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Myth Adventures #3
Myth Directions
Skeeve, the gifted young court magician, joins forces with a scaley but clever Pervect and a charming demon thief to obtain the Trophy, in an interdimensional fantasy. Reissue.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
89 people are currently reading
1483 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 218 reviews
December 11, 2020
How do these simple quests turn into SUCH NIGHTMARES???
I mean, let's put this in perspective. She just wanted our young, hormone-led magical hero to go on a SHOPPING trip. To carry bags.
How does one go from that to fighting THE war in an alternate dimension that looks an awful lot like football if you allow dragons on the field.
Quite funny, good hijinx, and it captures all the spirit of a good game... assuming it's fought the way it is in Europe.
I mean, let's put this in perspective. She just wanted our young, hormone-led magical hero to go on a SHOPPING trip. To carry bags.
How does one go from that to fighting THE war in an alternate dimension that looks an awful lot like football if you allow dragons on the field.
Quite funny, good hijinx, and it captures all the spirit of a good game... assuming it's fought the way it is in Europe.
December 1, 2023
3.5 stars.
Another day, another myth-adventure. Following the pattern of its prequels, we get to see another fuck up by our beloved characters and how they get out of the said fuck up rather stupidly/ingeniously.
We also get to see more dimensions apart from Deva. We get a reunion of more or less the same characters.
All in all, a quick yet fun read.
Another day, another myth-adventure. Following the pattern of its prequels, we get to see another fuck up by our beloved characters and how they get out of the said fuck up rather stupidly/ingeniously.
We also get to see more dimensions apart from Deva. We get a reunion of more or less the same characters.
All in all, a quick yet fun read.
September 8, 2016
I liked the first two books and "Myth Directions" is also a short, fun and easy read. Once more the story is quite simple and it does well as a standalone or as a part of the series. I’m really glad to find fantasy is mixed with humor again. The interaction is quick and smart and the actions take a quick pace. Aahz and Skeeve have become my favorite duo and I enjoy reading about them and meeting their new allies. I enjoyed reading about their new adventures as they find themselves in another interesting and tricky situation. It seems that it’s their top business in the books. I liked the new world and it’s strange people (I found some resemblance with people I know, so it was really delightful to imagine that :D ) It was interesting to meet the new member of the sports team, the big brother of Tanda.
Maybe the next time I’ll meet a horde of them
Though, I think I’m getting tired a little bit of simplicity and the lack of strong, nasty villain(s), so I decided to dive into one more book from the series and after that give it a break, to strengthen my love for Aahz and Skeeve and to enjoy the series with new force.
So, all in all, If you want something light, fun and entertaining to read, "Myth Directions" is a perfect choice, because it doesn’t need too much of puzzling and it will make you smile and giggle from the jokes.
June 20, 2016
Let the Games Begin
20 June 2016
Well, it is 11:30 (it was 11:00 when I first started writing this review but my computer crashed which mean I lost everything – so much for autosave) and while I should be in bed fast asleep since I do have to go to work tomorrow I would rather be sitting here writing my review because, well, I would rather write a review than think about going to work, especially since my brain juices get a lot more exercise doing this than what I do for eight hours in a day. Mind you, I probably would have finished this review by now if my computer hadn't crashed and I had to do a hard reset (and no, I don't use Windows, or a Mac, but that is beside the point), but I guess I'm going to have to continue talking about this book because, well, I would rather do that than lie in bed (and I can also catch a snooze on the train on the way to work).
Anyway, what can you expect from Myth Directions? Well, you can expect the slapstick hilarity that you have come to expect from Asprins other books (and by they way, make sure your check out his picture on Goodreads, it's pretty cool – it certainly looks like the guy whose brain would come up with the Myth Adventures series – your typical, everyday, 70s hipster). The characters that you have grown to love once again make an appearance, along with a few new ones (including Tanda's brother, who turns out to be a bit of a surprise). Ahaz is his good old scheming self, and Tanda is makes a rather flirtatious return (but would you expect anything else from her). Anyway, here is a picture of our heroes:
Oh, Gleep also comes back as well, but then again those of us who have read the first book probably know that Gleep ain't going anywhere (he's such a cute little dragon, though apparently he isn't that little by this time).
So, Skeeve wants to learn how to dimension hop, but Ahaz explains that to be able to dimension hop one needs to have visited over dimensions, and the Bazaar at Deva doesn't count (particularly since Skeeve always lands up in trouble when he's on Deva). To Skeeve's surprise Tanda rocks up and convinces Ahaz to let them go on an journey across the dimensions and Ahaz reluctantly agrees on one condition – Skeeve is not to get into trouble. Well, you can guess what happens – Skeeve gets into trouble.
Anyway, they end up on this would that has been at peace for five hundred years, namely because the two superpowers have a sporting event once a year and the winner of the sporting event gets to rule the world for that year. Unfortunately, Skeeve happens to upset the balance which results in Tanda getting abducted and the two superpowers preparing for war (despite the fact that they have actually forgotten how one is supposed to prosecute a war, but that is beside the point). So, to try and save face, or at least get Tanda back, they agree to take on both sides, at once, in this game.
Well, it turns out that this game has some rules, not many mind you – sort of five people on the ground at a time, and you have to get the ball through the hoop, oh and no edged weapons. Mind you, that happens to be more rules than your average game of keep-off, which is basically “don't let anybody else get the ball” which theoretically means that somebody on the sidelines can run onto the field, push a random person into the mud, and run off again (and it also means that the random person can then run off the field, punch that someone in the face, and run back onto the field – and my jaw still hurts).
Well, sport, it's a funny thing isn't it, and sometimes people, when they actually watch a game, wonder if there are actually any rules to the game. Okay, maybe a game like American Football, or Cricket, has clearly defined rules, but if you watch a game of Aussie Rules it might make you wonder if the title is actually in a foreign language that translates to 'football without any' (and the work aussi is actually a French word). Mind you, it is interesting because we all get distracted by these games and in many ways it simply seems that it is very much like what happens in Jhak – two teams go at each other once a year and the winner gets bragging rights – that's pretty much about it. Mind you, I do go to the occasional sporting much, and it really does get pretty emotional, but in the end I sometimes wonder whether it is worth it, especially since if my team loses I leave completely emotionally drained, while if my team wins I get, well, what is it that I get – nothing really. Somebody once said that I get bragging rights – but bragging rights ain't going to put food on my table.
I think I need a different hobby – maybe computer programming.
20 June 2016
Well, it is 11:30 (it was 11:00 when I first started writing this review but my computer crashed which mean I lost everything – so much for autosave) and while I should be in bed fast asleep since I do have to go to work tomorrow I would rather be sitting here writing my review because, well, I would rather write a review than think about going to work, especially since my brain juices get a lot more exercise doing this than what I do for eight hours in a day. Mind you, I probably would have finished this review by now if my computer hadn't crashed and I had to do a hard reset (and no, I don't use Windows, or a Mac, but that is beside the point), but I guess I'm going to have to continue talking about this book because, well, I would rather do that than lie in bed (and I can also catch a snooze on the train on the way to work).
Anyway, what can you expect from Myth Directions? Well, you can expect the slapstick hilarity that you have come to expect from Asprins other books (and by they way, make sure your check out his picture on Goodreads, it's pretty cool – it certainly looks like the guy whose brain would come up with the Myth Adventures series – your typical, everyday, 70s hipster). The characters that you have grown to love once again make an appearance, along with a few new ones (including Tanda's brother, who turns out to be a bit of a surprise). Ahaz is his good old scheming self, and Tanda is makes a rather flirtatious return (but would you expect anything else from her). Anyway, here is a picture of our heroes:
Oh, Gleep also comes back as well, but then again those of us who have read the first book probably know that Gleep ain't going anywhere (he's such a cute little dragon, though apparently he isn't that little by this time).
So, Skeeve wants to learn how to dimension hop, but Ahaz explains that to be able to dimension hop one needs to have visited over dimensions, and the Bazaar at Deva doesn't count (particularly since Skeeve always lands up in trouble when he's on Deva). To Skeeve's surprise Tanda rocks up and convinces Ahaz to let them go on an journey across the dimensions and Ahaz reluctantly agrees on one condition – Skeeve is not to get into trouble. Well, you can guess what happens – Skeeve gets into trouble.
Anyway, they end up on this would that has been at peace for five hundred years, namely because the two superpowers have a sporting event once a year and the winner of the sporting event gets to rule the world for that year. Unfortunately, Skeeve happens to upset the balance which results in Tanda getting abducted and the two superpowers preparing for war (despite the fact that they have actually forgotten how one is supposed to prosecute a war, but that is beside the point). So, to try and save face, or at least get Tanda back, they agree to take on both sides, at once, in this game.
Well, it turns out that this game has some rules, not many mind you – sort of five people on the ground at a time, and you have to get the ball through the hoop, oh and no edged weapons. Mind you, that happens to be more rules than your average game of keep-off, which is basically “don't let anybody else get the ball” which theoretically means that somebody on the sidelines can run onto the field, push a random person into the mud, and run off again (and it also means that the random person can then run off the field, punch that someone in the face, and run back onto the field – and my jaw still hurts).
Well, sport, it's a funny thing isn't it, and sometimes people, when they actually watch a game, wonder if there are actually any rules to the game. Okay, maybe a game like American Football, or Cricket, has clearly defined rules, but if you watch a game of Aussie Rules it might make you wonder if the title is actually in a foreign language that translates to 'football without any' (and the work aussi is actually a French word). Mind you, it is interesting because we all get distracted by these games and in many ways it simply seems that it is very much like what happens in Jhak – two teams go at each other once a year and the winner gets bragging rights – that's pretty much about it. Mind you, I do go to the occasional sporting much, and it really does get pretty emotional, but in the end I sometimes wonder whether it is worth it, especially since if my team loses I leave completely emotionally drained, while if my team wins I get, well, what is it that I get – nothing really. Somebody once said that I get bragging rights – but bragging rights ain't going to put food on my table.
I think I need a different hobby – maybe computer programming.
June 3, 2025
Myth Directions is the third book in the long-running Myth Adventures series, following Another Fine Myth and Myth Directions and preceding Hit or Myth. (If you don't get the idea that there are a lot of puns in the books, then you're mythtaken...) In this one, Skeeve accompanies alluring assassin Tanda on an interdimensional shopping excursion to find the perfect birthday gift for their friend, green-skinned but powerless demon Aahz from Perv. The perfect choice is a huge toad trophy that's awarded to the winner of a game played by the rival cities of Veygas and Ta-hoe. Unfortunately, they're caught stealing it and Aahz has to put together a team to play for the prize with Tanda's life in the balance. Some of the pop-culture references are pretty dated, as is some of the humor (we learn that the female word for troll is trollop, for example), but the formula still works for a funny story. It's a fine fantasy romp, in the spirit of Pratchett, Anthony, and Foster; one for the football fans.
July 15, 2022
Es regnet schon seit vielen Tagen und Zauberlehrling und Hofmagier Skeeve ist hoch erfreut, als er von Tanda zu einer Tour durch die Dimensionen eingeladen wird. Sein Lehrmeister, der Dämon Aahz, ist nicht sonderlich erfreut, doch er lässt die beiden letztlich ziehen. Doch was könnte man dem Dämon Aahz zum Geburtstag schenken? Gar nicht so einfach, doch letztlich entdecken Skeeze und Tanda das ideale und einzigartige Präsent und ab da geht erst einmal alles drunter und drüber. Denn diese Trophäe ist heiß begehrt und hart umkämpft und bevor sie sich versehen, finden sie sich mitten im größten Sportereignis der Dimensionen wieder. Natürlich mit Unterstützung von Aahz und einigen anderen Freunden.
Auch der dritte Reihe um den Dämon Aahz und seinen Lehrling Skeeve hat mich wieder bestens unterhalten. Die Geschichte ist wieder amüsant, clever und hat jede Menge Action. Alt bekannte Charaktere geben sich wieder ein Stelldichein und ich habe mich sehr gefreut, sie wieder treffen zu dürfen. Es gibt aber auch neue Charaktere, die hoffentlich auch wieder auftauchen werden, wie die Magierin Massha oder Griffin. Die Ausflüge zu den anderen Dimensionen mit ihren interessanten und durchaus sehr kreativen Lebensweisen, waren erfrischend und haben mir sehr viel Freude bereitet. Natürlich möchte ich euch hier nicht zu viel verraten, aber wer bisher mit den Büchern seinen Spaß hatte, der wird auch bei diesem Band nicht enttäuscht.
Das Buch wurde mir als Rezensionsexemplar zur Verfügung gestellt.
Auch der dritte Reihe um den Dämon Aahz und seinen Lehrling Skeeve hat mich wieder bestens unterhalten. Die Geschichte ist wieder amüsant, clever und hat jede Menge Action. Alt bekannte Charaktere geben sich wieder ein Stelldichein und ich habe mich sehr gefreut, sie wieder treffen zu dürfen. Es gibt aber auch neue Charaktere, die hoffentlich auch wieder auftauchen werden, wie die Magierin Massha oder Griffin. Die Ausflüge zu den anderen Dimensionen mit ihren interessanten und durchaus sehr kreativen Lebensweisen, waren erfrischend und haben mir sehr viel Freude bereitet. Natürlich möchte ich euch hier nicht zu viel verraten, aber wer bisher mit den Büchern seinen Spaß hatte, der wird auch bei diesem Band nicht enttäuscht.
Das Buch wurde mir als Rezensionsexemplar zur Verfügung gestellt.
October 6, 2014
This third installment in Robert Asprin's Myth series was another fast paced and humorous read. All the fun stuff was back. The witty banter between the characters, adventures on weird demon worlds, hilarious situations, and a dose of magic.
The time around our apprentice magician, Skeeve, finds himself touring a few demon worlds in the company of Tanda. The aim is to find a birthday present for Aahz. After a bit of searching Tanda decides a unique trophy would be ideal. The catch? It's not for sale and is one of the most revered items on the dimension it is located in. Tanda tries to steal the item, which of course goes horribly wrong with hilarious consequences, and soon Aahz and a host of Skeeve's other friends are drafted in to help rescue her.
This was a lot of fun. Skeeve and his companions are a likable bunch and I loved that the most of this was set on a different world than that of Skeeve's home dimension of Klaa. The ironic chapter intros continue and are as funny as ever.
If I had a favorite moment in this book it was probably the short, but very funny, time Skeeve and Tanda spent on the snail world.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: Jeff Woodman again gave a fantastic performance. It's a pity this is the last book in the series he narrates. I hope Noah Michael Levine who records the newer Audible versions of the series is able to match Woodman!
The time around our apprentice magician, Skeeve, finds himself touring a few demon worlds in the company of Tanda. The aim is to find a birthday present for Aahz. After a bit of searching Tanda decides a unique trophy would be ideal. The catch? It's not for sale and is one of the most revered items on the dimension it is located in. Tanda tries to steal the item, which of course goes horribly wrong with hilarious consequences, and soon Aahz and a host of Skeeve's other friends are drafted in to help rescue her.
This was a lot of fun. Skeeve and his companions are a likable bunch and I loved that the most of this was set on a different world than that of Skeeve's home dimension of Klaa. The ironic chapter intros continue and are as funny as ever.
If I had a favorite moment in this book it was probably the short, but very funny, time Skeeve and Tanda spent on the snail world.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: Jeff Woodman again gave a fantastic performance. It's a pity this is the last book in the series he narrates. I hope Noah Michael Levine who records the newer Audible versions of the series is able to match Woodman!
April 8, 2020
I think about this book all the time. The satire was so broad, and yet so hilarious. The fact that the people were all either really fat or really thin, from the warring cities of Ta-Hoe and Vey-gas, and competing senselessly, constantly, for a hideous trophy. A friend gave this to me in Jr. High, and I probably read it half a dozen times, since it was one of the 15 or so fantasy books I owned back then! I checked a couple more of these out from the library, but this one was my favorite.
October 7, 2014
This installment was as fun as the previous one. It was great to follow Tanda and Skeeve in their search for a birthday gift for Aahz through the dimensions. I loved seeing more of the dimensions and the creatures that inhabited them. Then when they finally settled on a gift I thoroughly enjoyed all the mishaps and adventures that led to the hilarious resolution. It was great to see some old acauantances again. I'm also happy we've got some new ones. I'm looking forward to meeting Masha and Griffin again.
The intros were just as hilarious as before:)
Moving on to the next installment and hoping the Audible narrator will be just as good as Mr. Woodman.
Rating: 3:5 stars.
The intros were just as hilarious as before:)
Moving on to the next installment and hoping the Audible narrator will be just as good as Mr. Woodman.
Rating: 3:5 stars.
December 22, 2013
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.)
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.)
September 13, 2017
I thought this was a step down in the series. Whereas the previous book pushed forward the arc of the characters, this book felt like a complete one-off.
The plot of this book is also a lot weaker than before. The characters' motivations are hand-wavey. Why does Aahz adhere to the Quigley "promise"? Why does Badaxe join up? It is just strange and inconsistent with their previous character development. The whole book just feels very low stakes - who really cares about this random trophy? It feels like author had an idea for the characters to play some sort of a football game, and quickly sketched out a plot to try to get them there.
The plot of this book is also a lot weaker than before. The characters' motivations are hand-wavey. Why does Aahz adhere to the Quigley "promise"? Why does Badaxe join up? It is just strange and inconsistent with their previous character development. The whole book just feels very low stakes - who really cares about this random trophy? It feels like author had an idea for the characters to play some sort of a football game, and quickly sketched out a plot to try to get them there.
May 17, 2015
My notes for this one just read "Ugh. Trollop. The sexism is not fun." which I feel I should elaborate on here, but that sort of sums it up nicely. 'Trollop' being the female version of 'Troll' is funny to a very specific subsection of the human race, one to which I do not belong. Tanda was not the only issue; the characterisation of Massha as a grotesque sexual predator was also a slap in the face. There was also a plot, more or less, but that's less relevant.
October 24, 2024
4.5/5 I loved this re-read. I haven't read this book since 1990. It is light-fare tounge n check sci- fantasy. This is the best re- read of the Myth series so far. Loved the story-line and the conclusion. Just good old fashioned fun.
December 6, 2022
‘*‘ Meine Meinung ‘*‘
Skeeve Bummel durch die Dimensionen war ganz witzig. Richtig klasse wurde es, als die höllische Truppe sich bei dem größten Sportereignis beweisen muss. Dieses fand ich einfach fantastisch. Die Regeln waren so simpel, dass klar war, dass es da den einen oder anderen Haken geben muss. Aber unsere Helden waren guten Mutes. Außerdem wollten sie ja auch die Dämonin retten, immerhin sind sie Gentlemen. Dabei kamen auch die Wortwitze nicht zu kurz und ich grinste andauern vor mich hin. Gut, dass in Hamburg immer noch Masken in den Öffis vorgeschrieben sind. Vor allem zwischen Skeeve und Aahz ging es teilweise hoch her und ich vermute mal, dass es im Original noch witziger ist.
Die Spannung wurde sukzessive in Wellenform gesteigert und so konnten wir alle immer wieder Atem holen. Dann ging es wieder in die Vollen und die Spannung steigerte sich weiter. Vor allem beim größten Sportereignis legte Asprin die eine oder andere Schippe noch oben drauf.
Ich entdeckte auch neue Facetten an den Figuren und sie gewinnen an Format. Ab und zu wurde ich echt überrascht und es macht die höllische Truppe umso liebenswerter.
Tja, und das i-Tüpfelchen ist Simon Jäger. Seine stimmlichen Interpretationen der Figuren ist einfach grandios. Nicht zu vergessen, dass Ironie, Überraschung, Naivität und alle sonstigen Emotionen allein durch die Stimme transportiert wurden. Da trennt sich echt die Spreu vom Weizen und Jäger gehört für mich zu einem der fantastischsten Sprecher.
Der Schreibstil des Autors ist locker-leicht und so gibt es 5 dämonische Sterne. Teil 4 wartet schon darauf, von mir gehört zu werden.
‘*‘ Klappentext ‘*‘
Zauberlehrling Skeeve wird von einer befreundeten Dämonin dazu eingeladen, mit ihr einen Bummel durch die Dimensionen zu machen, um ein Geburtstagsgeschenk für seinen Mentor Aahz zu … organisieren. Doch dann geht etwas schief, und Skeeve ist gezwungen, sie in Gefangenschaft zurückzulassen. Zum Glück ist Aahz ebenfalls ein Dämon, und gemeinsam trommeln sie eine höllische Truppe zusammen, um die Freundin zu befreien. Kompliziert wird es allerdings erst, als Aahz sich weigert, sein Geschenk zurückzulassen - die ebenso einzigartige wie hässliche Trophäe des größten Sportereignisses der Welt.
Skeeve Bummel durch die Dimensionen war ganz witzig. Richtig klasse wurde es, als die höllische Truppe sich bei dem größten Sportereignis beweisen muss. Dieses fand ich einfach fantastisch. Die Regeln waren so simpel, dass klar war, dass es da den einen oder anderen Haken geben muss. Aber unsere Helden waren guten Mutes. Außerdem wollten sie ja auch die Dämonin retten, immerhin sind sie Gentlemen. Dabei kamen auch die Wortwitze nicht zu kurz und ich grinste andauern vor mich hin. Gut, dass in Hamburg immer noch Masken in den Öffis vorgeschrieben sind. Vor allem zwischen Skeeve und Aahz ging es teilweise hoch her und ich vermute mal, dass es im Original noch witziger ist.
Die Spannung wurde sukzessive in Wellenform gesteigert und so konnten wir alle immer wieder Atem holen. Dann ging es wieder in die Vollen und die Spannung steigerte sich weiter. Vor allem beim größten Sportereignis legte Asprin die eine oder andere Schippe noch oben drauf.
Ich entdeckte auch neue Facetten an den Figuren und sie gewinnen an Format. Ab und zu wurde ich echt überrascht und es macht die höllische Truppe umso liebenswerter.
Tja, und das i-Tüpfelchen ist Simon Jäger. Seine stimmlichen Interpretationen der Figuren ist einfach grandios. Nicht zu vergessen, dass Ironie, Überraschung, Naivität und alle sonstigen Emotionen allein durch die Stimme transportiert wurden. Da trennt sich echt die Spreu vom Weizen und Jäger gehört für mich zu einem der fantastischsten Sprecher.
Der Schreibstil des Autors ist locker-leicht und so gibt es 5 dämonische Sterne. Teil 4 wartet schon darauf, von mir gehört zu werden.
‘*‘ Klappentext ‘*‘
Zauberlehrling Skeeve wird von einer befreundeten Dämonin dazu eingeladen, mit ihr einen Bummel durch die Dimensionen zu machen, um ein Geburtstagsgeschenk für seinen Mentor Aahz zu … organisieren. Doch dann geht etwas schief, und Skeeve ist gezwungen, sie in Gefangenschaft zurückzulassen. Zum Glück ist Aahz ebenfalls ein Dämon, und gemeinsam trommeln sie eine höllische Truppe zusammen, um die Freundin zu befreien. Kompliziert wird es allerdings erst, als Aahz sich weigert, sein Geschenk zurückzulassen - die ebenso einzigartige wie hässliche Trophäe des größten Sportereignisses der Welt.
March 26, 2022
So I jumped into the third adventure of the Myth series as I needed something short to wash my brain out.
As I enjoyed the first two books in the series, i very much hoped that this one would also be a fun, light ride. And, thankfully, i was not disappointed.
The same characters are back from the first two as this time they have to play a sport game to win a trophy and save their friend. It's silly yes, but so is this whole series. It's not a very heavy series by any stretch of the imagination.
The prose is exactly the same as the previous two. There's enough description to let you know what's going on, but trusts that you have enough imagination to get a picture in your mind's eye what the location looks like.
Aahz and Skeeve are cool like usual, but it was nice to see that Skeeve saw the other side of Tanda, (the girl he kind of liked) to realize that despite being pretty, she's not the greatest person, and really not dating material. This was a nice little extra thing they gave it as any other series would have immediately put him together with this girl.
Pretty much the only issue i had was that the epilogue was INCREDIBLY short. these books are like that friend who when you go out to dinner, leaves before everyone orders dessert saying they have something to do. Yet they keep coming back for the dinner every time you invite them. They're pleasant, but they're there for a good time, not a long time. There were literally 3 pages to go and i was like "the book hasn't even finished a climax yet how are they going to wrap this up?" and the answer was "barely".
All in all though, solid entry in the series, and i will definitely be reading the next one. straight 4 out of 5.
As I enjoyed the first two books in the series, i very much hoped that this one would also be a fun, light ride. And, thankfully, i was not disappointed.
The same characters are back from the first two as this time they have to play a sport game to win a trophy and save their friend. It's silly yes, but so is this whole series. It's not a very heavy series by any stretch of the imagination.
The prose is exactly the same as the previous two. There's enough description to let you know what's going on, but trusts that you have enough imagination to get a picture in your mind's eye what the location looks like.
Aahz and Skeeve are cool like usual, but it was nice to see that Skeeve saw the other side of Tanda, (the girl he kind of liked) to realize that despite being pretty, she's not the greatest person, and really not dating material. This was a nice little extra thing they gave it as any other series would have immediately put him together with this girl.
Pretty much the only issue i had was that the epilogue was INCREDIBLY short. these books are like that friend who when you go out to dinner, leaves before everyone orders dessert saying they have something to do. Yet they keep coming back for the dinner every time you invite them. They're pleasant, but they're there for a good time, not a long time. There were literally 3 pages to go and i was like "the book hasn't even finished a climax yet how are they going to wrap this up?" and the answer was "barely".
All in all though, solid entry in the series, and i will definitely be reading the next one. straight 4 out of 5.
April 10, 2019
Slowly continuing my Myth series re-read. The brand of humorous fantasy still amuses and entertains, oof, over 30 years later.
Though, I hate to admit it, but I didn't get the whole Jahk = Jock back then. But I was nine or ten at the time, so hopefully that can be forgiven.
Though, I hate to admit it, but I didn't get the whole Jahk = Jock back then. But I was nine or ten at the time, so hopefully that can be forgiven.
November 5, 2018
Fun book. Team sports are just friendlier version of war. Half measures win out in the end.
March 20, 2019
Pretty well on point with the last one, there's not much else to say. If you like the Fantasy genre and are looking for a laugh, this series is worth a read for sure!
February 24, 2024
It's not exactly laugh-out-loud funny or anything, but I found this light and whimsical in all the right ways to impress you with just how cheap and how cheerful it can be.
June 8, 2024
Mal wieder ein unterhaltsamer Roman für zwischendurch.
April 6, 2021
It was a good laugh.
January 25, 2017
Just too silly (smiley face). Lots and lots of fun. I'm still really enjoying the series. Now on to HIT OR MYTH.
December 6, 2022
This one might be a bit cheesy and the satire a little too on the nose (cretinous Ta-Hoe vs. gormless Vey-Gas) but at the same time it’s fun to see Skeeve come more into his own and also the introduction of characters who will come to be important such as Massha and Chumley.
November 10, 2019
Fun, easy read.
June 26, 2020
Read for the second time, out loud to my son Tim.
February 7, 2016
This is the third book in the “Myth Adventures” series, but was the second one I read as a teenager. It continues the process of educating Skeeve, the main character, about magic and the multiverse he inhabits. It gives readers the chance to glimpse at least a bit of the many dimensions besides Klah, the narrator’s backwards home world, and Deva, home to the greatest bazaar in the known universe, although both of these locations appear as well.
The original proposal for this novel was that it would be a satire of the “big game” concept in fiction, which I suppose makes it appropriate to review on Superbowl Sunday. In fact, the “game” part of the story doesn’t get going until almost the end, although the name of the dimension (Jahk) where most of the action takes place and the local population’s obsession with sports seems to presage it. The set up is that Skeeve and Tananda get caught trying to steal a local trophy as a birthday present for the scaly demon Aahz (“it’s ugly, but there’s nothing else like it!”). Skeeve gets away, but Tanda is held captive until Skeeve can figure out a way to free her, which ultimately means recruiting a team of bizarre extra-dimensional beings.
This book introduces the characters of Chumly the troll (who turns out to be Tananda’s brother) and Maasha the magician, both of whom make good additions to the cast. We also get to catch up with Quimby, the demon-hunter-turned-court-magician, and Gus the Gargoyle, and see Gleep the dragon start to grow up a bit. In all, it’s a satisfying entry in the series, although the plot does seem to take a while to get going.
The original proposal for this novel was that it would be a satire of the “big game” concept in fiction, which I suppose makes it appropriate to review on Superbowl Sunday. In fact, the “game” part of the story doesn’t get going until almost the end, although the name of the dimension (Jahk) where most of the action takes place and the local population’s obsession with sports seems to presage it. The set up is that Skeeve and Tananda get caught trying to steal a local trophy as a birthday present for the scaly demon Aahz (“it’s ugly, but there’s nothing else like it!”). Skeeve gets away, but Tanda is held captive until Skeeve can figure out a way to free her, which ultimately means recruiting a team of bizarre extra-dimensional beings.
This book introduces the characters of Chumly the troll (who turns out to be Tananda’s brother) and Maasha the magician, both of whom make good additions to the cast. We also get to catch up with Quimby, the demon-hunter-turned-court-magician, and Gus the Gargoyle, and see Gleep the dragon start to grow up a bit. In all, it’s a satisfying entry in the series, although the plot does seem to take a while to get going.
February 29, 2012
After reading and enjoying the first two Myth books, it seemed only logical to continue on with the series, but I hit my first road bump with this book.
There isn't anything specifically [i]wrong[/i] with the book on its own, and if I came into it blind having not read the previous two books I am sure I would of enjoyed it a lot more, but as the third book in the series it felt rather stale to me.
The plot could really be interchangeable with the first two in the series, Skeeve goes off on an adventure that should be simple, something happens to complicate matters, and him and Aahz have to concoct a plan to make things right again, with the final obstacle seeming insurmountable but easily overcome with a clever trick using magic.
I knew what to expect the entire story, with nothing really surprising me and the characters actions being entirely predictable. It seems a bit 'book by numbers' and at this point I feel I could write a Skeeve adventure and have it be pretty convincing as one of the authors works, which is a shame as I do like the characters and their double act.
I read the first three books back to back and this was probably a mistake on my part, if given some time between reading each book they may of felt a little fresher and repeated actions/plot devices might not of seemed so obvious.
There isn't anything specifically [i]wrong[/i] with the book on its own, and if I came into it blind having not read the previous two books I am sure I would of enjoyed it a lot more, but as the third book in the series it felt rather stale to me.
The plot could really be interchangeable with the first two in the series, Skeeve goes off on an adventure that should be simple, something happens to complicate matters, and him and Aahz have to concoct a plan to make things right again, with the final obstacle seeming insurmountable but easily overcome with a clever trick using magic.
I knew what to expect the entire story, with nothing really surprising me and the characters actions being entirely predictable. It seems a bit 'book by numbers' and at this point I feel I could write a Skeeve adventure and have it be pretty convincing as one of the authors works, which is a shame as I do like the characters and their double act.
I read the first three books back to back and this was probably a mistake on my part, if given some time between reading each book they may of felt a little fresher and repeated actions/plot devices might not of seemed so obvious.
October 8, 2011
Another good story, with some very funny bits. I particularly liked the part where Aahz meets Griffin:
Unfortunately, there are problems which could have been solved by better proof-reading, and these knocked me out of the story every time I had to stop and re-read a section to work out what was going on.
Unfortunately, there are problems which could have been solved by better proof-reading, and these knocked me out of the story every time I had to stop and re-read a section to work out what was going on.
November 13, 2015
This is the 3rd book in the Myth Adventures series, and just as enjoyable as the previous outings. This time we follow Skeeve, a magician's apprentice, and Tanda, a lapsed assassin, as they travel through various different dimensions trying to find a suitable birthday present for Aahz, a Demon from Perv. It sounds a simple task, without a likelihood of things going wrong. That was until Tanda spotted the ideal gift, which unfortunately isn't for sale.
With Tanda captured, it falls on Skeeve and his friends to mount a rescue mission. They also become embroiled in that Dimension's major sporting event.
Once again there is a wonderful blend of a good plot, magic, mirth and myth. We also meet some more wonderful characters along the way. Nothing is as it seems, and nothing is ever easy, unless you count getting into hazardous situations from an innocent beginning. This series is a light hearted escape from reality, and so far a highly enjoyable read.
With Tanda captured, it falls on Skeeve and his friends to mount a rescue mission. They also become embroiled in that Dimension's major sporting event.
Once again there is a wonderful blend of a good plot, magic, mirth and myth. We also meet some more wonderful characters along the way. Nothing is as it seems, and nothing is ever easy, unless you count getting into hazardous situations from an innocent beginning. This series is a light hearted escape from reality, and so far a highly enjoyable read.
April 3, 2017
Another great book, but not as great as the two preceding.
Skeeve and Tanda travel to several different dimensions and I loved hearing about them, even if only in summary. When Tanda ends up in a jam, Skeeve returns to Aahz and gets a team together to save her. Most of the story takes place in the dimension of Jahk where the inhabitants are pretty stupid but entertaining. The low point was actually the big climax, the final showdown just wasn't as exciting or humorous as some of the action leading up to it.
Skeeve and Tanda travel to several different dimensions and I loved hearing about them, even if only in summary. When Tanda ends up in a jam, Skeeve returns to Aahz and gets a team together to save her. Most of the story takes place in the dimension of Jahk where the inhabitants are pretty stupid but entertaining. The low point was actually the big climax, the final showdown just wasn't as exciting or humorous as some of the action leading up to it.
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