Witches Abroad - Terry Pratchett

Out of all the Terry Pratchett books, I love the stories about the three witches. Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat. Whichever book you pick up and read about these three, you will be entertained and Witches Abroad is just as good as the others. The start of the book takes us to a cottage in the woods, where an old witch Desiderata is getting ready to pass away, all witches of course know the exact time and place of their death so they can prepare for it. Death who makes an appearrance in most of Pratchetts books is standing watching the old witch get ready. She leaves a note with the poacher and jumps into the grave which has been already dug for her. ...  Read the complete review

What happens when fairy tales are controlled by wicked witches? The good witches have to go and stop it happening, of course!! Well actually there’s a lot more to it than that, but there you have the basic plot. When someone’s Fairy Godmother dies, she entrusts her job to none other than Magrat, a young witch who is almost by her own admission a "wet hen”. She tries desperately hard not to be, but there you are – that’s what she is. The recently deceased Fairy Godmother, Desderita, wants two other witches to accompany the hopeless Magrat, so in her will she makes it clear that Magrat is to dissuade them So… along come Granny Weatherwax, a fearsome old ...  Read the complete review

This book is the twelfth in the Discworld series. Though its not necessary to be familiar with his other works, some parts of this story would benefit from the reader having some prior knowledge. The Discworld books may all take place on the same world, but this world is as varied as our own, meaning that they can have different backdrops. There's also a range of characters, from witches and wizards to soldiers and nobles and even Death himself. The central characters for this book are witches, but even they have their own, distinct personalities. ~~~ The Setting ~~~ The Discworld is flat, with a warm, tropical Rim around the edge and an icy ...  Read the complete review

The only criticism I have of Pratchett is his absolute reliance on established stories. Shakespeare ripped off all his plots as well, but that doesn't make it right. Witches Abroad pretty much relies on poking fun at all the European stereotypes and really overdoing the stealing from a bunch of fairy tales. After a while the book gets very monotonous. There are some good bits, but you really have to dig for them, and in general I found I only finished the book out of some strange feeling of obligation. After all, most of his books are really good. ...  Read the complete review

Witches Abroad follows on from Wyrd Sisters with Magrat, nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax all travelling to a far away land where the fairy tales really done come true. Magrat is left wondering if she will marry Verance, who proposed at the end of Wyrd Sisters, in the mean time they travel with Grebo the one eyed vicious cat, that nanny still thinks of as a fluffy harmless sweet kitten and a broken magic wand that will only do pumpkins. It has to be said that of all the Disworld book I think the ones with the witches in are the best. As a continuation from Wyrd Sisters it is excellent, but it would also work as a stand alone book. ...  Read the complete review