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Always read the one star reviews first. They often tell you more about a book than the five star ones. A well articulated one star review (as opposed to the “this sucks!�� variety) is usually information rich. This rule holds true for Monstrous Regiment. I liked the top couple one star reviews for this book. I thought they made good points. I still gave Monstrous Regiment five stars.

This is a one shot Disc World book. Sam Vines appears, but only in a supporting role, not much more than a cameo. So Monstrous Regiment has the handicap of being a Disc World orphan. And it is predictable. From page one. It goes on longish, seemingly having at least a couple more twists than such a predictable book needs. And yes, it’s Grrl Power theme didn’t manage any serious blow against sexism, as the book’s satire spiraled into farce.

Yet Monstrous Regiment still worked for me. Polly, the first person narrator, is perfectly drawn. Her combined confidence and confusion, bravado and self doubt, skepticism and hope made her a brilliantly fleshed out, three dimensional character, and I adored her narrative voice. Sergeant Jackrum was a great side character, worthy of being a Disc World regular. Even Lieutenant Blouse, the mostly clueless “Rupert�� (officer) is more than a simple joke, has satisfying depth, and adds to the tale.

Pratchett skewered many of his usual suspects in Monstrous Regiment. Nationalism/Patriotism, religious fundamentalism, sexism and the patriarchy all take their licks from Pratchett’s satirical pen. At first glance, the edge of his satire appears to dull as progressively revealed secret identities transform satire into farce. Yet even here, I think Pratchett stayed two step ahead of the rest of us. Despite our best intentions and efforts, many of these worst abuses continue to survive, leaving us, in the end, either dying of bitterness or laughing at the farce. Pratchett’s darkly honest humor encourages us to do the latter.