Pam's Pantry. Makes marmalade." "What? She used to queen it on a throne on top of a pile of skulls!" "I didn't say it was very GOOD marmalade." Meanwhile Lord Vetinari is determined to stop the Silver Horde blowing up the gods and possibly destroying the entire Discworld. He gets eccentric inventor Leonardo of Quirm to make a flying machine, powered by dragons, and sends an expedition consisting of Leonardo, Carrot, and a reluctant Rincewind, to try and stop Cohen & Co. (the Librarian goes along as a stowaway).Vetinari instructs Carrot to stop Cohen by any means possible. "Force is always the last resort, sir" says Carrot. "I believe that for Cohen it's the first choice" says Vetinari. "He's not too bad if you don't come up behind him suddenly" says Ricnewind. Up in space, Carrot waxes sentimental looking at the Discworld "From up here you can't see the boundaries between nations" he says wistfully. Leonardo and Rincewind, misunderstanding his point, immediately start thinking of ways this drawback could be remedied, like painting the boundaries in bright colours, growing forests in the shape of names of countries etc. Cohen and the Horde decide to get themselves into Cori Celeste by disguising themselves as gods, the god of fish, the god of stuff, the god of being sick etc. Once inside, they encounter some familiar deities like Blind Io, Offler the Crocodile God, and of course the Lady. They also meet some lesser-known ones like Nuggin, a horrid little god whose followers are forbidden garlic, ginger, mushrooms, and worst, of all, chocolate. Can Carrot get there in time to stop Cohen blowing everyone up? Read this deliciously funny book and find out. It's a wonderful story, and is illustrated throughout with the most beautiful pictures by Paul Kidby.
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: 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.
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