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fieldofhats's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Like the first one I read (Myth Conceptions), this one was a solid fantasy comedy novel! The plot wasn’t groundbreaking, but it was fun and it allowed for a lot of crazy hijinks and fun comedy. I’m a sucker for a mage-in-training story, though, and Asprin approaches the story simply and tactfully. Skeeve is constantly learning, but the spells are all beginner. They’re useful, but not overpowered, and they have limits. He always asks questions, and Aahz’s answers always seem logical and reasonable.
The world building is surprisingly fun and sophisticated. I didn’t expect much from a comedy fantasy story, but Robert Asprin really put a lot of love and energy into this universe. The lore of Deva and the deveels’ stories of their desolate home dimension being the reason many religions’ view the dimension as hellish and it’s inhabitants as evil is very clever. The fact that demons are just being magicians from another world, and the humans the demons when we’re in their world, is so fun and surprisingly reasonable. And the fact that they summon each other to show off to their apprentices is so funny.
The comedy ranges from simple puns to language jokes to elaborate situational comedy that goes on for just long enough, but doesn’t drag. Although not entirely comical, the story does rely on it more heavily than the other elements.
Overall, great light fantasy novel, definitely give this one a read!
The world building is surprisingly fun and sophisticated. I didn’t expect much from a comedy fantasy story, but Robert Asprin really put a lot of love and energy into this universe. The lore of Deva and the deveels’ stories of their desolate home dimension being the reason many religions’ view the dimension as hellish and it’s inhabitants as evil is very clever. The fact that demons are just being magicians from another world, and the humans the demons when we’re in their world, is so fun and surprisingly reasonable. And the fact that they summon each other to show off to their apprentices is so funny.
The comedy ranges from simple puns to language jokes to elaborate situational comedy that goes on for just long enough, but doesn’t drag. Although not entirely comical, the story does rely on it more heavily than the other elements.
Overall, great light fantasy novel, definitely give this one a read!
marblesonglass's review against another edition
5.0
This series was one of my favorites when I was in high school and I wanted to see if it was as good as I remembered. So far, it is. :D
bluespirit's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
iheartpuns's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ash_bees's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
wzwy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
wadd3's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
twerkingtobeethoven's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely. Just lovely. This book was a lot of fun, and the ending was a real laugh-riot. Personally, I find Robert Lynn Asprin to be way better than Terry Pratchett. Five stars.
connorwhittl3's review against another edition
4.0
A fun, easy fantasy read. Definitely would recommend as a taster break, to break out of a reading slump or just for an in-between series read. It is fast paced, with a clear and well utilised prose, strong character voices and a nice pay off.
Don't go in expecting anything serious, and you'll enjoy it. For 200 pages, it's a short adventure that stays engaging. I'll likely read another after my next major read.
Don't go in expecting anything serious, and you'll enjoy it. For 200 pages, it's a short adventure that stays engaging. I'll likely read another after my next major read.