Monstrous Regiment

Was going for 3,5 stars, but am currently leaning towards 4+.

The story is a satire on sexism, religious fundamentalism, nationalism and war. To me personally, it felt as one of Pratchett's darker stories: a backwards country so depleted of men and boys and girls that are being religiously repressed and for varying reasons take their chances in the army. Add to it the futility of being in a constant war about Who Knows What. But we are winning, I assure you.

The book has an all-new cast of characters (apart from a few cameos) with interesting backstories. I particularly liked Jackrum, who fulfilled the role as wizened old soldier and father figure to the lads. In a way, he felt a bit as a counterpart to Vimes. Polly / Oliver was well written and developed as well.

The only thing that I did not particularly like, was the silly Big Reveal. It was a bit too on the nose and a bit too unbelievable. If you read the book, you'll know what I mean.

 As her country fights an insane and mostly unwinnable war, Polly Perks signs up to the army to find her brother Paul. As dressing as the opposite sex is one of a multitude of insane religious rules in her country, she employs short hair, trousers, burping and socks in her pants to ensure she enlists as a man. As she signs up alongside a troll, a vampire and a zealot among others, she rapidly learns she’s not the only woman in the military. It’s Pratchett so you know it’s awesome, but it’s a great ride through the absurdities of war, nationalism, sexism, and religion. But it’s also a fun comic take on the very very very long history of women cross-dressing to join the military (many of whom had distinguished service before they were discovered).