Sourcery (Discworld, #5; Rincewind, #3)

Title: Sourcery (Discworld, #5; Rincewind, #3)

Author: Terry Pratchett

Published in: 1988

Date read: 13th March 2007

Score: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Comedy

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Sourcery" by Terry Pratchett, published in 1988, is the fifth novel in the Discworld series. It introduces a unique magical crisis to the Discworld: the emergence of the eighth son of an eighth son of a wizard, which, by magical law, results in a sourcerer – a wizard born with innate, uncontrolled magic, capable of manipulating reality directly, unlike regular wizards who merely channel it.

The story begins with the death of the Unseen University's Head Archchancellor, leading to the usual cut-throat (and magical) competition for his position. However, this time, the contest is disrupted by the arrival of Coin, an eight-year-old boy who is the titular sourcerer. Coin is immensely powerful, wielding magic effortlessly and instinctively, far beyond the capabilities of any trained wizard. He is accompanied by his father's old staff, which appears to have a will of its own and constantly advises him to "destroy" all other magic and control everything.

Coin quickly takes over Unseen University, asserting his dominance over the terrified and outmatched wizards, including the cowardly Rincewind. The sourcerer's presence causes magic on the Discworld to escalate wildly and dangerously, manifesting in unpredictable and destructive ways. Magic is no longer merely a force; it is becoming sentient and malevolent.

The Discworld itself begins to suffer, with reality fraying at the edges as uncontrolled magic spills into the universe. Creatures from the Dungeon Dimensions, entities of pure chaos, are drawn to the overflowing magical energy, threatening to break through into the Discworld.

A small, unlikely group, including the perpetually terrified and utterly incompetent wizard Rincewind, his faithful Luggage, the barbarian hero Conan the Barbarian (sort of, a parody called Cohen the Barbarian), and the beautiful, pragmatic barbarian princess Conina (Cohen's daughter, who wants to be a hairdresser), finds themselves as the Discworld's last, desperate hope. They are inadvertently caught up in the quest to stop Coin before his raw, untamed magic destroys the Discworld and potentially the entire universe.

The novel explores themes of absolute power, the nature of magic, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the importance of mediocrity (represented by Rincewind's ability to survive chaos). The climax involves a spectacular magical battle as Coin unleashes the full extent of his power, drawing the attention of ultimate cosmic forces, and Rincewind, through sheer accident and cowardice, finds himself playing a crucial role in the Discworld's salvation. "Sourcery" is a thrilling and humorous adventure, highlighting the destructive potential of magic when wielded without wisdom.

Comments:
Although it was an early book that I read a long time ago, I remembered more about this than some of the more recent ones. A fantastic story, wonderful throughout.

Books that we've read by Terry Pratchett (39):
The Colour of Magic (Discworld, #1; Rincewind, #1) (1983), The Light Fantastic (Discworld, #2; Rincewind, #2) (1986), Equal Rites (Discworld, #3; Witches, #1) (1987), Mort (Discworld, #4; Death, #1) (1987), Sourcery (Discworld, #5; Rincewind, #3) (1988), Wyrd Sisters (Discworld, #6; Witches, #2) (1988), Guards! Guards! (Discworld, #8; City Watch, #1) (1989), Pyramids (Discworld, #7) (1989), Eric (Discworld, #9; Rincewind, #4) (1990), Moving Pictures (Discworld, #10; Industrial Revolution, #1) (1990), Witches Abroad (Discworld, #12; Witches, #3) (1991), Reaper Man (Discworld, #11; Death, #2) (1991), Small Gods (Discworld, #13) (1992), Lords and Ladies (Discworld, #14; Witches, #4) (1992), Men at Arms (Discworld, #15; City Watch, #2) (1993), Soul Music (Discworld, #16; Death, #3) (1994), Interesting Times (Discworld, #17; Rincewind, #5) (1994), Maskerade (Discworld, #18; Witches, #5) (1995), Feet of Clay (Discworld, #19; City Watch, #3) (1996), Hogfather (Discworld, #20; Death, #4) (1996), Jingo (Discworld, #21; City Watch, #4) (1997), Carpe Jugulum (Discworld, #23; Witches, #6) (1998), The Last Continent (Discworld, #22; Rincewind, #6) (1998), The Fifth Elephant (Discworld, #24; City Watch, #5) (1999), The Truth (Discworld, #25) (2000), The Last Hero (Discworld, #27; Rincewind, #7) (2001), Thief of Time (Discworld, #26; Death, #5) (2001), Night Watch (Discworld, #29; City Watch, #6) (2002), The Wee Free Men (Discworld, #30; Tiffany Aching, #1) (2003), Monstrous Regiment (Discworld, #31; Industrial Revolution, #3) (2003), A Hat Full of Sky (Discworld, #32; Tiffany Aching, #2) (2004), Going Postal (Discworld, #33; Moist von Lipwig, #1) (2004), Thud! (Discworld, #34; City Watch, #7) (2005), Wintersmith (Discworld, #35; Tiffany Aching, #3) (2006), Making Money (Discworld, #36; Moist Von Lipwig, #2) (2007), Unseen Academicals (Discworld, #37; Rincewind, #8) (2009), I Shall Wear Midnight (Discworld, #38; Tiffany Aching, #4) (2010), Snuff (Discworld, #39; City Watch, #8) (2011), Raising Steam (Discworld, #40; Moist von Lipwig, #3) (2013)