Book Review // Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett
Guards! Guards! is the eighth title in the Discworld series and the First in the Nightwatch series. Even though it was 353 pages, this was a title I did not want to end. But before we dive into the review, let's get the commercial fluff out of the way:
Title: Guards! Guards!
Author: Terry Pratchett
Format: Paperback, 353 Pages
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Blurb: This is where the dragons went. They lie ... not dead, not asleep, but ... dormant. And although the space they occupy isn't like normal space, nevertheless they are packed in tightly. They could put you in mind of a can of sardines if you thought sardines were huge and scaly. And presumably, somewhere, there's a key...
GUARDS! GUARDS! is the eighth Discworld novel - and after this, dragons will never be the same again
Review
This novel was written in 1989, making it 35 years old! It is set in the central city of Ankh-Morpork and follows the downtrodden City Watch, whose main job is to yell "All's Well at." They also never catch anyone, as running too fast can lead to trouble and even an arrest (sounds about right for law enforcement. Then, one day, a six-foot dwarf called Carrot joins the force (it is worth pointing out that a dwarf family adopted him and is, in fact, a human), and all that changes.
The novel is full of corrupt officials, secret societies, and dragons! But this is Discworld, so nothing is normal—we discover the power of books with the help of the Librarian and watch how summoning a dragon may not be the best plan. The comic value of the story is on point; it caused me to laugh out loud plenty of times, but in true Pratchett style, he also manages to bring in real-world criticism that is all too on point, even 35 years later.
I highly recommend this novel to Discworld fans and new readers alike. It's light, humorous, and a great starting point for those new to the Disc. If you don't enjoy one of the characters, I’ll be shocked! Thanks for reading.
