Customer Reviews

Phule Me Twice (Phule's Company)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The Phule series has had its series of problems. Phule's Company was an excellent book, "soft" SF, certainly, but very well done. Phule's Paradise was all set-up and very little pay-off, even though it was enjoyable to read. A Phule and His Money introduced many interesting ideas, but the authors seemed incapable of doing these ideas justice. But, with Phule Me Twice, we finally return to the unflawed greatness which hasn't been present since the original. This book brings in an interesting conflict by introducing the new CO and XO of Phule's company; two men who are far more conservative in their views of Legion policy. We see how Phule's Company could never possibly work as a regular Legion company; and we understand that its strength is its ability to forego the rigid policies and simply do what makes SENSE, instead of what the book says to do. The Phule series, particullary "Company" and "Twice" are books which are essentially about leadership--and for that reason alone I would highly recommend them.

If Robert Asprin really wrote much of this book, I would be very surprised. After the first two Phule books, I really looked forward to a new series filled with the humor and fun that were so typical of the Myth books. Unfortunately, the third book in the series took a turn away from the original...and Phule Me Twice falls even farther from the tree. The characters are very shallow, almost caricatures of their previous selves. What had been likeable and enjoyable characters have now become darker and more cynical...more serious even. In some series this may be for the best, but these books are supposed to be based on lighthearted humor. Even the relationship between Phule and Beeker has taken on the air of an old married couple more than the old friends they used to be. In a series that is driven by likeable characters and lighthearted comedy - where the misfits find a way to not only fit in, but flourish - Phule Me Twice has taken a sad deviation from the original, successful recipe. The Phule's Company series will never be "real" sci-fi, and perhaps that is what the author - or authors - will need to get back to. If you are looking for the classic "sci-fun" of the first two Phule's books...in my opinion you will have to look elsewhere. I still will look forward to the next installment though...just to be sure;)

I was disappointed in the latest episode of the 'Phule's Company' saga. While the first volume was both wonderful fiction and good advice on managing people, the latest fell flat.

The structure of the book is lacking. The taut tension absent. The humor banal. And the insight into human nature to be expected by this writer gone.

Regrettably not worth keeping now that I have it.

Well, first of all, this book betters the series from the last one. An important point if you are planning on following along.

In the world of SF, this is the "screwball comedy" of the genre.

Cpt. Phule and the Omega bunch get a new assignment, something they can really sink their teeth into, they are working for the Zenobians now, those delightful little reptiles with an appreciation for anyone who "goes all out only for their friends".

Phule's been recognized by the State department and so he gets the assignment when the Zenobians specifically request his outfit. The fun starts because Phule's higher ups don't want him to succeed again, and plot a convincing method of bringing him down with a crash.

And previous elements of the series all conspire to deliver surprises for everyone.

A fun read, doesn't do the expected, and really begins to recapture the humor and characters of the first two books. In particular, the slowness of the previous book is gone and new recruits in that book are already proving their worth in this one.

If you want light SF reading that makes you smile, go for this book.

Although this book takes a different twist from the earlier Phule's book, I feel that it still fell within the styles of Robert Asprin's Phule series. I wouldn't compare ANY of the Phule series to the Myth series, as they only share mirth and light-heartedness. I felt this book gave a better look into the Omega Mob, and took a somewhat neccesary step back a little from being focused mearly on Phule. Although I do agree that some of the dialog and relations between Phule and Beeker were VERY out of place in this book, but more so near the end... Much like Peter J. Heck finished the book for him. But that said, I still read the book from cover to cover, and stayed reading, which in itself is a good review from me. If I lose interest, the book lands on a dusty shelf, never to be finished. I'd still recommend it for people who like the whole Omega Company, and aren't just reading to read about Captain Jester.

something tells me that robert asprin isn't writing these books any more; for one thing, escrima went from being a no-nonsense chef with a minor accent to a latino/jamaican "homeboy" in book 3. the gambolt names are just preposterous, and not meaning to nitpick: is tusk a volton or a voltron? he's referred to as both.

I loved the first two Phule books. #3 was okay. This one? Hated it! Plot holes Chocolate Harry could have driven his "hawg" through abound (what happened to the kidnappers? after all the fuss about the casino in the beginning, why nothing more about it?). Characters that were funny and multi-dimensional in previous books became cartoons. (Poor Beeker's character gets ruined completely.) There was no flavor, no structure, no progression, and very, very little of the lighthearted humor that marked the first two books in the series. This one's getting dumped off for the library sale, and I don't think it's worth the fifty cents they'll ask for it. Waste of money - go buy the new Terry Pratchett instead.

one wished for the old, pre-writer's block, Robert Aspirin. Yet another variation on the Phule theme.

I don't know what everyone's talking about. I thought this book was great! I didn't see anything wrong with the writing style or anything. Ignore the other reviews and read this great book!

Last time we met with Willard Phule and his company of misfits - known as the Omega Company of the Space Legion - he was putting the finishing touches on reconciling a world that was recovering from a civil war. Now that is complete and the company is ready for the next challenge. Of course, General Blitzkrieg is still plotting the demise of the company and its popular commander so it is no surprise that most of the book is concerned with how the Omega folks will foil the brass.

As it happens, the Zenobians are worried and they are asking for help from the Alliance. It seems that there is some sort of hidden force that is affecting their home planet and they are worried about an invasion. Since Captain Jester (as Phule is known in the legion) is responsible for their introduction to the Alliance, it is logical that the Zenobians ask for Phule's outfit to help them in their troubles.

So, the Omega Mob goes to the Zenobian home planet, set up shop there and start investigating the "Hidden Ones". At the same time, the Space Legion sends Major Botchup to do his best. Since the Major outranks the Captain, the Major must be in command. Not only that, but Botchup shows up just as Phule himself disappears with Beeker and no one knows where to find them.

Not to fear though, all ends well with Phule re-establishing his command; the Hidden Ones are revealed as just another improbable race that lives on that planet and has peaceful intentions; and no shots are fired nor damage done. However, the robot that was left on Lorelei is compromised and is given a new role.

Ok. So, why did I give this book only three stars? Well, first of all, the technological details that overhang the plot are so badly thought out that I could not suspend my disbelief enough. For instance, supposedly the Zenobians were unknown before Flight Leftenant Qual's spaceship malfunctioned because they used different frequencies than the Alliance members. That might have been Ok if they did not communicate much. But the Zenobians are supposedly much more advanced than the Alliance so one would have expected much MORE electronic communications which would have definitely been detected by the Alliance. This is double so, as the Zenobian home planet is right next to Lorelei in the midst of the Alliance realms!

The same premise is used for the Hidden Ones, but one of the Omega Company folks (Sushi) is able to modify his laptop computer to detect, discover, translate, and triangulate on the Hidden Ones within days if not hours of being given the assignment. How can one soldier do something that two complete civilizations could not accomplish applying ALL of their technology to the task? Not even close to credible enough to look over.

The next quibble I have is with the way in which Botchup is dispensed with. No way would a commander fall for the kind of trap and flim flammery that is attempted in this book. Not even such a bad commander as he is depicted to be. Sorry.

And what's with the cover art? Didn't the author fill the artist in? Did the artist even read a single chapter in the book? Blech!

Finally, this book is seriously not funny. There are many situations that could have developed into some humorous situations, but none of them are pursued sufficiently to make me even crack a smile and that is probably the biggest problem with this book.

So, read this if you want to know the next chapter in Phule's career, but do not pick up this book if you have never read one of the Phule books before.