This is the very first Discworld book written by Terry Pratchett, which introduces you to a fantasy world which becomes more and more believable with every book you read, and in case you didn't know there is a lot of brilliant comedy to be enjoyed as well as fantasy.

The main character is Rincewind, who some would describe as a wizard, but he is better known as a coward. Not that this helps him escape constant peril, as hard as he tries.
This book is an enjoyable read, but it's not necessarily the best place to start if you fancy sampling this world, as in all honesty it's not really Pratchett at his very best, thus only four stars.

Some people recommend Mort as the best book to start with to see if you are a likely to become an avid fan, but most including myself would recommend Guards Guards. Don't worry, it won't spoil anything to read one of these first.

If you do want to purchase The Colour of Magic, keep in mind the ending will leave you on a cliff… more »

This is the very first Discworld book written by Terry Pratchett, which introduces you to a fantasy world which becomes more and more believable with every book you read, and in case you didn't know there is a lot of brilliant comedy to be enjoyed as well as fantasy.

The main character is Rincewind, who some would describe as a wizard, but he is better known as a coward. Not that this helps him escape constant peril, as hard as he tries.
This book is an enjoyable read, but it's not necessarily the best place to start if you fancy sampling this world, as in all honesty it's not really Pratchett at his very best, thus only four stars.

Some people recommend Mort as the best book to start with to see if you are a likely to become an avid fan, but most including myself would recommend Guards Guards. Don't worry, it won't spoil anything to read one of these first.

If you do want to purchase The Colour of Magic, keep in mind the ending will leave you on a cliff hanger, thus you will need to buy The Light Fantastic to complete this story.
Pratchett's blend of fantasy and comedy is wonderful, and I strongly recommend fans of either to give this some of your time. The chances are, you will be hooked.

The Colour of Magic (this book) is the first in the phenonemonly successful "Discworld" series by humour and fantasy British author Terry Pratchett. Well, this was not the first discworld book I read. The first one I read was "Sourcery". I thought it was far too weird, so I left it for a while, but then tried "Witches Abroad" and loved that. I read some more after that and was hooked on the discworld collection. It's strange, they say "Never Judge A Book By It's Cover", but it was the covers of the books that drew me in on that rainy afternoon in the school library. Sorry, I forgot to mention, I'm only 13. But don't go away! Stay and read this!(and remember to say that this review was helpful!!)
But back to the book. The Colour of Magic begins by explaining what the Discworld actually is. For those of you who don't know, it's actually a huge plate that is supported by 5 elephants that are supported by a huge turtle, known as the Great A'tuin. Yep. That fact that the world (in… more »

The Colour of Magic (this book) is the first in the phenonemonly successful "Discworld" series by humour and fantasy British author Terry Pratchett. Well, this was not the first discworld book I read. The first one I read was "Sourcery". I thought it was far too weird, so I left it for a while, but then tried "Witches Abroad" and loved that. I read some more after that and was hooked on the discworld collection. It's strange, they say "Never Judge A Book By It's Cover", but it was the covers of the books that drew me in on that rainy afternoon in the school library. Sorry, I forgot to mention, I'm only 13. But don't go away! Stay and read this!(and remember to say that this review was helpful!!)
But back to the book. The Colour of Magic begins by explaining what the Discworld actually is. For those of you who don't know, it's actually a huge plate that is supported by 5 elephants that are supported by a huge turtle, known as the Great A'tuin. Yep. That fact that the world (in the book) is a disc is obviously like how our ancestors thought the world was flat.
We are introduced to our main characters, who are Rincewind the inept and cowardly wizard, Twoflower, a short tourist with (judging by the front cover) four eyes, and a chest that has hundreds of little legs and a mind of it's own, known as "the Luggage". There are of course more characters, like Hrun the (don't say this to him) barbarian and the wonderful talking corpse. At first the characters spend time in a bar in the twin city of Ankh Morpork, where Twoflower's money seems to be worth more than he thinks in Ankh. They soon leave Ankh Morpork, find themselves in a magic temple in which you mustn't say "eight", riding on dragons that only exist if you believe in them and of course, talking to a troll made of water at the Edge of the planet.
Believe me, it's ridiculous and unconventional, but you will find yourself chuckling at the brilliant dialogue and zany descriptions that only could come from Terry Pratchett.
How does it compare with the others in the series? Well, I've always liked Rincewind and I think this is one of the best adventures with him in it. I think the Luggage is brilliant also.
The characters are about the most important thing in the Pratchetts, and the witches are my favourite characters along with Death, and so my favourite books are Mort and Witches Abroad, so if you like rincewind, you'll like this. This one I felt had a bit more as far as the plot went, rather than a series of jokes like some of his later ones are like.
Recommended fully, and remember to read "The Light Fantastic" which comes afterwards.