At a glance
Monstrous Regiment
Comic fantasy
Monstrous Regiment
Book 31 of the Discworld series
Polly Perks cuts her hair, adopts the name Oliver, and enlists in Borogravia's army to find her missing brother. Her peculiar regiment includes a vampire, troll, Igor, zealous believer, and several recruits who may understand disguise better than they admit. As the supposedly glorious war reveals hunger, propaganda, incompetent leadership, and institutional absurdity, Polly's practical intelligence becomes more valuable than military tradition. Funny, angry, and humane, this largely standalone Discworld novel suits readers who enjoy wartime satire, secret identities, unconventional comrades, critiques of rigid gender roles, and comic fantasy that never loses sight of the ordinary people damaged by national myths.
Paired for this story
Jump to the pours ↓Campfire Coffee + Hearthside Spiced Mead
Choose your bookseller
Find the Book
Print retailers offer a search when an exact edition is unavailable. Kindle links open a specific edition. Audiobook links may open an edition or a search.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Book Bartender earns from qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org links also earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. Your price is not affected. Read the full affiliate disclosure.
No surprises at chapter twelve
Content notes
War, violence, death, religious satire, gender discrimination, and comic innuendo
Alcohol-Free Pour
Campfire Coffee
Brown-sugar coffee is a camp-minded companion to Polly's strange regiment, military improvisation, and disguised recruits.
What you'll need
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.How to mix it
- Stir any sweetener, cocoa, or spices into the coffee until dissolved. Add milk or cream if listed and garnish as indicated.
- Garnish: Orange peel if listed; otherwise none.
- Glassware: Mug or highball glass as appropriate.
Shop glassware & tools
We earn a commission from qualifying purchases through these Amazon links, at no extra cost to you.
Highball glass ↗Mug ↗Cocktail Pour · 21+
Hearthside Spiced Mead
For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
For adult readers, honey and spice bring a warm, layered counterpoint to Polly's disguised regiment and the surprises beneath its uniforms.
What you'll need
- 6 oz plain honey mead
- 1 small cinnamon stick ↗
- 2 whole cloves ↗
- 1 strip orange peel, avoiding the white pith ↗
- 1/2 tsp honey, optional if using dry mead ↗
Shop the spirits 21+Search Total Wine for Featured alcoholic ingredient · 21+ ↗
How to mix it
- Makes one serving.
- Combine the mead, cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat until gently steaming—do not simmer or boil. Keep over very low heat for 5–10 minutes, tasting occasionally for your preferred spice strength. Strain into a heatproof mug and sweeten with honey if desired.
- Garnish: Orange peel and a cinnamon stick.
- Glassware: Heatproof mug.
Shop glassware & tools
We earn a commission from qualifying purchases through these Amazon links, at no extra cost to you.
Mug ↗Set up the bar cart
Shop the Barware
Find the glasses and tools for your next pour.