Writing a review of a Terry Pratchett book at this date is, as author Tony Perrottet observed on a similar occasion, like writing a restaurant review of that quaint little cafe with the golden arches. But some may not know the best-selling U.K. comedy fantasy writer, and GUARDS,GUARDS makes a good introduction to his Discworld series.
A group of hooded conspirators plots to reestablish the defunct kingship of Ankh-Morpork. They plan to summon a dragon by illegal magic, and to control it while their puppet king makes it disappear. But the dragon can't be so quickly banished and attacks the city, soon crowning itself king.
The bedraggled City Watch has dwindled to four-their drunken captain, Sam Vimes, crass sergeant Fred Colon, runty “Nobby” Nobbs, and new recruit, Carrot, the two meter tall adopted dwarf who is keen to arrest anyone. Vimes can barely rouse himself to care about anything until the dragon threatens the city.
The four watchmen form allies: the orangutan librarian of Unseen University, furious over the stolen book of magic used to summon the dragon, and Lady Sybil Ramkin, an Wagnerian-sized aristocrat who breeds three-foot long swamp dragons, distantly related to their great cousins. This unlikely group of champions unite to vanquish the dragon before it crisps the city. Terry Pratchett recounts it all with his ironic wit and humor.
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