The Shepherd's Crown (Discworld 41) by Terry Pratchett (2015-08-27)

I have thoroughly enjoyed the entire Tiffany Aching series. Terry Pratchett pulls you into this wonderful and imaginative world. I am sad that this is the last book.... but will look forward to re-reading them!

Unlike other "last books" by well-known authors, this is a complete story. However, as his assistant Rob Wilkins noted in the afterword, it is not as finished as Pratchett novels usually are, and as it would have been had the author lived long enough to revise and expand it. The novel is recognizably Pratchettian, but feels a bit unfinished - there are several plot elements that seem rushed and that would benefit from a few dozen more pages of story. Overall it is a worthwhile addition to the Discworld saga, but not one that completely stands on its own.

As with any of the previous Terry Pratchett books, I am enamored! I especially love the Tiffany Aching books. The cast of characters is always a JOY to be around for the duration of the story. I am so very sad to know that this is the last one! Terry...off in Discworld on your own adventures now...you have my heart!

The last Discworld novel serves also as a valediction for its author. Pratchett spends much of the book in fan service, which probably makes it less accessible to new readers than, say, The Wee Free Men or a stand-alone book like Small Gods. This last tour with the witches (and of course the Nac Mac Feegle), though, goes directly back to the same well of characterization and humor which has delighted readers like me for decades. While it's not a great place to start these novels -- and several people have suggested excellent reading orders in various corners of the internet -- it is the perfect place to say goodbye to Terry Pratchett, as kind a teacher and sharp a storyteller as you could ask for.

Must have final piece of Discworld. Any decent Discworld fan will notice that the book is clearly missing parts. Clearly Sir Pratchett could have made this a much better book if he only had time. However, this is truly the best possible story to conclude Discworld.

Gosh, I'm going to miss Terry Pratchett! This last book didn't get the "polishing" that you would normally see in his work, but he had a really good excuse for not doing it, and I am just really grateful for 1 last Tiffany Aching book. It was a good story and great ending place for that series.

Sir Terry Pratchett is one of the greatest authors in the world and sadly no longer among us here. This being his final book of one of the best series out there made it difficult to read; through the tears knowing it would end and the laughter at the feegles antics. I will sorely miss the excitement of knowing that there will be a new one coming out. So if you've never read a Disc World novel I suggest picking up one now; you will not be disappointed.

A satisfying conclusion to this part of the characters story. I'm so glad Mr. Pratchett was able to finish it prior to his death. While not as tightly written as prior books, it is still well worth reading.

I had very low expectations about this book. It was Terry Pratchett's final novel. I was not surprised that it was flatter and less 'alive' than his previous work. Indeed, it is possible to see the effects of his terminal disease beginning with Thud! and progressing downhill to The Shepherd's Crown. Why did I rate it as a three? Because it was written by Terry Pratchett.

I have read every one of Pratchett's novels and until the last few years they were so brilliant that I would have rated this one three stars if the pages had contained mostly gibberish (which they emphatically did not).

I cried while reading the book. I don't cry easily.

oh, man. my feelings for this book are complicated. it did not feel as well written or complete as other books by this author, but terry pratchett's worst is still fantastic. it started things we will not see endings to, it ended things i would have last forever. roller coaster ride. thank you mr. pratchett.

Even the list of Pratchett’s works in the front matter made me sad to think that this is his last book. Then there is the dedication: “For Esmeralda Weatherwax—mind how you go.” At this point I was crying, but his reference soon after to Granny Weatherwax “picking up a familiar card she had written on earlier” made it hard not to smile even under the circumstances, thinking of the times when she pinned her “I aten’t ded” (I ain’t dead) card on herself to avoid mistaken conclusions. Pratchett is saying good-bye not only to his readers but to his characters.

After the farewell to Granny Weatherwax, the book turns to the current story. The question of Granny’s succession is made even more vital by a threat of the resurgent Queen of the Fairies (defeated by young Tiffany at the beginning of her career as a witch) and her rivals.

The story features Pratchett’s wonderful assortment of individualized witches as well as the Nac Mac Feegles (and some guest appearances of other old favorites, including Death of course).

The five books featuring Tiffany Aching are my favorite Pratchett series (although I also love the older witches, the Watch, and many more). Tiffany is a resourceful, practical, and brave girl who grows into witchhood in the course of the stories. This last book is a worthy entry in the series (albeit with some imperfections due to his circumstances). Pratchett’s books got deeper and better as his incomparable career progressed but always remained incredibly funny. He has made me laugh out loud more than any other fantasy author.

I cried and laughed and cried again. Absolutely tears my heart in half to know this is the last that he wrote and the last of his wonderful words we'll get to read new. I'll go back and reread in a couple months, when hopefully I won't add so many tear blotches to the pages.

I've laughed my way through the Discworld novels, usually in delight but sometimes thoughtfully.
I never expected to find myself crying while reading one. It's definitely Terry Pratchett and through him, Discworld saying goodbye to us.
You enriched my life. Thank you.

A fitting and masterful finale for Sir Terry Pratchett, an author who delivered mostly wonderful tales about a world unlike any other in the fantasy realms. His departure from the Earth was a terrible blow for all of his fans.

RIP, Sir Terry Pratchett

The world's a little bit less hilarious without Pratchett around. It's not his best work, but this book does a wonderful, if not a bit melancholy, job of allowing us and Pratchett to say goodbye to some of our favorite characters.

This is Terry Pratchett's final book before his death. I can't really describe the action without being a spoiler. Fast read, and touching afterwords by his family and publisher. They said it would have been longer if he had lived longer...and I wish both had been possible.

Another delightful book from Pratchett in his Tiffany Aching series. Sadly, it is labeled as the last of the Discworld series as he passed away this past March (2015). All the usual characters in their delightful shenanigans, and, spoiler alert, ....one long time one that passes away. Crivens!!

I have been an avid reader of Terry Pratchett books for many years, starting with his first book. I have found his books to contain many worthwhile observations about life, death and the "magic" that does surround us. That undefinable essence where we can be lost, oblivious to the sometimes harsh burden of living. That is the use of imagination and magic, in a book.

If you are already a devoted Pratchett fan then you may appreciate it. You will get to read about beloved characters one more time. But if you haven't already read all of Pratchetts other books then you are better off reading those.

This was a wonderful final romp through Discworld. The back story could have been a little more fleshed out, but that was understandable, considering the fact that he was dying when he wrote it. I loved it.
RIP, Sir Terry. You will be missed.

"Terry Pratchett's last book"...such a lot of heartache in so few words. I met him, several times over the years, and he is (I won't say: "was") exactly as you would expect from his writing, witty, kind, wise, knowledgeable, and a really nice person to talk to as well...I will miss him.
That said (and it had to be) this book is every bit as good as his other Tiffany Aching books, which is to say, "excellent". It also has the poignancy of a major event (I won't spoil it for those who haven't heard), which as often in his books uncomfortably mirrors an event in our own world.
I am truly sad there will not be any more Discworld books ( http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/terry-pratchett-discworld-series-comes-to-an-end-as-daughter-rhianna-rules-out-future-books-10312426.html ) and this is very bad news indeed, but understandable.
Rhianna Pratchett (@rhipratchett) tweeted back in June: "I will be involved with spin-offs, adaptations and tie-ins, but that's it.
Discworld is his legacy. I shall make my own."
So...I loved this book, like all his other books, and recommend you read it, if you liked his others in the Discworld series (or the Long Earth series, for that matter) you too will love it. If you haven't read any of his other books, go to "The Colour of Magic", start with that, and begin a new love affair with the books of this wonderful series. Happy reading!

I always enjoy Terry Prachetts books and I did enjoy this one but it had a big build up and bit of a disappointing ending. Its a bit like some of those books you read and when you finish you think well what actually happened after reading x amount of pages.

I love Terry Pratchett and I love the Tiffany Aching books. My life is better for having read Mr. Pratchett's books. He brought me humor, adventure, and love, all set in a fantasy world that seemed so much like our own. He will be missed.

Terry Pratchett has been my favorite author for many years. I collect his books, especially the Discworld series. The Shepherd's Crown is in a subset of that series, and thus is in my favorite group, which is the last book of that group (or any group). If you like Sir Terry's writing, or enjoy writings that include fairies and witches (etc.), you should read this one! I'll miss Sir Terry for many years to come.

Great last book from the late Terry Practchett. his readings will be missed and I enjoyed many of his characters from discworld. He definitely has Tiffany Aching go out with a bang as well as change people's views as well. A great read

Yesterday I finished Terry Pratchett’s last book, “The Shepherd’s Crown.”

[Pause to wipe unexplained moisture from eyes.]

First, I’m glad it was a Discworld story. I have enjoyed everything Pratchett has written on his own or in collaboration with someone else. But­—as with most of his readers, I suspect­—I adore Discworld. I adore its cast of thousands, many of whom have become old friends. I adore Discworld’s manic buffoonery, it’s defiance of science in favor of its own wacked magic, the humor and humanity of its inhabitants (many of whom are not actually human).

Second, I’m glad it was a Tiffany Aching story. The first Aching novel I read was “A Hat Full of Sky.” I didn’t realize it took place in Discworld. It seemed to exist in the wide spaces of the High Chalk, covered by an expanse of endless blue sky and connected to nothing else. I fell in love with Tiffany. And I enjoyed the stories of the other witches enormously. I loved the idea of witching as a profession. I loved that witches served the needs of their community, not for gain, but because somebody had to do it. I loved that they didn’t often use magic in the performance of their duties, but usually applied common sense, deep insight into the foibles of humanity, and—not infrequently—threats. You don’t have to actually turn someone into a toad if they truly, deeply believe that you will if they get so much as a hair out of line. I loved the tension between the tough old witches like Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg and the New Age witches with their tinkly amulets and sparkly dresses.

By the way, I am embarrassed that after reading all those books, it wasn’t until last night that I realized why Nanny Ogg was named Nanny Ogg. {Blush}

As world-building goes, Discworld is a shining, if unachievable example to other fantasy writers. It is so detailed and internally consistent that during the time I was immersed in a Discworld story, I believed in a flat world resting on the back of a giant turtle floating in space. I believed that Death was a kindly, inexorable presence in a black robe who SPOKE IN CAPITALS and rode a white horse named Binky. I believed that there was a City Watch consisting of a werewolf, a female dwarf, a troll, something called Nobby Nobbs, and the uncrowned King of Ankh-Morepork, headed by Commander Samuel Vimes. I believed, and if that isn’t magic, what is?

I had to look up the shepherd’s crown of the title. Shepherd’s crowns are fossilized sea urchins commonly found in the chalk downs of England. They have five ridges that meet in the center of the fossil, looking somewhat like the star on some species of sand dollar (a closely related animal). Apparently, the ridges looked like a crown to someone, if not to me. Back in the day, these fossils were thought to be magical charms against evil. In this story, a shepherd’s crown is passed down through the Aching family to Granny Aching, and finally to Tiffany. Because Tiffany belongs to the Chalk, the little fossil becomes a powerful talisman in her last fight against an invasion of evil elves from Fairyland. (Those who have read “Lords and Ladies” will remember that in Pratchett’s universe, elves are beautiful, glamorous, powerful—and the cruelest, nastiest creatures imaginable.)

The story is about what happens when people band together to fight a just cause. Traditional adversaries become allies. Strong becomes stronger. And Tiffany truly comes into herself as a witch. Beyond that, I’m not giving out any spoilers.

Is “The Shepherd’s Crown” Pratchett’s best Discworld novel? No, not in my opinion. However, I am absolutely certain it is the finest novel in any language or genre written by a man dying of a vicious form of Alzheimer’s Disease. I am certain he had lots of help here, but it is Pratchett’s voice and spirit that shine throughout the tale. It is his last love letter to humanity, and his last admonition to us to behave like witches—practical, wise, kind when called for and tough when not, taking up the burden of service because it is the right thing to do. “The Shepherd’s Crown” sums up what Terry Pratchett has been trying to tell us all along: “Do the right thing.”

Time for a snack. I’m going to have a rat on a stick, how about you?

Pratchett seemed overly concerned with death and that should be reasonable. The stoy developed reasonably well and maintained my interest all the way through. A pity there will be no further novels from this author.

Terry Pratchett's swan song is still Terry Pratchett. A little rough around the edges but funny and deep and thoughtful. No spoilers but having finished it, I'm glad he held on long enough to do a great finale.

The final Terry Pratchett story is worthy of its place in the history of fantasy literature. It excels on every level, delighting the reader with insights about the society we live in, and the way we survive in it. Tiffany is a role model for all of us who aspire to self fulfilment in our lives.
Like most of the later books, there are fewer immediate puns than earlier Discworld novels, but more depth and emotional relevance in this novel. Both sadness at the end of an era and contentment that the world has once again been set to rights.