Customer Reviews

Myth-Ion Improbable

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I have been disappointed with the last few books in this series - and especially with the last one, Sweet Myth-tery of Life which hit the lowest point in the saga. It was bad enough that that book was poorly written and not at all funny, but to make things worse, the book ended on a clifhanger and then Mr Asprin didn't continue the series for about seven years. I, for one, was convinced that Mr. Asprin had finished with these characters and their stories and was moving on.

So, I was very happy to see this book listed on Amazon. However, it DOESN'T pick up where the cliffhanger of the last volume left off. In an introduction, Mr. Asprin explains that it has so long since he wrote a Myth-Adventure, he had really lost the feel for the characters. So, before he tackled the complex story he had planned, he decided to do a "prequel." If you were numbering in order, this book would be Number 3.5 in the series.

For the most part, Mr. Asprin's experiment is successful. Skeeve and Tanda are in fine form, and Aahz, while a lot grumpier than in past volumes, still shows flashes of his old self. The adventure is fun and (mostly) quite exciting, aside from a few gaping plot holes that I won't go into here because they'd spoil the ending.

(And the ending is pretty anti-climactic. There's a build up for a big showdown and the showdown never happens, which is a shame.)

I did have a few problems, though, with the book itself. The illustrations are not very attractive. The B&W drawings in the book are kind of ugly, and the cover design looks like something a home-publisher would do on an old graphics program. (I sure do miss Phil Folgio's art!) And I'm a little grumpy that Meshia Merlin Publishing sees fit to charge $... for a 180 page book that fans will tear through in an afternoon.

All in all, it's a fun book and a welcome return by Robert Asprin and a much beloved series.

First I was delighted to see a new installment for the MYTH series after such a long wait. I, like others, had given up on the cliffhanger in the last book ever being solved.

Then, after reading several of the reviews here at Amazon on this book, I was worried that it was going to be on par with the last two "Phule" books, that is, someone else (with not much talent) wrote them and Asprin only edited them and added his name to the cover. They were not nearly the quality of the first two Phules.

Well, I just had to get the book and read it anyway. In his authors note, Asprin explains many of the personal problems he had and why the long delay. I understood his wanting to do a (middle) prequel to get back into the feel of the series.

That said, I read the book and I am flabbergasted by some of the reviews here. Did these people read the same book? Gosh people, try to read for enjoyment sometime!

I thought this book was a grand addition to the Myth series, and like someone else pointed out, it returned Skeeve to a more innocent, less experienced time. Sure Aahz is grumpy, but show me a book where he is not. We got to see as little deeper into Tanda's character, and learned a lot more about dimension hopping and its limitations (and dangers). The only dings I could find were spelling "Deveels" as "Deevels" and "Possiltum" as "Posseltum." Not a real big deal. I also found no place where Skeeve knew something that he had not learned yet as one other reviewer mentioned.

All in all, the story was great. Very imaginative and kept you guessing throughout as to what was going to happen next. I need not have worried that this was not up to Asprin's former writing prowess as it felt just like all the other books, if not a lot more fun than some of the last ones. I highly recommend this book for the fans of the Myth series, and I can't wait for "Something M.Y.T.H. Inc." coming in September 2002.

After nearly a decade, Asprin has FINALLY returned to the Myth series. I greatly enjoyed the other books and was over joyed to see he was returning to finish the series. I presumed he simply burned out on ideas and switched to the Phule and Time Scout series to break the monotony. In his preface he explains the delay and attributes it to tax problems. He then tells us that the book is something like a warm up exercise to get back into the flow and style of the Myth books that made them so enjoyable.
The pace is slow, almost dogged. Instead of reading like a light farce, it carries like a mediocre detective novel. The are numerous "goofs" where the characters are knowing or doing something they didn't do when placed in the Myth timeline between books 3 and 4.
I still recommend the book to those who want a complete set of the series, but as a first look into Skeeve's world it lacks the spring and liveliness of the rest of the series. If this your first look into Myth, I'd recommend Myth Adventures One, then Two and Three and read this last.

While I enjoyed reading this book, and have very much enjoyed reading the other Myth books, I found this book to not match well with the style of the time period in which it is supposed to take place. As the series has gone on, the universe in which it takes place has become more complicated, and we have learned about it along with Skeeve. This book is much more "sophisticated" in its treatment of the universe as compared to the novels which surround it.

Having read the author's note, I understand his desire to become used to the myth series before he really attempts to extend it. I would opine, though, that judging by this book he has not yet re-captured the delightful playfulness and naivete that has marked the myth series. That being said, I can't wait to read the next one!

Robert Asprin has finally come out with a new MYTH book.

I LOVE the "MYTH" series, and have been a loyal fan since "Another Fine Myth" first showed up. But there is a problem with this one.

Asprin wrote this one to see if he could get back into the series after laying off it for many years. He is very rusty. It shows.

Apparently he has old, dusty notes about what he wanted to put in this book. Something like: "Dust bunnies -- men can't see them!". So he mechanically brings up the idea and then drops it with a thud without ever exploring it. You will find that the actual reference is no more interesting or exciting than the sentence I used to desribe it. The old Asprin would have had a fight scene with the women doing all the fighting, and the men not having a clue about what was going on. Or another great idea -- "This world works solely on the barter system -- no money!" So he mechanincally brings up that idea, gives an example of washing dishes in exchange for a meal (how exciting and unique!) then never addresses the issue again. So we don't find out what happens when the skills and needs don't match each other and how that is handled. Again, the handling of that idea is no better than what I have written here.

Then there is the problem with the personalities -- or rather lack of them. In the earlier books, the characters were vibrant and alive. The interactions made the series. Here there is virtually nothing.

"Myth" fantaics such as myself will still buy it and read it, but prepare for major disappointment. This would play better if Asprin had died, and someone was publishing his notes and ideas for a new novel for the die-hard fans. In that case you would be EXPECTING something that was not polished or filled out, and where character development and definition was minimal. I really hope that Asprin gets back on track, and that when he does he rewrites this embarrassment and burns all the copies of the current version.

If you ARE a Myth fanatic, go ahead and buy it. If not, go out and buy the earlier books, starting with "Another Fine Myth" -- really! I cannot possibly recommend them highly enough. You will love them. Just don't start with this one.

I used to really enjoy the Myth series by Robert Asprin but Asprin - for reasons he is rather vague about - pretty much stopped writing the books in the mid-'90s. Now, at long last, he has written another Myth book, and I feel I could have waited after all.

This story, which takes place after book three in the series has Skeeve and Aahz seeking a cow that delivers golden milk. Of course, it is not that easy to get to said cow. It is a combination fantasy/western/vampire story, and it doesn't really work. The plot is okay, but the writing is weak, the characters are shallow and worst of all, it just isn't funny.

I have enough loyalty to the series not to ditch it based off of one bad book, but this is not a good sign for Asprin's return. This book is for Myth fans only...all others should look elsewhere for their entertainment.

MYTH-ion Improbable marks Robert Asprin's long-awaited return to the worlds of his popular MYTH series. Although he doesn't exactly pick up where the story left off some years ago, he takes us back to simpler times to spin a yarn from the early days of the series. This book takes place between books three and four of the original series and takes Skeeve, Aahz, and Tananda on a wild treasure hunt through some interesting dimensions we haven't seen before. I for one like the idea of Asprin going back to earlier times in the series. For one thing, I didn't like the direction Sweet MYTH-tery of Life was taking the story and characters. It just wasn't fun anymore. This book returns a sense of fun to the series.

The only real issue I have with this novel is that Asprin never really seems to nail his characters as they were established in the past. Skeeve comes off as being a bit too assertive and sure of himself, when at this point in the series he was still just learning magic and the ways of the world. Aahz and Tananda never really come through with the personalities they once had. Tananda especially just seems to be along for the ride.

Overall this is a fun return to the world of the MYTH series. It's a light, quick read and I recommend it to any fans of Robert Asprin or followers of the MYTH series.

I tell my fourth graders that no one is perfect except me. Such is the case with the (FINALLY!!) "latest" Skeeve and Aahz adventure. However, to paraphrase Boy George, a novel that occurs between volumes three and four covers a multitude of sins.

It was not exactly like the original series, but I fully understand Robert Asprin's explanation, and having read that and keeping it in mind throughout, I found it a highly enjoyable read, finished all too soon as books I really get into usually are.

It did make me wish to ask the author about a later novel where Skeeve went to a world with all vampires and met Vlad. Things were more "happening" there (like a disco movie in some respects), and it would interest me to talk to Robert Asprin about both books.

All in all, I am fully satisfied with this entry into the Myth-ology and am awaiting the further novels the author talked about way back in 1988 that he had planned for the series!

A welcome return to the great MYTH series, after a long break. When the story takes off, it is hard to put the book down - with its interesting and wacky plot. I would very much recommend this, and it is a good addition to the rest of the great MYTH series.

Note: Although this is a new book, it is a 'prequel' fitting in between the plots of two earlier books.

No one talks like themselves. The three known characters involved, Skeeve, Aahz, and Tanda... they barely even ACT like themselves. Basic rules of magic (that the person who uses a disguise spell can't see it, that the sources of magic are called 'force lines') are just forgotten about. Completely. Everything sounds stilted and phony, and no one seems to want to use contractions or sound at all natural. Aahz in particular has been replaced by a poorly realized doppleganger of himself, and the interplay between the two main characters is completely spoiled.

This is almost WORSE than the new "Phule" books, because this is supposed to be Asprin himself. I guess Asprin doesn't even know how to write Asprin books anymore.

If there's another book in this series, I'm getting it at the library before I even think about buying it.