Litsy

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Had a splendid time with this reread. Definitely one of my favourite of the witch books in the Discworld, for a number of reasons.
The concise manner in which the elves are portrayed as menacing by their very indifference to life (even outside the evil cat metaphor), Pratchett is able to make you creeped out and concerned in a few sentences. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Magrat's journey from putative witch to a soon-to-be-queen in her very own style feels even better the second time 'round, but this is definitely Esme's story. 1w

Robotswithpersonality 3/? The insight into Granny Weatherwax, as she deals with upstarts from the possible next generation of witches, the influence of a thousand alternate world minds grazing hers, the road-not-taken narrative from a nostalgic wizard/almost beau, the outsized threat that is the Queen of the Fairies/Elves and a community that has to go from congenial disbelief to fear while fighting enchantment. It gives you bits of vulnerability, even humility, 1w

Robotswithpersonality 4/? in a character with a traditionally granite self-confidence, while also showing the efforts she goes to to protect, to do right.
You have Nanny Ogg there as stalwart friend to Weatherwax, clapping back and backing up as necessary, but you also have her as an irrepressible personality, pursued by Casanunda, the dwarf purported to be the second greatest lover in the world. (edited) 1w

Robotswithpersonality 5/? For all the cheerful ribaldry that comes with Nanny's dialogue, it's sweet to see a swain court her so ardently, and refreshing to see Nanny not modify herself one jot for the purposes of appealing to the suitor.
I forgot the Librarian joined the wizards who visit Lancre for the upcoming nuptials and much like Nanny, it's always a good time when he's on the page. 1w

Robotswithpersonality 6/6 Likewise, speaking of evil cats, Greebo in all his viciousness, is a welcome addition for the chaos and destruction he offers, giving the elves some of their own back. 😏
Wish me luck in my ongoing reread of the witch books, because I don't remember having the most favourable impression of the next in the subseries, Maskerade, when I first read it. 🤞🏻 (edited) 1w

9 likes5 comments

Robotswithpersonality

Lords and Ladies | Terry Pratchett

🌀😵‍💫😅

8 likes

Robotswithpersonality

Lords and Ladies | Terry Pratchett

😏😁

8 likes

Robotswithpersonality

Lords and Ladies | Terry Pratchett

Not that you'd actually need another reason to entice me into a trip to the countryside, but this would totally work on me. Must... catalogue! 📚🤓

10 likes

Robotswithpersonality

Lords and Ladies | Terry Pratchett

I forgot how creepy the elves were in Pratchett's version. 🫣

10 likes1 stack add

Ruthiella

The Goblin Emperor | Katherine Addison

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#Roll100 September pick

Thanks @Bookworm54 for the tip to go the audio route. The narration/performance by Kyle McCarley was excellent!

I enjoyed this “Cinderfella” story only it‘s a half goblin emperor and there‘s not exactly a princess charming at the end. But it is ultimately a heartfelt and heartwarming fantasy. The reader can‘t help but root for Maia, the rejected son of the elf emperor who is unexpectedly thrust on the throne at 19.

PuddleJumper

willaful One of the books I love so much I've read it in print and listened to the audio. 1mo

Ruthiella @willaful I‘m definitely putting the sequel on my #Roll100 list for 2026. 1mo

PuddleJumper Sounds great! Definitely going to read it now 1mo

Ruthiella @PuddleJumper I think you will enjoy it! 🤞 1mo

60 likes2 stack adds4 comments

Robotswithpersonality

Nine Goblins | T. Kingfisher

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Bit of whiplash from the tone shift, but I did love the story that was told.
Not sure how much of this is really a spoiler, but covering the themes involved does mean talking about the plot.

The nine goblins truly define 'ragtag bunch':
The 'whining Nineteenth' division of the Goblin army consisting of long-suffering leader Nisilka, the female goblin sergeant; 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Murray, the genius inventor in the mix, hampering the usual odds of goblin inventions creating mass casualties by being actually good at it; new recruit twins, Mishkin and Mushkin who complete each other's sentences; Algol, who makes a regular event of ostentatious desertment including clothing removal, Blanchette, who takes advice from the teddy bear affixed to his helmet ever since the incident with head trauma, and all involved agree the 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 3/? teddy bear affixed to his helmet ever since the incident with head trauma, and all involved agree the bear's judgement is preferable; Weasel, the shy, stuttering gender indeterminate one who's good with a slingshot, Thumper as muscle; and Gloober who's only role throughout the narrative is to be admonished not to insert his finger or anything else in various parts of his person. 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 4/? Yeah, they're a little gross which appears to be a natural outgrowth of goblin habits from a human reader perspective, but it also quickly becomes clear the violence exhibited in conflict is a necessary part of the ongoing war, and not something that comes as second nature to the group. 1mo

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? Separately we're introduced to Sings to Trees, an elf, and naturally a babe, but a bit more down to earth than the himbo variety his looks and kindness to animals might otherwise suggest. He ends up characterized as a black sheep among his own kind as he doesn't just love the pretty, delicate, nicely smelling animals, but gives shelter, care and rehabilitation to any animal, domestic or mythic that needs his help, regardless of biting, oozing, 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 6/? pilfered sandwiches, or trashed living quarters and wardrobe.

A magical snafu transports Nisilka's bunch into the same neck of the woods as Sings to Trees, and just having those meet each other would have been enough story for me, but Kingfisher has more she wanted to say.
While we have adorable moments with Algol and newly rescued Wiggles the kitten, as well as Sings to Trees and the troll Frogsnoggler, 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 7/? it also becomes clear as Nisilka's group navigates the land between their unexpected portal journey and Sings to Trees' cabin that something sinister is going on that's leaving a community abandoned and portions of the forest silent.

While the goblins' introduction covers the woefully familiar territory of one people encroaching on the native lands of another resulting in prolonged war, and the uselessness of military bureaucracy, 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 8/? the mistaken journey via panicked wizard establishes the lore that wizardry is endemic to some humans, and is akin to a range of mental health conditions with varying power levels and abilities that they cannot automatically understand or navigate that can hamper their connection to the people around them, and may even present a danger to themselves or others, identifying a need for support and structure that is not always met in a community, 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 9/? that some decide they'll find in the army.
In the course of uncovering the mystery, the reader is exposed to just how tragic an end can result from unchecked power/unmanaged health concerns without anyone to understand or guide.
Sings to Trees is a one-elf argument for animal welfare, and his hen-mounting, crowing hen is a sparkly bit of a challenge to gender normativity. 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 10/? The stumble between species, goblins and elves and humans, to identify gender at first sight in the groups they initially see as other also makes me happy - let's normalize not deciding you know someone else's gender identity as soon as you clap eyes on them! And obviously, tensions and prejudices between groups thanks to a history of conflicting interests is a given human analogy present in most settings with fantasy races. 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 11/? The hope for better relations in the future without requiring a big torrid romance to draw people together, this works for me.
I think the shift from: 'bodily function humour-agents of chaos -they mean well' goblins who really don't want to fight a war wandering into 'cozy but lonely' elf property and being able to communicate and accept best intentions on both sides to; 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 12/? 'this is the terrible human cost of young people without support acting out and your war isn't helping, even though apparently volunteering to fight in it provides structure to some who need it' felt pretty jarring, even if Kingfisher was true to her group of characters throughout. 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 13/? I'm glad it was a novella, though I can't help but wonder if the transition would have been smoothed out if more time was taken to establish the human/wizard side of things. 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 14/14 I did this audio only, so if my spelling is off for any character names, that's why! Did this at regular 1x speed with a bunch of chores and it was the perfect accompaniment. Kudos to Johnathan Johns for navigating that many character voices and keeping them distinct.

⚠️Animal abuse, animal death, child death, ableism? (not sure how neurodivergent readers may receive the analogies present in this text) (edited) 1mo

11 likes13 comments

SpeculativeFemale

Trouble with the Cursed | Kim Harrison

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I sometimes find it hard to review a book this far into a series.

For those familiar with the series: this book continues to follow our beloved protagonist as she tries to keep Cincinnati's supernatural community from going off the rails again.

Full of Harrison's signature wit, unique characters, and stunning world building, I'd call this another strong entry in the series.

If you enjoy urban fantasy, at all, I highly recommend The Hollows!

37 likes

CanteringWithSavvi

Keeper of the Lost Cities | Shannon Messenger

“I would rather be punished for making the right decision than live with the guilt of making the wrong one for the rest of my life.”
-Shannon Messenger (Keeper of the Lost Cities)

Jari-chan

Elf Defence | Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey

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Yes, alright, the plot may be ridiculous and the jokes are all dirty, but that's why I enjoyed it so much. I just need a good laugh every now and then, especially now in 2025. And the audiobook is so well done, I love Benji's voice, it's just so fitting. And who doesn't love anarchist elfes?

Deblovestoread Laughing is so important! 2mo

MemoirsForMe Love books that make us laugh out loud! 😄👍🏻 2mo

Jari-chan @Deblovestoread @MemoirsForMe Both times YES! 2mo

34 likes3 comments

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