Review of The Color of Magic by David Summar The first of the Discworld series of novels by Terry Pratchett, The Color of Magic takes it reader on a hilarious romp across a flat world perched atop the backs of four elephants, themselves standing atop a turtle that swims eternally through the cosmos. This fast-paced novel follows the exploits of the failed wizard Rincewind, denizen of Ankh-Morpork and the blithely unaware tourist Twofold. Any fan of fantasy will find himself laughing his way through this fantastic world of quirky magic, suitably dense barbarian heroes, gambling gods and goddesses, and some sincerely overdue parody. The Color of Magic begins as the city of Ankh-Morpork burns in a terrific conflagration incidentally brought about by the inquisitive and overly trusting Twofold. A tourist from the faraway Agatean Empire on the Counterweight continent, Twofold has brought a chest made of sapient pearwood, a sort of living, conscious wood that follows its owner about and viciously protects him from the many who wish evil upon Twofold. Rincewind is tasked involuntarily with guiding Twofold safely through the city and eventually along their many adventures on Discworld. Pratchett cleverly parodies fantasy novels throughout the misadventures of these two bumbling travelers. At one point, Hrun, a barbarian hero, has joined the pair as they fumble their way into Wyrmberg. Approached by Wyrmberg’s itinerant leader, Liessa, Hrun agrees to kill her two brothers and marry her so that he may rule the realm with her and avoid imprisonment, but not before he breaks his bonds and kills the guards. Liessa asks, “Do you intend to kill me?” to which Hrun apologetically responds, “What? Oh no. No, this is just, you know, kind of habit. Just keeping in practice.” Thus characters respond to their stereotypes in the most uproarious fashion. This book appeals to lovers of fantasy and comedy, to persons ready to accept mishaps and missteps alongside improvised swashbuckling and near feats of magic. Fans of Piers Anthony will certainly appreciate the tongue-in-cheek take on fantasy, and followers of Douglas Adams will abandon their science fiction long enough to laugh their way through Discworld. If you like fantasy and have a working funny bone, I recommend this book without hesitation. .