Terry Pratchett's 10 best books ranked – Colour of Magic is not No. 1

Sir Terry Pratchett was one of Britain’s best-loved authors, and  a master of comic fantasy.

His Discworld novels sold over 100 million copies worldwide, and in them, from 1983 to 2015, he built a sprawling fictional universe where magic and satire collided, and even Death had a dry sense of humour.

He was knighted for services to literature in 2009, co-wrote the beloved Good Omens with Neil Gaiman, and created characters that remain fan favourites to this day – like Granny Weatherwax, Sam Vimes, and Rincewind the wizard – before passing away at the age of 66, having struggled with early-set Alzheimer’s disease for years.

Here, based on ratings left by readers on book reviewing platform Goodreads, we rank his 11 most popular books:

10. Night Watch (Discworld #29; City Watch #6)

115,203 ratings

Thrown back in time during a magical storm, Commander Sam Vimes finds himself in Ankh-Morpork’s brutal past. Forced to take on a new identity, he must train his younger self and prevent a revolution from ending in bloodshed. This darker 29th Discworld entry explores justice, identity and moral compromise.

9. Wyrd Sisters (Discworld #6; Witches #2)

125,674 ratings

A satirical spin on Macbeth, Wyrd Sisters sees Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick pulled into royal drama when a usurper takes the throne. Expect ghosts, a missing baby, a travelling theatre troupe and amateur dramatics.

8. Small Gods (Discworld #13)

128,391 ratings

Brutha is a simple novice in the powerful Omnian church – but he’s the only one who can still hear the voice of their god, Om, now trapped in the body of a tortoise. This standalone entry mixes theology, politics and Pratchett’s signature satire.

7. Going Postal (Discworld #33; Moist von Lipwig #1)

130,968 ratings

Conman Moist von Lipwig is offered two choices: he can rebuild the city’s dead postal service or be hanged. Faced with golems, psychotic assassins, and bureaucratic chaos, Moist must outwit everyone, including himself. 

6. The Light Fantastic (Discworld #2; Rincewind #2)

161,872 ratings

The world is heading for a cataclysm – and its only hope is the worst wizard on the Disc. Rincewind returns alongside Twoflower and the Luggage as they battle trolls, Death, and cosmic forces. This fast-paced entry is a direct sequel to The Colour of Magic.

5. Equal Rites (Discworld #3; Witches #1)

191,156 ratings

When a wizard accidentally passes his powers to a girl, young Eskarina Smith sets off to join Unseen University, which has never allowed women. With Granny Weatherwax by her side, she challenges the traditions of the male-dominated magic of her world.

4. Guards! Guards! (Discworld #8; City Watch #1)

224,471 ratings

Ankh-Morpork is full of dragons, secret societies and civic incompetence, and burned-out Sam Vimes teams up with a motley crew of misfits in the Night Watch to save the city from destruction. This one marks the start of the beloved City Watch sub-series and introduces some of Pratchett’s most enduring characters.

3. Mort (Discworld #4; Death #1)

261,182 ratings

Honest, curious and awkward Mort becomes an apprentice to Death, but ends up making the biggest mistake possible: messing with fate. This fan favourite balances humour with heart, offering one of the most accessible entry points to the Discworld series. It also begins the journey of Death as one of Pratchett’s most philosophical characters.

2. The Colour of Magic (Discworld #1; Rincewind #1)

407,225 ratings

Pratchett’s debut Discworld novel introduces Rincewind the cowardly wizard and Twoflower the oblivious tourist. Their misadventures take them across a surreal fantasy world that parodies Tolkien, Le Guin and traditional sword-and-sorcery. This instalment is a cult classic and the start of a long series.

1. Good Omens (with Neil Gaiman)

799,086 ratings

The end is near, but angel Aziraphale and demon Crowley don’t love the idea of going through an apocalypse. They then join forces to try and stop the Antichrist, now a schoolboy in rural England. With quirky humour and theological mischief, Good Omens blends British whimsy with sharp commentary on good, evil and the nature of humanity. Pratchett’s most famous book has been adapted into a Emmy and BAFTA-nominated series released in 2019 – now heading into its third and final season.