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Myth Adventures #1-6
Robert Asprin's Myth Adventures Vol. 1
Start at the beginning, in Another Fine Myth, as Skeeve, an apprentice wizard, meets the demon Aahz. Though it's not love, or even like at first sight they form a connection-saving their lives-between them. Follow them in Myth Conceptions, as Skeeve and Aahz test their talent when they decide to take on an entire army themselves and continue on in Myth Directions. Then Skeeve finds himself alone with his own apprentice applicant, a king, in Hit or Myth and must deal with a medieval Mob! In Myth-ing Persons living up to one's reputation can be murder. Can a Character Assassin who tries to discredit the team in Little Myth Marker break up the team for good?
888 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
11 people are currently reading
493 people want to read
About the author
Robert Lynn Asprin
224 books1,067 followersRobert (Lynn) Asprin was born in 1946. While he wrote some stand alone novels such as The Cold Cash War, Tambu, and The Bug Wars and also the Duncan & Mallory Illustrated stories, Bob is best known for his series fantasy, such as the Myth Adventures of Aahz and Skeeve, the Phule's Company novels, and the Time Scout novels written with Linda Evans. He also edited the groundbreaking Thieves' World anthology series with Lynn Abbey. Other collaborations include License Invoked (set in the French Quarter of New Orleans) and several Myth Adventures novels, all written with Jody Lynn Nye.
Bob's final solo work was a contemporary fantasy series called Dragons, again set in New Orleans.
Bob passed away suddenly on May 22, 2008. He is survived by his daughter and son, his mother and his sister.
Bob's final solo work was a contemporary fantasy series called Dragons, again set in New Orleans.
Bob passed away suddenly on May 22, 2008. He is survived by his daughter and son, his mother and his sister.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 5, 2009
These books are flat funny...really. Dimensional travelers are called "demons"...if you're from deva your a devil and if you happen to be from Purv your a, well, never mind.
August 11, 2009
The story was ok. Nothing special. My major problem with this book (this edition) was that when they compiled it, they didn't bother reading it over to check for mistakes. There are many many hyphens in the middle of lines, indented paragraphs in the middle of sentences, and general spelling errors. If I was getting annoyed by it then there is a problem. My assumption (like many other people's) is that they scanned the originals and used text recognition package that still had many bugs in it.
My other problem with the book was that, even though there were six stories, the stories all seemed to be the same form repeated over and over again.
All and all, the book was a nice light read but caused me to rate it down because of some annoying problems.
My other problem with the book was that, even though there were six stories, the stories all seemed to be the same form repeated over and over again.
All and all, the book was a nice light read but caused me to rate it down because of some annoying problems.
February 17, 2010
This is a fun story and plot line, but this particular compilation is so type-riddled that it was difficult to read the whole thing. I can't think of another book I've read that was so poorly edited!
Despite all the fun and light adventure that the 6 individual stories provide, it was just too messy and I found that I would have to reread passages just to understand what the hell was trying to be conveyed. Ridiculous that a compilation that deserves at least 4 stars is stuck with 2 because of bad editing.
Despite all the fun and light adventure that the 6 individual stories provide, it was just too messy and I found that I would have to reread passages just to understand what the hell was trying to be conveyed. Ridiculous that a compilation that deserves at least 4 stars is stuck with 2 because of bad editing.
December 30, 2018
Getting the worst out of the way first: This collection of the first six Myth Adventures stories is horribly typeset, seeming as though they preserved the original novels' hyphenation (so you'd see something like "ho-tel" in the middle of the page), poorly proofread (swear to God, the last book had "all" spelled as "A11"), and in book six actually has a section missing. (Or maybe it's just misplaced but I couldn't find where it had gotten to.) It gets more cramped as it goes along, presumably to fit all six books into the requisite 888 pages.
That aside, these are pretty fun. They're essentially what the Japanese call "light novels", where entire sections are just dialogue with no indication of who's speaking. At least the dialogue is never just "!!" or "...", as in Devil is a Part Timer, but much like DisPT, the characters of a distant world are remarkably versed in contemporary pop culture. (This got irritating to me in books 6 or 7, where it seemed like Asprin was going for a cheap joke that broke any sense of immersion for something that wasn't really very funny.)
It's very, very much a creature of its time (1978-1985) replete with references to the Godfather, existing in the kind of pre-fab fantasy kingdom that was really common at the height of D&D's popularity. Each chapter begins with an ironic quote attributed to a historical character or celebrity, and I was able to pick most (but not all) of those out.
Where it excels—the thing that makes it worth reading—is in trying to find clever solutions to the problems facing the characters, and mostly succeeding. By book #6, I knew exactly what was going on from the first set up, and who the mysterious "Ax" character was, but through the other five books Asprin was able to create (for me) a pretty good mystery, and level of suspense, though the tone is so light as to never seem very dangerous.
It's garnished with Phil Foglio's classic art, and Foglio seems to have been inspired by "Gleep", the hero's puppy-dog-like dragon when creating "Growlf" for his comic strip "What's New With Phil and Dixie".
Light stuff, but fun.
That aside, these are pretty fun. They're essentially what the Japanese call "light novels", where entire sections are just dialogue with no indication of who's speaking. At least the dialogue is never just "!!" or "...", as in Devil is a Part Timer, but much like DisPT, the characters of a distant world are remarkably versed in contemporary pop culture. (This got irritating to me in books 6 or 7, where it seemed like Asprin was going for a cheap joke that broke any sense of immersion for something that wasn't really very funny.)
It's very, very much a creature of its time (1978-1985) replete with references to the Godfather, existing in the kind of pre-fab fantasy kingdom that was really common at the height of D&D's popularity. Each chapter begins with an ironic quote attributed to a historical character or celebrity, and I was able to pick most (but not all) of those out.
Where it excels—the thing that makes it worth reading—is in trying to find clever solutions to the problems facing the characters, and mostly succeeding. By book #6, I knew exactly what was going on from the first set up, and who the mysterious "Ax" character was, but through the other five books Asprin was able to create (for me) a pretty good mystery, and level of suspense, though the tone is so light as to never seem very dangerous.
It's garnished with Phil Foglio's classic art, and Foglio seems to have been inspired by "Gleep", the hero's puppy-dog-like dragon when creating "Growlf" for his comic strip "What's New With Phil and Dixie".
Light stuff, but fun.
April 7, 2024
A dork with one spell he's competent with and an extradimensional con man set out to...
Actually, you know what, anything I could say here would be a terrible spoiler. This is a deeply silly fantasy series that deserves to be read. Expect puns. Expect SO MANY PUNS. EVERYTHING that can be a pun is a pun.
Actually, you know what, anything I could say here would be a terrible spoiler. This is a deeply silly fantasy series that deserves to be read. Expect puns. Expect SO MANY PUNS. EVERYTHING that can be a pun is a pun.
February 13, 2024
I read these in HS and don't remember them being this short. A lot of fun, and doesn't take itself too seriously.
After re-reading them as an "adult" I don't think I plan on rereading them, again, but nice bit of nostalgia.
After re-reading them as an "adult" I don't think I plan on rereading them, again, but nice bit of nostalgia.
June 11, 2018
Really the best way to enjoy these adventures is as meal and you'll not be to full, and you're gonna buy them all anyway. why not save time, and shipping costs.
January 21, 2022
Really fun book. Best of the series.
August 27, 2012
This volume contains the first six books of Robert Asprin's Myth series. I'd read a few of the books before, but never all six and never in order. These books are fun, lighthearted and a nice easy read. It's the fascinating adventures of a magician's apprentice (Skeeve) whose master (Garkin) happens to be killed at the same time he conjures up a demon (Aahz). The demon takes on the apprentice as his own, and that is pretty much where the adventures begin. It's nonstop trouble and mayhem for these two, well, and their recruits from the Bazaar at Deva - a place where you can find anything.
Working together with a select group of beings, they get into as much trouble as they can handle. The stories are all told from Skeeve's point of view, and though being a relatively young guy, he's pretty dang smart. His entourage gets into some very interesting scrapes, and it's a delight to experience just how brilliantly they're able to conjure up plans to get them out of whatever sticky spot has come their way.
There are enough twists and turns and surprises to keep you interested, but that's not to say there's not a good deal of predictability in these stories. However, I think it's kind of fun to guess where the story is going ... and to be right (most of the time)! I think these books are really pretty funny - filled with lots of puns and plays on words and dorky jokes. You'll be sure to have a smile on your face the whole volume through.
The only reason this is only getting 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the blatant editing errors. There are a LOT of misplaced hyphens that distract from the flow of the story (at times). There are other errors as well, but the hyphens are definitely the most annoying. I think a ball must have been dropped when converting these books into the volume, because I can't see how they could have possibly been published originally with so many errors.
Still, if you can get past the editing gaffs, you're sure to enjoy this lighthearted volume. I can hardly wait to get started on Volume 2!
Working together with a select group of beings, they get into as much trouble as they can handle. The stories are all told from Skeeve's point of view, and though being a relatively young guy, he's pretty dang smart. His entourage gets into some very interesting scrapes, and it's a delight to experience just how brilliantly they're able to conjure up plans to get them out of whatever sticky spot has come their way.
There are enough twists and turns and surprises to keep you interested, but that's not to say there's not a good deal of predictability in these stories. However, I think it's kind of fun to guess where the story is going ... and to be right (most of the time)! I think these books are really pretty funny - filled with lots of puns and plays on words and dorky jokes. You'll be sure to have a smile on your face the whole volume through.
The only reason this is only getting 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the blatant editing errors. There are a LOT of misplaced hyphens that distract from the flow of the story (at times). There are other errors as well, but the hyphens are definitely the most annoying. I think a ball must have been dropped when converting these books into the volume, because I can't see how they could have possibly been published originally with so many errors.
Still, if you can get past the editing gaffs, you're sure to enjoy this lighthearted volume. I can hardly wait to get started on Volume 2!
Read
September 24, 2010I have only the 1st volume of this. According to the preface, Asprin undertook the series as a form of occupational therapy when he was writing some pretty grim stuff. I like Phil Foglio's drawings (there are plenty of small treasures, like the t-shirt on one of the fleeing demons in one panel), but I miss the epigraphs at the head of each chapter. Wish my copy of Another Fine Myth hadn't gone walkabout. I wonder if it might just be misplaced...
Anyway, this is ok, for now. Ends in the middle of Another Fine Myth, right when they arrive at the Bazaar of Deva. The afterword claims to be a production diary by Foglio.
Anyway, this is ok, for now. Ends in the middle of Another Fine Myth, right when they arrive at the Bazaar of Deva. The afterword claims to be a production diary by Foglio.
June 26, 2016
The stories are funny, quick reads as long as you're into stuff like this. If you're easily annoyed by editing mistakes or inconsistencies, however, I wouldn't suggest this book. My biggest complaints are things like incorrect writing form in characters' speech, random indentations in the middle of paragraphs, and the change in between books from Possiltum to Possletum, Tanda to Tananda, and so on. Otherwise, I would suggest the series and I plan on reading the rest of it if the quality stays the same or gets better.
June 29, 2011
I remember bits and pieces of this series. I remember finding them unique and funny. I loved LOVED Skeeve and thought he was hilarious. Later on in the series they do get a little wacky.
I also remember waiting for like ten years to have him write another book.
The series only got three stars because of how much near the end he was stretching for plot and reused a lot for the same jokes.
I would recommend this to anyone who has a sense of humor and likes magic.
I also remember waiting for like ten years to have him write another book.
The series only got three stars because of how much near the end he was stretching for plot and reused a lot for the same jokes.
I would recommend this to anyone who has a sense of humor and likes magic.
April 13, 2013
A wizard summons a demon to impress his young apprentice and is promptly killed by a hired killer.
This leaves the apprentice stuck with the demon, who is more easy going and friendly than vicious and blood thirsty and the two decided to work together to find the killer.
Funny story, that mixes the cliches of fantasy, but keeps the characters likable and full of personality.
Nice start to the series.
This leaves the apprentice stuck with the demon, who is more easy going and friendly than vicious and blood thirsty and the two decided to work together to find the killer.
Funny story, that mixes the cliches of fantasy, but keeps the characters likable and full of personality.
Nice start to the series.
March 3, 2021
I read this on a dare. I am glad I did. I read this series long after I should have stopped. The series goes on forever. And steadily gets worse. But only a little at a time. So a child can read happily away until they decide they have read it all before. If I had it to do over again I'd read the first 6, but I'd definitely let the child choose!
March 27, 2009
This omnibus is, unfortunately, a rush job in that there are so many copy errors - misspelled names, misspelled words, missing spaces and punctuation.
If you can look beyond that, you'll find a collection of fun adventures from Skeeve, Aahz, and co.
If you can look beyond that, you'll find a collection of fun adventures from Skeeve, Aahz, and co.
October 1, 2010
Fun, clever, imaginative, and entertaining. This series has been a favorite of mine for years. If you're looking for a well-written, entertaining read, look no further! I'm glad to see they've released them in this format...I may have to replace my old, tattered copies.
October 10, 2011
Good book. The first 4 in the series were the best. After that I wasn't as fond of them. They got a few editing errors and it bugged me a bit. I really liked the series in whole and recommend it for a light hearted read.
February 28, 2015
Fun sophmoric in a good way. Demon character before demons were popular. Fun romp. I did mature a bit before finishing series. BTW I read these as individual books. I use the ombinsis for my personal Have library.
October 19, 2015
This book, and its companion volume, have some typesetting problems, which is why I rated them 2 stars. The stories are great but paragraphs begin and end in weird places and other issues make these not great compilations.
May 31, 2021
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
Currently reading
September 13, 2007So far it's so so.... but, I'm only 40 pages into it (it's long).
Young adult lit a-la Harry Potter? We'll see.
Young adult lit a-la Harry Potter? We'll see.
November 8, 2007
I read the paperback.
March 2, 2008
Light hearted and fun. Deffinatly a candy book..
March 20, 2008
One of the silliest readys ever. You'll die laughing. It's is one of the best reads ever. It's a new twist on mages and demons. A great read fo all ages, from 10 to 100.
April 4, 2008
Kind of a fun read. I remembered it being funnier than it is. Worst proofreading/editing/printing job I've ever seen in a published book.
October 28, 2008
I love all the books in Asprin's Myth series. They are great humorous light reads.
January 19, 2009
Well, some things that you loved when you were 11 (but knew were cheesy even then) aren't completely unreadable 20 years later. Just awfully lightweight, even for what they is.
April 23, 2009
Hilarious. In parts equal to or better than (gasp!) Pratchett.
August 8, 2009
Very punny! Robert Aspirin is a fun read.
April 21, 2010
Omnibus that I used to get Mike started on this fantastic & fun series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews