The Shepherd’s Crown – September 1, 2015

The Shepherd’s Crown (Tiffany Aching) Hardcover – September 1, 2015
Author: Visit ‘s Terry Pratchett Page ID: 0062429973

From School Library Journal

Gr 6 UpPratchett (The Long Utopia [HarperCollins, 2015]) leaves his fans with one last glorious tale of Discworld, this one starring his youngest heroine, the witch Tiffany Aching. When Death comes for Granny Weatherwax, she leaves behind her cabin and, by default, the job of unofficial leader of the witches to Tiffany. For the teen protagonist, being a witch has always been about doing what must be done, so she shoulders the burden but goes about things in her own way. She has soon taken on the first-ever male witch apprentice, Geoffrey, a man who has a soothing way with people and animals. Work becomes the least of Tiffany’s problems once word of Granny Weatherwax’s death reaches the realm of the elves. A cruel usurper casts out their Queen who is viewed as weak because of her caution after her earlier defeat by Tiffany and her wariness of the human’s new iron horses. Tiffany shelters the diminished Queen while facing the threat of marauding elf hordes, backed by her trusty Nac Mac Feegles and other allies. Though this title was written during Pratchett’s final days, there is nothing rushed here; indeed, this final book stands among the very best of his work. In one poignant scene, Death remarks on Granny Weatherwax’s passing, “And far away, in someplace unthinkable, a white horse was being unsaddled by a figure with a scythe with, it must be said, some sorrow.” And so, too, will readers mourn the loss of such an irreplaceable writing talent. VERDICT Readers young and old will savor this tale that emphasizes the values of hard work and standing firm in the face of evil. An exceptionally crafted finale from one of the greats.Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Review

“Fans will also find plenty of well-loved elements: exuberant wordplay, vaudevillian humor, the rambunctious blue-skinned Nac Mac Feegle, and-beneath it all-a susurrus of shivery archetype and myth. Pratchett’s final work is a tour de force of compassion, great wit, and gleeful storytelling.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))

“Terry was one of our greatest fantasists, and beyond a doubt the funniest.” (George R. R. Martin)

“A Terry Pratchett book is a small miracle.” (Neil Gaiman)

“Discworld is one of the very most fabulous creations in all of literature.” (Patrick Ness)

“No writer in my lifetime has given me as much pleasure and happiness.” (A. S. Byatt)

“A writer of monumental talent.” (Rick Riordan)

“Beloved fantasy writer Pratchett died this spring, and his dedicated and immense fan base will want his final novel. His storytelling is pure magic, and fans will grieve anew that this is the last of it. Stock up.” (Booklist)

See all Editorial Reviews

Series: Tiffany Aching (Book 5)Hardcover: 288 pagesPublisher: HarperCollins (September 1, 2015)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0062429973ISBN-13: 978-0062429971 Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Best Sellers Rank: #1,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #12 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Girls & Women #20 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Action & Adventure > Fantasy #119 in Books > Teens > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy
Like many other readers I approached Sir Terry’s final book with a mix of excitement (A New Terry Pratchett book!!) and melancholy (it is the last Terry Pratchett book). I read it all in nearly one go.

There are several negative reviews posted here and elsewhere suggesting that those of us that enjoyed The Shepherd’s Crown are merely reacting emotionally to it being Sir Terry’s final book and are somehow incapable or unwilling to see the books faults. I would suggest that many of them are also having a purely emotional reaction because they did not like it, or perhaps it was not the final book they were hoping for. Several have even suggested that Sir Terry did not write The Shepherd’s Crown, unable or unwilling to realize that Sir Terry’s "voice" has been changing for awhile now. A degenerative fatal disease will do that to a person.

I did enjoy The Shepherd’s Crown. It was not the final book I was hoping for; I would have preferred a final romp with the wizards or the Watch. But this is still a Discworld book. It is true this book has its faults. I agree with other reviews that sometimes minutiae are described in minute detail while many important events go by very quickly. I cannot complain about the appearance of a few tangential characters reacting to a major event. This event would no doubt be noticed by a great many people on the Disc. These appearances, particularly Mustrum Ridcully and the Patrician do feel a bit forced, but I view them more as Sir Terry giving a last Hail! and farewell to characters he loved the best and could not let his final work pass without them getting a nod. And it was much less intrusive than it could have been, and much less ridiculous than say Russell Davies pathetic goodbye to Doctor Who.
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