Wintersmith (Discworld, #35; Tiffany Aching, #3)

Title: Wintersmith (Discworld, #35; Tiffany Aching, #3)

Author: Terry Pratchett

Published in: 2006

Date read: 20th December 2011

Score: 4/5

Genre: Fantasy, Comedy

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Wintersmith," published in 2006, is the third novel in Terry Pratchett's series of young adult fantasy books centred on the young witch Tiffany Aching. The novel combines Pratchett's signature wit and wisdom with a darker, more serious tone, exploring themes of responsibility, the nature of folklore, and the consequences of meddling with elemental forces.

The story opens with Tiffany Aching, now a full-fledged witch of the Chalk, observing the ancient Morris Dance—a ritual performed at the beginning of winter to mark the change of seasons. During the dance, a spectral figure known as the Wintersmith, the personification of winter, is born. In a moment of childish impulse and curiosity, Tiffany takes one of the roles in the dance, stepping in when the figure representing the summer is about to disappear.

This seemingly harmless act has a cataclysmic consequence: the Wintersmith, mistaking her for the Summer Lady (the personification of summer), falls instantly and deeply in love with her. He begins to pursue her with all the power of winter itself. His love is not a gentle affection; it is a primal, destructive force. He sends blizzards, storms, and icy gifts in his relentless attempts to win her over, threatening to freeze the entire world and halt the change of seasons forever.

Tiffany, still a teenager, is horrified by the Wintersmith's advances and the chaos she has inadvertently unleashed. She must use all her wits and burgeoning magical abilities to evade him and find a way to fix the seasonal cycle. She is aided, as always, by the tiny, blue-painted, and fiercely loyal Nac Mac Feegle, her "wee free men" who see themselves as her personal bodyguards and protectors.

The novel also features the return of other Discworld characters, including the seasoned witches Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax, who offer Tiffany guidance and wisdom, though they are often as baffled by the situation as she is. The magical community is in a state of crisis, as the world's natural order is on the brink of collapse.

"Wintersmith" is a coming-of-age story for Tiffany, as she learns about the profound power of folklore and the responsibility that comes with wielding magic. She must find the courage to confront the Wintersmith and understand his true nature, ultimately realizing that she has a pivotal role to play in the cycle of the seasons.

The climax is a grand, magical showdown, a beautiful and powerful dance-off between winter and a re-awakened summer. Tiffany must confront the Wintersmith and make a final, difficult choice, ultimately proving her strength and wisdom as a witch and ensuring that the world can once again turn toward spring.

Comments:
Tiffany does well in the story but is better (for the reader) when supported by the other witches.

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)