Discworld: The Shepherd's Crown by Terry Pratchett

The Shepherd's Crown by Terry Pratchett

Published: 2015
Read: May 2023

This is the last Tiffany Aching book and, indeed, the last Discworld book full stop. Like the other late-period Discworld I've read, one senses that it's not Pratchett at the height of his powers—though it is considerably better than the final City Watch novel.

Like all the books, it's about Tiffany's progression into adulthood and responsibility, and also about her connection to her place of origin. Like all Discworld books, it has some brilliant moments... that said, the book doesn't feel totally unified, on either a plot or thematic level. Seemingly important subplots vanish for big chunks; things are set up that go nowhere. Apparently Pratchett would write a complete draft, then go back and flesh it out by adding scenes, and I think you can tell he didn't get all the way through the process here. It's good, and certainly if you've read every other Tiffany book you'll want to read this one, but I think it's not as great as it would have been had Pratchett not been cruelly snatched away from us too soon.

Still, the adventures of the boy witch and his goat were hilarious. And all the stuff about Granny is amazing.