Another Fine Myth Review

Thanks to @mattcbert, I’m familiar with Robert Asprin and his Phule’s Company series of comedic sci-fi novels.
But before that, came this, his Myth-Adventures series of comedic sword & sandal fantasy novels.

I’ve actually done quite a bit of research on this series since I read the first installment of Phule’s Company, and on Asprin himself.
This dude could crank them out in a big bad way, gang.
While Phule’s only had 6 installments, 4 written with a co-author, Peter J. Heck, this Myth Adventures series has a whopping 22 entries, 8 of which were co-written with Jodi Lynn Nye (who wrote 2 additional books on her own after Asprin’s death).

My point with this info dump is that the dude, along with his co-scribes, was pretty damn prolific and apparently knows how to spin a tale well enough to keep folks coming back.
So let’s dive in and check out how he kicks off this series, and if it’s worth revisiting!

As always, this is that oft talked about and mystical ***SPOILER ALERT***

Skeeve, a lowly thief turned magician’s apprentice, is getting his latest magik lesson.
As a show of the power he wields, his master opens a portal to summon a demon into their dimension for a bit of show and tell, but at the same time assassins burst in and murder the magician in cold blood!

But, uh, remember that demon?
Yeah, now the demon, Aahz, tells Skeeve that his master, Garkin, was yankin’ his chain and they are really old friends, both being powerful magicians.
Aahz quickly realizes the threat the assassins pose and vows to take Skeeve under his wing and train him for the coming battle.
The only problem with this is that as a final prank Garkin neutralized Aahz’s power when he summoned his old pal.
I don’t know if you can tell yet or not, but I loved this book.
The set up is so goddamn goofy that it almost has to work.
And boy does it!

The quick hit, easy to read style of this book is eerily reminiscent of Murder In Cormyr, which I also loved.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I dig the 400+ page fantasy novels I’ve read over the years, but these books that are 200 or so pages, give you a great peek into a world, then they move on are so great to scratch that fantasy itch.
But what’s even cooler, and I think will turn out to be a strength, is that, unlike Murder In Cormyr, this is the first of a 22 book series.
Asprin gets to dip in, have a bit of fun, build a kooky world, set up some continuity, and then leave for a while.
Not getting crushed by the overwhelming page count all at once is a huge plus.

Like I said at the top, I’ve read some of Asprin’s Phule’s Company series, and the thing that shines through in both is his deeply rooted love for wordplay.
Puns, double entendres, homonyms, the dude just loved screwing around with the language.
And it’s a pleasure to soak it in.

The bottom line, gang, is this series isn’t here to preach about anything.
It’s not here to talk down to or make you feel dumb.
The entire mission statement for this series is to mess around, make you laugh, and entertain you any way it can.
And you know I am down with that to my core.
If you can, seek them out.
I know I’m definitely going to be on the look out for the rest now.

Let us know what you think of this review in the comments below or share this post on Twitter with the Hashtag #TNBBookReview.

Special thanks to @ACFerrell1976 for her continued editorial assistance.

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And finally, given the state of the world, do what you can to leave it a little bit better than you found it.
As difficult as that may be currently, it can have an impact far greater than you know.
Until next time, stay safe out there, gang.