| Mortimor, known as "Mort," is the youngest son of a family of winemakers who make wine from reannual grapes (the kind of grapes that grow backwards in time, and the kind of wine that fortunetellers drink, which gives you a hangover the morning before you drink it). On the one day of the year that young men are chosen for apprentices, Mort's father takes him to the town square. Death hires him on as an apprentice. Mort meets Death's rather sullen daughter (adopted) Ysabell, and is assigned to "collect" the beautiful Princess Keli, which he doesn't want to do at all. Pratchett's usual Discworld jokes and hilarities are on display, and though Death is portrayed humorously (he'd kind of like to try a different line of work -- short order cook, maybe! -- and he is very fond of kittens), the unique idea for this book doesn't play out to full satisfaction. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - very upbeat - FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past Coming of age Yes Youngster becomes - an adult (general) Romance Yes Romance plotlets: - Parody Yes Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Main Character Identity: - Male Age: - a teen Main Adversary Identity: - magical being Has magical powers? Yes Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - can see into the future - can fly - can read emotions How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting Terrain A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a primitive/fantasy society Planet outside solar system? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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