Genre: Fantasy
Author: Terry Pratchett
Mort isn't really cut out for any job in particular, or, for that matter in general, in life. Perhaps this is why when Death seeks out an apprentice for his work of ushering souls to the afterlife, he chooses Mort. The job is stable, long term, comes with immortality and the knack for walking through walls. Mort accepts the offer, and takes up residence in his masters otherworldly home, also inhabited by Death's daughter (a long story, but an excellent one- read Reaper Man), and Albert, Death's elderly butler.
Under Death's tutelage, Mort learns the fine art of harvesting souls when their time has come, traveling across the discworld on Death's magnificent horse, Binky. And when Mort learns to do the job all on his own, Death realizes he has something uncommon in a busy job like his- free time.
However, Mort finds the job not as straightforward as Death explained. On his first solo assignment, Mort must harvest the soul of a beautiful princess who is about to be assassinated. But instead he takes the assassins life.
The world slowly falls into chaos and Mort must try to rectify the temporal rift in causality, while Death tries to find a hobby (fishing, drinking, and gambling seem so straightforward to humans, but Death finds trouble in living life to the fullest).
Opinion:
One of my favorite books in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, mostly because Death is such an amazing character. Reading about Death trying to understand and fit into human life is hilarious and insightful. This book is pure original writing, the plot having layers like a delicious cake of literature. All of the characters are rich and unique, so no single plot line gets dull. If you have not read any of the Discworld series, this is a great one to start with, as the reader does not need to know anything about previous books.
Who would like it:
This book is comedy first, fantasy second. If you love to laugh, enjoy satire, and fantastical plot lines, and satires of the "Dashing Knight Rescue the Princess" plot line, this is the book for you. A good introduction to the Discworld series as Mort's job takes him all over the entire world, while not requiring you to read previously published Discworld books.
Buy:
Amazon Kindle
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