One of my most childhood (well, teenagerhood) possessions is a pair of graphic novels based on Robert Asprin's "Myth" series, illustrated by Phil Foglio. I also read most of the books themselves and enjoyed them nearly as much. When I recently decided to re-read the first three books (Another Fine Myth, Myth Conceptions, and Myth Directions) I was surprised to find out how well they held up. They're still really fun!Now while "fun" isn't the word I'd use to describe most books in the fantasy genre these days, these books certainly are. On the surface they're about a newly master-less magician's apprentice, Skeeve, who is mentored by a demon, Ahz, whose wisdom and experience are only matched by his panache for con jobs and profit. Each book is essentially a caper where Asprin weaves a huge cast of vivid characters into entertaining and often amusing situations. The author has a real gift for plotting to the point where even when the situations are outlandish and complicated, you can trace a clear line of how the characters got into them.And that's the point at which the real entertainment usually starts --when the characters have to get out of one mess and usually end up in another. What I like about these books is that Skeeve and Ahz and company don't win the day by being the strongest or the most powerful. They win it by using guile, trickery, improvisation, wits, and imagination. It's really satisfying to see these traits win out over seemingly impossible odds, and again Asprin has a gift for making it all believable within his own (admittedly self-created) rule set for the world he's constructed.It's also worth noting that the books are consistently upbeat and lighthearted, with minimal violence and only mild sexual inuendo. The humor is situational and character driven, but also makes extensive use of puns and pop culture references (though some of those are a bit dated at this point). I'd highly recommend them to people of just about any age. I plan on reading more of the series whenever I want to take a break between other books for something more refreshing and fun.
This is book three of the series, and you already know that I like this series. It's hard to explain why you would like this series if you haven't already read it, but I'll try: first off, it's just funny. The first-person narrator is a young thief who wants to be a wizard, but his original mentor was killed and since then he has been palling around with a green-scaled dimension traveler. No, that's just not enough. The characters are distinct and fun, the plots are a bit simplistic but fun ... it's just fun. The books are not too long, so they're very fast reads; frankly, their written at a level that any teenager could read and enjoy, but I don't know that they're intended for teenagers. The fantasy elements are there, but it's really the situations and characters that make these novels so much fun, not the fantasy aspects necessarily.Look, I'm just not going to be able to do justice to these books. I enjoy them and I think that they are a lot of fun to read, so if you ever want to read something fun and light, then picked this series up.(My only real criticism of this book has to do with the voice talent that reads the book on audible.com, and really the only character that I don't like the way he reads is Tananda. This hardly counts as a complaint.)
What do You think about Myth Directions (2006)?
Funny book in the Myth series, this one's a take on sports as Aahz, Skeeve and some of their friends from the first two books take on the cities of Ta-Hoe and Veygus to rescue Tananda. Along the way we meet trolls and trollops and a pervert or prevect. First published in 1982 some of the quotes used as chapter headers may be lost on younger readers, from semi famous people of the day like Doug Hemming, Howard Cosell, but there still entertaining puns. "As any magician will tell you-Myth Directions is the secret of a successful steal." -D. HEMMING"Old heroes never die; they reappear in sequels" M. MOORCOCK"War may be Hell. .. but it's good for business!" -THE ASSOCIATION FOR MERCHANTS, MANUFACTURERS, AND MORTICIANS"-Or was it unlock the safe then swim to the surface?" -H. HOUDINII miss Bob Asprin he died much too young, if you enjoy a silly fantasy now and again this may be just the book for you.
—Kevin
The Trophy is the ugliest object Skeeve has ever seen. As Court Magician he has seen a thing or three. Luscious green Tanda wants the Trophy for demon Aahz's birthday present. But she floats asleep, hostage. Inhabitants are weakly, look easy to beat. But players bred stronger over generations. Ta-hoe vs Veygus vs Skeeve's team. Who will win the Game and the Trophy?----------------Veygus's magician Massha and the stone gargoyle Gus like the looks of one another. Skeeve has promised Ta-hoe's magician Quigley not to interfere with his job. Massha and Quigley "ex-demon hunter" p 116 both have amulets, are not real magicians themselves. From the Deveel Bazaar come Gus and "vegetarian troll" p 134 Chumly brother of Tanda. In Trollia, "men are Trolls and women are Trollops" p 135. Polite Chumly puts on tough act "Crunch likes little persons better than Big Macs" p 132. Gleep the Dragon and General Badaxe from Possiltum all join team. I can remember a Trophy, but Game details fuzz quickly. I gave re-reading the series a try. Had enough. Puns are fast forgotten.
—An Odd1
I highly enjoyed my commute with this story! This is a short book and a fast paced story. I've not listened to or read this series before, but I am going to add the rest of the series to my wishlist on RecordedBooks and I will be on the lookout at the bookstores, new and used, for more of this series. This one is #3 in the lineup, but I don't think I missed anything by not reading or listening to the first two before. Sadly, Robert Asprin died 22 May 2008. Unless someone steps up to fill his fantasy-building shoes, there won't be any more of the series. Four dimension hopping beans....
—Vickie
