Book post. Book #1 - "Wintersmith," by Terry Pratchett

(I just want to jump on eor's bandwagon.  However, I suck at this sort of thing.  I know I'm going to be incoherent and not be able to keep it up.  Oh well.)

It's a Pratchett book, which means I'll like it to begin with.  I thought Tiffany got excellent characterization - I particularly liked how she'd have her First, Second and Third thoughts, and while talking to herself she could admit to herself that she was scared, yet flattered, or she'd try to be humble but felt cocky at the same time.  Roland could have gotten a little more time, and the part he had to play seemed a bit contrived.  I was happy enough with the glimpses we got of Granny Weatherwax and more so Nanny Ogg.  The Pictsies of course, as usual, are plot device and comic relief and often feel stilted and contrived, but that's what they are.  I was a little nervous about Rob Anybody learning to read at the end - that could make him a little too... normal.  ( There seemed to be some characterization inconsistancy with Summer and The Wintersmith. )

 

I thought the gimmick of giving us a whole chapter right at the beginning which actually happened at the conclusion of the book, and then jumping backward in time, was... gimmicky.  Time seemed to get a little muddling for me at several points, and I suspected it might have for him as well.

However, over all I enjoyed it immensely - it was good fun and a good way to begin my reading for the year. :)