Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Wintersmith (Discworld, #35; Tiffany Aching, #3)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Wintersmith

(Discworld #35)

Terry Pratchett

4.24 · Rating details · 51,394 ratings · 1,754 reviews

Tiffany Aching is a trainee witch — now working for the seriously scary Miss Treason. But when Tiffany witnesses the Dark Dance — the crossover from summer to winter — she does what no one has ever done before and leaps into the dance. Into the oldest story there ever is. And draws the attention of the Wintersmith himself.

As Tiffany-shaped snowflakes hammer down on the lan

...more

Get A Copy

Hardcover, 325 pages

Published October 1st 2006 by HarperTempest (first published September 21st 2006)

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Wintersmith, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Best of Discworld!

83 books — 932 voters

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Best Kick-Ass Female Characters From YA and Children's Fantasy and Science Fiction

2,713 books — 8,574 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.24 ·

Rating details

· 51,394 ratings · 1,754 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Wintersmith (Discworld, #35; Tiffany Aching, #3)

Jul 29, 2009 Nicholas Karpuk rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: young adults, Pratchett fans, fantasy readers, you

I physically twitch in the presence of cheap irony. You know the sort of lazy humor, like saying it's weird that a cop hates donuts, or acting surprised that a jock is smart. The sort of glib, lazy attempts at humor and cleverness that usually make it on to bumper stickers just makes me cringe. It's the same school of humor as people who put, "My other car is a broomstick" on their bumpers.

When Terry Pratchett started the witch series in the Discworld universe I considered that as close as the w I physically twitch in the presence of cheap irony. You know the sort of lazy humor, like saying it's weird that a cop hates donuts, or acting surprised that a jock is smart. The sort of glib, lazy attempts at humor and cleverness that usually make it on to bumper stickers just makes me cringe. It's the same school of humor as people who put, "My other car is a broomstick" on their bumpers.

When Terry Pratchett started the witch series in the Discworld universe I considered that as close as the witty, funny man would ever get to that sort of humor. Turning the fairytale villain into the shamans of the mountain towns had that vibe of lazy irony (I'm looking squarely at you, Wicked the Musical), but being Pratchett, he made a good story out of it just the same.

The reason the witch books never grabbed me had a lot to do with the main characters. They were very interesting but poor entry point for the reader. One main witch, Granny Weatherwax, is probably one of my favorite characters in Discworld, but she's smart, brutal, and rather unknowable, making her a poor protagonist in many ways. Nanny Ogg isn't much better, though her character is amusing.

Through the earlier books Pratchett tried more than one third witch (because that how it works, Macbeth style), but he never seemed satisfied enough with the dynamic to keep using it.

The fact that three Tiffany Aching stories have already been written indicate something that's clearly working for him, and I personally think it's some of his best writing to date.

Tiffany is a pretty astute choice in protagonist. She's bright, inquisitive, and annoyed when people don't give her the information she's asking for. I imagine this is highly relatable to many of Pratchett's fans, myself included.

What really impresses me is how the stakes keep getting raised over the books. In "Wintersmith" Tiffany makes a mistake that draws the attention of the elemental who controls winter. The beauty in this is that it's not the sort of plot motivating accidents and serendipity guiding series like Harry Potter, where characters are essentially powerless and shuttled through circumstances beyond their control. This entire story comes about because Tiffany screws up and must deal with the consequences.

The atmosphere in this story is some of Pratchett's best, with a depiction of the mountain towns so vivid you can almost feel the cold and the rustling of wind through leaves. Having a antagonist who freezes everything to the point of collapse works quite well with this, giving the book a truly powerful sense of dread.

What I like best about the Aching books as a whole is that they're a seldom talked about discussion of responsibility. The witches are essentially the last line of defense when things go wrong for these people, they're the justice in a cruel world, so for them saying, "it's not fair," is unnacceptable. Having control means fighting for fairness and losing the ability to whine about it.

Few young adult books address themes as deep and meaningful as this, and almost none with such humor and warmth. Though, come to think of it, most books in general don't, making it a truly rare accomplishment. ...more

flag 64 likes · Like · see review

Apr 02, 2017 Lyn rated it liked it

A very original Discworld story, this one the third in the Tiffany Aching sub-series.

First published in 2006 and the 35th in the Discworld bibliography, Terry Pratchett describes Tiffany as a young witch still in training but coming into herself and setting her sights on the kind of witch she will be (and not always in serviceable black.) As in others in this sub-series, the juxtaposition between Tiffany and the other witches (particularly Granny Weatherwax) makes this fun. Old Miss Treason (who ...more

flag 47 likes · Like · see review

Apr 30, 2020 Trish rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

It could be a nice spring day, here as well as on the Discworld ... if it wasn't for the Wintersmith (Winter personified) being in love with our favourite teenage witch. Why? Because she danced with him. And it turns out the Wintersmith is a romantic.

Tiffany is 13 years old by now and Miss Treason’s apprentice witch for now. (view spoiler) The It could be a nice spring day, here as well as on the Discworld ... if it wasn't for the Wintersmith (Winter personified) being in love with our favourite teenage witch. Why? Because she danced with him. And it turns out the Wintersmith is a romantic.

Tiffany is 13 years old by now and Miss Treason’s apprentice witch for now. (view spoiler) The book is therefore not just about Tiffany and the whole romantic-gestures-killing-people-coldly bit but also about Tiffany's lessons and her relationship with other witches such as Miss Tick or Granny or ...
So we have The Chalk and Tiffany's family and village treating the girl like, well, their witch. We have the other young / apprentice witches. We have the adult witches (Nanny, too, yay!). We have the Nac Mac Feegles and their loyalty to the "Young Hag", which often isn't what you might expect loyalty to look like. *lol* We have Horace, who was a fantastic and hilarious addition to the cast, as well as a white kitten adorable enough to melt even Granny's heart (she'll deny that, of course).
And then, yes, there is a romance bit because this is a bit YoungAdult-ish by heart and therefore depicts a girl's way of growing up and the feelings that might awaken - especially in spring. I didn't mind that at all though as it was very uniquely done what with the special snowflakes (BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA) and other gifts. Who would have thought that Winter would try to impress and melt someone's heart like that.

Then there are the lessons in magic and headology that were once again Sir Terry's enchanting take on witchcraft that always makes me sigh contently as well as some bits of our world’s mythology strewn in for good measure (Discworld-style, of course).

No need to further elaborate on the impeccable writing, I guess, but that has never stopped me from pointing out that it simultaneously delights and makes you laugh and points to all the annoying real-life issues, holding up a cold mirror to society. Here, we thus get a good long look at human emotions, superstition, sheep-mentality vs. self-reliance, cats, taking responsibility for one’s actions and choices and facing the consequences, age and, ultimately, dying.
Moreover, in this sub-series, it’s also obvious that Sir Terry knew about the problems in most books of the YA genre and liked to make fun of and play around with them (see my earlier comment about special snowflakes). *lol*
Most importantly, though, it’s the author coming to terms with his diagnosis of early-onset-Alzheimer’s ahead of him going public with it and it was heartbreaking to read in hindsight.

I knew this would be a wonderful addition to the series, but I wasn't prepared for just how hard-hitting it would turn out to be despite it not being as strong as some other volumes in the social commentary. Moreover, it more than made up for it with the warm feeling I always get when Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax are around and here, they were greatly accompanied by Greebo and the Nac Mac Feels. Besides, I REALLY like the witch Tiffany is turning into though I know where it’ll lead. ...more

flag 47 likes · Like · see review

Jul 21, 2015 Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-this-instead, fantasy, raging-hormones, steampunk, subtly-snarky-narrator, the-city, the-snow, winter, winter-magic, organic-fantasy

Tiffany Aching is nearly thirteen years old and enduring her toughest apprenticeship yet. Miss Treason lives in a lonely cottage on the forested mountainside; she’s blind and deaf and 113 years old, and “borrows” the eyes and ears of the creatures around her to see and hear better than those who rely on their own senses. She decorates her house with gruesome, stereotypical witch memorabilia to intimidate her visitors. Most girls don’t last a day serving Miss Treason. Tiffany has been there over ...more

flag 44 likes · Like · see review

Oct 12, 2013 Kalin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed-in-english

13 March 2015:

To one of my dads in spirit:

We remember you.

And then one day a traveling teacher (...) talked about how some wizards had once, using very skillful magic, worked out exactly what a human being was made of. It was mostly water, but there were iron and brimstone and soot and a pinch of just about everything else, even a tiny amount of gold, but all cooked up together somehow.

It made as much sense to Tiffany as anything else did. But she was certain of this: If you took all that stuff

...more

flag 33 likes · Like · see review

Mar 26, 2013 Bradley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-shelf, fantasy, ya

How very, very interesting.

When I read these novels the first time, I never paid much attention to anything over and above the worldbuilding or character development going on across all the novels or within individual ones. And honestly, that IS enough, with all the humor, classy fantasy, and heart going on.

In this novel, we have the classic tale of Orpheus and Euridice and/or Persephone and Hades. It's winter and summer, yo! But with Tiffany Aching doing a bit of a dance and having to deal with ...more

flag 28 likes · Like · see review

Sep 09, 2019 Algernon (Darth Anyan) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019

“Our kelda is havin’ dreams. Dreams o’ the future. Dreams o’ the hills all froze an’ everyone deid an’ the big wee hag wearin’ a crown o’ ice!”
“My goodness!”
“Aye, an’ there wuz more! She saw a green tree growin’ in a land o’ ice! She saw a ring o’ iron! She saw a man with a nail in his heart! She saw a plague o’ chickens an’ a cheese that walks like a man!”

Crivens! I can’t give anything less than five stars for a story about the ‘big wee hag’, Tiffany Aching. She is one of the best characters ...more

flag 21 likes · Like · see review

May 19, 2007 Res rated it liked it

Shelves: locus_poll, sff, kidlets-favorites

The third book involving Tiffany Aching and the Nac Mac Feegles -- the one where Tiffany dances with the Wintersmith and gets herself into the middle of the ancient romance of summer and winter.

I love the witches, and I love the Feegles, and I love Tiffany, and it's always a pleasure to spend time with them. And yay for Roland growing up. And I loved the subplot involving Miss Treason and the slight improvement in Annagramma.

Having said that, I had serious problems with this book.

The most criti ...more

flag 20 likes · Like · see review

May 09, 2012 Clouds rated it really liked it

Shelves: discworld, fantasy, reviewed, read-in-2012, locus-ya, young-adult, pub-2000s

Following the resounding success of my Locus Quest, I faced a dilemma: which reading list to follow it up with? Variety is the spice of life, so I’ve decided to diversify and pursue six different lists simultaneously. This book falls into my LOCUS Y-A list.

I think I’ll always have a soft-spot for imaginative young-adult speculative fiction and as the good people at Locus did such a grand job with picking their Sci-Fi winners, I’ll trust them to single out some special y-a books too.

I remembe ...more

flag 15 likes · Like · see review

Apr 19, 2015 Lindsay rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, humor, fantasy

Part of the Pratchett reread with the SpecFic Buddy Reads group in 2020.

Tiffany Aching is now around thirteen and an apprentice witch to the ancient Miss Treason. When Miss Treason takes Tiffany to see the dance that marks the beginning of Winter (the silent Dark Morris), Tiffany feels compelled to join the dance in the hole that seems to be there for her. Which is a terrible mistake, because now the Wintersmith is paying her attention and Tiffany may be now a key part of the oldest story of all ...more

flag 15 likes · Like · see review

Jul 30, 2018 Joey Woolfardis rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: bairns, ahreet, sterling, bookshelf, goblins, 2018, pterry

First read: 13th June, 2013. 3 stars.
Second read: 30th July, 2018. 3 stars.

Tiffany's third outing in the Discworld series sees her a couple of years older and learning her witchcraft from another old witch, this time one who appears to be a bit more "witch-y" than any of the others. She wears black, has a predominantly black house full of cobwebs and strikes fear in to the hearts of those she helps.

Whilst Tiffany may be older, she's also now a teenager, which brings with it all sorts of complica ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Dec 22, 2018 Julie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

A lighthearted and fun entry in the Discworld series providing several hours of entertaining listening. However, I didn't engage with it in quite the same way as some of the others, and while I loved the narrator's voice, I did not enjoy the unnecessary and odd choice of interval music that played at the beginning and end of each disc.

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Aug 09, 2010 Nicole rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: everyone

Shelves: fairytale-myth-legend, satire, five-stars

Another case of feeling whatever I could write in praise of this would be insufficient, so I'll just be brief in my Pratchett-worship.
This is yet another fantastic Tiffany adventure, deceptively simple in some ways, very complicated and profound in others. The Wintersmith is both frightening and something to feel a bit sorry for. What it really takes to be a witch is the same thing it takes to be a responsible human being of any type--it's just the various embellishments that change people's pe ...more

flag 10 likes · Like · see review

May 05, 2014 Charity rated it really liked it

Pratchett is a wordsmith. He creates a divine world into which he spins his stories... stories of magic, where seasons have personalities and can become ... almost human. This is the case of the Wintersmith, when young witch Tiffany Aching leaps into the midst of the winter dance and takes the place of Summer. Wintersmith is captivated by her and wants to become human so as to be with her. He starts courting her with wintery magic, including millions of little Tiffany snowflakes. But as Granny W ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Apr 19, 2017 YouKneeK rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, completed-series

Wintersmith is the third book in the Tiffany Aching subseries of Discworld. In this book, Tiffany has made a mistake that has put not only herself but also everybody she knows, and a whole bunch of people she doesn’t know, in danger.

There really isn’t too much I can say about this book that I haven’t already said about the previous two. I’m still really enjoying the series, and I still really like the characters in it. In this book, two of my favorite characters from previous books got a decent ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Jan 22, 2018 Len Evans Jr rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: owned

What more can one say when your reviewing a book written by a master at the height of his craft? First off I have to say that I have yet to read a Discworld novel that I did not adore. Terry Pratchett was a treasure and has allowed me so so many hours of pleasure, laughing my way through book after book. I have read quite a few of his books more than once and enjoyed them each and ever time. I only have a few left that I have not read and have sorta put off reading all of them just because once ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Dec 17, 2014 Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Published: 27/09/2007
Author: Terry Pratchett
Recommended for: fans of fantasy novels

This is another amazing book in the Discworld series (number 35), in this book we meet the character Tiffany Aching. She is a really wonderful, likeable and funny character who adds a great amount of fun to the novel. In this book we go on the adventure with her when the spirit of winter (the wintersmith) falls in love with her! If she doesnt figure out a way to deal with him there will never be spring again, howe ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Dec 30, 2019 Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) rated it it was amazing

Well anyone who knows me will know that I absolutely adore Terry Pratchett, his writing style just captures me right from the very first word. With this being a young adult book it does mean that it has chapters (yes!) but it really doesn't feel like a young adult book when reading it, it could very easily be one of the Discworld series without it also being one of the young adult Tiffany Aching series.

I will admit I think that the Wintersmith was incredibly sweet! Oh and the Nac Mac Feegles wil ...more

flag 10 likes · Like · see review

Dec 13, 2013 Martyn Stanley rated it it was amazing

Well I've always been a Pratchett fan and I've always loved Tiffany Aching. I think the same is true for my daughter now too! Before I get stuck into the nitty-gritty of the review, the quick, obligatory plug: I don't just read I write. Mainly fantasy with a bit of old English folklore on the side. Most people who read my books enjoy them. If you're looking for something a bit different to read in the fantasy genre - check them out:-

Lady Death (Deathsworn Arc Book 0) by Martyn Stanley

The Last Dragon Slayer (Deathsworn Arc, #1) by Martyn Stanley

The Verkreath Horror (Deathsworn Arc, #2) by Martyn Stanley

The Blood Queen (Deathsworn Arc, #3) by Martyn Stanley

Rise of the Archmage (Deathsworn Arc, #4) by Martyn Stanley

The Temple of the Mad God (Deathsworn Arc, #5) by Martyn Stanley

Return of the Worm Slayer (The Lambton Worm #2) by Martyn Stanley

Right! That's that out o ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Jan 11, 2017 Jane Lebak rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The third book in the Tiffany Aching stories is better than the second and remedies the gaps present in the first book, although I think 1 and 3 are probably about tied in terms of craft and execution.

My BIG gripe with this book is the setup. There was no reason for Miss Treason not to tell Tiffany what the dance was at the start. Tiffany reacted by instinct to a situation for which she was unprepared, and then she spent the rest of the book accepting personal responsibility for the havoc that r ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Nov 11, 2011 Shovelmonkey1 rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-fantastic, brain-fluff

I read this a long time ago, but not as long ago as I read all the preceding Pratchetts. Yes. I love all things Pratchett (mostly) and have accumulated an extensive Pratchett archive since about the age of thirteen. Sadly most of these books have been tucked away in my parents attic for the last twelve years but the wonder of encountering the Discworld has never been forgotten.

I've read all of the Tiffany Aching series, including the Wee Free Men. Thinking back now, I can't really remember a lo ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Jun 03, 2009 Kaethe Douglas rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, gods, middle-grade, mythology, beloved, strong-smart-female-protagonist, feminism, adventure, fiction, humor

2007 October 2

I love Pratchett's Tiffany and the Nac Mac Feegle. I'm a little sorry to see her growing up. Nonetheless, I appreciate the way her problems and tactics change as she grows up. She's a believable 13-year-old witch, which is a tough trick indeed.

***

2010 November 16

As Tiffany grows older, the books become more complex in structure. I'd definitely encourage a child reading them to read them in order, which I wouldn't say about the Discworld series over all.

***
2014 August 8

I get more ou ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Jan 23, 2018 Denise rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018

The wee Big Hag and feagles!

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Jul 03, 2019 Ric rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019-reading-challenge, own

4.5 stars, but I’m rounding up because it very well could be 5. The Tiffany Aching books are marketed as the YA entries to Discworld, but they don’t feel like it. Tiffany is an amazing protagonist that feels much older than she is because of all that she’s experienced. She’s clever and self-assured, and has that sense of responsibility that feels like it’s way beyond her years. She’s the main reason that this series is so good, but the side characters like the Nac Mac Feegle are fantastic as wel ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Jun 09, 2010 Althea Ann rated it liked it

As with most of Pratchett's books, I found 'Wintersmith' to be extremely entertaining, but not exceptional. Unlike many of the Discworld books, this novel will definitely be helped along if you've read some of the previous books in the series that deal with the same characters (The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky).
I've read the first, but not the second.
The story deals with the teenage apprentice witch, Tiffany Aching, who is helped/hindered by her friends the Nac Mac Feegles (blue, Scottish-fla ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Apr 08, 2017 La La rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: on-my-kindle, want-physical-shelf, blog-highlights, read-discworld

This is my favorite title of the four Pratchett's I have read! Now if anyone asks me where to start reading the series, I will say with the Tiffany Aching arc. This is very YA readership friendly, too. I buddy read this with Annemieke from A DANCE WITH BOOKS, and we are already planning on buddy reading I Shall Wear Midnight next month. We have to get our Tiffany fix!

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

May 10, 2019 Shiloah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019-personal-reading-challenge, young-adult, fantasy

Lovely. Just lovely. The creativity of Pratchett keeps me smiling.

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Aug 30, 2012 Christopher rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Wintersmith is the third in Pratchetts sub series about Tiffany Aching and sees her growing up rapidly as she rapidly catches the attention of the Wintersmith when she jumps in quite unexpectedly amongst black garbed Morris Dancers and at the same time putting Summers (the elemental! :D Lol ) nose out of joint! :D Hijinks insure as the Wintersmith attempts to win her heart and proverbially and literally freeze it and the world but luckily Tiffany has her back up in the form of the of the Nac Mac Wintersmith is the third in Pratchetts sub series about Tiffany Aching and sees her growing up rapidly as she rapidly catches the attention of the Wintersmith when she jumps in quite unexpectedly amongst black garbed Morris Dancers and at the same time putting Summers (the elemental! :D Lol ) nose out of joint! :D Hijinks insure as the Wintersmith attempts to win her heart and proverbially and literally freeze it and the world but luckily Tiffany has her back up in the form of the of the Nac Mac Feegles, Horace the Sentient Blue Cheese and her fellow witches! :D

Throughout the characterisation and humour is spot on with little anecdotes and running gags running throughout the book not to mention jokes that have started in previous books suddenly getting a humourous resurgence such as the witches antics involving free food and certain appetites and Weatherwax's feline companion! :D Lol At the same time the story firmly puts us in the shoes of Tiffany as she juggles everything that is going on as well as getting the other young witches as they are forced to help out Annagramma following her taking on a cottage and getting her face porcine patient stuck up a tree! :D This is also another running gag throughout the book that is used to great effect with Weatherwax being the master strategist behind events and Tiffany promises vengeance showing that they both have some very similar personality traits once again! :D

All the other characters, and returning ones, all get some time on print as well with the Feegles and Horace in competition with You the cat to steal the show as well as the witches with Nanny Ogg making everyone blush and Feegles green with envy at her managing to stick fifteen han rolls up her leg! :D This all add to an extremely feel good book with book with one funny instance sliding into another Tiffany's privacy notices comes to mind as well as a certain Goddess of Stuck draws! :D Lol We also get to see more of Roland as he and Tiffany are busily writing to each other while he holds out against his greedy thieving aunts something that is left undecided at the end but has Feegle intervention written all over it! :D

The book though throughout though never fails to have some observations on humanity, Elementals and assorted creatures with are very concise and drive points home though which will have you laughing and agreeing with in equal term which gives Wintersmith a very considered tone as well aminst all the antics and adventures that are taking place which gives the writing those tines we have come to expect but at the same time staying fresh and vivid! :D

Wintersmith is a real Rollercoaster of a ride which set things up for future adventures as well as setting Tiffany and various characters into new positions and is full of breakneck adventure and heroics and ends with Feegles taking on the most Heroic thing they can come up with and and a very funny note at the end! :D Crivens brilliant, humorous, fast paced and highly recommended! :D ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Oct 27, 2009 Moira Russell added it

Shelves: 2009-50-new-books-challenge

I'm trying to write reviews again, instead of just ratings and status updates -- my problem is I always want to write The Exhaustive Review, and so wind up writing none. UH WHOOPS. I figure I'll start small with this book.

I had real difficulty getting into the story -- I didn't like the tone of the combined narrative voice/Tiffany's thoughts very much (it felt sort of simultaneously dumbed-down and punched-up for the YA market, and I missed the usual sarcastic undercutting tone of the footnotes) I'm trying to write reviews again, instead of just ratings and status updates -- my problem is I always want to write The Exhaustive Review, and so wind up writing none. UH WHOOPS. I figure I'll start small with this book.

I had real difficulty getting into the story -- I didn't like the tone of the combined narrative voice/Tiffany's thoughts very much (it felt sort of simultaneously dumbed-down and punched-up for the YA market, and I missed the usual sarcastic undercutting tone of the footnotes). Perhaps because this is the third book of a trilogy? and I hadn't read the first or second books (I know, I know. But the first Discworld book I read was Night Watch! and I didn't really read a lot of the rest in sequence. I think this is one of the few series where that actually works). I....really didn't like Tiffany as a character that much. I liked her interactions with Nanny and Granny, altho Nanny seemed terribly PG and Granny a lot more manipulative than usual....well, no, Granny's very manipulative, something about it just left a bad taste in my mouth here (and possibly it was supposed to). I did like the points made in other good reviews, that the Tiffany books are largely about responsibility, that Granny tests Tiffany possibly as a successor, and there are many and varied older female characters. A lot of the writing at sentence-level style is very good, there are striking and lovely images that turn into almost extended meditations on the book's themes, and I loved Miss Treason and You and Roland. But the book didn't really click for me enjoyably until about the last thirty or forty pages. (My very favourite part was Roland and the Feegles in the Underworld, especially when they started singing 'row row row your boat....') Perhaps part of the problem for me is that Wintersmith and Summer were, by definition, rather empty elemental archetypes. There are many charming and hilarious bits, but for some reason it just didn't all jell into a whole for me, and I never warmed* to it.

Also, altho this is possibly very superficial, it bothered me that it was divided into chapters -- I got used to Discworld books just sucking me away into the world of the story and not spitting me back out til the tale was done, and altho Pratchett used narrative convention very skilfully (after umpty-ump very good books, he'd better), it just jarred on me constantly.

Also also, I am the girl with a splinter of ice** in her heart, because I am apparently the one person on the planet who found Horace tiresome rather than amusing.

*Yes, I did that on purpose.

**Yes, I also did that on purpose. ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Apr 13, 2018 R.F. Gammon rated it really liked it

I remember very much enjoying this book <3 ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
2015 Reading Chal...: Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett	5	63	Apr 12, 2015 05:44PM
Discworld: Wintersmith Read Along Part III	1	17	Sep 30, 2013 08:33AM
Discworld: Wintersmith Read Along Part II	1	17	Sep 23, 2013 07:07AM
Discworld: Wintersmith Read Along Part I	1	22	Sep 16, 2013 07:28AM
Discworld: Tiffany Aching Read Along - Books 3 & 4	4	32	Sep 11, 2013 05:32AM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Fantasy

3,584 users

Young Adult

696 users

Fiction

669 users

Humor

467 users

Fantasy > Magic

144 users

Humor > Comedy

139 users

Science Fiction Fantasy

123 users

Paranormal > Witches

115 users

Audiobook

109 users

Childrens

98 users

See top shelves…

About Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett

34,544 followers

Born Terence David John Pratchett, Sir Terry Pratchett sold his first story when he was thirteen, which earned him enough money to buy a second-hand typewriter. His first novel, a humorous fantasy entitled The Carpet People, appeared in 1971 from the publisher Colin Smythe.

Terry worked for many years as a journalist and press officer, writing in his spare time and publishing a number of novels, i ...more

Other books in the series

Discworld (1 - 10 of 41 books)

Books by Terry Pratchett

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

The Color of Magic (Discworld, #1; Rincewind, #1)

Guards! Guards! (Discworld, #8; City Watch #1)

Equal Rites (Discworld, #3; Witches, #1)

More…

Interview with Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter

Visit another world with just the flick of a switch! The fantasy wizard and science fiction expert team up for The Long Earth, a novel about infini...

Trivia About Wintersmith (Disc...

4 trivia questions

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Wintersmith

“The trouble is you can shut your eyes but you can’t shut your mind.” — 429 likes

“This I choose to do. If there is a price, this I choose to pay. If it is my death, then I choose to die. Where this takes me, there I choose to go. I choose. This I choose to do.” — 403 likes

More quotes…