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Cover of The Fifth Elephant

The Fifth Elephant

Terry Pratchett (1999)

SubgenreComic / Humorous Fantasy
Age groupAdult 18+
Content ratingPG-13
Pages415 (Chunky (400-600))
SettingSecondary World
CSM age13
Goodreads4.32/5 (80353)

Content levels

ViolenceModerate
Sexual contentMild
LanguageMild

Trigger warnings

Not yet tagged

Synopsis

Everyone knows that the world is flat, and supported on the backs of four elephants. But weren't there supposed to be five? Indeed there were. So where is it?...When duty calls. Commander Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork constabulary answers. Even when he doesn't want to. He's been "invited" to attend a royal function as both detective and diplomat. The one role he relishes; the other requires, well, ruby tights. Of course where cops (even those clad in tights) go, alas, crime follows. An attempted assassination and a theft soon lead to a desperate chase from the low halls of Discworld royalty to the legendary fat mines of Uberwald, where lard is found in underground seams along with tusks and teeth and other precious ivory artifacts. It's up to the dauntless Vimes -- bothered as usual by a familiar cast of Discworld inhabitants (you know, trolls, dwarfs, werewolves, vampires and such) -- to solve the puzzle of the missing pachyderm. Which of course he does. After all, solving mysteries is his job.

Is The Fifth Elephant appropriate for my child?

Suitable for most readers 13 and up.

A witty satirical fantasy with mild violence around an assassination attempt and chase sequences; no sex or strong language, though some dark humor and political scheming may suit older readers best.

What to know going in

This book has moderate violence, mild sexual content, and mild language.

Publisher age: Adult·Our content rating: 13+

Publisher ages reflect reading level; our rating reflects content maturity — they can differ.

Who'll love this

A funny, fast-paced detective adventure set in a wildly imaginative fantasy world full of dwarfs, trolls, and werewolves.

Tags

Police Procedural FantasySatirical FantasyMystery FantasyDiplomatic Thriller