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I Shall Wear Midnight
(Discworld #38)
by
It starts with whispers.
Then someone picks up a stone.
Finally, the fires begin.
When people turn on witches, the innocents suffer. . .
Tiffany Aching has spent years studying with senior witches, and now she is on her own. As the witch of the Chalk, she performs the bits of witchcraft that aren't sparkly, aren't fun, don't involve any kind of wand, and that people seldom ev ...more
Then someone picks up a stone.
Finally, the fires begin.
When people turn on witches, the innocents suffer. . .
Tiffany Aching has spent years studying with senior witches, and now she is on her own. As the witch of the Chalk, she performs the bits of witchcraft that aren't sparkly, aren't fun, don't involve any kind of wand, and that people seldom ev ...more
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Hardcover, 349 pages
Published
September 2nd 2010
by Doubleday Childrens
(first published January 1st 2010)
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Start your review of I Shall Wear Midnight (Discworld, #38; Tiffany Aching, #4)

I didn't become a Terry Pratchett fan until 2009. My twin sister told me numerous times that it would be a very good idea for me to read him. I do listen to my twin, it's just that particular urgency to heed her advice hinges on many factors: did she tell me too much (in the interest of fairness, I do this more to her than she does to me), was I feeling a loner and left out of hyper enthuasism... Probably that last one. Everything good about Terry Pratchet you've probably been told or read (or s
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Reading any Terry Pratchett Discworld novel has a smile-O-meter factor – while you read you are constantly smiling at his descriptions, references, allusions and turns of phrase. He is simply a very entertaining writer with a keen ability to tell a good story.
Add to this quality while reading his 38th Discworld book I Shall Wear Midnight (first published in 2010 and featuring recurring protagonist Tiffany Aching) the feeling that Pratchett’s narration is like a comforting blanket in which the r ...more
Add to this quality while reading his 38th Discworld book I Shall Wear Midnight (first published in 2010 and featuring recurring protagonist Tiffany Aching) the feeling that Pratchett’s narration is like a comforting blanket in which the r ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Re-read 7/29/20:
I jumped into the fire with Tiffany. :)
Run, rabbit, run!
Original Review:
Extremely enjoyable witch novel. This sub-branch of the whole disc-World always has the ability to make me giddy and giggly with the feeling that imminent practicality is the most magical skill in the world. It's a consistent feeling, of course, and not endemic to this novel. On the other hand, for all of the Aching novels that all appear to be about coming-to-age, there's a delightful variety in how one can ...more
I jumped into the fire with Tiffany. :)
Run, rabbit, run!
Original Review:
Extremely enjoyable witch novel. This sub-branch of the whole disc-World always has the ability to make me giddy and giggly with the feeling that imminent practicality is the most magical skill in the world. It's a consistent feeling, of course, and not endemic to this novel. On the other hand, for all of the Aching novels that all appear to be about coming-to-age, there's a delightful variety in how one can ...more

In this 38th Discworld novel, we once again meet Tiffany Aching. She’s the Chalk’s witch now and supported by the Nac Mac Feegle. However, lately, people have started criticizing her, daring to question what she does. Something unheard of. When the baron dies, Tiffany goes in search of the baron’s son (whom she saved a few books back) so he can take his dead father’s place (he’s away to buy stuff for his soon-to-be-wife).
Thus, she ends up in Ankh-Morpork of all places - and discovers that the s ...more
Thus, she ends up in Ankh-Morpork of all places - and discovers that the s ...more

I am used to Terry Pratchett making me laugh out loud when I read his books. Not cry like a baby! But he sure plays every heart string in this one, while all keeping the humor level just as high. Have loved Tiffany since he first book, it has been a priviledge watching her grow up. Only a slim few of Terry's books left to read... been straggling them out as you can only experience each of his books for the first time once and sadly there shall be no more...
...more

I seriously hate the thought of giving any books by Terry Pratchett less than 4 stars, but I had to do it for this one.
I read it twice. My original rating for this book was 3 stars and yep, it stays that way (though at one point I was tempted to downgrade). It was the weakest book of the Tiffany Aching-series .... well until The Shepherd's Crown was published anyway :( (That one made me infinitely unhappy not just because Sir Terry passed away, but because I found it so bad.)
This was definitely ...more
I read it twice. My original rating for this book was 3 stars and yep, it stays that way (though at one point I was tempted to downgrade). It was the weakest book of the Tiffany Aching-series .... well until The Shepherd's Crown was published anyway :( (That one made me infinitely unhappy not just because Sir Terry passed away, but because I found it so bad.)
This was definitely ...more

I Shall Wear Midnight: A Story of Discworld (Discworld Novels) 2011, January 1
Oh, goodness, how I loved this book. Wintersmith was okay, but this is fabulous. Tiffany's grown up some more, and now she's home on the chalk, where she's coming into her own as the local witch. Against that, there's someone stirring up witch-hunts again, and Roland has a girlfriend who's the daughter of a Duchess. And the Nac Mac Feegle are into everything, shouting Crivens! Delightful because it gets Tiffany back wh ...more
Oh, goodness, how I loved this book. Wintersmith was okay, but this is fabulous. Tiffany's grown up some more, and now she's home on the chalk, where she's coming into her own as the local witch. Against that, there's someone stirring up witch-hunts again, and Roland has a girlfriend who's the daughter of a Duchess. And the Nac Mac Feegle are into everything, shouting Crivens! Delightful because it gets Tiffany back wh ...more

This is more of the same for this subseries – which is a good thing! More adolescent witch adventures, more growing up too fast, more dry humor with teeth underneath.
Critics go on about how magic in fantasy novels is a metaphor for political power or social power or insert power here. Which is usually a really unsatisfying reading to me because fantasy novel magic is so often inborn, inexplicable, a random or genetic gift. Which is a good metaphor for social power, often, but it’s not very inter ...more
Critics go on about how magic in fantasy novels is a metaphor for political power or social power or insert power here. Which is usually a really unsatisfying reading to me because fantasy novel magic is so often inborn, inexplicable, a random or genetic gift. Which is a good metaphor for social power, often, but it’s not very inter ...more

I would read the phone book if Terry Pratchett wrote it. I have read all his books; including the ones for kids and young adults. I've given away a fortune in his YA and kids' books at schools.
I am only a short way into the book but it is already filled with Pratchett's signature wit and (yes) wisdom. No one uses the English language like Pratchett. If I sound like FanGirl, it's because I am, absolutely. Pratchett makes Tiffany "feel" like a real 16-year old girl; with all the confusion and ang ...more
I am only a short way into the book but it is already filled with Pratchett's signature wit and (yes) wisdom. No one uses the English language like Pratchett. If I sound like FanGirl, it's because I am, absolutely. Pratchett makes Tiffany "feel" like a real 16-year old girl; with all the confusion and ang ...more

I realized some ten pages into this book that I'd only ever read it once before, which is unusual for me; I go to Terry Pratchett's books in the times when I can't handle anything else. (This happens often.) It seemed appropriate, given that the US release of The Shepherd's Crown is Tuesday, and turned out to be exactly what I needed on a Sunday evening.
There were things I remembered: Tiffany's changed relationship with Roland, the Nac Mac Feegle in Ankh-Morpork, Letitia the very damp Duchess's ...more
There were things I remembered: Tiffany's changed relationship with Roland, the Nac Mac Feegle in Ankh-Morpork, Letitia the very damp Duchess's ...more

I don't find many books that I'd gladly give to my girl and say "this, this is what being human is". In the Tiffany Aching series, Pratchett nailed it and in this, the final book (which can be read alone), Pratchett nails the story too. The others have featured metaphors-come-to-life as antagonists, but they were very active antagonists. In this book, the antagonist is more in the background: he exists, there's pursuit, but it's all playing second fiddle to Tiffany's battle with her feelings and
...more

Oct 11, 2010
Carol
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
anglophiles, folklore fans, anyone who needs a good laugh, fans of the other Tiffany Aching books
Terry Pratchett is a genius! This book is the fourth in the Tiffany Aching Adventures, and my favorite so far, I think. Tiffany is a sixteen-year-old witch, self-assured and very wise beyond her years, yet still down to earth (or, in her case, chalk) and still sixteen. She is once again joined by her small, blue, kilted, ale-drinking, fist-fighting, hygienically challenged, oft-invisible clan of Nac Mac Feegles who provide the story's comic relief. Her nemesis this time is the Cunning Man--the p
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It is with some sadness that I finished this knowing that Sir Terry will not write any more Discworld books. He writes in the voice of a 16 year old witch so brilliantly. Although Tiffany Aching is trying very hard to be grown up, she has to keep telling herself she is the witch of the Chalk and the people rely on her to be their witch. But now is no time to be unsure of herself. Something black and evil is hunting her down and putting bad thoughts about witches into people's heads. Tiffany is s
...more


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 read ...more

Bah. Made me cry. Curse you Terry Pratchett!
Hat Made of Sky is still my favourite of the Tiffany Aching books, but I might even put this one second. The plot wasn't as tight as he (historically) has been capable of, and the menace of the villain didn't live up to its potential, quite. But there was so much other stuff here to love, and be moved by, and remind me of other things, that I didn't really care.
For the first half, seriously, I could only read about forty pages at a time because then I ...more
Hat Made of Sky is still my favourite of the Tiffany Aching books, but I might even put this one second. The plot wasn't as tight as he (historically) has been capable of, and the menace of the villain didn't live up to its potential, quite. But there was so much other stuff here to love, and be moved by, and remind me of other things, that I didn't really care.
For the first half, seriously, I could only read about forty pages at a time because then I ...more

I still feel weird putting these under the heading of "children’s books." They aren't, really, and never have been. Even when the main character was just a ten year old girl.
So. This is the last of the Tiffany Aching books and the last time we will ever hear of Granny Weatherwax or Nanny Ogg ever again, thanks to Mr. Pratchett's disease. I am given to understand that most of this book was, by necessity, dictated.
And it's not a bad book. Quite good, given the circumstances. But a lot of character ...more
So. This is the last of the Tiffany Aching books and the last time we will ever hear of Granny Weatherwax or Nanny Ogg ever again, thanks to Mr. Pratchett's disease. I am given to understand that most of this book was, by necessity, dictated.
And it's not a bad book. Quite good, given the circumstances. But a lot of character ...more

May 08, 2017
YouKneeK
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
completed-series,
fantasy
I Shall Wear Midnight is the fourth book in the Tiffany Aching subseries of Discworld.
In this story, there is an entity that is causing an increase of bigotry against witches, and naturally its prime target is Tiffany. The story was ok, but very short and the plot was pretty thin. The book was carried by the characters, who are all still a lot of fun. I liked that we got to spend a short amount of time in Ankh-Morpork, which isn’t a normal setting for the Tiffany books, and I especially liked t ...more
In this story, there is an entity that is causing an increase of bigotry against witches, and naturally its prime target is Tiffany. The story was ok, but very short and the plot was pretty thin. The book was carried by the characters, who are all still a lot of fun. I liked that we got to spend a short amount of time in Ankh-Morpork, which isn’t a normal setting for the Tiffany books, and I especially liked t ...more

4 1/2 stars. My objection to teenage marriage, even in a pseudo-18th century fantasyland, prevents me from finding this book perfect. But it's close.
I stalled a bit in getting to this one because it's the last* of the Tiffany Aching books, and I hate to see a good thing end (even though I can re-read the books at my leisure). Tiffany, as I've said in previous reviews, is a wonderful character. She's a far better person than I am, but somehow I relate to her--in part because she continually ends ...more
I stalled a bit in getting to this one because it's the last* of the Tiffany Aching books, and I hate to see a good thing end (even though I can re-read the books at my leisure). Tiffany, as I've said in previous reviews, is a wonderful character. She's a far better person than I am, but somehow I relate to her--in part because she continually ends ...more

Sometimes I feel like there's not enough joy left in the world. Then Sir Pratchett publishes another gem like this, and it makes me feel better.
Tiffany Aching is 16. In a world that looks a lot like our 19th century, that's taking the 'young' out of Young Adult. This is a book with genuine terror, truly adult situations, and more joy and laughter than you'll find almost anywhere.
Tiffany is now the true witch of her Chalk; she's bandaging wounds, helping the old and sick shuffle off their mortal ...more
Tiffany Aching is 16. In a world that looks a lot like our 19th century, that's taking the 'young' out of Young Adult. This is a book with genuine terror, truly adult situations, and more joy and laughter than you'll find almost anywhere.
Tiffany is now the true witch of her Chalk; she's bandaging wounds, helping the old and sick shuffle off their mortal ...more

This is my favorite Tiffany Aching story so far. The theme is witchhunts, evil and misunderstandings. Both Tiffany and Pratchett are at their full power and compassion. Tiffany finds her match. I loved the full compendium of witches that show up, and run-in with the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. All of it bathed in wise-cracks and hilarious observations, as usual. A new favorite!

I wrote this review ages ago, thought I'd share it here also!
It's quite ironic that I last reviewed Equal Rites, a milestone book in the series which focused on character development more than narrative and farce as the first two books. It also introduced the iconic 'Granny Weatherwax' who is something of the archetypal witch.
The irony is most significant in the fact that Equal Rites was all about a character called 'Eskarina Smith' a little girl who ends up becoming a wizard and eventually a wi ...more
It's quite ironic that I last reviewed Equal Rites, a milestone book in the series which focused on character development more than narrative and farce as the first two books. It also introduced the iconic 'Granny Weatherwax' who is something of the archetypal witch.
The irony is most significant in the fact that Equal Rites was all about a character called 'Eskarina Smith' a little girl who ends up becoming a wizard and eventually a wi ...more

I Shall Wear Midnight is supposedly that last novel about the young witch from the Chalk, Tiffany. In some ways that knowledge colors the book.
Tiffany has done with her education and is back home serving as the Chalk's witch. Sadly, strange things seem to be happening, more than just what happens with an senient cheese named Horace, a lawyer who is frog (but who can be paid in beetles) and the Feegles around.
In some ways, the novel feels like a good-bye, if not to the Disc than to Tiffany. This ...more
Tiffany has done with her education and is back home serving as the Chalk's witch. Sadly, strange things seem to be happening, more than just what happens with an senient cheese named Horace, a lawyer who is frog (but who can be paid in beetles) and the Feegles around.
In some ways, the novel feels like a good-bye, if not to the Disc than to Tiffany. This ...more

Pratchett-by-numbers, with nothing memorable or engaging to tie the plot around. Characters and subplots are added for no good reason and resolved without the slightest sign of conflict or character change, the antagonist is poorly defined and, in the end, despatched with such ease that it leaves the reader wondering just what the fuss was all about-- if this thing has been the scourge of witches throughout the centuries then the witches can't have been very good at what they do to have been bea
...more

I just love these books so much, great on audiobook too, so fun, so clever, and such great gems of wisdom woven right in...I highly recommend this YA series by Terry Pratchett, a sub-set within his larger Discworld, to readers of all ages. I'll be sad to finish the next and last one of this series, I'll miss Tiffany and her Wee Free Men. 💙
...more

I Shall Wear Midnight is Terry Pratchett's final book in the Tiffany Aching series. While clever, thoughtful, and well-constructed, it suffers from the same problem Pratchett has had in his other recent books: he has fallen too much in love with his characters to truly hurt them. Compared to the latent menace that suffused, for example, The Wee Free Men, we never feel here that Tiffany is at any risk that she can't overcome through prodigious application of witch-bourne moxie. This is a drawback
...more

3.5 stars ! No, I'm not going to round it up . Very enjoyable though and I loved the epilogue . Classic Terry !
...more

A bit too mature in content, compared to the first three books.
While some old characters did reappear, I was disappointed we didn't see more, like Annagramma. ...more
While some old characters did reappear, I was disappointed we didn't see more, like Annagramma. ...more

How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags? What is't you do?
-- Macbeth IV/1
Terry Pratchett is full of surprises. Because this, the fourth in the Tiffany Aching series of Discworld novels, is marketed as 'for younger readers' one might not anticipate that this is considerably darker than its predecessors, despite the expected humour and wit. And yet, with Tiffany being fifteen going on sixteen, perhaps with her growing maturity a more realistic view of what's possible in Discworld is inevitab ...more

This was my favorite read in the Tiffany Aching series so far. I thought The Wee Free Men would always be my favorite, but this was just as incredible, just as funny, had more fun character editions, & explored different topics. loved how the writing aged in maturity with Tiffany being a teenager in this book. The topics Pratchett chose to write about were serious & a bit dark, but well-explained for a young crowd. He wrote about alcoholism, domestic abuse, & forced miscarriages. This was a tale
...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Play Book Tag: I Shall Wear Midnight / Terry Pratchett. 3.5 stars | 1 | 11 | Jun 15, 2019 04:18PM | |
How to replace Pratchett? | 4 | 32 | Jun 02, 2018 09:51PM | |
Discworld: I Shall Wear Midnight Read Along Part III | 12 | 45 | Nov 11, 2013 04:25PM | |
Discworld: I Shall Wear Midnight Read Along Part II | 3 | 25 | Oct 21, 2013 08:28AM | |
Discworld: I Shall Wear Midnight Read Along Part I | 1 | 22 | Oct 07, 2013 07:28AM |
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
Terry worked for many years as a journalist and press officer, writing in his spare time and publishing a number of novels, i ...more
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