The Colour Of Magic

by Terry Pratchett
The Colour Of Magic cover
Good Books rating 3.69
Fantasy
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99–£10.99 Hardback • £14.99–£16.00
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Technical
  • ID: 4578
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780552166591
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2012-07-09
  • Formats: 5
  • Reviews: 4

In the first book of the beloved Discworld series, we meet Rincewind, a wizard of dubious talent, who finds himself saddled with the task of protecting Twoflower, a naive tourist from a distant land. Their journey takes them through a world filled with magical mishaps and unforeseen dangers, including the ever-loyal and deadly Luggage. /n/n Terry Pratchett's wit and humor shine as he introduces readers to the whimsical and chaotic world of Discworld, where anything can happen and often does. This novel is a delightful blend of fantasy and comedy, setting the stage for the many adventures to come in the series.

Reviews
Reddit - Fantasy · 2025-10-21
fun 3.50

The book is described as fun and weird in a good way, making it an enjoyable read.

The reviewer found the book to be a lot of fun, despite its weirdness. The unique and quirky elements of the story are highlighted as enjoyable aspects. The reviewer appreciates the humor and creativity of the writing, making it a memorable read. The book is seen as a classic fantasy novel that stands out for its originality and entertainment value.

Quick quotes

    It WAS SO FUN. I mean it was super weird but the good kind of weirdness.

    The unique and quirky elements of the story are highlighted as enjoyable aspects.

    The book is seen as a classic fantasy novel that stands out for its originality and entertainment value.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
interesting 3.00

The book is really interesting and accessible, but some readers may find the details bogging. The reviewer enjoyed the information on High Frequency Traders and dark pools, but felt the back stories of the people involved were less engaging. The reviewer gave the book a 3-star rating.

The reviewer initially put off reading this book because they thought it would be boring, but they were pleasantly surprised. They found the information on High Frequency Traders and dark pools to be really interesting and accessible. However, they felt bogged down by the details of the people involved and their back stories. The reviewer thinks the book would be most interesting to those with an interest in the engineering or math of the subject. They gave the book a 3-star rating. The reviewer also appreciated the book's critique of high-frequency trading, but felt that it was less like good investigative journalism and more like marketing literature. They also felt that the book's portrayal of Brad Katsuyama was a bit naïve.

Quick quotes

    The book was really interesting though, I had no clue about High Frequency Traders or dark pools or even the arrest of Sergey Aleynikov which is honestly absurd.

    I did feel bogged down by the details though especially of the people involved and their back stories.

    I think the information was accessible and easy to understand but I don't think it would be interesting to anyone who didn't have some interest in the engineering or math of the whole thing.

adventureswithpeps.com · Unknown · 2025-02-07
informative 4.25

The book provides an engaging and accessible look into the world of high-frequency trading, with some reviewers finding it informative and others feeling it lacks depth. The narrative style is praised, but some find the details overwhelming.

The book offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex world of high-frequency trading, with many reviewers appreciating Michael Lewis's ability to simplify intricate concepts. The narrative style is engaging, making the book feel more like a story than a lecture. However, some readers found the level of detail overwhelming and felt that the book could have benefited from a more focused approach. The story of Sergey is particularly highlighted as heart-wrenching and compelling. Overall, the book is seen as an important and entertaining read, though not Lewis's best work according to some.

Quick quotes

    This was a riveting, absorbing, and easy to understand account of the rise of electronic stock trading and how banks, brokers, and other moneymakers operate in the stock market in both upstanding and nefarious ways.

    Not his best, but an interesting read nonetheless. At times the minutiae on the types of trades bored me, but the devil lies in the details.

    A good description on high frequency trading, but it's such a complicated topic that I don't think Lewis delves into the details.

alittlebookproblem.co.uk · Unknown · 2024-06-17
great 4.00

The reviewer praises Terry Pratchett's The Colour of Magic for its humor and imaginative world-building, noting that it's a great introduction to the Discworld series. They appreciate the wit and creativity but also mention that some of the plot points might feel thin to modern readers.

The Colour of Magic is a delightful start to the Discworld series, filled with Terry Pratchett's signature humor and imaginative world-building. The reviewer enjoys the wit and creativity that Pratchett brings to the table, making the book a fun and engaging read. The story introduces readers to the unique and whimsical world of Discworld, where magic and absurdity collide. However, they also note that some of the plot points might feel a bit thin compared to later books in the series. The characters are charming, and the satire is sharp, making it a great choice for fans of fantasy and humor. Overall, it's a book that captures the essence of Pratchett's genius and sets the stage for the many adventures to come in the Discworld series.

Quick quotes

    The Colour of Magic is a delightful start to the Discworld series, filled with Terry Pratchett's signature humor and imaginative world-building.

    The reviewer enjoys the wit and creativity that Pratchett brings to the table, making the book a fun and engaging read.

    However, they also note that some of the plot points might feel a bit thin compared to later books in the series.

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