Tag: Pets

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The Bookish Owl – Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett

Men at Arms Terry Pratchett

Today’s owl photo features Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett!

And yes, I’m still alive (hurray!), but both my reading and my blog maintenance is suffering from being extremely busy. When I haven’t been working on making my writing deadline later this week, I have been fending off drunk guys at renaissance fairs and blowing stuff up in Dungeons & Dragons.

I wish I could say real life has been keeping me busy, but as you can tell, I have been going all-in with the make-believe.

Back to the book:
This is yet another Discworld reread. Men at Arms is the second book in the City Watch storyline, and while it’s not as great as ‘Guards! Guards!’, it’s still pretty damn great. I love the mismatched duo of Cuddy and Detritus, and Vimes, Colon, Nobby and Carrot are their usual wonderfully dysfunctional selves.

Angua is great as well, but the poor girl is really a bit too sane for her new friends.

Men at Arms
by Terry Pratchett

The City Watch needs MEN! But what it’s got includes Corporal Carrot (technically a dwarf), Lance-constable Cuddy (really a dwarf), Lance-constable Detritus (a troll), Lance-constable Angua (a woman… most of the time) and Corporal Nobbs (disqualified from the human race for shoving).

And they need all the help they can get, because someone in Ankh-Morpork has been getting dangerous ideas – about crowns and legendary swords, and destiny. And the problem with destiny is, of course, that she is not always careful where she points her finger. One minute you might be minding your own business on a normal if not spectacular career path, the next you might be in the frame for the big job, like saving the world…

Men at Arms Terry Pratchett

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The Bookish Owl – Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

Tempests and Slaughter Tamora Pierce

Next up on my reading list is Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce.

I have heard a lot of good things about Tamora Pierce, but I have yet to read any of her books. I fell in love with the cover of this one and my friend told me it could easily be my introduction to this author, so I’m not just reading it because I’m the type to judge a book by its cover.

(It really is pretty, though, isn’t it?)

All joking aside, it really is time for me to read more new authors, so I’m hoping this one will be good.

Tempests and Slaughter
by Tamora Pierce

Arram Draper is a boy on the path to becoming one of the realm’s most powerful mages. The youngest student in his class at the Imperial University of Carthak, he has a Gift with unlimited potential for greatness–and for attracting danger. At his side are his two best friends: Varice, a clever girl with an often-overlooked talent, and Ozorne, the “leftover prince” with secret ambitions. Together, these three friends forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms. And as Ozorne gets closer to the throne and Varice gets closer to Arram’s heart, Arram begins to realize that one day soon he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie. 

In the Numair Chronicles, readers will be rewarded with the never-before-told story of how Numair Salmalín came to Tortall. Newcomers will discover an unforgettable fantasy adventure where a kingdom’s future rests on the shoulders of a talented young man with a knack for making vicious enemies.

Tempests and Slaughter Tamora Pierce

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The Bookish Owl – Mort by Terry Pratchett

Mort Terry Pratchett Collector's Edition

You know the deal, books and owls and all that. This time it’s Mort by Terry Pratchett.

This is another Discworld favorite that I’ve been looking forward to rereading. Death takes on a human apprentice. Said apprentice immediately messes everything up. Craziness ensues.

Only an author such as Pratchett can make Death into such a precious character and I absolutely adore him in ‘Mort’. He’s so cute when he’s trying to be a good master to his new apprentice, despite not understanding humans at all.

Poor Mort won’t know what hit him.

Mort
by Terry Pratchett

Death comes to us all. When he came to Mort, he offered him a job. Henceforth, Death is no longer going to be the end, merely the means to an end. It’s an offer Mort can’t refuse. As Death’s apprentice he’ll have free board, use of the company horse – and being dead isn’t compulsory. It’s a dream job – until he discovers that it can be a killer on his love life…

Mort Terry Pratchett Collector's Edition

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The Bookish Owl – War Crimes by Christie Golden

War Crimes Christie Golden Warcraft

I’m on to read War Crimes by Christie Golden.

I’m not exactly sure why I’m on to read War Crimes by Christie Golden, though… The last two books I read by this author made me weep like a little child, and I’m losing street cred.

This book follows the trial of Garrosh Hellscream (the one who blew up Theramore in ‘Tides of War’ – one of those books that very nearly had me sobbing in public), and since it’s a World of Warcraft tie-in novel and it takes place several expansions ago, I know the asshole won’t get what’s coming to him.

Well, at least I got to kill him in-game.

(After he ganked me like 5 times…)

War Crimes
by Christie Golden

The brutal siege of Orgrimmar is over. Alliance and Horde forces have stripped Garrosh Hellscream, one of the most reviled figures on Azeroth, of his title as warchief. His thirst for conquest devastated cities, nearly tore the Horde apart, and destroyed countless lives.

Now, on the legendary continent of Pandaria, he will stand trial for his transgressions. Renowned leaders from across the world have gathered to witness this historic event. As the trial unfolds, agents of the bronze dragonflight present shocking visions of Garrosh’s atrocities. For many of those in attendance, these glimpses into history force them to relive painful memories and even question their own innocence or guilt. For others, the chilling details stoke the flames of their hatred.

Unbeknownst to anyone, shadowy forces are at work on Azeroth, threatening not only the court’s ability to mete out justice… but also the lives of everyone at the trial.

War Crimes Christie Golden Warcraft

 

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The Bookish Owl – Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

Guards! Guards! Terry Pratchett Collector's Edition

Next up is Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett.

If you have been following this blog, you will probably have noticed that I’m reading all the Discworld books in order. However, I’m also reading them in the lovely hardback Collector’s Edition, and the last few books will not be released in this edition until November.

Obviously, this does not mean I will take a break from Discworld. It just means that I get a chance to reread my favorites and that’s something I’ve been dying to do!

So yes, ‘Guards! Guards!’ is a reread for me, but I’m still ridiculously excited about it. It’s the first book in the City Watch series, and it’s got:

  • Dragons
  • Vimes when he was still only reluctantly doing his job
  • Carrot arriving in Ankh-Morpork and horrifying watchmen and criminals alike by insisting on upholding the law
  • Dragons
  • Sybil pursuing a highly confused Vimes
  • Errol the Swamp Dragon
  • Dragons
  • Vetinari getting locked up in his own dungeon and creating a spy network of rats
  • Carrot still thinking he’s a dwarf
  • …Dragons

The plot might not be as deep and multi-layered as the later books, but no one can convince me this isn’t the greatest Discworld book of all times.

Guards! Guards!
by Terry Pratchett

Here there be dragons . . . and the denizens of Ankh-Morpork wish one huge firebreather would return from whence it came. Long believed extinct, a superb specimen of draco nobilis (“noble dragon” for those who don’t understand italics) has appeared in Discworld’s greatest city. Not only does this unwelcome visitor have a nasty habit of charbroiling everything in its path, in rather short order it is crowned King (it is a noble dragon, after all . . .).

Meanwhile, back at Unseen University, an ancient and long-forgotten volume–The Summoning of Dragons–is missing from the Library’s shelves. To the rescue come Captain Vimes, Constable Carrot, and the rest of the Night Watch who, along with other brave citizens, risk everything, including a good roasting, to dethrone the flying monarch and restore order to Ankh-Morpork (before it’s burned to a crisp). A rare tale, well done as only Terry Pratchett can.

Guards! Guards! Terry Pratchett Collector's Edition