The Light Fantastic Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Terry Pratchett

Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Fantasy, Humor
Series: Discworld Book Two
Pages: 241

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(Spoilers for The Color of Magic are below).

Continuing right after the concluding events of The Color of Magic, The Light Fantastic continues the story of Rincewind and Twoflower.  Most Discworld books are individual stories, but this is the exception. The Light Fantastic is the second half of The Color of Magic, and that book should be read before reading this one.

The second installment in the Discworld is less clunky than its predecessor.  It has a more entertaining sense of humor, its transitions feel more fluid, and overall it feels less neurotic.  A definite improvement over The Color of Magic, The Light Fantastic turns out to be a fun book, but Pratchett still hasn’t worked out all of the kinks.

Color of Magic Book Review

by The Wanderer
 

Author: Terry Pratchett
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Fantasy, Humor
Series: Discworld Book One
Pages: 210

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Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series has been one of the most profitable and respected series’ in fantasy.  With over 80 million books sold, and numerous awards, Pratchett has established himself as the premiere comedic fantasy writer.

The Color of Magic is the first novel from that series introducing readers to the naive Twoflower and the cynical Rincewind.  This story utilizes a brilliantly built world, and conflicting character personalities all with an underlying use of absurd humor and satire.

Pratchett parodies a lot of the major aspects of fantasy, and while I found his humor amusing, I never found myself in stitches. On the humor end of things I was expecting a bit more. Nevertheless I found the Discworld to be one of the most original fantasy worlds, and that I greatly admire.