The Fifth Elephant

Book cover of The Fifth Elephant

Book description

They say that diplomacy is a gentle art. That its finest practitioners are subtle, sophisticated individuals for whom nuance and subtext are meat and drink. And that mastering it is a lifetime's work. But you do need a certain inclination in that direction. It's not something you can just pick…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The Fifth Elephant as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Sara Jo Easton

Author

When it comes to fantasy books, it’s hard to narrow things down to only one book in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series.

He was a master of satire and the use of asides to parody the tropes of fantasy while also telling compelling stories and building a world you could imagine visiting. If we’re going to annoy the people trying to ban LGBTQ+ books, though, I’d have to recommend starting with The Fifth Elephant.

As the kingdom of dwarves is in disarray over the disappearance of the Scone necessary to crown their king, a group of Night Watch detectives from a…

From Sara's list on LGBTQ+ to annoy the people trying to ban them.

Patrick G. Cox

Author

Like all of Pratchett’s disc world books the story is well thought out, the characters people the reader can identify with and, in some cases, even recognise, but it is also more than just a story. Pratchett is an absolute master at folding social commentary into his stories, and this one is no exception. The cynical Commander of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, Sir Samuel Vimes, reluctant Duke of Ankh, is sent into Überwald as Ambassador to attend the coronation of the Low King of the Dwarves and must deal with a Werewolf clan, plotting dwarf factions, and the Lady Margalotta…

From Patrick's list on combining fantasy and social commentary.

The Flight to Brassbright

By Lori Alden Holuta,

Book cover of The Flight to Brassbright

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What is my book about?

Constance is a wild, stubborn young girl growing up poor in a small industrial town in the late 1800's. Beneath her thread-worn exterior beats the heart of a dreamer and a wordsmith. But at age twelve, she’s orphaned. Running away to join the circus—like kids do in adventure books—seems like such a brilliant idea…or is it?

"Flight to Brassbright appeals to my inner child's desire for adventure and independence as well as my (mostly) grown-up desire for really well-written stories that capture my imagination and hold my attention." - Tricia, Amazon Reviewer

"...well plotted with a likable protagonist...upbeat with…

The Flight to Brassbright

By Lori Alden Holuta,

What is this book about?

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