The Stories
Dragons and Laughter, in Terry Pratchett’s ‘Dragons at Crumbling Castle’
Dragons at Crumbling Castle is a collection of 14 short stories, mostly written in the author's youth. These stories were published in various publications over years, unlike the author's later work which apparently all take place in a singular universe called the Discworld. I absolutely loved how layered the humor is in this work, yet the stories themselves remain simple. It’s easy to connect with them since the punch is clear yet lands with surprise.
A Refreshing Return: Embracing The Near Witch
As I dove into this book, I could see Schwab’s unique style shining through. There’s a distinct presence of her voice in the writing; however, I noticed she felt a bit more juvenile here compared to her newer works. Given that this book is aimed at a younger audience, I can completely understand that choice. The story follows Lexi, a girl who was raised by her father to embrace the versatility of being human rather than focus solely on the fragility of being a woman in her time.