Rating: 
Summary: A darkly, beautiful story with an important message!
Review: Who would've thought, after reading the first few books of Terry Pratchett that this writer would one day produce a book with such depth as this one? Okay, as always it's all wrapped up in a high speed, intricate story with several sub-plots, but that makes the ultimate message Pratchett delivers only more convincing. So, what's the story all about? As always, the Discworld is in perilous danger, or at least civilization on it is. The "Auditors" (of reality, not money) want to eliminate mankind. Since these beings like everything to be orderly, precise and regular, it's not hard to imagine mankind is a thorn in the eye to them. The way they plan to wipe mankind of the disc is by murdering the Hogfather (Discworlds equivalent of Santaclaus), a job assigned to the less than sane assassin Teatime. DEATH, the only one who understands the danger mankind is in, can't help himself and interferes by impersonating the Hogfather. Meanwhile his granddaughter Susan sets out to stop Teatime (with a little dubious help from the Oh-God of Hangovers). Of course, in the end all's well, but not before Pratchett makes a very keen observation of what defines humanity. Believing in certain 'lies' (like the existence of a Hogfather) is, according to Death (the only truly impartial observer) what makes us human. I've read the book three times now and I'm still surprised how well Pratchett builds his story and every time I marvel at the insights he shows in what humans are like. It's a very special book, with something for everybody and I really recommend it not only to Pratchett fans.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not as good as it could have been.
Review: This book contains Pratchett's writing in usual form, and is for the most part well-written, and contains some stuff that is flat-out hilarious, such as the depressed cheerful fairy. Still, the ending is somewhat confusing, and seems to leave a few loose ends. Also, the inherent concept of Death taking over the duties of a jolly old sort seems underplayed. There is a great deal of comic potential in this scenario, of which the surface was barely scratched. These are minor qualms, however, and as a whole this book still makes excellent reading.
Rating: 
Summary: In the Bottom Half...
Review: This is one of those "bummer" Discworld novels, lying somewhere in the bottom half of Pratchett's output. This is one of those Discworld novels where the plot (what there is of it) evolves entirely off stage, and is never even summarized by Pratchett or one of the characters. You have to guess it from occasional vague indications. On stage we have the always boring Susan, grandaughter of Death, as well as Death himself, plus some time-wasting and always irrelevant antics at Unseen University. You will not be surprised at all to learn that with Discworld's equivalent of Santa Claus or Father Christmas turning up missing, Death has to fill in. Nor will anything that then happens surprise you. And most of it won't amuse you either. The villain, Mister Teatime, is potentially interesting, but is given little or nothing to do, like all the other characters. By this time in his output, 20 novels down the tubes, Pratchett seemed quite tired of it all, and the reader will be tired of this novel long before the final page is turned.
Rating:
Summary: Black but bewitching (sounds like a drug...)
Review: Possibly the darkest Pratchett novel, with Teatime being, as some sensible person a few reviews down wrote, truly repulsive. But even though parts of the book are black as black can be, others still crack me up, like the scenes with the wizards, or Death's 'jolly' laugh. But I don't rate it as high as some others because although it's a brilliant book, it can be a bit too unsettling. I mean, with the rain lashing against the window, the thunder rolling, the lights flickering etc etc...I think I'd rather stick with the guards than read Hogfather. But the book is still great, well-written and thought-provoking - don't let my cowardice put you off it!
Rating:
Summary: catching
Review: A well constructed story featuring, as usual, the funniest DEATH you can find.
Rating:
Summary: The Dark Side of PTerry
Review: The release of this book evoked some distress among Terry Pratchett fans. Expecting another City Watch or Rincewind book, this pre-Christmas issue took most by surprise. Initial reactions were muted praise at best. Over time, more readers came to understand that this book introduced a new aspect of PTerry's thinking and writing. After a string of hilarious fantasies featuring Rincewind or the Wyrd Sisters, he presented here an unexpected dark side. The story itself is almost simplistic, although classic Pratchett. The Auditors, who elsewhere attempted to give Death the sack, have decided that Hogswatch Night is a source of cosmic disorder. Contracting with the Assassin's Guild to have the Hogfather "brought to an end", they unleash a disturbing series of events. And cause Pratchett to introduce the first truly evil character in the Discworld series. No-one likes the Patrician. But his job isn't designed for popularity contests. Ipslore cheats death to have revenge on his fellow wizards, but overzealous parents are no novelty. Mister Teatime [pronounced "Teh-ah-tim-eh"], however, is a real departure from Pratchett villains. He is consummately evil, cleverly choosing the most vulnerable segment of society in his attempt to control all the Discworld. This is the first truly repulsive character Pratchett's created. Reading Hogfather makes you wonder: is there a real-life model for this character, or has PTerry created him wholly? If the first, we must find and destroy him/her. If the latter, there's a terribly dark place in Pratchett's psyche and we have to wonder what else is in there. The irony of Death substituting for the missing Hogfather is pure Pterry. Death's ongoing struggle to understand humans is vividly presented in this novel. He replaces a department store Hogfather in one of the most hilarious scenes in Discworld literature. Pratchett also responds to the rising tide of feminists by raising Susan Sto-Helit from near obscurity. She is destined to become a leading figure in the Discworld series. Her raven associate is almost as cynical as Gaspode the Communicating Canine. Pratchett uses these characters to demolish the more fervently held myths we hold dear. With a finesse other writers must envy, Pratchett uses the Discworld to mirror our own - the motto he's given us often. From a hesitant acceptance of this book as "another Discworld novel", Hogfather has become one of the leading examples of Pratchett's expressive talent. It's worthy of a second read.
Rating:
Summary: Okay, so, Death is bringing the gifts?
Review: So we start off with 1 dead Hogfather (sorta like Santa Claus). So then, there a vacuum of belief, and Death becomes the Hogfather and... okay, so it sounds philosophical... of course it is. One thing Terry Pratchet excels at is putting in nuggets of wisdom and philosophy into his books. If faith is a continual thing made up collectively of everyones faith... what happens when we stop believing? In the Disworld, all manner of wackiness ensues. I've always liked Pratchett's character of Death. Seeing him as the Hogfather was quite amusing. It's up to his adopted granddaughter to save the day once she runs into the Oh God of Hangovers. The two of them try to stop the nefarious plot of the Auditors (supernatural higher beings) who want the universe to be a bunch of rocks spinning around in circles. They hire an assassin to assassinate the hogfather, and again, all manner of wackiness ensues.
Rating:
Summary: really good
Review: this is my first Terry Pratchett, but oh, is it funny! I've reread this book soo many times, but every time I find that there is something I've overlooked or forgotten and makes the book so much better. This is not just a scrible down somthin type of book. There is a ton of planning, and I recommend it to alla y'all who like to laugh!
Rating:
Summary: Not His Beast but Still Good
Review: Terry Pratchett is most likely my favorite author but this was not one of his best efforts. Pratchett is normally extremely funny with off beat humor (imagine Monty Python on crack) and gripping story lines but the Hogfather lacked a certain something. Death was too serious in this book, on par with Reaper Man, only making me laugh in the mall with Nobby. Susan was an interesting character but again not as enjoyable as Commander Vimes or Granny Weatherwax. I think I would have enjoyed another Anhk-Morpork effort or a return of the invincible Rincewind.
Rating:
Summary: hillarious*****where is the 6th star?
Review: this was one of the funniest books I've ever read, death is probably my personal favorite of the disc's characters. and this is probably death at his funniest! The footnotes were very entertaining, and terry pratchett put alot of work into this novel, it is very imaginative, and creative. Deffinatly a must for anyone who enjoys brittish humor and has the time to read the 250+\- pages it contains.
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