Guards! Guards!

A 1989 fantasy novel by British author Terry Pratchett, part of the Discworld series. It is the eighth book in the series and the first to focus on the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. The story follows Captain Samuel Vimes, who leads the neglected and ineffective Night Watch, consisting of Sergeant Fred Colon, Corporal Nobby Nobbs, and a new recruit, Corporal Carrot. A wave of mysterious attacks begins to plague the city, linked to the awakening of an ancient dragon. A secret society’s conspiracy forces the ragtag team to not only stop the destruction but also protect the very structure of power in Ankh-Morpork. Armed with common sense and biting wit, Vimes and his crew confront magic, corruption, and societal apathy. Filled with Pratchett’s trademark humor, the novel offers a sharp satire of politics, bureaucracy, and social stereotypes, marking the beginning of one of Discworld’s most beloved story arcs.