Missing 30 pages..., 13 Oct 2008
I am currently two thirds of the way through this book, and have thoroughly enjoyed it up until now. However disaster struck this morning when after page 353 the book reverted back to page 323, continued on for the next thirty or so pages with text I'd already read, and then jumped to page 387. I'm missing 30 pages, and things were just getting interesting. So, a warning to anyone buying this book - check before you read to save disappointment when you get there. Looks like I'm going to have to buy this book twice, here's hoping my book is a one off and worth many pennies in the future!!!

Has anyone else encountered this?

Excellent Read, 13 Oct 2008
Good to see TP back at his best again. Discworld or not, this book had me in stiches most of the time with Mr Pratchetts' unique and sadly accurate view on life and its many sides.

I not ashamed to say that I even shed a tear at the end.

Excellent and highly recommended.

A Large Diamond Among Gems, 05 Oct 2008
More than 20 years ago now, a good friend pressed a copy of "The Colour of Magic" into my hands that launched a love affair with Terry's books that lasts to this day. Like most frustrated authors who lack the talent to deliver themselves, I read a lot, and I think I have read pretty much all that Terry has written since 198whatever, and yes some of it is quite a lot better than some other bits, but his work has never once been a disappointment.

So I was delighted to see Nation appear on the shelf last week and have just used a rainy Sunday morning to finish it.

A quick summation, of the important points; this is not a Disc World novel, it is a book aimed at anyone over about 9 who can read. It deals with the not inconsequential questions of being us, whoever or wherever that may be, and it does it by telling a good story. It is in fact, very good indeed.

I think this is a book Terry has wanted to write for a while, it has a highly polished feel to it, and I have to say represents a stand out piece of work even for his well known if remarkable talent to make us laugh and ponder for a while.

This should be essential reading for all youngsters who might go on to rule a nation, guard a border, expand our knowledge of the universe, join the priesthood or just decide to go fishing.

It certainly will be in my house.

Thanks (again) Terry
Trev Harvey

Not as good as I had hoped, 04 Oct 2008
I had high hopes for this book, possibly too high. Despite the majority of readers giving this rave reviews I'm afraid I'll have to stick with the opinions of the few nay-sayers. I really couldn't get into this book as much as I had hoped - it meanders along at a fairly gentle pace and has a very different 'feel' to Pratchett's other works, but it rarely engaged my emotions or imagination and I didn't feel like I could 'connect' to any of the characters. There are good moments of course, but it really does feel like it's lacking something.

Maybe I'll enjoy it more when (if) I ever re-read it. You can't please all the people all the time. I generally love Pratchett's books and thoroughly look forward to the next one.

Wonderful - and this is a kids book???, 04 Oct 2008
What a fantastic book, I had already read the pre-amble when I ordered the book so I wasn't expecting a discworld novel. This is fabulous though and in it's own way as good as or better than the discworld books. Rather than ride just the frothy waves of humour, this book often dives below the surf into the deeper darker world of real emotions.
The storytelling is magical and I could easily have read this in one sitting but instead I made it last 4 days :)The characters were fantastic and you really get to know and care about Mau and Daphne.
This book will sit on my bookshelf forever and every so often I will take it down and go and vist Mau and Daphne again.
I cannot reccomend it enough, just don't ruin it for yourself by expecting a discworld novel - it's better even that that in it's own way :)

Missing 30 pages..., 13 Oct 2008
I am currently two thirds of the way through this book, and have thoroughly enjoyed it up until now. However disaster struck this morning when after page 353 the book reverted back to page 323, continued on for the next thirty or so pages with text I'd already read, and then jumped to page 387. I'm missing 30 pages, and things were just getting interesting. So, a warning to anyone buying this book - check before you read to save disappointment when you get there. Looks like I'm going to have to buy this book twice, here's hoping my book is a one off and worth many pennies in the future!!!

Has anyone else encountered this?

Excellent Read, 13 Oct 2008
Good to see TP back at his best again. Discworld or not, this book had me in stiches most of the time with Mr Pratchetts' unique and sadly accurate view on life and its many sides.

I not ashamed to say that I even shed a tear at the end.

Excellent and highly recommended.

A Large Diamond Among Gems, 05 Oct 2008
More than 20 years ago now, a good friend pressed a copy of "The Colour of Magic" into my hands that launched a love affair with Terry's books that lasts to this day. Like most frustrated authors who lack the talent to deliver themselves, I read a lot, and I think I have read pretty much all that Terry has written since 198whatever, and yes some of it is quite a lot better than some other bits, but his work has never once been a disappointment.

So I was delighted to see Nation appear on the shelf last week and have just used a rainy Sunday morning to finish it.

A quick summation, of the important points; this is not a Disc World novel, it is a book aimed at anyone over about 9 who can read. It deals with the not inconsequential questions of being us, whoever or wherever that may be, and it does it by telling a good story. It is in fact, very good indeed.

I think this is a book Terry has wanted to write for a while, it has a highly polished feel to it, and I have to say represents a stand out piece of work even for his well known if remarkable talent to make us laugh and ponder for a while.

This should be essential reading for all youngsters who might go on to rule a nation, guard a border, expand our knowledge of the universe, join the priesthood or just decide to go fishing.

It certainly will be in my house.

Thanks (again) Terry
Trev Harvey

Not as good as I had hoped, 04 Oct 2008
I had high hopes for this book, possibly too high. Despite the majority of readers giving this rave reviews I'm afraid I'll have to stick with the opinions of the few nay-sayers. I really couldn't get into this book as much as I had hoped - it meanders along at a fairly gentle pace and has a very different 'feel' to Pratchett's other works, but it rarely engaged my emotions or imagination and I didn't feel like I could 'connect' to any of the characters. There are good moments of course, but it really does feel like it's lacking something.

Maybe I'll enjoy it more when (if) I ever re-read it. You can't please all the people all the time. I generally love Pratchett's books and thoroughly look forward to the next one.

Wonderful - and this is a kids book???, 04 Oct 2008
What a fantastic book, I had already read the pre-amble when I ordered the book so I wasn't expecting a discworld novel. This is fabulous though and in it's own way as good as or better than the discworld books. Rather than ride just the frothy waves of humour, this book often dives below the surf into the deeper darker world of real emotions.
The storytelling is magical and I could easily have read this in one sitting but instead I made it last 4 days :)The characters were fantastic and you really get to know and care about Mau and Daphne.
This book will sit on my bookshelf forever and every so often I will take it down and go and vist Mau and Daphne again.
I cannot reccomend it enough, just don't ruin it for yourself by expecting a discworld novel - it's better even that that in it's own way :)



A Typical Modern Brooks Weak Ending, 29 Sep 2008
"The Gypsy Morph" epitomises what Terry Brooks has consistently done with his last few Shannara series' - they always end poorly, and do not match up to the promise they showed in the earlier books.

The Gypsy Morph is just frightfully dull. We never genuinely get the feeling that this is the end of the world we're dealing with here, and there isn't a single action sequence in the book with any real drive or sense of drama. Brooks has forgotten how to write a good battle scene - the last good ones he wrote were in "First King of Shannara", which was published twelve years ago. These days, he thinks he can write a battle which is three pages long and described only in passing detail and get away with it. Well, he can't.

He also introduces his customary Sucky Assassin Villain. This is the obligatory bad guy he must have who is billed as the most dangerous killer in existence who has never failed at their job - but mysteriously is completely inept once they come into the story. In the "Heritage of Shannara" series it was Pe Ell. In the "High Druid" trilogy it was Aphasia Wye. This time it's the Klee, which was built up in the first two books of this trilogy as an unstoppable killing machine. When we encounter it, it's just useless and bizarrely has to resort to sly tricks when it's supposed to be a lethal brute, and then gets pawned without having done anything befitting its label of the "most dangerous thing ever".

Findo Gask was also a very poor villain. The man does nothing except send others to do his bidding, and scheme and scheme and scheme with no apparent purpose or long-term goal in sight. Brooks or his Internet mouthpiece, Shawn Speakman, would no doubt defend this by suggesting that it represents real "bad guys", such as bin Laden, who sits in a cave and gets others to do his dirty work for him. And that's just great. But it makes for a dreary fantasy story.

If all this sounds pretty harsh for a three-star review, it wouldn't be a surprise. I have great respect for Terry Brooks. I have met him and he's a really nice guy. And it was his books that got me into reading in the first place. And so I always have great hesitation to really slate one of his books. But in my opinion the "Genesis of Shannara" series has not been worth the time he took to write it and the time I took to read it, and this book was a particularly poor representation of a man with much greater talents.

The Shannara trilogy. A disappointing book though, 15 Sep 2008
As a fan of all things Brooks I approached the Genesis of Shannara trilogy with more than just a little eagerness. And actually the first two books of the series lived up to my highest expectations: never had I witnessed such a natural blending of the fantasy and post-apocalyptic genres. Mr Brooks made me dream of worlds of magic and epic fights already when I was a kid, and in the pages of said trilogy he is able to make such suggestion even stronger, by drawing up a future which - in its basic outlines - could very well be our own. Needless to say I have been devouring the previous two books page after page and pre-ordered this book months in advance.

...so you can all imagine how bad I feel when confessing it left me with a sour taste in my mouth: the characters the author introduced and painted so well in the previous two books seem just to fade to flat two-dimensional figures: pale ghosts of the "real" persons with feelings, inner struggles, doubts and passions that the author so aptly created in the beginning of the series. The most annoying symptom of this is maybe the love story between two of the main characters (I won't spoil it to you), who just meet and fall in love within the span of a couple of lines. Now, I'm totally in favour of romance as a fundamental part of any novel, but this love story seemed as though it was thrown into the melee at the last moment, without any effort whatsoever to develop it properly (as Mr. Brooks proved to be capable of doing over and over).

In the same way events seem to go on almost randomly, sketched in their essential lines, seemingly happening without a proper reason, with the characters strolling almost aimlessly as badly-motivated actors following the screenplay eager to get it over with.

A shiny example of this is the powers of Hawk, as well as those of another character, which appear and disappear completely on their own, without any explanation at all given or even attempted.

Or the ending of the book, which should have been the link between a world we know well from our everyday life to the world of Shannara we learnt to know from Mr Brooks' books. It's none of that, and if you wanted to know more about what exactly did change or what happened to the powers of the old world (the Word and the Void come to mind) in the Four Lands... well, you will be disappointed (I hope such a transition will be the focus of a new book).

It's like this book was released due to a scheduled deadline, and way before it was properly polished. Don't get me wrong, what I always loved is there: love, drama, interesting plot twists and epic battles (not to mention the fact that I read the whole book in two days)... I just wish there could have been a chance for the author to polish it further in order to make a worthy ending to a spectacular trilogy.


Amazing End to the Genesis of Shannara Trilogy, 05 Sep 2008
In my humble opinion, this is the best trilogy that Terry has ever written, which is saying a lot, and the final book was wonderful, best of a great series. Superb character development and interaction, fabulous plot(s), amazing action, inventive story lines etc., etc. OK, you spotted that I am a die hard TB fan, but, even so, I was utterly enthralled with this final instalment. There will be no spoilers here, as you really do need to read this for yourself.

Much as I love and respect Tolkien, I do think that Terry has taken this genre to the next level and is now clearly, in my opinion, leading the field by a long way.

I really hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Thanks Terry, very, very much.

Regards.

Paul

Missing 30 pages..., 13 Oct 2008
I am currently two thirds of the way through this book, and have thoroughly enjoyed it up until now. However disaster struck this morning when after page 353 the book reverted back to page 323, continued on for the next thirty or so pages with text I'd already read, and then jumped to page 387. I'm missing 30 pages, and things were just getting interesting. So, a warning to anyone buying this book - check before you read to save disappointment when you get there. Looks like I'm going to have to buy this book twice, here's hoping my book is a one off and worth many pennies in the future!!!

Has anyone else encountered this?

Excellent Read, 13 Oct 2008
Good to see TP back at his best again. Discworld or not, this book had me in stiches most of the time with Mr Pratchetts' unique and sadly accurate view on life and its many sides.

I not ashamed to say that I even shed a tear at the end.

Excellent and highly recommended.

A Large Diamond Among Gems, 05 Oct 2008
More than 20 years ago now, a good friend pressed a copy of "The Colour of Magic" into my hands that launched a love affair with Terry's books that lasts to this day. Like most frustrated authors who lack the talent to deliver themselves, I read a lot, and I think I have read pretty much all that Terry has written since 198whatever, and yes some of it is quite a lot better than some other bits, but his work has never once been a disappointment.

So I was delighted to see Nation appear on the shelf last week and have just used a rainy Sunday morning to finish it.

A quick summation, of the important points; this is not a Disc World novel, it is a book aimed at anyone over about 9 who can read. It deals with the not inconsequential questions of being us, whoever or wherever that may be, and it does it by telling a good story. It is in fact, very good indeed.

I think this is a book Terry has wanted to write for a while, it has a highly polished feel to it, and I have to say represents a stand out piece of work even for his well known if remarkable talent to make us laugh and ponder for a while.

This should be essential reading for all youngsters who might go on to rule a nation, guard a border, expand our knowledge of the universe, join the priesthood or just decide to go fishing.

It certainly will be in my house.

Thanks (again) Terry
Trev Harvey

Not as good as I had hoped, 04 Oct 2008
I had high hopes for this book, possibly too high. Despite the majority of readers giving this rave reviews I'm afraid I'll have to stick with the opinions of the few nay-sayers. I really couldn't get into this book as much as I had hoped - it meanders along at a fairly gentle pace and has a very different 'feel' to Pratchett's other works, but it rarely engaged my emotions or imagination and I didn't feel like I could 'connect' to any of the characters. There are good moments of course, but it really does feel like it's lacking something.

Maybe I'll enjoy it more when (if) I ever re-read it. You can't please all the people all the time. I generally love Pratchett's books and thoroughly look forward to the next one.

Wonderful - and this is a kids book???, 04 Oct 2008
What a fantastic book, I had already read the pre-amble when I ordered the book so I wasn't expecting a discworld novel. This is fabulous though and in it's own way as good as or better than the discworld books. Rather than ride just the frothy waves of humour, this book often dives below the surf into the deeper darker world of real emotions.
The storytelling is magical and I could easily have read this in one sitting but instead I made it last 4 days :)The characters were fantastic and you really get to know and care about Mau and Daphne.
This book will sit on my bookshelf forever and every so often I will take it down and go and vist Mau and Daphne again.
I cannot reccomend it enough, just don't ruin it for yourself by expecting a discworld novel - it's better even that that in it's own way :)



A Typical Modern Brooks Weak Ending, 29 Sep 2008
"The Gypsy Morph" epitomises what Terry Brooks has consistently done with his last few Shannara series' - they always end poorly, and do not match up to the promise they showed in the earlier books.

The Gypsy Morph is just frightfully dull. We never genuinely get the feeling that this is the end of the world we're dealing with here, and there isn't a single action sequence in the book with any real drive or sense of drama. Brooks has forgotten how to write a good battle scene - the last good ones he wrote were in "First King of Shannara", which was published twelve years ago. These days, he thinks he can write a battle which is three pages long and described only in passing detail and get away with it. Well, he can't.

He also introduces his customary Sucky Assassin Villain. This is the obligatory bad guy he must have who is billed as the most dangerous killer in existence who has never failed at their job - but mysteriously is completely inept once they come into the story. In the "Heritage of Shannara" series it was Pe Ell. In the "High Druid" trilogy it was Aphasia Wye. This time it's the Klee, which was built up in the first two books of this trilogy as an unstoppable killing machine. When we encounter it, it's just useless and bizarrely has to resort to sly tricks when it's supposed to be a lethal brute, and then gets pawned without having done anything befitting its label of the "most dangerous thing ever".

Findo Gask was also a very poor villain. The man does nothing except send others to do his bidding, and scheme and scheme and scheme with no apparent purpose or long-term goal in sight. Brooks or his Internet mouthpiece, Shawn Speakman, would no doubt defend this by suggesting that it represents real "bad guys", such as bin Laden, who sits in a cave and gets others to do his dirty work for him. And that's just great. But it makes for a dreary fantasy story.

If all this sounds pretty harsh for a three-star review, it wouldn't be a surprise. I have great respect for Terry Brooks. I have met him and he's a really nice guy. And it was his books that got me into reading in the first place. And so I always have great hesitation to really slate one of his books. But in my opinion the "Genesis of Shannara" series has not been worth the time he took to write it and the time I took to read it, and this book was a particularly poor representation of a man with much greater talents.

The Shannara trilogy. A disappointing book though, 15 Sep 2008
As a fan of all things Brooks I approached the Genesis of Shannara trilogy with more than just a little eagerness. And actually the first two books of the series lived up to my highest expectations: never had I witnessed such a natural blending of the fantasy and post-apocalyptic genres. Mr Brooks made me dream of worlds of magic and epic fights already when I was a kid, and in the pages of said trilogy he is able to make such suggestion even stronger, by drawing up a future which - in its basic outlines - could very well be our own. Needless to say I have been devouring the previous two books page after page and pre-ordered this book months in advance.

...so you can all imagine how bad I feel when confessing it left me with a sour taste in my mouth: the characters the author introduced and painted so well in the previous two books seem just to fade to flat two-dimensional figures: pale ghosts of the "real" persons with feelings, inner struggles, doubts and passions that the author so aptly created in the beginning of the series. The most annoying symptom of this is maybe the love story between two of the main characters (I won't spoil it to you), who just meet and fall in love within the span of a couple of lines. Now, I'm totally in favour of romance as a fundamental part of any novel, but this love story seemed as though it was thrown into the melee at the last moment, without any effort whatsoever to develop it properly (as Mr. Brooks proved to be capable of doing over and over).

In the same way events seem to go on almost randomly, sketched in their essential lines, seemingly happening without a proper reason, with the characters strolling almost aimlessly as badly-motivated actors following the screenplay eager to get it over with.

A shiny example of this is the powers of Hawk, as well as those of another character, which appear and disappear completely on their own, without any explanation at all given or even attempted.

Or the ending of the book, which should have been the link between a world we know well from our everyday life to the world of Shannara we learnt to know from Mr Brooks' books. It's none of that, and if you wanted to know more about what exactly did change or what happened to the powers of the old world (the Word and the Void come to mind) in the Four Lands... well, you will be disappointed (I hope such a transition will be the focus of a new book).

It's like this book was released due to a scheduled deadline, and way before it was properly polished. Don't get me wrong, what I always loved is there: love, drama, interesting plot twists and epic battles (not to mention the fact that I read the whole book in two days)... I just wish there could have been a chance for the author to polish it further in order to make a worthy ending to a spectacular trilogy.


Amazing End to the Genesis of Shannara Trilogy, 05 Sep 2008
In my humble opinion, this is the best trilogy that Terry has ever written, which is saying a lot, and the final book was wonderful, best of a great series. Superb character development and interaction, fabulous plot(s), amazing action, inventive story lines etc., etc. OK, you spotted that I am a die hard TB fan, but, even so, I was utterly enthralled with this final instalment. There will be no spoilers here, as you really do need to read this for yourself.

Much as I love and respect Tolkien, I do think that Terry has taken this genre to the next level and is now clearly, in my opinion, leading the field by a long way.

I really hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Thanks Terry, very, very much.

Regards.

Paul

A tale for today, 12 Oct 2008
Reading this as the financial institutions of the real world totter and shudder made me wish that Moist von Lipwig had been around to run Lehman brothers. Its take on finance and economic modelling was very funny, though for me the funniest single moment was the reaction of Vetinari to - not to spoil the fun - the unexpected offer of dessert. A sparkling comic novel for our times...

Chuckle double effect!, 01 Oct 2008
Making Money is a Discworld novel and features the Man in the Golden Suit, Ankh-Morpork's Postmaster Moist von Lipwig.

Moist is bored. He misses his old, more adventurous life, back when he was Albert Spangler the con artist. So when he's not running the Post Office, he likes climbing to its roof at night, and has already picked all its locks.

But when Mrs Topsy Lavish, chairwoman and owner of 50% of the Royal Bank of Ankh-Morpork, but owner also of Mr. Fusspot the dog who owns 1%, dies and leaves her shares to her dog and bequeaths Mr. Fusspot to Moist... he has no choice but try and make it work again.

It starts with the Mint, which actually runs at a loss. Since making coins costs too much and people are already using stamps as currency, Moist devises the first bank notes, which soon have the same success as his stamps.

In the meantime, Cosmo Lavish tries to take Vetinari's identity and Moist's girlfriend Adora Belle Dearheart uncovers ancient golems buried in the desert. And all the while the Glooper gloops.

I really like the character of Moist von Lipwig and was glad to read about him again. The book is of course filled with references that make you chuckle twice: when you get them, and when you find yourself clever because to got them... it's the Discworld double effect!

Bright and breezy... and a bit underwhelming..., 23 Sep 2008
Ignore the two stars I've given Making Money and read it anyway. Just don't make it the first Pratchett you read or you'll end up feeling a tad underwhelmed and wondering what all the fuss is about. Better points of entry to Discworld include Mort or Soul Music or Night Watch or The Truth or Monstrous Regiment or even Going Postal. Making Money lacks a truly biting satirical edge, lacks the incisive wit and belly-laughs we've come to expect from Pratchett and lacks the multi-layered density of plot of its older siblings.
But Moist is a very engaging central character and, for regular visitors to Discworld, time spent in his company is time well-spent. Yes, much of Making Money does feel like a slightly feeble re-run of Going Postal. (A bit like Jaws II compared with Jaws.) But several of the supporting players are pretty colourful and Vetinari's cameos are as entertaining as usual... here's hoping the next installment in the series sees a return to form.

My favourite Discworld so far, 20 Sep 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though I had yet not read Going Postal. For me, it was witty enough to stand alone. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Discworld, and also to any fellow bankers who are in need of a comic and incisive portrayal of our industry.

How does he keep doing it?, 10 Sep 2008
To my mind Terry Pratchett is the master of all writers. I get excited just knowing a new book is on the way from him and have yet to be disappointed. Making Money has fulfilled me again in the wierd and wonderful Discworld. Once I started I struggled to put it down as I was having so much fun seeing the story develop. Once or twice I got nudged by the wife for giggling in bed but that is what the Discworld books do I'm afraid. If there is anybody out there who has yet to dip their toe, please just do it and hopefully you will not be let down. I envy you the pleasure of discovering a genius with your first book and knowing that there are another 24 out there to be read.

Missing 30 pages..., 13 Oct 2008
I am currently two thirds of the way through this book, and have thoroughly enjoyed it up until now. However disaster struck this morning when after page 353 the book reverted back to page 323, continued on for the next thirty or so pages with text I'd already read, and then jumped to page 387. I'm missing 30 pages, and things were just getting interesting. So, a warning to anyone buying this book - check before you read to save disappointment when you get there. Looks like I'm going to have to buy this book twice, here's hoping my book is a one off and worth many pennies in the future!!!

Has anyone else encountered this?

Excellent Read, 13 Oct 2008
Good to see TP back at his best again. Discworld or not, this book had me in stiches most of the time with Mr Pratchetts' unique and sadly accurate view on life and its many sides.

I not ashamed to say that I even shed a tear at the end.

Excellent and highly recommended.

A Large Diamond Among Gems, 05 Oct 2008
More than 20 years ago now, a good friend pressed a copy of "The Colour of Magic" into my hands that launched a love affair with Terry's books that lasts to this day. Like most frustrated authors who lack the talent to deliver themselves, I read a lot, and I think I have read pretty much all that Terry has written since 198whatever, and yes some of it is quite a lot better than some other bits, but his work has never once been a disappointment.

So I was delighted to see Nation appear on the shelf last week and have just used a rainy Sunday morning to finish it.

A quick summation, of the important points; this is not a Disc World novel, it is a book aimed at anyone over about 9 who can read. It deals with the not inconsequential questions of being us, whoever or wherever that may be, and it does it by telling a good story. It is in fact, very good indeed.

I think this is a book Terry has wanted to write for a while, it has a highly polished feel to it, and I have to say represents a stand out piece of work even for his well known if remarkable talent to make us laugh and ponder for a while.

This should be essential reading for all youngsters who might go on to rule a nation, guard a border, expand our knowledge of the universe, join the priesthood or just decide to go fishing.

It certainly will be in my house.

Thanks (again) Terry
Trev Harvey

Not as good as I had hoped, 04 Oct 2008
I had high hopes for this book, possibly too high. Despite the majority of readers giving this rave reviews I'm afraid I'll have to stick with the opinions of the few nay-sayers. I really couldn't get into this book as much as I had hoped - it meanders along at a fairly gentle pace and has a very different 'feel' to Pratchett's other works, but it rarely engaged my emotions or imagination and I didn't feel like I could 'connect' to any of the characters. There are good moments of course, but it really does feel like it's lacking something.

Maybe I'll enjoy it more when (if) I ever re-read it. You can't please all the people all the time. I generally love Pratchett's books and thoroughly look forward to the next one.

Wonderful - and this is a kids book???, 04 Oct 2008
What a fantastic book, I had already read the pre-amble when I ordered the book so I wasn't expecting a discworld novel. This is fabulous though and in it's own way as good as or better than the discworld books. Rather than ride just the frothy waves of humour, this book often dives below the surf into the deeper darker world of real emotions.
The storytelling is magical and I could easily have read this in one sitting but instead I made it last 4 days :)The characters were fantastic and you really get to know and care about Mau and Daphne.
This book will sit on my bookshelf forever and every so often I will take it down and go and vist Mau and Daphne again.
I cannot reccomend it enough, just don't ruin it for yourself by expecting a discworld novel - it's better even that that in it's own way :)



A Typical Modern Brooks Weak Ending, 29 Sep 2008
"The Gypsy Morph" epitomises what Terry Brooks has consistently done with his last few Shannara series' - they always end poorly, and do not match up to the promise they showed in the earlier books.

The Gypsy Morph is just frightfully dull. We never genuinely get the feeling that this is the end of the world we're dealing with here, and there isn't a single action sequence in the book with any real drive or sense of drama. Brooks has forgotten how to write a good battle scene - the last good ones he wrote were in "First King of Shannara", which was published twelve years ago. These days, he thinks he can write a battle which is three pages long and described only in passing detail and get away with it. Well, he can't.

He also introduces his customary Sucky Assassin Villain. This is the obligatory bad guy he must have who is billed as the most dangerous killer in existence who has never failed at their job - but mysteriously is completely inept once they come into the story. In the "Heritage of Shannara" series it was Pe Ell. In the "High Druid" trilogy it was Aphasia Wye. This time it's the Klee, which was built up in the first two books of this trilogy as an unstoppable killing machine. When we encounter it, it's just useless and bizarrely has to resort to sly tricks when it's supposed to be a lethal brute, and then gets pawned without having done anything befitting its label of the "most dangerous thing ever".

Findo Gask was also a very poor villain. The man does nothing except send others to do his bidding, and scheme and scheme and scheme with no apparent purpose or long-term goal in sight. Brooks or his Internet mouthpiece, Shawn Speakman, would no doubt defend this by suggesting that it represents real "bad guys", such as bin Laden, who sits in a cave and gets others to do his dirty work for him. And that's just great. But it makes for a dreary fantasy story.

If all this sounds pretty harsh for a three-star review, it wouldn't be a surprise. I have great respect for Terry Brooks. I have met him and he's a really nice guy. And it was his books that got me into reading in the first place. And so I always have great hesitation to really slate one of his books. But in my opinion the "Genesis of Shannara" series has not been worth the time he took to write it and the time I took to read it, and this book was a particularly poor representation of a man with much greater talents.

The Shannara trilogy. A disappointing book though, 15 Sep 2008
As a fan of all things Brooks I approached the Genesis of Shannara trilogy with more than just a little eagerness. And actually the first two books of the series lived up to my highest expectations: never had I witnessed such a natural blending of the fantasy and post-apocalyptic genres. Mr Brooks made me dream of worlds of magic and epic fights already when I was a kid, and in the pages of said trilogy he is able to make such suggestion even stronger, by drawing up a future which - in its basic outlines - could very well be our own. Needless to say I have been devouring the previous two books page after page and pre-ordered this book months in advance.

...so you can all imagine how bad I feel when confessing it left me with a sour taste in my mouth: the characters the author introduced and painted so well in the previous two books seem just to fade to flat two-dimensional figures: pale ghosts of the "real" persons with feelings, inner struggles, doubts and passions that the author so aptly created in the beginning of the series. The most annoying symptom of this is maybe the love story between two of the main characters (I won't spoil it to you), who just meet and fall in love within the span of a couple of lines. Now, I'm totally in favour of romance as a fundamental part of any novel, but this love story seemed as though it was thrown into the melee at the last moment, without any effort whatsoever to develop it properly (as Mr. Brooks proved to be capable of doing over and over).

In the same way events seem to go on almost randomly, sketched in their essential lines, seemingly happening without a proper reason, with the characters strolling almost aimlessly as badly-motivated actors following the screenplay eager to get it over with.

A shiny example of this is the powers of Hawk, as well as those of another character, which appear and disappear completely on their own, without any explanation at all given or even attempted.

Or the ending of the book, which should have been the link between a world we know well from our everyday life to the world of Shannara we learnt to know from Mr Brooks' books. It's none of that, and if you wanted to know more about what exactly did change or what happened to the powers of the old world (the Word and the Void come to mind) in the Four Lands... well, you will be disappointed (I hope such a transition will be the focus of a new book).

It's like this book was released due to a scheduled deadline, and way before it was properly polished. Don't get me wrong, what I always loved is there: love, drama, interesting plot twists and epic battles (not to mention the fact that I read the whole book in two days)... I just wish there could have been a chance for the author to polish it further in order to make a worthy ending to a spectacular trilogy.


Amazing End to the Genesis of Shannara Trilogy, 05 Sep 2008
In my humble opinion, this is the best trilogy that Terry has ever written, which is saying a lot, and the final book was wonderful, best of a great series. Superb character development and interaction, fabulous plot(s), amazing action, inventive story lines etc., etc. OK, you spotted that I am a die hard TB fan, but, even so, I was utterly enthralled with this final instalment. There will be no spoilers here, as you really do need to read this for yourself.

Much as I love and respect Tolkien, I do think that Terry has taken this genre to the next level and is now clearly, in my opinion, leading the field by a long way.

I really hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Thanks Terry, very, very much.

Regards.

Paul

A tale for today, 12 Oct 2008
Reading this as the financial institutions of the real world totter and shudder made me wish that Moist von Lipwig had been around to run Lehman brothers. Its take on finance and economic modelling was very funny, though for me the funniest single moment was the reaction of Vetinari to - not to spoil the fun - the unexpected offer of dessert. A sparkling comic novel for our times...

Chuckle double effect!, 01 Oct 2008
Making Money is a Discworld novel and features the Man in the Golden Suit, Ankh-Morpork's Postmaster Moist von Lipwig.

Moist is bored. He misses his old, more adventurous life, back when he was Albert Spangler the con artist. So when he's not running the Post Office, he likes climbing to its roof at night, and has already picked all its locks.

But when Mrs Topsy Lavish, chairwoman and owner of 50% of the Royal Bank of Ankh-Morpork, but owner also of Mr. Fusspot the dog who owns 1%, dies and leaves her shares to her dog and bequeaths Mr. Fusspot to Moist... he has no choice but try and make it work again.

It starts with the Mint, which actually runs at a loss. Since making coins costs too much and people are already using stamps as currency, Moist devises the first bank notes, which soon have the same success as his stamps.

In the meantime, Cosmo Lavish tries to take Vetinari's identity and Moist's girlfriend Adora Belle Dearheart uncovers ancient golems buried in the desert. And all the while the Glooper gloops.

I really like the character of Moist von Lipwig and was glad to read about him again. The book is of course filled with references that make you chuckle twice: when you get them, and when you find yourself clever because to got them... it's the Discworld double effect!

Bright and breezy... and a bit underwhelming..., 23 Sep 2008
Ignore the two stars I've given Making Money and read it anyway. Just don't make it the first Pratchett you read or you'll end up feeling a tad underwhelmed and wondering what all the fuss is about. Better points of entry to Discworld include Mort or Soul Music or Night Watch or The Truth or Monstrous Regiment or even Going Postal. Making Money lacks a truly biting satirical edge, lacks the incisive wit and belly-laughs we've come to expect from Pratchett and lacks the multi-layered density of plot of its older siblings.
But Moist is a very engaging central character and, for regular visitors to Discworld, time spent in his company is time well-spent. Yes, much of Making Money does feel like a slightly feeble re-run of Going Postal. (A bit like Jaws II compared with Jaws.) But several of the supporting players are pretty colourful and Vetinari's cameos are as entertaining as usual... here's hoping the next installment in the series sees a return to form.

My favourite Discworld so far, 20 Sep 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though I had yet not read Going Postal. For me, it was witty enough to stand alone. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Discworld, and also to any fellow bankers who are in need of a comic and incisive portrayal of our industry.

How does he keep doing it?, 10 Sep 2008
To my mind Terry Pratchett is the master of all writers. I get excited just knowing a new book is on the way from him and have yet to be disappointed. Making Money has fulfilled me again in the wierd and wonderful Discworld. Once I started I struggled to put it down as I was having so much fun seeing the story develop. Once or twice I got nudged by the wife for giggling in bed but that is what the Discworld books do I'm afraid. If there is anybody out there who has yet to dip their toe, please just do it and hopefully you will not be let down. I envy you the pleasure of discovering a genius with your first book and knowing that there are another 24 out there to be read.

A comprehensive overview of the stories and traditions that helped create Discworld, 06 Oct 2008
This is a great well of knowledge of the sources that helped inspire many of the Discworld characters, motifs and situations. It's really wonderful to have so much secondary information on the series in one book, an encyclopedia-esque store of the kind of cultural tidbits that are fascinating in their own right as well as in relation to to Discworld. However the writing style, while clear, is a bit dull and sometimes the line between human mythology and its Discworld counterpart is not exactly clear all the time, at least to me. I was also disappointed by a reference made to the Robin of Sherwood TV series in which the author dismisses a great reimagining of the classic folktale with some pedantic complaints about its apparently archaic use of the Herne the Hunted story. Nevertheless Ms Simpson is very knowledgeable and the book is comprehensive and very informative. A great way to dip one's toes in the pools of folklore. I can't wait to read some of the texts she and Terry have listed in the references.

A great read , 05 Oct 2008
Since buying this book I couldn't put it down. Its a great addition to my discworld collection.

I would recommend it to any Terry Pratchett fan. It an easy read that is broken down into different chapters covering the many facets of Discworld, using examples for the books to illustrate the point being made. The book explains why certain things occur in the discworld books like why there has to be 3 witches.

An example of Pratchett at his best.


Adds depth to the Discworld for fans, 11 Sep 2008
I got an advanced copy of this book at the Discworld Convention and read it straight away. It is written in an entertaining style and explains how the books of the Discworld series have been influenced by the folklore of Earth - for example, why there are 3 witches and why wizards have a university.

The book is split into chapters covering different aspects of the Discworld, e.g. the animals of the Discworld, the country of Lancre. Unlike the "Science of the Discworld" books, there isn't also a story to follow, only the description of the use of folklore. Don't expect to find full annotations of every reference to folklore in each of the Discworld books - it is more an extended essay on the subject, with good examples from the novels chosen to illustrate interesting points.

For fans of the Discworld familiar with the novels, it can be an illuminating experience reading this book - there were certainly times where I said to myself "I never knew that!". However, it is unlikely to be of interest to people who are not familiar with the Discworld universe, and there are even a few small spoilers which may annoy fans who haven't yet read all of the books.

Overall, I enjoyed this book very much and was only slightly disappointed because there isn't really any new Discworld in it - however it supports the Discworld novels very well and did increase my enjoyment of them!

Missing 30 pages..., 13 Oct 2008
I am currently two thirds of the way through this book, and have thoroughly enjoyed it up until now. However disaster struck this morning when after page 353 the book reverted back to page 323, continued on for the next thirty or so pages with text I'd already read, and then jumped to page 387. I'm missing 30 pages, and things were just getting interesting. So, a warning to anyone buying this book - check before you read to save disappointment when you get there. Looks like I'm going to have to buy this book twice, here's hoping my book is a one off and worth many pennies in the future!!!

Has anyone else encountered this?

Excellent Read, 13 Oct 2008
Good to see TP back at his best again. Discworld or not, this book had me in stiches most of the time with Mr Pratchetts' unique and sadly accurate view on life and its many sides.

I not ashamed to say that I even shed a tear at the end.

Excellent and highly recommended.

A Large Diamond Among Gems, 05 Oct 2008
More than 20 years ago now, a good friend pressed a copy of "The Colour of Magic" into my hands that launched a love affair with Terry's books that lasts to this day. Like most frustrated authors who lack the talent to deliver themselves, I read a lot, and I think I have read pretty much all that Terry has written since 198whatever, and yes some of it is quite a lot better than some other bits, but his work has never once been a disappointment.

So I was delighted to see Nation appear on the shelf last week and have just used a rainy Sunday morning to finish it.

A quick summation, of the important points; this is not a Disc World novel, it is a book aimed at anyone over about 9 who can read. It deals with the not inconsequential questions of being us, whoever or wherever that may be, and it does it by telling a good story. It is in fact, very good indeed.

I think this is a book Terry has wanted to write for a while, it has a highly polished feel to it, and I have to say represents a stand out piece of work even for his well known if remarkable talent to make us laugh and ponder for a while.

This should be essential reading for all youngsters who might go on to rule a nation, guard a border, expand our knowledge of the universe, join the priesthood or just decide to go fishing.

It certainly will be in my house.

Thanks (again) Terry
Trev Harvey

Not as good as I had hoped, 04 Oct 2008
I had high hopes for this book, possibly too high. Despite the majority of readers giving this rave reviews I'm afraid I'll have to stick with the opinions of the few nay-sayers. I really couldn't get into this book as much as I had hoped - it meanders along at a fairly gentle pace and has a very different 'feel' to Pratchett's other works, but it rarely engaged my emotions or imagination and I didn't feel like I could 'connect' to any of the characters. There are good moments of course, but it really does feel like it's lacking something.

Maybe I'll enjoy it more when (if) I ever re-read it. You can't please all the people all the time. I generally love Pratchett's books and thoroughly look forward to the next one.

Wonderful - and this is a kids book???, 04 Oct 2008
What a fantastic book, I had already read the pre-amble when I ordered the book so I wasn't expecting a discworld novel. This is fabulous though and in it's own way as good as or better than the discworld books. Rather than ride just the frothy waves of humour, this book often dives below the surf into the deeper darker world of real emotions.
The storytelling is magical and I could easily have read this in one sitting but instead I made it last 4 days :)The characters were fantastic and you really get to know and care about Mau and Daphne.
This book will sit on my bookshelf forever and every so often I will take it down and go and vist Mau and Daphne again.
I cannot reccomend it enough, just don't ruin it for yourself by expecting a discworld novel - it's better even that that in it's own way :)



A Typical Modern Brooks Weak Ending, 29 Sep 2008
"The Gypsy Morph" epitomises what Terry Brooks has consistently done with his last few Shannara series' - they always end poorly, and do not match up to the promise they showed in the earlier books.

The Gypsy Morph is just frightfully dull. We never genuinely get the feeling that this is the end of the world we're dealing with here, and there isn't a single action sequence in the book with any real drive or sense of drama. Brooks has forgotten how to write a good battle scene - the last good ones he wrote were in "First King of Shannara", which was published twelve years ago. These days, he thinks he can write a battle which is three pages long and described only in passing detail and get away with it. Well, he can't.

He also introduces his customary Sucky Assassin Villain. This is the obligatory bad guy he must have who is billed as the most dangerous killer in existence who has never failed at their job - but mysteriously is completely inept once they come into the story. In the "Heritage of Shannara" series it was Pe Ell. In the "High Druid" trilogy it was Aphasia Wye. This time it's the Klee, which was built up in the first two books of this trilogy as an unstoppable killing machine. When we encounter it, it's just useless and bizarrely has to resort to sly tricks when it's supposed to be a lethal brute, and then gets pawned without having done anything befitting its label of the "most dangerous thing ever".

Findo Gask was also a very poor villain. The man does nothing except send others to do his bidding, and scheme and scheme and scheme with no apparent purpose or long-term goal in sight. Brooks or his Internet mouthpiece, Shawn Speakman, would no doubt defend this by suggesting that it represents real "bad guys", such as bin Laden, who sits in a cave and gets others to do his dirty work for him. And that's just great. But it makes for a dreary fantasy story.

If all this sounds pretty harsh for a three-star review, it wouldn't be a surprise. I have great respect for Terry Brooks. I have met him and he's a really nice guy. And it was his books that got me into reading in the first place. And so I always have great hesitation to really slate one of his books. But in my opinion the "Genesis of Shannara" series has not been worth the time he took to write it and the time I took to read it, and this book was a particularly poor representation of a man with much greater talents.

The Shannara trilogy. A disappointing book though, 15 Sep 2008
As a fan of all things Brooks I approached the Genesis of Shannara trilogy with more than just a little eagerness. And actually the first two books of the series lived up to my highest expectations: never had I witnessed such a natural blending of the fantasy and post-apocalyptic genres. Mr Brooks made me dream of worlds of magic and epic fights already when I was a kid, and in the pages of said trilogy he is able to make such suggestion even stronger, by drawing up a future which - in its basic outlines - could very well be our own. Needless to say I have been devouring the previous two books page after page and pre-ordered this book months in advance.

...so you can all imagine how bad I feel when confessing it left me with a sour taste in my mouth: the characters the author introduced and painted so well in the previous two books seem just to fade to flat two-dimensional figures: pale ghosts of the "real" persons with feelings, inner struggles, doubts and passions that the author so aptly created in the beginning of the series. The most annoying symptom of this is maybe the love story between two of the main characters (I won't spoil it to you), who just meet and fall in love within the span of a couple of lines. Now, I'm totally in favour of romance as a fundamental part of any novel, but this love story seemed as though it was thrown into the melee at the last moment, without any effort whatsoever to develop it properly (as Mr. Brooks proved to be capable of doing over and over).

In the same way events seem to go on almost randomly, sketched in their essential lines, seemingly happening without a proper reason, with the characters strolling almost aimlessly as badly-motivated actors following the screenplay eager to get it over with.

A shiny example of this is the powers of Hawk, as well as those of another character, which appear and disappear completely on their own, without any explanation at all given or even attempted.

Or the ending of the book, which should have been the link between a world we know well from our everyday life to the world of Shannara we learnt to know from Mr Brooks' books. It's none of that, and if you wanted to know more about what exactly did change or what happened to the powers of the old world (the Word and the Void come to mind) in the Four Lands... well, you will be disappointed (I hope such a transition will be the focus of a new book).

It's like this book was released due to a scheduled deadline, and way before it was properly polished. Don't get me wrong, what I always loved is there: love, drama, interesting plot twists and epic battles (not to mention the fact that I read the whole book in two days)... I just wish there could have been a chance for the author to polish it further in order to make a worthy ending to a spectacular trilogy.


Amazing End to the Genesis of Shannara Trilogy, 05 Sep 2008
In my humble opinion, this is the best trilogy that Terry has ever written, which is saying a lot, and the final book was wonderful, best of a great series. Superb character development and interaction, fabulous plot(s), amazing action, inventive story lines etc., etc. OK, you spotted that I am a die hard TB fan, but, even so, I was utterly enthralled with this final instalment. There will be no spoilers here, as you really do need to read this for yourself.

Much as I love and respect Tolkien, I do think that Terry has taken this genre to the next level and is now clearly, in my opinion, leading the field by a long way.

I really hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Thanks Terry, very, very much.

Regards.

Paul

A tale for today, 12 Oct 2008
Reading this as the financial institutions of the real world totter and shudder made me wish that Moist von Lipwig had been around to run Lehman brothers. Its take on finance and economic modelling was very funny, though for me the funniest single moment was the reaction of Vetinari to - not to spoil the fun - the unexpected offer of dessert. A sparkling comic novel for our times...

Chuckle double effect!, 01 Oct 2008
Making Money is a Discworld novel and features the Man in the Golden Suit, Ankh-Morpork's Postmaster Moist von Lipwig.

Moist is bored. He misses his old, more adventurous life, back when he was Albert Spangler the con artist. So when he's not running the Post Office, he likes climbing to its roof at night, and has already picked all its locks.

But when Mrs Topsy Lavish, chairwoman and owner of 50% of the Royal Bank of Ankh-Morpork, but owner also of Mr. Fusspot the dog who owns 1%, dies and leaves her shares to her dog and bequeaths Mr. Fusspot to Moist... he has no choice but try and make it work again.

It starts with the Mint, which actually runs at a loss. Since making coins costs too much and people are already using stamps as currency, Moist devises the first bank notes, which soon have the same success as his stamps.

In the meantime, Cosmo Lavish tries to take Vetinari's identity and Moist's girlfriend Adora Belle Dearheart uncovers ancient golems buried in the desert. And all the while the Glooper gloops.

I really like the character of Moist von Lipwig and was glad to read about him again. The book is of course filled with references that make you chuckle twice: when you get them, and when you find yourself clever because to got them... it's the Discworld double effect!

Bright and breezy... and a bit underwhelming..., 23 Sep 2008
Ignore the two stars I've given Making Money and read it anyway. Just don't make it the first Pratchett you read or you'll end up feeling a tad underwhelmed and wondering what all the fuss is about. Better points of entry to Discworld include Mort or Soul Music or Night Watch or The Truth or Monstrous Regiment or even Going Postal. Making Money lacks a truly biting satirical edge, lacks the incisive wit and belly-laughs we've come to expect from Pratchett and lacks the multi-layered density of plot of its older siblings.
But Moist is a very engaging central character and, for regular visitors to Discworld, time spent in his company is time well-spent. Yes, much of Making Money does feel like a slightly feeble re-run of Going Postal. (A bit like Jaws II compared with Jaws.) But several of the supporting players are pretty colourful and Vetinari's cameos are as entertaining as usual... here's hoping the next installment in the series sees a return to form.

My favourite Discworld so far, 20 Sep 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though I had yet not read Going Postal. For me, it was witty enough to stand alone. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Discworld, and also to any fellow bankers who are in need of a comic and incisive portrayal of our industry.

How does he keep doing it?, 10 Sep 2008
To my mind Terry Pratchett is the master of all writers. I get excited just knowing a new book is on the way from him and have yet to be disappointed. Making Money has fulfilled me again in the wierd and wonderful Discworld. Once I started I struggled to put it down as I was having so much fun seeing the story develop. Once or twice I got nudged by the wife for giggling in bed but that is what the Discworld books do I'm afraid. If there is anybody out there who has yet to dip their toe, please just do it and hopefully you will not be let down. I envy you the pleasure of discovering a genius with your first book and knowing that there are another 24 out there to be read.

A comprehensive overview of the stories and traditions that helped create Discworld, 06 Oct 2008
This is a great well of knowledge of the sources that helped inspire many of the Discworld characters, motifs and situations. It's really wonderful to have so much secondary information on the series in one book, an encyclopedia-esque store of the kind of cultural tidbits that are fascinating in their own right as well as in relation to to Discworld. However the writing style, while clear, is a bit dull and sometimes the line between human mythology and its Discworld counterpart is not exactly clear all the time, at least to me. I was also disappointed by a reference made to the Robin of Sherwood TV series in which the author dismisses a great reimagining of the classic folktale with some pedantic complaints about its apparently archaic use of the Herne the Hunted story. Nevertheless Ms Simpson is very knowledgeable and the book is comprehensive and very informative. A great way to dip one's toes in the pools of folklore. I can't wait to read some of the texts she and Terry have listed in the references.

A great read , 05 Oct 2008
Since buying this book I couldn't put it down. Its a great addition to my discworld collection.

I would recommend it to any Terry Pratchett fan. It an easy read that is broken down into different chapters covering the many facets of Discworld, using examples for the books to illustrate the point being made. The book explains why certain things occur in the discworld books like why there has to be 3 witches.

An example of Pratchett at his best.


Adds depth to the Discworld for fans, 11 Sep 2008
I got an advanced copy of this book at the Discworld Convention and read it straight away. It is written in an entertaining style and explains how the books of the Discworld series have been influenced by the folklore of Earth - for example, why there are 3 witches and why wizards have a university.

The book is split into chapters covering different aspects of the Discworld, e.g. the animals of the Discworld, the country of Lancre. Unlike the "Science of the Discworld" books, there isn't also a story to follow, only the description of the use of folklore. Don't expect to find full annotations of every reference to folklore in each of the Discworld books - it is more an extended essay on the subject, with good examples from the novels chosen to illustrate interesting points.

For fans of the Discworld familiar with the novels, it can be an illuminating experience reading this book - there were certainly times where I said to myself "I never knew that!". However, it is unlikely to be of interest to people who are not familiar with the Discworld universe, and there are even a few small spoilers which may annoy fans who haven't yet read all of the books.

Overall, I enjoyed this book very much and was only slightly disappointed because there isn't really any new Discworld in it - however it supports the Discworld novels very well and did increase my enjoyment of them!

It was OK., 01 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this, having heard so much praise. I guess I missed something, but I was expecting a really deep, complex story, like so many reviews and articles had described, and didn't find anything of the sort. The artwork's flawless, but the story really did nothing for me, especially the Joker's back story, which seems to be the most raved about part. I felt no attachment to any characters, and having only recently read Watchmen for the first time, and being so blown away by that, I couldn't see how this was the same writer. I also found it shockingly short, which I don't expect from a graphic novel. As I said before though, awesome artwork. I still love that cover!

A Feast for the Eyes; A Drain On the Mind, 29 Aug 2008
Okay, let's keep this brief and informal lest I start taking myself far too seriously. After all, it is only a comic book to which I am referring regardless of how good or bad this particular one may be.
As an addition to the Batman Legend, 'The Killing Joke' is something of a let down, and not least due to the 1980's "think outside of the box" storyline. In my opinion it will warp your perception of the Caped Crusader and Smiles-McGee as it did mine with it's painting of the pair as something of an old married couple who may fight but deep down are the best of friends (and thankfully like an old married couple they are not sexually attracted to each other either). It has to be said though that The Joker's crimes depicted here are less master-criminal and more sick-bastard. Whilst inventive, they lack the subtlety and genius you'd expect from the character. It would be far too easy to confuse his antics with that of 'Lord Pumpkin' in his origin one-shot as the freaky carnival setting and deformed minions are not Joker-like in my mind. I'd also suggest that the "definitive origin story" for the Joker is an ideal that should have died long ago, way before the 80's ever hit, and it's inclusion here makes the Joker seem weak and unjustified (in some senses) in his madness. Basically, as in the short version, Alan Moore's story is cleverly gimmicky at best with scripting that is just plain awful. Sorry to all the fans of the piece out there, but it reads more like a romance comic with Batman being the hysterical woman moreover Dark Knight.
What you will take away from reading this (and despite what I just said, you must buy and read this!) is that Brian Bolland is highly revered for a reason. The artwork is simply phenomenal, and the newly revamped colouring is stunning. You may never see a depiction of classic Batman or Joker looking this good anywhere else again. With the added bonus of Bolland's 'Innocent Man' (which he also wrote) sitting quietly at the back, this package must adorn your bookcase. I would recommend this to anyone.

"I know you're a mass murderer, but can't we be friends?", 24 Aug 2008
Alan Moore provides the reader with plenty motivation for us to hate the Joker in this short story; so much in fact that it make's Commisioner Gordon's response largely unbelievable, and Batman's 'let's be friends, I can help you' reaction somehow cowardly. The villain is elevated to such a level of cruelty and malice that Batman's idealistic moral outlook has no counter. The result is Batman comes off as a wimp.

The artwork by Boland is wonderful, but probably the worst story I've read of Moore's.

A short story, short on story, 17 Aug 2008
This graphic novel has been given a massive amount of praise and to be honest, I'm not sure why. Perhaps because it's Alan Moore, perhaps because it is Batman vs Joker, perhaps because it has a Joker origin. I'm not sure.

I read it in one sitting, it's a very short and at £10 is a bit expensive. As it's so short there's not really a story. None at all. Batman turns up at the begining and the end, the middle is mainly flashbacks to the Joker origin. Which is campy and somewhat uninteresting.

The end is somewhat ambiguous following on the unexplored idea of should Batman kill the joker and why.

Really, the problem is not bad writing, just that it's too short and doesn't really explore the relationship at all.

There are better graphic novels, there are better batman novels. I wouldn't recommend this.


Not as great as it's made out to be.... , 13 Aug 2008
I must admit to having had a copy of this book for quite a while now, and having read and re-read it a number of times, still cannot see why it is so lauded. Okay, the artwork IS wonderful (though Brian Bolland didn't like the colour much, apparently), and there are elements within the story which have subsequently proven pivotal within the DC Universe, but that's not really enough to explain it's status. I think that after an excellent set up, the ending is rather flat. I'd always assumed that I'd "missed the point" somewhere ... now I'm not so sure. It's quite interesting to review "The Killing Joke" in the context of the rest of Alan Moore's work at DC (and, as all but his "Swamp Thing" stuff is now collected in a single trade paperback, that's relatively easy to do). It's certainly not his most interesting or most imaginative during this period (his two comparable Superman stories are probably superior, whilst his Omega Men and Green Lantern Corps tales are better still) and I suspect much of the status comes from the general Batman "thing" that ran from Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns" to the Burton's two movies.
A good book, but not the great one everyone seems to think.

If any comic has a claim to have truly reinvigorated the genre then The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller--known recently for his excellent Sin City series and, previously, for his superb rendering of the blind superhero Daredevil--is probably the supreme contender. Batman represented all that was wrong in comics and Miller set himself a tough task taking on the camp crusader and turning this laughable, innocuous children's cartoon character into a hero for our times. In his introduction the great Alan Moore (V for Vendetta, Swamp Thing, the arguably peerless Watchmen) argues that only someone of Miller's stature could have done this. Batman is a character known well beyond the confines of the comic world (as are his retinue) and so reinventing him, while keeping his limiting core essentials intact, was a huge task.

Miller went far beyond the call of duty. The Dark Knight is a success on every level. Firstly it does keep the core elements of the Batman myth intact, with Robin, Alfred the butler, Commissioner Gordon and the old roster of villains, present yet brilliantly subverted. Secondly the artwork is fantastic--detailed, sometimes claustrophobic, psychotic. Lastly it's a great story: Gotham City is a hell on earth, streetgangs roam but there are no heroes. Decay is ubiquitous. Where is a hero to save Gotham? It is 10 years since the last recorded sighting of the Batman. And things have got worse than ever. Bruce Wayne is close to being a broken man but something is keeping him sane: the need to see change and the belief that he can orchestrate some of that change. Batman is back. The Dark Knight has returned. Awesome. --Mark Thwaite

Missing 30 pages..., 13 Oct 2008
I am currently two thirds of the way through this book, and have thoroughly enjoyed it up until now. However disaster struck this morning when after page 353 the book reverted back to page 323, continued on for the next thirty or so pages with text I'd already read, and then jumped to page 387. I'm missing 30 pages, and things were just getting interesting. So, a warning to anyone buying this book - check before you read to save disappointment when you get there. Looks like I'm going to have to buy this book twice, here's hoping my book is a one off and worth many pennies in the future!!!

Has anyone else encountered this?

Excellent Read, 13 Oct 2008
Good to see TP back at his best again. Discworld or not, this book had me in stiches most of the time with Mr Pratchetts' unique and sadly accurate view on life and its many sides.

I not ashamed to say that I even shed a tear at the end.

Excellent and highly recommended.

A Large Diamond Among Gems, 05 Oct 2008
More than 20 years ago now, a good friend pressed a copy of "The Colour of Magic" into my hands that launched a love affair with Terry's books that lasts to this day. Like most frustrated authors who lack the talent to deliver themselves, I read a lot, and I think I have read pretty much all that Terry has written since 198whatever, and yes some of it is quite a lot better than some other bits, but his work has never once been a disappointment.

So I was delighted to see Nation appear on the shelf last week and have just used a rainy Sunday morning to finish it.

A quick summation, of the important points; this is not a Disc World novel, it is a book aimed at anyone over about 9 who can read. It deals with the not inconsequential questions of being us, whoever or wherever that may be, and it does it by telling a good story. It is in fact, very good indeed.

I think this is a book Terry has wanted to write for a while, it has a highly polished feel to it, and I have to say represents a stand out piece of work even for his well known if remarkable talent to make us laugh and ponder for a while.

This should be essential reading for all youngsters who might go on to rule a nation, guard a border, expand our knowledge of the universe, join the priesthood or just decide to go fishing.

It certainly will be in my house.

Thanks (again) Terry
Trev Harvey

Not as good as I had hoped, 04 Oct 2008
I had high hopes for this book, possibly too high. Despite the majority of readers giving this rave reviews I'm afraid I'll have to stick with the opinions of the few nay-sayers. I really couldn't get into this book as much as I had hoped - it meanders along at a fairly gentle pace and has a very different 'feel' to Pratchett's other works, but it rarely engaged my emotions or imagination and I didn't feel like I could 'connect' to any of the characters. There are good moments of course, but it really does feel like it's lacking something.

Maybe I'll enjoy it more when (if) I ever re-read it. You can't please all the people all the time. I generally love Pratchett's books and thoroughly look forward to the next one.

Wonderful - and this is a kids book???, 04 Oct 2008
What a fantastic book, I had already read the pre-amble when I ordered the book so I wasn't expecting a discworld novel. This is fabulous though and in it's own way as good as or better than the discworld books. Rather than ride just the frothy waves of humour, this book often dives below the surf into the deeper darker world of real emotions.
The storytelling is magical and I could easily have read this in one sitting but instead I made it last 4 days :)The characters were fantastic and you really get to know and care about Mau and Daphne.
This book will sit on my bookshelf forever and every so often I will take it down and go and vist Mau and Daphne again.
I cannot reccomend it enough, just don't ruin it for yourself by expecting a discworld novel - it's better even that that in it's own way :)



A Typical Modern Brooks Weak Ending, 29 Sep 2008
"The Gypsy Morph" epitomises what Terry Brooks has consistently done with his last few Shannara series' - they always end poorly, and do not match up to the promise they showed in the earlier books.

The Gypsy Morph is just frightfully dull. We never genuinely get the feeling that this is the end of the world we're dealing with here, and there isn't a single action sequence in the book with any real drive or sense of drama. Brooks has forgotten how to write a good battle scene - the last good ones he wrote were in "First King of Shannara", which was published twelve years ago. These days, he thinks he can write a battle which is three pages long and described only in passing detail and get away with it. Well, he can't.

He also introduces his customary Sucky Assassin Villain. This is the obligatory bad guy he must have who is billed as the most dangerous killer in existence who has never failed at their job - but mysteriously is completely inept once they come into the story. In the "Heritage of Shannara" series it was Pe Ell. In the "High Druid" trilogy it was Aphasia Wye. This time it's the Klee, which was built up in the first two books of this trilogy as an unstoppable killing machine. When we encounter it, it's just useless and bizarrely has to resort to sly tricks when it's supposed to be a lethal brute, and then gets pawned without having done anything befitting its label of the "most dangerous thing ever".

Findo Gask was also a very poor villain. The man does nothing except send others to do his bidding, and scheme and scheme and scheme with no apparent purpose or long-term goal in sight. Brooks or his Internet mouthpiece, Shawn Speakman, would no doubt defend this by suggesting that it represents real "bad guys", such as bin Laden, who sits in a cave and gets others to do his dirty work for him. And that's just great. But it makes for a dreary fantasy story.

If all this sounds pretty harsh for a three-star review, it wouldn't be a surprise. I have great respect for Terry Brooks. I have met him and he's a really nice guy. And it was his books that got me into reading in the first place. And so I always have great hesitation to really slate one of his books. But in my opinion the "Genesis of Shannara" series has not been worth the time he took to write it and the time I took to read it, and this book was a particularly poor representation of a man with much greater talents.

The Shannara trilogy. A disappointing book though, 15 Sep 2008
As a fan of all things Brooks I approached the Genesis of Shannara trilogy with more than just a little eagerness. And actually the first two books of the series lived up to my highest expectations: never had I witnessed such a natural blending of the fantasy and post-apocalyptic genres. Mr Brooks made me dream of worlds of magic and epic fights already when I was a kid, and in the pages of said trilogy he is able to make such suggestion even stronger, by drawing up a future which - in its basic outlines - could very well be our own. Needless to say I have been devouring the previous two books page after page and pre-ordered this book months in advance.

...so you can all imagine how bad I feel when confessing it left me with a sour taste in my mouth: the characters the author introduced and painted so well in the previous two books seem just to fade to flat two-dimensional figures: pale ghosts of the "real" persons with feelings, inner struggles, doubts and passions that the author so aptly created in the beginning of the series. The most annoying symptom of this is maybe the love story between two of the main characters (I won't spoil it to you), who just meet and fall in love within the span of a couple of lines. Now, I'm totally in favour of romance as a fundamental part of any novel, but this love story seemed as though it was thrown into the melee at the last moment, without any effort whatsoever to develop it properly (as Mr. Brooks proved to be capable of doing over and over).

In the same way events seem to go on almost randomly, sketched in their essential lines, seemingly happening without a proper reason, with the characters strolling almost aimlessly as badly-motivated actors following the screenplay eager to get it over with.

A shiny example of this is the powers of Hawk, as well as those of another character, which appear and disappear completely on their own, without any explanation at all given or even attempted.

Or the ending of the book, which should have been the link between a world we know well from our everyday life to the world of Shannara we learnt to know from Mr Brooks' books. It's none of that, and if you wanted to know more about what exactly did change or what happened to the powers of the old world (the Word and the Void come to mind) in the Four Lands... well, you will be disappointed (I hope such a transition will be the focus of a new book).

It's like this book was released due to a scheduled deadline, and way before it was properly polished. Don't get me wrong, what I always loved is there: love, drama, interesting plot twists and epic battles (not to mention the fact that I read the whole book in two days)... I just wish there could have been a chance for the author to polish it further in order to make a worthy ending to a spectacular trilogy.


Amazing End to the Genesis of Shannara Trilogy, 05 Sep 2008
In my humble opinion, this is the best trilogy that Terry has ever written, which is saying a lot, and the final book was wonderful, best of a great series. Superb character development and interaction, fabulous plot(s), amazing action, inventive story lines etc., etc. OK, you spotted that I am a die hard TB fan, but, even so, I was utterly enthralled with this final instalment. There will be no spoilers here, as you really do need to read this for yourself.

Much as I love and respect Tolkien, I do think that Terry has taken this genre to the next level and is now clearly, in my opinion, leading the field by a long way.

I really hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Thanks Terry, very, very much.

Regards.

Paul

A tale for today, 12 Oct 2008
Reading this as the financial institutions of the real world totter and shudder made me wish that Moist von Lipwig had been around to run Lehman brothers. Its take on finance and economic modelling was very funny, though for me the funniest single moment was the reaction of Vetinari to - not to spoil the fun - the unexpected offer of dessert. A sparkling comic novel for our times...

Chuckle double effect!, 01 Oct 2008
Making Money is a Discworld novel and features the Man in the Golden Suit, Ankh-Morpork's Postmaster Moist von Lipwig.

Moist is bored. He misses his old, more adventurous life, back when he was Albert Spangler the con artist. So when he's not running the Post Office, he likes climbing to its roof at night, and has already picked all its locks.

But when Mrs Topsy Lavish, chairwoman and owner of 50% of the Royal Bank of Ankh-Morpork, but owner also of Mr. Fusspot the dog who owns 1%, dies and leaves her shares to her dog and bequeaths Mr. Fusspot to Moist... he has no choice but try and make it work again.

It starts with the Mint, which actually runs at a loss. Since making coins costs too much and people are already using stamps as currency, Moist devises the first bank notes, which soon have the same success as his stamps.

In the meantime, Cosmo Lavish tries to take Vetinari's identity and Moist's girlfriend Adora Belle Dearheart uncovers ancient golems buried in the desert. And all the while the Glooper gloops.

I really like the character of Moist von Lipwig and was glad to read about him again. The book is of course filled with references that make you chuckle twice: when you get them, and when you find yourself clever because to got them... it's the Discworld double effect!

Bright and breezy... and a bit underwhelming..., 23 Sep 2008
Ignore the two stars I've given Making Money and read it anyway. Just don't make it the first Pratchett you read or you'll end up feeling a tad underwhelmed and wondering what all the fuss is about. Better points of entry to Discworld include Mort or Soul Music or Night Watch or The Truth or Monstrous Regiment or even Going Postal. Making Money lacks a truly biting satirical edge, lacks the incisive wit and belly-laughs we've come to expect from Pratchett and lacks the multi-layered density of plot of its older siblings.
But Moist is a very engaging central character and, for regular visitors to Discworld, time spent in his company is time well-spent. Yes, much of Making Money does feel like a slightly feeble re-run of Going Postal. (A bit like Jaws II compared with Jaws.) But several of the supporting players are pretty colourful and Vetinari's cameos are as entertaining as usual... here's hoping the next installment in the series sees a return to form.

My favourite Discworld so far, 20 Sep 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though I had yet not read Going Postal. For me, it was witty enough to stand alone. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Discworld, and also to any fellow bankers who are in need of a comic and incisive portrayal of our industry.

How does he keep doing it?, 10 Sep 2008
To my mind Terry Pratchett is the master of all writers. I get excited just knowing a new book is on the way from him and have yet to be disappointed. Making Money has fulfilled me again in the wierd and wonderful Discworld. Once I started I struggled to put it down as I was having so much fun seeing the story develop. Once or twice I got nudged by the wife for giggling in bed but that is what the Discworld books do I'm afraid. If there is anybody out there who has yet to dip their toe, please just do it and hopefully you will not be let down. I envy you the pleasure of discovering a genius with your first book and knowing that there are another 24 out there to be read.

A comprehensive overview of the stories and traditions that helped create Discworld, 06 Oct 2008
This is a great well of knowledge of the sources that helped inspire many of the Discworld characters, motifs and situations. It's really wonderful to have so much secondary information on the series in one book, an encyclopedia-esque store of the kind of cultural tidbits that are fascinating in their own right as well as in relation to to Discworld. However the writing style, while clear, is a bit dull and sometimes the line between human mythology and its Discworld counterpart is not exactly clear all the time, at least to me. I was also disappointed by a reference made to the Robin of Sherwood TV series in which the author dismisses a great reimagining of the classic folktale with some pedantic complaints about its apparently archaic use of the Herne the Hunted story. Nevertheless Ms Simpson is very knowledgeable and the book is comprehensive and very informative. A great way to dip one's toes in the pools of folklore. I can't wait to read some of the texts she and Terry have listed in the references.

A great read , 05 Oct 2008
Since buying this book I couldn't put it down. Its a great addition to my discworld collection.

I would recommend it to any Terry Pratchett fan. It an easy read that is broken down into different chapters covering the many facets of Discworld, using examples for the books to illustrate the point being made. The book explains why certain things occur in the discworld books like why there has to be 3 witches.

An example of Pratchett at his best.


Adds depth to the Discworld for fans, 11 Sep 2008
I got an advanced copy of this book at the Discworld Convention and read it straight away. It is written in an entertaining style and explains how the books of the Discworld series have been influenced by the folklore of Earth - for example, why there are 3 witches and why wizards have a university.

The book is split into chapters covering different aspects of the Discworld, e.g. the animals of the Discworld, the country of Lancre. Unlike the "Science of the Discworld" books, there isn't also a story to follow, only the description of the use of folklore. Don't expect to find full annotations of every reference to folklore in each of the Discworld books - it is more an extended essay on the subject, with good examples from the novels chosen to illustrate interesting points.

For fans of the Discworld familiar with the novels, it can be an illuminating experience reading this book - there were certainly times where I said to myself "I never knew that!". However, it is unlikely to be of interest to people who are not familiar with the Discworld universe, and there are even a few small spoilers which may annoy fans who haven't yet read all of the books.

Overall, I enjoyed this book very much and was only slightly disappointed because there isn't really any new Discworld in it - however it supports the Discworld novels very well and did increase my enjoyment of them!

It was OK., 01 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this, having heard so much praise. I guess I missed something, but I was expecting a really deep, complex story, like so many reviews and articles had described, and didn't find anything of the sort. The artwork's flawless, but the story really did nothing for me, especially the Joker's back story, which seems to be the most raved about part. I felt no attachment to any characters, and having only recently read Watchmen for the first time, and being so blown away by that, I couldn't see how this was the same writer. I also found it shockingly short, which I don't expect from a graphic novel. As I said before though, awesome artwork. I still love that cover!

A Feast for the Eyes; A Drain On the Mind, 29 Aug 2008
Okay, let's keep this brief and informal lest I start taking myself far too seriously. After all, it is only a comic book to which I am referring regardless of how good or bad this particular one may be.
As an addition to the Batman Legend, 'The Killing Joke' is something of a let down, and not least due to the 1980's "think outside of the box" storyline. In my opinion it will warp your perception of the Caped Crusader and Smiles-McGee as it did mine with it's painting of the pair as something of an old married couple who may fight but deep down are the best of friends (and thankfully like an old married couple they are not sexually attracted to each other either). It has to be said though that The Joker's crimes depicted here are less master-criminal and more sick-bastard. Whilst inventive, they lack the subtlety and genius you'd expect from the character. It would be far too easy to confuse his antics with that of 'Lord Pumpkin' in his origin one-shot as the freaky carnival setting and deformed minions are not Joker-like in my mind. I'd also suggest that the "definitive origin story" for the Joker is an ideal that should have died long ago, way before the 80's ever hit, and it's inclusion here makes the Joker seem weak and unjustified (in some senses) in his madness. Basically, as in the short version, Alan Moore's story is cleverly gimmicky at best with scripting that is just plain awful. Sorry to all the fans of the piece out there, but it reads more like a romance comic with Batman being the hysterical woman moreover Dark Knight.
What you will take away from reading this (and despite what I just said, you must buy and read this!) is that Brian Bolland is highly revered for a reason. The artwork is simply phenomenal, and the newly revamped colouring is stunning. You may never see a depiction of classic Batman or Joker looking this good anywhere else again. With the added bonus of Bolland's 'Innocent Man' (which he also wrote) sitting quietly at the back, this package must adorn your bookcase. I would recommend this to anyone.

"I know you're a mass murderer, but can't we be friends?", 24 Aug 2008
Alan Moore provides the reader with plenty motivation for us to hate the Joker in this short story; so much in fact that it make's Commisioner Gordon's response largely unbelievable, and Batman's 'let's be friends, I can help you' reaction somehow cowardly. The villain is elevated to such a level of cruelty and malice that Batman's idealistic moral outlook has no counter. The result is Batman comes off as a wimp.

The artwork by Boland is wonderful, but probably the worst story I've read of Moore's.

A short story, short on story, 17 Aug 2008
This graphic novel has been given a massive amount of praise and to be honest, I'm not sure why. Perhaps because it's Alan Moore, perhaps because it is Batman vs Joker, perhaps because it has a Joker origin. I'm not sure.

I read it in one sitting, it's a very short and at £10 is a bit expensive. As it's so short there's not really a story. None at all. Batman turns up at the begining and the end, the middle is mainly flashbacks to the Joker origin. Which is campy and somewhat uninteresting.

The end is somewhat ambiguous following on the unexplored idea of should Batman kill the joker and why.

Really, the problem is not bad writing, just that it's too short and doesn't really explore the relationship at all.

There are better graphic novels, there are better batman novels. I wouldn't recommend this.


Not as great as it's made out to be.... , 13 Aug 2008
I must admit to having had a copy of this book for quite a while now, and having read and re-read it a number of times, still cannot see why it is so lauded. Okay, the artwork IS wonderful (though Brian Bolland didn't like the colour much, apparently), and there are elements within the story which have subsequently proven pivotal within the DC Universe, but that's not really enough to explain it's status. I think that after an excellent set up, the ending is rather flat. I'd always assumed that I'd "missed the point" somewhere ... now I'm not so sure. It's quite interesting to review "The Killing Joke" in the context of the rest of Alan Moore's work at DC (and, as all but his "Swamp Thing" stuff is now collected in a single trade paperback, that's relatively easy to do). It's certainly not his most interesting or most imaginative during this period (his two comparable Superman stories are probably superior, whilst his Omega Men and Green Lantern Corps tales are better still) and I suspect much of the status comes from the general Batman "thing" that ran from Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns" to the Burton's two movies.
A good book, but not the great one everyone seems to think.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only Watchmen can be considered to be on the same level as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However where Watchmen had an absolute myriad of characters bursting out of the seams, Batman: The Dark Night Returns is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue is vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

Dissapointing..., 13 May 2008
Honestly, I didn't see what the fuss was all about with this graphic novel. I thought the plot was all over the place, the pacing was shot to pieces, the art was average and there were more than a few absurdities which I found hard to swallow.

I don't read many comics or graphic novels, but I went through a brief obsession last year and bought about 25 or 30 over a few months. Given the hype and acclaim which has been heaped on this, I was expecting great things, and sadly I was disappointed on almost every level.

As others have said, Frank Miller's characterisation is probably closer to Bob Kane's original vision of the Dark Knight than anyone's (except perhaps Tim Burton). However, his motivations here are never wholly clear and the excessive scripting and repetitive 'news report' cells do little to help. The plot meanders through a handful of scenarios over its four chapters but they never feel wholly cohesive - and things take a turn for the frankly ridiculous when Batman is deemed such a menace that Superman is called in [personally by the president] to deal with him (not to mention the resolution of this encounter, which I won't detail). Further, the new Robin is just utterly irritating and a somewhat needless character (given that she brings very little to the proceedings).

It is rare that I get bored of a graphic novel part way through, but I found that on both read-thoughs I was losing i