Book Challenge: Small Gods

I've finished another book for my Book Challenge. This is for the Whats in a Name Challenge, specifically the Size challenge.  I read Terry Pratchett's Small Gods.  The thing about Terry Pratchett novels is that I always forget how much I like them . . . and I like them tons.  They are all just so smart and funny (okay not Moving Pictures - but no one is perfect).

Small Gods has a more detailed and consistent story than many Discworld novels. In fact, this is what put me off the book when I first went to buy it.  But, I decided to give it a go.  Which was a good choice as it was great.  This is the story of the Great God Om and his believer Brutha.  Om is in a bit of a jam and needs Brutha's help, which is very embarrassing for a God.

 And it came to pass that in time the Great God Om spake unto Brutha, the Chosen One: "Psst!"

The book follows their adventure as Om tries to get back on top and Brutha slowly begins to realize that maybe religion and power could be used to help people.  That summary makes it all seem much to serious and dull.  Its not.  Its a funny critic of religion and hierarchy in general really . . . and philosophers.  The Omian church is kind of an old school Catholic deal with lots of pomp and an Inquisition (think the middle ages not the beginning beginning).

VI. This is Religion, Boy.  Not Comparison Bloody Shopping!  You Shall Not Subject Your God to market Forces!

I really enjoyed this book as I thought I would.  If your a bit sensitive about religion . . . or philosophy you may not want to read it.  Its a stand alone book so you don't have to have read any other Terry Pratchett books . . . there are a couple of inside jokes, but not so many as to make you feel like the unpopular kid at the lunch table.

Book Challenge Update (Crivens!): I Shall Wear Midnight

I've finished my first book for my 2011 challenges.  I started with I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett, which I was super excited for.  I love the discworld books, particularly those involving Tiffany Aching.  This book is for Series Challenge Season 5.  So, on with the review!

Now this is one of my favorite series so I went into the book fairly certain I was going to like it.  I was a bit surprised (in a good way) by how dark the book was.  It dealt with difficult issues like spousal and child abuse, but even with these heavy issues the book kept the characteristic discworld humor.  While this book really stands out with a different tone and a more grown up Tiffany the whole thing still really worked.  The reason Pratchett is so popular is that while funny the point of the story is never just to get to the next joke.  The plot and characters are fantastic.  In fact, Pratchett has written some of my favorite characters in all of literature.  And I love the main theme of his book that even though you aren't adequate for a task and life is scary you can still be the hero if you just stick with it.  I guess what I'm saying is that Mr. Pratchett did not disappoint me and in fact I think the series is getting better.  I would highly recommend reading the adventures of Tiffany Aching a good witch if there ever was one.  I can't imagine anyone who was reading the series needing convincing to continue.  The Nac Mac Feegles should be enough to keep anyone interested! But, if you did need one the evolution of Tiffany's character is worth it.  If you've not read the series yet, start.  But, start with Wee Free Men (Crivens! Who would start at the end?)

Book Challenge Update!

I've picked out some books for the What's in a Name challenge.  I'll review them once I actually read them, but I really wanted to share some of my picks.

For the Evil category I'm going to read the book Soulless by Gail Carriger.

I'm very excited about it.  It mixes some of my favorite fairy creatures with Victorian romance.  I don't normally read steampunk, but it seems like it will have the sensibilities of an Austen novel (a bit darker of course . . . I'm afraid to hope for Jane Eyre sensibilities as its my favorite book of all time).  It also seems like it will indulge in the humor inherent in a Victorian romance and jazz it up to modern standards.  If this is done even a fraction as well as it is in Sorcery and Cecelia or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot I should be very happy with this book.

For the life stage category I've picked out Shade's Children by Garth Nix.

Shade's Children is about a brutal future where 14 year olds are killed to make genetically engineered monsters.  Gold-Eye escapes to fight his fate.  This is pretty straight up sci-fi for me.  I usually stick to fantasy or military sci-fi (no I don't know why).  But, I've been looking for something different and I do like teen fiction.  I also love Garth Nix from his Abhorsen series.  Its a great series I would highly recommend it.

I also have the first book in my Series Challenge, I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett.

This will catch me up on the Tiffany Aching series within the Discworld series.  I'm very excited.  I enjoy the adult discworld books, but the teen series about Tiffany Aching is really fantastic.  It starts with Wee Free Men and I would really recommend giving it a try if you like fantasy and you like laughing. 

Sometime, in the hopefully kind of near future, you will get reviews about these books as I make my way through my challenges.