A delight and a wonderful introduction the the witches in the Discworld. Terry Pratchett is always a pleasure to read.

Terry Pratchett sure was a master of words, no question about that. This book is hilarious, funny and absolutely undoubtedly brilliant. There isn’t a single page within this book which doesn’t contain something completely unexpected, utterly absurd and fantastic. You never know what to expect when reading a book written by Terry Pratchett because there’s always things that will blow your mind, no matter how prepared you may consider yourself to be.

I don’t really know what else to say, the book pretty much speaks for itself, except for this: If you haven’t read this book yet, you should definitely read it. Like now. I mean it. You really don’t want to miss out on the journey this book and series as a whole takes you on.

Speaking of other books, while the Discworld novels definitely can be read in whatever order you’d like, I really recommend to read them in the order they were published because there are quite a few easter eggs throughout the book you’d miss out on otherwise.

I don’t really know where to start with this book to be honest and while it wasn’t quite how I expected, I’m really glad I gave this book a go. Lakesedge tells an interesting story with a somewhat expected story line while also containing some some more or less unexpected surprises. The writing is beautiful and lyrical in a way you don’t see very often and it really manages to set the tone for the book.
I was intrigued by the synopsis and when I began reading the actual book, the story pulled me in immediately.
However, I regret to say the story somewhat lacking towards the end. It got a little too complicated/took too many turns which made the book drag a bit. This is the reason why I don’t really know what to think about this book. Because I really did like the first half or so of the book but on the other hand, I expected this book to be more as a whole.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t read the book. Quite the opposite actually; you should definitely give this a go! Lakesedge is definitely worth it and who knows, maybe you find this book to be everything you wanted it to be?

***I received an ebook version of this book through NetGalley (thank you so much Transworld Publishers) in exchange for a honest review.***

Of all Pratchett’s books, I think this one has aged less well than some of the others. I would point out that I actually find the wizards boring in their own books because I just don’t want to read about bureaucrats. This is tackling whether or not a woman can be a wizard. Obviously it’s more nuanced than that – it’s Pratchett, of course it’s nuanced. But this is a light, amusing read which pales in my opinion against some of his other books.

In Ankh Morpork is the Unseen University and therein exists the library. And the library has power because of that concentration of spell books.

When I had the opportunity to get 8 books in the Discworld for review, they sat on my phone exuding the power of the Unseen University's library. Having read them all I think I shall review them in the order of the series although, as the author says, all the books can be read stand-alone.

Esk is about to be born the eighth son of an eighth son, and a wizard visits the household and bequeaths his staff to the child before dying just minutes later. But Esk is a girl and girls cannot be wizards - it's a rule apparently.

When Esk starts to display powers beyond her family's understanding she is sent to... Yes, Granny Weatherwax!, for education and training as a witch. But this proves too little - Esk is too uncontrolled - so she must break the glass ceiling and go to the Unseen University for training. But Archchancellor Ridcully believes the ceiling is unbreakable glass. But it's also the first time he meets Granny Weatherwax.

I still have 17 to read in the series but one thing that surprises me is that over the writing of 41 books you feel that the characters remain unchanged throughout the series. The first time we meet Granny she's the same grouchy, crotchety old witch who doesn't abuse the immense power with which she is given by Pratchett, as she is in the last. (The books I haven't read are dotted throughout the series)

A really great read once again and created in ebook format with all the accuracy in presentation you would get from a hard copy. Light hearted, laugh out loud at times but also often examining social issues in a fantasy setting.

Book three of the Discworld series, and book one of The Witches subseries.

This is a brilliant place to start Pratchett. He finds his stride and full sense of humour and pace in this novel, not to say the first two books are bad...but definitely not an example of how the series is as a whole (this one also could do with some smoothing down of the edges). I think you get that here (and moreso in book #4 but that's another story!).

Granny Weatherwax is one of my favourite characters of Pratchett, and in the general world of fiction. I sort of view this as her origin story and prologue of her character in later books (and she's not even the protagonist!).

A feminist, witchy, funny tale that I love and could recommend to any fantasy dabbler.

Another solid from Prachett. I find it hard to be impartial with his work because I do just love the world and his writing style.

This book is the first of the the Witches subseries of the discworld, a prologue to all the other witch stories. If you don't start with the Mort, start with this one. I personally like some of the later Witches novels more, but one has to start somewhere, and this is a really good starting point.

I first read these as a teenager and this is the first of my beloved ‘witches’ books, I am very biased as Granny Weatherwax is my favourite just behind Death but only a smidgeon. The plot is hilarious but also Pratchetts commentary on equality , feminism and the patriarchy, I love his writing so much and every book is so clever, he teaches while making you laugh, is never condescending or preachy. Esk is meant to be the heir, but Esk is a girl which means she can't be a wizard. Wizarding is a for men and women have to be witches. So my beloved Granny Weatherwax takes on the education of Esk with much hilarity. These are great books which I thoroughly recommend to everyone (regularly)

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

It's the first book of the Witches sub-series of the Discworld novels. It's basically a prologue to all the other Witch novels, including the Tiffany Aching series.

The title of the book is a pun at "Equal Rights" - yes, I know you knew that. The story of the book is about a young girl who wants to join the all male Unseen University to become the first female wizard. Sounds trope-y, but it's the way Sir Terry spins this yarn and sets the scene for all the Witch novels to come that makes this a classic.

If you are new to the Discworld: What are you waiting for? There is no better time than now to read this and then read the other novels in the Discworld series.

If you are a seasoned "Discworldian" - How about a re-read? How about gifting this book to all your friends who haven't read it yet?

trigger warning
<spoiler> misogyny, being posessed</spoiler>

As he knows he's dying, a mage bequests his staff to the seventh son of a seventh son. Only this is Discworld, so he's the eight son of an eight son. Only... he is a girl.

This being one of the first Discworld novels, this doesn't have the superb writing I associate with his later novels, but the ideas are still great. It's a "what if" that turns old lore on it's head, and tries to find a way from theory to praxis.

Eskarina Smith has this staff, so she needs to be trained. Of course, the local witch senses something's afoot, but her magic is inherently different from what they teach at the Unseen University. Something has to be done.

Equal Rites would be a great point to start your reading, but again, Pterry wrote for literally decades and he learned a lot, so if you don't get on with the writing, try a newer one.

The arc was provided by the publisher.

‘But the fact is that if you use magic you draw attention to yourself. From Them. They watch the world all the time. Ordinary minds are just vague to them, they hardly bother with them, but a mind with magic in it shines out, you see, it’s a beacon to them. It’s not darkness that calls Them, it’s light, light that creates the shadows!’ - Granny Weatherwax

My thanks to Random House U.K. Transworld for a digital review copy via NetGalley of ‘Equal Rites’ by Terry Pratchett in exchange for an honest review.

‘Equal Rites’ was originally published in 1987 and is Book 3 of The Discworld series and the first to feature the Witches. I did a dual read/listen with its unabridged audiobook narrated by Celia Imrie.

Drum Billet is a wizard and about to die and needs to pass on his wizarding staff to a suitable successor: the eighth son of an eighth son. He arrives at a remote village where the wife of the local smith, who is an eighth son, is about to give birth to their eighth child.

As the newborn is presented to the father, Drum steps in and passes on the staff to the child, oblivious that the baby is a girl. When he realises his error and moans ‘what have I done?’, the midwife, Granny Weatherwax, responds: ‘You’ve given the world its first female wizard.’

For seven years Granny Weatherwax, who is also a witch, keeps a keen eye on the child, named Eskarina, for any signs of magic. When these appear, Granny starts to train her in witchcraft and later they travel to the city of Ankh Morpork to seek entrance for Eskarina into the Unseen University, despite the fact that the wizards are adamant that only men can be wizards.

Granny Weatherwax is one of the Discworld’s most beloved characters. She is sharp-tonged yet down-to-Earth. Reclusive by nature, her foray into the wider world including the city of Ankh Morpork is quite amusing. Indeed, the novel is bursting with comical characters and interludes. Some are a little saucy.

Pratchett packs his tale with fantasy tropes including a spectacular magical duel and a few Lovecraftian references.

I somewhat envy readers who will be experiencing the Discworld novels for the first time though rereading brought its own pleasures.

This is the third book in the Discworld series, but the first one introducing the witches, and it's very early in Pratchett's writing career, so you can see how cantankerous and stubborn Granny Weatherwax evolves. (She's one of my favourite Discworld characters, a little behind Vimes and a whisker in front of Death and Vetinari.) A dying wizard bequeaths his staff to the 8th son of an 8th son. Unfortunately the 8th son turns out to be a girl, Esk which means she can't be a wizard. Wizarding is a man-job, and magical women have to be witches because that's the way it is. So Granny Weatherwax takes on the education of this female wizard/witch, until it's time to kick down the doors of the Unseen University, that bastion of male wizardry. In this third Discworld novel (from 1987) Pratchett is finding his feet, and it's head and shoulders above the first two. It's also a good starting point for anyone new to Discworld. This is Pratchett's take on gender quality and feminism, satirical without being preachy.

When wizard Drum Billet is about to die, he finds a newborn to follow his steps. Yet, there is a slight mistake, it is not the eighth son of an eighth son, but a girl. The midwife and witch Granny Weatherwax knows immediately what this will mean, Eskarina would become the first female wizard. Except for the fact that there is no such thing as a female wizard. Years go by but ultimately, her family cannot ignore her fate. So quite naturally, she will have to be trained, and therefore Esk and Granny make their way to the Unseen University.

“If you were a boy I'd say are you going to seek your fortune?"
"Can't girls seek their fortune?"
"I think they're supposed to seek a boy with a fortune.”

Terry Pratchett’s Discworld has lost nothing of its appeal after all these years. “Equal Rites” was first published in 1987 and is the third novel in the series. The title is a wordplay on equal rights of course, the main topic of the novel and - quite distressingly - not much has changed since then. Old institutions which still refuse women on the basis of the fact that they have never been allowed there, are still a reality. With impressive irony, the author puts the finger in the wound and yet, the effects seem to be weak.

“It is well known that a vital ingredient of success is not knowing that what you're attempting can't be done. A person ignorant of the possibility of failure can be a half-brick in the path of the bicycle of history.”

Esk is a wonderfully stubborn girl who finds her way into a male world. She possesses a natural force and cannot easily be stopped. Luckily, Granny is by her side to guide her and to make up for some foolish steps. She, too, is a great and lovable character. Even though she somehow accepts that women are witches and men wizards, she does not take male magic too seriously, she knows about the fuss they make with words and their weakness. She is a great representative of those women who have seen through the male facade and know how to work their way around big egos.

“I saved a man's life once," said Granny. "Special medicine, twice a day. Boiled water with a bit of berry juice in it. Told him I'd bought it from the dwarves. That's the biggest part of doct'rin, really. Most people’ll get over most things if they put their minds to it, you just have to give them an interest.”

It is most of all the little details that Pratchett has paid so much attention to that make the series an outstanding read. The puns are wonderful and the brilliant irony with which he caricatures the real world made me laugh out loud more than once. Reading it from a feminist point of view, the novel is as current as it might ever be.

This is a reissue of one of Terry Pratchett's earlier Discworld novels, and it was a joy to revisit it. Not as complex or political as some of his later works in the series, there is still a huge amount of heart in this work. Eskarina, eighth child of an eight son, is accidentally given a wizarding staff by the wizard Drum Billet before his death. Unfortunately for Drum, he thought he was passing along his staff to an eighth son. That's the setup of the novel, and from their we follow Eskarina as she is tutored by Granny Weatherwax and eventually goes to Ankh Morpork to try and lay claim to her place in the chauvinistic world of wizards, who are convinced that only men can be wizards.

It's a fun romp, clearly inspired by the second-wave feminist movement and the same 80s culture that inspired plays like Top Girls, but that doesn't make it any less good, or the message it holds any less important. Despite the age of the book, it stands up well and is worth a read for any fan of comedic fantasy or anyone who wants to take a nostalgic journey back to the early days of Discworld.

Another fabulous reread in the Witches Discworld series by the terrific Terry Pratchett who here takes on the issue of gender equality, where witches are witches and well, wizards are wizards. Upon approaching death, wizards pass on their power to the eighth son of an eighth son, but in the Bad Ass village, an error is made, when a dying wizard slips up by passing his gifts to a newborn baby girl, Eskarina. Oops! Esk is raised by the wonderfully old curmudgeonly witch, Granny Weatherwax, who educates her in the art of being a witch, only her wizardly powers refuse to be contained. Eskarina’s proper place is at the Unseen University, but they don't admit girls, on the premise they cannot be wizards. Mayhem and adventure follows in her footsteps as she tries to gain entry. This is a wonderful entry in this joyous fantasy series. Many thanks to the publisher for a copy.

Thank you to the publisher. Discworld is one of my favourite series ever made and it's been so exciting to revisit it.

Always a joy to read or reread a Pratchett. Great characterisation, brilliant humour and so well written. Also a wonderful introduction to Granny Weatherwax.