Home :: Books :: Science Fiction & Fantasy  

Arts & Photography
Audio CDs
Audiocassettes
Biographies & Memoirs
Business & Investing
Children's Books
Christianity
Comics & Graphic Novels
Computers & Internet
Cooking, Food & Wine
Entertainment
Gay & Lesbian
Health, Mind & Body
History
Home & Garden
Horror
Literature & Fiction
Mystery & Thrillers
Nonfiction
Outdoors & Nature
Parenting & Families
Professional & Technical
Reference
Religion & Spirituality
Romance
Science
Science Fiction & Fantasy

Sports
Teens
Travel
Women's Fiction
Thief of Time

Thief of Time

List Price: $6.99
Your Price: $6.29
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 .. 4 5 6 7 8 9 >>

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: One of his Top Books
Review: I have just read this book, and wow is all I can say.

The novel is a cross between the next Susan Sto Helit novel a and a 'new character' novel. The History Monks are the real main characters in this book, expounding on Lu-Tze and his new apprentice, Lobsang Ludd.

The novel is, without a doubt, one the the better novels he has written. I would give it 4.5 stars (but Amazon won't let me)-it's a great book, but there are better ones out there.

The plot is interesting, to say the least, and the last half of the book kept me reading all night (but this is a normal occurence for me, esp. with Pratchett books I am reading for the first time), and works well. And the Igors, who have populated every single book since Carpe Juglum are back. Even though Igors are funny (espically the Pratchett version of them), their apperance in four straight books is a little odd. He's apparently got all these Uberwald ideas, and Igor keeps trotting out for another round of 'yeth, marther'ing.

Also, the Auditors are back, and are a lot better then they were in Hogfather. They have also started a new trend-but you'll have to read the book to find out...

Overall, though, the plot is interesting, the History Monks are colorful (but could use a little development), and the apperance of the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse is quite funny.

This is a book to read.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Pratchett at his best....
Review: After the advent of _The Truth_ and hearing predictions that Pratchett was turning away from his older, established characters to explore new avenues, I was somewhat worried about what his next book would bring. I *like* the old characters, and part of the joy I find in reading Pratchett is in watching such old friends develop and have new adventures. I was not, therefore, at all disappointed in _Thief of Time_. Susan, one of my favorite characters, is given a fair amount of development, and Lu Tze, a fascinating minor character from _Small Gods_, receives a major role that makes him even more fascinating. The Auditors are also present and given further development, though to go into much detail on how would spoil the story.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Title is an apt review in itself
Review: I have read all the Discworld novels right from the very beginning. As with any series some titles are better than others. Thief of Time is as the title suggests time taken without jsut compensation. This is one of Pratchetts most disappointing outings to date. Sadly so even more by the fact that the premise had so much potential. To me the story line didn't really hold together and the details somewhat confusing. I had an easier time understanding Hawkings Brief History of Time. (Yes I actually read it and it's sequel). The humor which is Pratchetts mainstay is somewhat lacking in tis title. Even Death, my favorite charector, isn't able to pull off many jokes. I believe Pratchett needs to go back to what worked and stick with his main charectors, especially the wizards, witches, Death, the Librarian (my second most favorite), the watch and others. Portions of this book take place in Ankh Morpork but do not involve any of it's most common residents. I cannot reccommend this title which is sad knowing how many others in the series are superb.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Thief of Time
Review: I LOVE Terry Pratchett, but I was very disappointed in this book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great story
Review: This is the twenty-sixth 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, the Auditors are out to tidy up that messy little loose end called "life" with the help of a very special clock. Death (capital "D", he's the man, or rather the anthropomorphic personification) is ever their enemy, and he recruits his granddaughter, Susan, to stop them. However, Susan isn't alone; Lu-Tze (800-years-old and one of the greatest of all History Monks) and his apprentice Lobsang Ludd (whose command of time is astounding for one so young) are hot on the case, and some of the Auditors seem to have an agenda of their own.

Once again, Terry Pratchett has pulled a great story out of the recesses of his fertile imagination. His command of the language, and his flair for clearly running concurrent storylines, is as strong as ever, and make this a gripping story. This is the fifth Death book, after Mort, Reaper Man, Soul Music and Hogfather, and well worth the cost.

I strong recommend this book. (By the way, in this book you find out that death by chocolate is indeed a possibility.)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Terry Pratchett Continues On A Roll
Review: Pratchett has been on a roll since "Fifth Elephant," following several, by Pratchett's standards, lackluster and mediocre offerings such as "Jingo" or "Last Continent" (I know, I know: such a statement will lead the jingoists among you into heightened fits of indignant choler and impassioned vilification. But come on, after 26 Discworld novels let's admit not every outing can be a singular stroke of genius), rapidly turning out three outstanding novels in a row, "Fifth Elephant" followed close on the heels by "Truth" and now "Thief of Time." While some might argue that Pratchett has abandoned his earlier and more forthright humor, I would agree that his plotting has become marvelously much tighter, and his sense of satire increasingly deft and subtle. Yes, the puns and parodic gymnastics continue, but no longer are they providing the main support to Pratchett's compositions. Instead, the author is providing more and more layers of depth to his novels, probing and exposing existential and ontological issues in ways only glimpsed or hinted at in his earliest novels.

The thing that is in many ways amazing in the continued development and improvement of Pratchett's writing is that it is accomplished within the format of formula. Pratchett writes in a manner and structure that is linearly and closely linked to his earliest novels, repeatedly returning to previous tropes and conventions yet, with the exception of a few novels, continually refining, expanding and reinvigorating his formulas, somehow able to keep them for the most part fresh and engaging. Even when he turns to what is an obvious cliched stereotype---the wise, old self-effacing Eastern monk/sweeper Lu-Tze and his naive apprentice---Pratchett is able to reinvest the character and role in a guise at once familiar and inventively rendered. In the hands of anyone else the figure of Lu-Tze would come off trite and outworn, but Pratchett is somehow able to re-infuse the character with significance and fresh perspective despite the anticipated behavior and acting out of a role long cliched and tired.

As in most Pratchett novels, we revisit old and fondly remembered characters---Death and his granddaughter Susan, the Four---no Five---Horseman, Nanny Ogg, the Igors and, not seen since "Small Gods," the Monks of History. But the book is centered---if any book by Pratchett can be said to have a center---around the not quite brotherly reflections, Jeremy Clockson and Lopsang Lud, the nature of Time, identity and how we measure it (oops, I used a grey word), the end of the world and, perhaps most importantly, the delights and unavoidable, passionate consumption of chocolate. And this is just skimming a summary. It might be argued that in "Thief of Time" Pratchett explores more than in any previous novel---I can't recall absolutely for certainty---and does so with a subtlety and skill not before accomplished.

That said---floating out on a limb alongside Quoth the Raven, or mayhaps digging a pit with Death of Rats...Squeak!---as is apparent from any reading of Pratchett's many reviews, the author's fans---a legion continuously and rightly growing---all have individual and highly vocalized opinions as to the best of Pratchett's work. Regardless, they are almost all good, and well above the standard lining the retailer's shelves. If you haven't read Pratchett before, you're in for a rollicking thrill, and if you have, no need to fear you'll be disappointed. Another marvelous outing from our contemporary Swift.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: good, but exasperating
Review: Yet another thoughtfully wrote and wry book in PTerry's growing collection of discworld books that are #1 in the UK and not far behind in the U.S. This one, following The Truth (one of his masterpieces), is about a clock that will keep perfect time, and as a aftereffect destroy history, or time, as we know it.

DAMN, says Death. HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAVE THE WORLD ALREADY? I MEAN, IT'S NOT LIKE I GET PAID FOR IT. BUGGER OFF, TERRY PRATCHETT!

And with that he stalks off to practice his sycthing skillz on an innocent beatle.

But although this plot seems a little contrived, PTerry is just too good. It still is a gripping read, as only PTerry can make it.

No, my one main problem is with Lu-Tze, of Small Gods. PTerry totally destroyed him. He is nothing like he was in the first book he was in, and by the end he is reduced to a bumbling fellow who has only managed to keep his reputation via magic tricks. That's what it seemed like to me, anyway. I didn't like Jeremy either; he seemed a clone of the main dude from The Truth.

Also, what was with the yeti? It just didn't make sense; you will find out what I mean when you read this book, which you will.

Happy Discworld reading.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good, but by no means his best
Review: Terry Pratchett has proven time and again that he's a master of fantasy, humor, and wrapping a plot around multiple characters (and vice versa). This latest work, while an outstanding work in its own right, seems lackluster when compared to some of Pratchett's other work, particularly Mort, Fifth Elephant, and Jingo. In this latest visit to discworld Susan, Death's granddaughter (by adoption) has turned from a slightly unbelieving but believeable participant to an almost bitter, cynical cameo character throughout the book. I was thrilled to see Lu Tse again (from "Small Gods") and a couple of the temple characters had promise, but none were really fulfilled.

If you're a Pratchett fan, by all means buy and read this, but don't expect miracles. If you're not a pratchett fan yet, buy Mort or Wyrd Sisters and wait a couple of volumes.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Read the Title
Review: For the Perennial Pratchett Fans: This book is firmly in the Death series. Death and Susan have to save the world. Again. Is anyone keeping track of how many times the world has almost been destroyed?

For the New readers: This book stands on it own well enough. Regular fans will already know Death, War, Famine, Pestilence, Susan, Nanny Ogg, Igor, Lu Tze, and the Way of Mrs.Cosmopilite they are old friends and we are happy to see them again. But Pterry gives enough information so new readers are not lost. Just know that if you like them you can read more about them without waiting for another book.

So what is it about?

The Auditors have hired Jeremy, a man with a perfect sense of time, to build a glass clock that will stop time.

Lu Tze and his apprentice Lobsang Ludd of the History Monks are on a mission to stop the clock.

Susan is working as a school teacher until Death puts her to work saving the world. (Nanny Ogg has a cameo as the world's best Midwife)

Death is having a hard time getting the other three Horsemen to Ride Out for the Apocalypse.

And then there is the Fifth Horsemen, Ronnie, who left before they got famous.

All the stuff about the History Monks is one continuous joke about Kung Fu movies.

The Five Horsemen lend themselves to Beatles references but also to any rock band where some members are more famous than others.

Susan seems to have developed a Chocolate dependency. It is nice to know that Pterry understands these things.

The American edition cover is hideous, they could not have made it more ugly if they tried. Are they actually trying to lose business?

The British cover is the usual Josh Kirby (in case your are wondering it depicts the History Monks' time storage vault,. The little yellow figures are monks. They are getting buckets of water and yak butter out of storage wells to cool and grease the time spindles)

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Momo2?
Review: Let me start to say that I am a fan of Pratchett, "Small Gods" ranks among my all time favourites and books like "Good Omens" and "Men at Arms" have made him one of the authors I buy in hardcover as soon as they publish another book.

One of the things i like about Pratchett is his ability to take a story most of us know by hart and give the story a spin, making us see new angels. "Eric", "Wyrd Sisters" and "maskerade" are exellent examples of his ability to do this. This is why I find it so sad to see him so obviosly steal this story, and then not manage to improve on it.

Anybody who has read Michael Endes "Momo" will of course know that this probably has inspired some of Pratchetts earlier books. But there is a big difference between taking the grey men and making them into watchers and taking the entire story and making it his own without at least celebrating the orginal (something he usually is wery good at).

This said Pratchett still has the language in his hand and as usuall manages to make what he writes a pleasure to read. It is just that I would recomend "Momo" over "Theif of Time".


<< 1 .. 4 5 6 7 8 9 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates