Review by hgladney (2005-10-29)
The Master, as always. Drama is easy, comedy is the killer. Pratchett can be very mystical too--his whole explanation of dwarf mine sign, and how the entire mine can "go sour", is fascinating.
Some folks prefer one set of characters far above the others, but I like them all in turn. Death and the wizards make a brief appearance, and we don't see the Ramtops witches at all. This one is about the city of Ankh-Morpork, about demagogery, closed secretive societies, mass hysteria, and the place of those who maintain civil order in overheated circumstances.
Of course, if you liked Samuel Vimes, ex-alcoholic Guard Commander, power-defiant everyman and reluctant Duke, married man, and nervous father-to-be, you'll really love Vimes the baby's dad. But of course you knew you would, if you've read the other books with Vimes in it. It was just a question of how the Master was going to top your expectations...
Also, this is a Pratchett love-note to gamer dorks, just as previous books give a fond glimpse of other species of sf&f denizens.