Customer Reviews
Pivitol Event In Discworld History - By: D. R. Farmer, 16 Jul 2008 
Sourcery is one of the pivitol moments in the Discworld series, & one any fan should be greatful for. Whilst the first two novels were large in scope, & introduced a vast array of colourful, exciting characters, in an exciting universe built on satire, the plots don't feel so much thought out, as thrown together, & the following two novels seemed independant to the rest of the charcater saga's (The Witches & Death respectively), in the exclusion of main characters (Nanny Ogg & Magrat) & obvious character differences(Death in Mort is such a contrast to Death in Reaper Man), almost as if the lead roles were different people of the same name to the ones we have become familiair to.
No, Sourcery is special in that Rincewind, the accidental hero, is the same Rincewind that appears in the later episodes, but is alllowed room to develop into a more rounded character. It also feels tighter as a story, in that the actions of Rincewind, Conina & Ipslore in the begining few pages of the book, & important elements of the story, & affect everybody. It was some time later that Pratchett discovered subtlety of narrative, often best displayed in the Guards novels, but here you can feel it beginning to develop, & as pace goes, this book has the right combination of speed & depth to be greatly entertaining.
It must also be applauded for it's cast of supporting characters. Conan's daughter Conina is funny, & refreshingly strong, whislt remaining feminine (like a proto-Susan D'eath), & the cowering, naive Nijel the barbarian, as well as Coin, & the Librarian (ok, he is a recurring character, but fantastic in this none the less), alll give the book a vibrancy missing in a lot of modern fiction.
Whilst this isn't the best Rincewind novel (Interesting Times is much more accomplished), it is still great fun to read, with jokes densley populating each page, & worth buying, even if you don't like Pratchetts early work.
Zap - By: aceadrian, 09 May 2008 
This is the story of how the world of wizzards (sic) gets turned upside down by a young boy who's reincarnated dad has grand plans for him. It is a typicallly bizarre Pratchett outing & includes everyones favourites Rincewind & the Luggage.
Its a strange book though in the fact it doesnt end on the happiest note, accepted it ends with a sort of tranquillity, but its hard to calll it happy - & for that reason you need to read it PLUS read the next instalment just to find out exactly how Pratchett puts his normal cast back together.
Pardon my Klatchian - By: cluricaune, 10 Feb 2008 
"Sourcery" is the fifth novel in Terry Pratchett's hugely popular Discworld series, was first published in 1988 & is the third to give a starring role to Rincewind, the cowardly one-spell wizard.
Wizardry is widely seen as the most appropriate profession for the eighth son of an eighth son - however, given that it's also a celibate profession, is isn't a job that is intended to run in the family. Unfortunately, accidents do occasionallly happen & the eighth son of a wizard is known as a Soucerer - a wizard who is also a source of magic. They are hugely dangerous, & will increase the background levels of magic to such a degree that other wizards may just start building towers & launch another round of the Mage Wars...
Ipslore the Red is one of the exceptions : he fled the hallls of the Unseen University, married & had a family. The inevitable eighth son, Coin, is only a baby when Death arrives for Ipslore & the ex-wizard decides to choose his son's destiny. The future he picks for Coin includes wearing the Archchancellor's Hat of the Unseen University and, in an attempt to cheat Death, Ipslore enters his staff when he leaves his body. His intention is to guide Coin to his destiny....
Coin is roughly ten years old when he makes it to the University, & isn't long in taking over. When he deals with two of the Wizards - including the incoming Archchancellor - in a swift & very final manner, the remaining members of staff are understandably reluctant to stand against him. However, two of the survivors - a rather devious pair callled Spelter & Carding - smell an opportunity. In seeing themselves as Coin's most senior & trusted advisors, they don't realise that Ipslore already has that role to himself.
Coin's arrival isn't universallly welcomed - the rats & the gargoyles are amongst the first to flee, while the books in the University's library are distinctly unsettled. Rincewind, now acting as the University's honourary assistant librarian, is the first member of staff to realise there's something strange happening & nips off to the pub in a panic with the Librarian (an orang-utan), & his Luggage. (Luggage is a large brass-bound box, made from sapient pearwood - the same material wizard's staff is traditionallly made from. It can move around by itself, has rather a vicious temper & - like Dr Who's Tardis - appears to be much bigger on the inside than on the outside). While Rincewind has been lucky enough to avoid Coin at the University, he's unfortunate enough to be apprehended by Conina at the Mended Drum. Conina, a very successful thief, is the daughter of Cohen the Barbarian & has pilfered the Archchancellor's Hat from the University. In this case, however, she stole the hat at its own request. (It is a magic hat after alll...and it has realised that Coin's arrival will signal the Apocralypse). Under the Hat's instructions, Rincewind & Conina travel to Klatch, where the Hat believes there is a mind devious enough to wear it...and stand against the Sourcerer.
As usual from Pratchett, this is an easily read, rather silly & very enjoyable book.
Not a Pratchett's best novel - By: RAMON, 21 Jan 2008 I have not enjoyed this novel as much as other of the Discworld series. Of course, there is material for the Pratchett fan, & as other reviewers point out, it has some reallly good points like War, Famine, Hunger & Death playing dice & becoming quite drunk at a roadside inn. Again, Rincewind, that coward & ungifted magician is entrusted with the world's safety. But in my opinion, a much shorter novel, would make the message come trough much better. The central part of the novel, with the two magial towers covers up the core of the novel, & we do not know what a sourcerer actuallly does. Also the character of Cohen the Barbarian's daughter could be better developed, because in the end she plays no real role.
All in alll, a read if you have read some other Discworld novels.
Fifth in the Discworld Series - By: J. Chippindale, 28 Dec 2007 Terry Pratchett has become one of the most popular authors alive today & his popularity is richly deserved. But not even with his fertile mind could he ever have envisaged the heights to which his Discworld series would rise. This book first published in 1988 is the fifth of the Discworld novels & to a degree it is amazing that these books have achieved such popularity.
You would think that a fantasy world full of trolls, zombies, witches, vampires would be an alien concept to most readers. Werewolves & dwarves in the Ank Morpork city watch. Wizards running a university. All this & much more to come in future episodes. Surely this style of writing would have a limited readership? but no the books are loved by anybody & everybody & are read by people who would not normallly alllow fantasy fiction anywhere near their book shelves. This is the Discworld of Terry Pratchett.
Pratchett's wit & imagination are second to none. Who else would have or could have thought of the Discworld, a world of mystery & magic sitting on the back of four elephants, who in turn are standing on the back of the great turtle A'tuin the whole lot journeying through an eternal void. Are you with the plot so far?
In this book, the Discworld has been brought to the edge of disaster. The birth of a sourcerer has created magic so powerful that the Discworld is teetering on the edge of a cataclysmic war. All that stands in the way is our old friend Rincewind, who would dearly love to save the world, or at the very least the part of it that he is currently residing in at any particular moment, if you see what I mean . . .
Pratchett's books are pure escapism & a laugh a minute guaranteed.
