The Color of Magic

Author:  Terry Pratchett

Reading level:  Age 10 and up

Summary:

The Color of Magic is the first story in the series.  Rincewind is an unsuccessful wizard with only one spell in his head. A spell so powerful other spells run away. Twoflower is a tourist from a faraway land who wants to see the fabled city of Ankh Morpork.  He is appointed as guide and protector for the four-eyed tourist Twoflower.   Of course this being Rincewind and the world being the Disc, a nice leisurely stroll through the sights and sounds of Ankh Morpock are well near impossible. It’s more like a gallop.

As the story opens, Ankh-Morpork is in the process of burning to the ground, and Rincewind and Twoflower are fleeing to safety. Accompanied by a frightening piece of many-legged luggage, the two-some experiences one misadventure after another. They are threatened by thieves and magic spells, made pawns in a dice game of the gods, dogged by Death, chased by dragons around the upside-down mountain of Wyrmberg, and shipwrecked at the edge of Discworld. The end of the story leaves the reader hanging in midair, but don’t fuss - because there are many more volumes that follow in this richly creative and hilarious series.

Reviews:

I definitely recommend this book to people who love to read fantasy and possess even just some kind of humor. Pratchett targets this book to the absurd lunatic in us all.  He delivers a very silly, very satisfying story on a pretty platter called Discworld.  Pratchett involves the readers to the novel from the very first page with wild fantasy that make reader think it must be true.  Pratchett's writing style is both warm and intoxicating.  He has a very good sense of humor which reflects many times through the characters.

If you're a little mad at heart, love a new perspective on things and want to be thoroughly engaged in a genuinely fun read that you won't want to put down till it's finished (and the fact that it isn't written in chapters aids to this end) then this book is an absolute must. Thoroughly recommended!

Award:  2011 Margaret A. Edwards Award