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Phule's Company #6
Phule's Errand
From a New York Times bestseller, a commander in charge of a legion of misfit troops must track down his missing butler in this sci-fi comedy. Phule is without a doubt the only captain in the Space Legion with his own butler, but Beeker has stuck with him through thick and thin. Which is why it’s incomprehensible to Phule why Beeker has run off-planet without a word—and with Omega Company’s lovely new medic. Without his right-hand man, Phule has no idea what his left hand is doing. So he takes off after his errant butler, just as General Blitzkrieg decides to make a surprise visit to Zenobia. And the only thing Blitz would like better than catching Phule off guard is to catch Phule AWOL . . . Praise for the Phule’s Company “A winning story . . . part science fiction, part spoof, part heart-warmer.” —Publishers Weekly “Madcap . . . a welcome sendup of military sf.” —Booklist “Light without being frivolous, and displays Asprin’s considerable expertise about fencing and things military, especially leadership.” —Chicago Sun-Times “Reminiscent of ‘M*A*S*H.’” —Analog Science Fiction and Fact Magazine
266 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
128 people are currently reading
836 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 58 reviews
March 30, 2021
Horrible ending to a great series. The first three books of this series are amazingly written. You grow to love all the characters, and there are a lot of them. Book four lost some of its heart, and got a little convoluted. book five got even more convoluted, and ended with almost none of its heart left. Book six gets a lot more simple, its just a giant chase.
Phule must go chasing after his Butler who has run off, because if Phule's computer spends too long away from his Butlers, it will kill Phule...yeah this plot is kind of stupid. they try and explain away that the butler didn't know about the death part, but leaving without informing Phule is completely out of character. They only shove in the death angle to give a reason for Phule to follow, but its stupid and makes no sense if you think about it. What heart this series had is gone. the story is so insane and pointless that it ruins the memory of the rest of the series. I sold the entire set after i finished this because i no longer cared about it.
I love Asprin. he is one of my favorite authors and he usually knows how to make a compelling story on a simple idea. he did a similar plot in his Myth Series, where his main character had to go to a strange world looking for his friend. The Myth one, however, had a solid reason for his second to leave his main character, and a good reason to follow him.
I hate to put the blame on Peter Heck, the co-author, but the Phule series went to pot after he got involved. This series should have stayed a trilogy. If you are thinking of reading this series, stop at book three. there is no reason to continue as nothing of note happens. not only that, but it is very boring and confusion. this is sadly another series ruined by the author trying to continue a story that had already ended.
Phule must go chasing after his Butler who has run off, because if Phule's computer spends too long away from his Butlers, it will kill Phule...yeah this plot is kind of stupid. they try and explain away that the butler didn't know about the death part, but leaving without informing Phule is completely out of character. They only shove in the death angle to give a reason for Phule to follow, but its stupid and makes no sense if you think about it. What heart this series had is gone. the story is so insane and pointless that it ruins the memory of the rest of the series. I sold the entire set after i finished this because i no longer cared about it.
I love Asprin. he is one of my favorite authors and he usually knows how to make a compelling story on a simple idea. he did a similar plot in his Myth Series, where his main character had to go to a strange world looking for his friend. The Myth one, however, had a solid reason for his second to leave his main character, and a good reason to follow him.
I hate to put the blame on Peter Heck, the co-author, but the Phule series went to pot after he got involved. This series should have stayed a trilogy. If you are thinking of reading this series, stop at book three. there is no reason to continue as nothing of note happens. not only that, but it is very boring and confusion. this is sadly another series ruined by the author trying to continue a story that had already ended.
March 14, 2025
I have read the entire series which I have enjoyed. I believe this volume to be the weakest in the series. It should not be a starting place for these books. It is worth reading for those who have read the other volumes.
July 7, 2008
Library checked out 30 Jun - started 5 Jul, finished 6 Jul.
The series has definitely dragged on too long - a silly premise drags Phule hither & yon across the universe, while the rest of the Omega Mob has to deal with General Blitzkrieg up close & personal. Thumper still not living up to potential.
The series has definitely dragged on too long - a silly premise drags Phule hither & yon across the universe, while the rest of the Omega Mob has to deal with General Blitzkrieg up close & personal. Thumper still not living up to potential.
March 2, 2016
I started reading Aspin's fantasy comedy series and was surprised to find he had branched out into SiFi. I wasn't disappointed in the least. Still a laugh all the way through the book no matter what area he writes in. Highly recommended
November 28, 2021
I felt the last three novels have not been as strong as the first three. But still they are fun ride with plenty of Abbott and Costello style humor and lots of fun characters. By this point if you’ve read the first five finish it. But expect not much as much as the world hopping is interesting, we don’t see much of any of these planets and when we reach the earth of old, I would want a bit more. Really it falls short of the fun of the first three, lacks a plot and doesn’t really wrap up any of the characters. As a writer I have to wonder if Asprin was tired of the character or had a book deal and had to write the character one more time but did not have a tale to tell and this was what he pushed out. It’s a shame it couldn’t end as fun as the first one. I also hate the oh by the way there is secret about me no one knows not even me until this novel troupe. The ending left too much to be desired and didn’t feel nicely wrapped up just over.
August 29, 2016
I really had fun with this series. Sorry to say 'Bye' to their crazy antics.
November 23, 2023
Imagine a chocolate chip cookie you've been given. You *love* chocolate chip cookies. This chocolate chip cookie is fresh from the oven. The smell is caressing all the scenticles in your nose. This warm, delicious chocolate chip cookie is going to transport you to a minor oasis of bliss.
You take a bite of this amazing chocolate chip cookie. Those aren't chocolate chips. Those are carob chips and raisins. Your disappointment from the baker's deception sends your spirits plummeting to a minor pit of despair.
This book is a carob chip and raisin cookie. It looks like a chocolate chip cookie. It smells like a chocolate chip cookie. It is not a chocolate chip cookie.
The character names and ranks are the same names and ranks from the first two Phule's Company books, and the situation is roughly the same sort as the first two. Maybe even into the third book. But the characters aren't the same, and they don't really act like themselves. (Well, the general is probably pretty close to the same.) The plots aren't great and leave much to be desired.
Read this book if you're a completist and have a strong compulsion to read the whole series. Otherwise, read the first three books and call it quits. This book doesn't tie up loose ends from the series or bring the series to a close, it wraps up this book and that's it.
You take a bite of this amazing chocolate chip cookie. Those aren't chocolate chips. Those are carob chips and raisins. Your disappointment from the baker's deception sends your spirits plummeting to a minor pit of despair.
This book is a carob chip and raisin cookie. It looks like a chocolate chip cookie. It smells like a chocolate chip cookie. It is not a chocolate chip cookie.
The character names and ranks are the same names and ranks from the first two Phule's Company books, and the situation is roughly the same sort as the first two. Maybe even into the third book. But the characters aren't the same, and they don't really act like themselves. (Well, the general is probably pretty close to the same.) The plots aren't great and leave much to be desired.
Read this book if you're a completist and have a strong compulsion to read the whole series. Otherwise, read the first three books and call it quits. This book doesn't tie up loose ends from the series or bring the series to a close, it wraps up this book and that's it.
June 30, 2020
As the last book in the series Phule's Errand ended in a fashion that was both suitable and consistent with the rest of the series.
I have been reading the series intermittently as i found the original books in second hand stores and then the last couple of books through Amazon on my Kindle.
Easy to read style with light-weighted characters makes the book an enjoyable break from the heavier academic and factually driven tomes that i read.
If your looking for a good plot with an engaging dialogue then this series is for you. The humor isn't complicated and the play on words becomes more prevalent with each book.
It is critical to read each book in order because they feed into one another and follow the progress of the legion company along a consistent time line and the character development which allows the characters to be seen as filling into and refining their place of the narrative.
I have enjoyed each book and the series worked, and thankfully wasn't continued to the point of disappointment and failure.
I have been reading the series intermittently as i found the original books in second hand stores and then the last couple of books through Amazon on my Kindle.
Easy to read style with light-weighted characters makes the book an enjoyable break from the heavier academic and factually driven tomes that i read.
If your looking for a good plot with an engaging dialogue then this series is for you. The humor isn't complicated and the play on words becomes more prevalent with each book.
It is critical to read each book in order because they feed into one another and follow the progress of the legion company along a consistent time line and the character development which allows the characters to be seen as filling into and refining their place of the narrative.
I have enjoyed each book and the series worked, and thankfully wasn't continued to the point of disappointment and failure.
June 4, 2023
I was disappointed with this last book. The first half of the series was a good romp through some light hearted space adventures. This one however barely built tension or any urgency. There's a kill switch in a "computer" Phule may lose everything? Okay...
The butler had to leave without notice? He had no curiosity- none about his master who he felt duty bound to advise and protect? He didn't think to leave a note or contact him in a myriad of ways? - They built so much expectation around the characters (they're pretty straightforward to predict) that to have no pay off for a massive character deviation is confusing.
Usually the conclusion is a neat little tie up-the characters go home happy.
I was left thinking that's it? You didn't explain it.
At least the narrator on the audiobooks was pretty good.
The butler had to leave without notice? He had no curiosity- none about his master who he felt duty bound to advise and protect? He didn't think to leave a note or contact him in a myriad of ways? - They built so much expectation around the characters (they're pretty straightforward to predict) that to have no pay off for a massive character deviation is confusing.
Usually the conclusion is a neat little tie up-the characters go home happy.
I was left thinking that's it? You didn't explain it.
At least the narrator on the audiobooks was pretty good.
February 16, 2020
The Phule's Company series comes to a close with a whimper. Asprin's death made certain this was the last installment, but each book felt more perfunctory than the last, as though he was writing them because he had thought of the titular fool pun first and came up with a book that sort of fit with it. The criticisms about this being merely a chase book are accurate, but it suffers far more from not being a great chase book. There are no real stakes (a problem in the series as a whole) and the characters have been winnowed down to arguably the least interesting.
May 30, 2022
Oh dear! A series that started off brightly ends with a book that should never have been written.
In previous reviews I have noted how Robert Asprin seemed to have lost some interest in the Phule series - this is the proof that he had given up on it entirely.
Beeker goes AWOL and can't be found. Capt. Jester follows him across the universe. There's a set-piece kidnapping towards the end and some indication that there could have been further books.
"Phule's Errand" is but a pale shadow of what came before.
2 Stars
In previous reviews I have noted how Robert Asprin seemed to have lost some interest in the Phule series - this is the proof that he had given up on it entirely.
Beeker goes AWOL and can't be found. Capt. Jester follows him across the universe. There's a set-piece kidnapping towards the end and some indication that there could have been further books.
"Phule's Errand" is but a pale shadow of what came before.
2 Stars
April 17, 2018
This was a silly series from the start, with laughable technology for a sci-fi book (literally 1990's tech in space) and 2 dimensional characters. But it was fun and the plots had clever surprises. Then this book took away the plot. I don't know what happened when writing this, but all the characters got thinner and the plot evaporated. The remaining book was terrible. Oh well. I had a few laughs along the way.
March 21, 2019
In this final Phule book, Beeker seems to have run off with Omega Company's new medic (who happens to be a woman from his past). For reasons that almost make sense, Captain Jester must follow him. Unfortunately, while he is off planet, General Blitzkrieg decides to make a surprise inspection...so, to distract him, the legionnaires build a small golf course.
This is a fun series worthy of the re-read I just finished.
This is a fun series worthy of the re-read I just finished.
December 2, 2019
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I don't think it was as good as some of the previous books, but it was still incredibly enjoyable to read. It really sucks that Robert Lynn Asprin is dead. I wish he could have written more Phule's Company books. Hopefully his coauthor can continue the series and try to measure up to what they had managed so far in quality. I highly recommend this book and series.
April 21, 2023
A lame ending to a rather fun series.
Phule's butler goes on vacation visiting tourist traps all across the galaxy with the captain following for the world's most contrived reason ever.
Back in base they're playing golf with an "almost" retiree. I wish this was a joke.
Depends way too heavily on coincidences, contrived and a bit boring. This one was filler book at most and made for a sad last installment to the series.
Phule's butler goes on vacation visiting tourist traps all across the galaxy with the captain following for the world's most contrived reason ever.
Back in base they're playing golf with an "almost" retiree. I wish this was a joke.
Depends way too heavily on coincidences, contrived and a bit boring. This one was filler book at most and made for a sad last installment to the series.
February 10, 2025
Book 6 of Phule’s Company. Dad to see this series end. This is one that I really enjoyed and felt it could have continued indefinitely. This was a fun read. The company stays on current assignment, but all goes haywire when General Blitzkrieg come to visit and Beeker has taken a sudden leave of absence. Thank goodness for the back up android. A great end of the series.
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
June 23, 2017
Terrible book. No plot. Persevered trough sheer stubbornness. A shame as I read the earlier books in the series for their humorous storyline. Comedic Science Fiction is rare. However the series got worse as it went on and would never read another book by this author.
Do not ever bother reading this book
Do not ever bother reading this book
October 5, 2020
DNF at 32%
Wow, it’s hard to believe how a series I loved could end this badly. The first book of the series, Phule’s Company, was one of my favorites, but I couldn’t even get through 1/3 of this one. I can’t think of a single good thing to say about this book. As far as I’m concerned, this series ended with book 3.
Wow, it’s hard to believe how a series I loved could end this badly. The first book of the series, Phule’s Company, was one of my favorites, but I couldn’t even get through 1/3 of this one. I can’t think of a single good thing to say about this book. As far as I’m concerned, this series ended with book 3.
January 29, 2024
I came so close to giving this 3 stars. This felt like the author had signed a book deal to provide a certain number of books in a certain amount of time and end up rushing this one just to get it out. I still gave it 4 stars because if I step back it is still way better than the majority of what I read.
December 28, 2017
not the biggest fan. very dull story
October 27, 2018
Similar to the other Phule books. If you like them you'll like this.
November 14, 2018
This one felt a bit simular to the myth books in a sense and this is more of a quest and hunting after each other groups, general blitzkrieg was really funny in this one :)
March 5, 2019
A little better than book five, but kind of runs out of steam at the end.
February 27, 2020
Very enjoyable series. I enjoyed the Myth series more, but this was a fun set to read too.
June 21, 2022
I pitti da phule!
The puns are getting a little stale and asprin is hard to replace. Still a good series and good to see how omega mob is getting along.
The puns are getting a little stale and asprin is hard to replace. Still a good series and good to see how omega mob is getting along.
September 11, 2022
I am sad to see this series end. I loved the characters and the ridiculous situations they got into.
November 8, 2025
A disappointing ending to a fun series.
September 2, 2008
I was surprised to find another book in the Phule's Company series in the bookstore, as I hadn't heard anything about it. Apparently it was published in 2006, which makes me the latecomer to the party, but I expect I didn't hear much about it because it's a lackluster addition to the Phule series.
The novel itself follows in a similar vein to the others in the Phule's Company series, but just doesn't have the same sparkle or life to it. In all the other novels, the whole Omega company of the Space Legion (misfits of the most misfit branch of the military) has to adapt to a new assignment on a new planet, and succeeds, thanks in part to a bit of dumb luck and the willingness of their Captain (Willard Phule) to spread his inestimable wealth to give his company the best operating equipment and facilities in the new location.
This novel focuses less on the Omega Company and more on only a handful of members. Phule has to rush offplanet in attempts to catch his butler, who has gone on vacation but didn't leave his security-code for Phule to access his financial records. A couple of his soldiers surreptitiously follow to aid Phule in his efforts, but always end up a step behind their commander, who in turn is always a step behind his butler Beeker.
The hijinks on their tour to four new planets are tired and leave the reader wishing the novel was over. The parallel plot of General Blitzkrieg performing a surprise inspection while Phule is gone is almost as uninteresting, although it is tempered a bit by a little interaction with various members of the Omega Company.
As (I'm assuming) this is the final book in the Phule's Company series, this was a sad way to cap off the stories about Captain Jester and his ragtag band of misfits. I know it may not have been planned to be the last in the series, but it still felt like it was a "straight-to-video" addition to the series tacked on just to take advantage of the name and characters Asprin worked so hard to develop in the early 90's.
The novel itself follows in a similar vein to the others in the Phule's Company series, but just doesn't have the same sparkle or life to it. In all the other novels, the whole Omega company of the Space Legion (misfits of the most misfit branch of the military) has to adapt to a new assignment on a new planet, and succeeds, thanks in part to a bit of dumb luck and the willingness of their Captain (Willard Phule) to spread his inestimable wealth to give his company the best operating equipment and facilities in the new location.
This novel focuses less on the Omega Company and more on only a handful of members. Phule has to rush offplanet in attempts to catch his butler, who has gone on vacation but didn't leave his security-code for Phule to access his financial records. A couple of his soldiers surreptitiously follow to aid Phule in his efforts, but always end up a step behind their commander, who in turn is always a step behind his butler Beeker.
The hijinks on their tour to four new planets are tired and leave the reader wishing the novel was over. The parallel plot of General Blitzkrieg performing a surprise inspection while Phule is gone is almost as uninteresting, although it is tempered a bit by a little interaction with various members of the Omega Company.
As (I'm assuming) this is the final book in the Phule's Company series, this was a sad way to cap off the stories about Captain Jester and his ragtag band of misfits. I know it may not have been planned to be the last in the series, but it still felt like it was a "straight-to-video" addition to the series tacked on just to take advantage of the name and characters Asprin worked so hard to develop in the early 90's.
December 21, 2015
Phule's Errand is the last book of the Phule's Company series. If one compares this to other books of the series, it was only okay to poor. The basic plot throughout the book was Beeker and another person go on a vacation only with a short term notice. This leaves Captain Jester/Phule chasing after his butler from place to place. This plot seemed a bit childish and boring because the same thing got repeated over and over. The humor of this book was minimal to almost non existent compared to older Phule books. Writing style was bland, didn't feel exciting or anything.
Robert Aspirin wrote fabulous books in the past but this one felt more like Peter Heck. One also has to remember that this book was written at the end of Robert Aspirin's life so one cannot judge this book as suspect other Aspirin's books are like this. They are NOT!! Would recommend only to those who want to finish the Phule's company series. Set your expectations low or have no expectations when reading. It's a book for enjoyment.
Robert Aspirin wrote fabulous books in the past but this one felt more like Peter Heck. One also has to remember that this book was written at the end of Robert Aspirin's life so one cannot judge this book as suspect other Aspirin's books are like this. They are NOT!! Would recommend only to those who want to finish the Phule's company series. Set your expectations low or have no expectations when reading. It's a book for enjoyment.
April 19, 2023
Traveling
Another fabulous story from Asprin. I believe I read this one back in the late '80s or early '90s and just like the other books in the series it's a great read.
Omega company is up to their usual antics but there's a twist. While Captain jester is tracking down his butler most of the rest of Omega company has to deal with General Blitzkrieg who just doesn't like any of them. You get to enjoy all the usual antics plus several rounds of golf.
The big question is whether or not they can beat the odds once again. You will just have to read this story to find out the conclusion.
Another fabulous story from Asprin. I believe I read this one back in the late '80s or early '90s and just like the other books in the series it's a great read.
Omega company is up to their usual antics but there's a twist. While Captain jester is tracking down his butler most of the rest of Omega company has to deal with General Blitzkrieg who just doesn't like any of them. You get to enjoy all the usual antics plus several rounds of golf.
The big question is whether or not they can beat the odds once again. You will just have to read this story to find out the conclusion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews