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Myth Adventures
MYTH-Interpretations: The Worlds of Robert Asprin
19 misadventures. Human apprentice Skeeve, powerless blue demon Pervect magician Aahz, dragon baby Gleep travel through strange worlds in pursuit of wealth, glory, and good-times -- but succeed mostly in getting into one myth-filled mess after another. Includes novelette "The Cold Cash War," and unpublished stories.
300 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2010
42 people are currently reading
452 people want to read
About the author
Robert Lynn Asprin
229Ìýbooks1,057ÌýfollowersRobert (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 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 4, 2012
"MYTH-Interpretations: The Worlds of Robert Asprin" collects 19 short works, some not previously published, with good reason. Most not fun; only 5 include the Mythical Young Troubleshooting Heroes. The outcomes are generally obvious from the beginnings, so summaries usually have spoilers, who wins. Wanted: Guardian is the only tale I'd get this book for.
*4 I'd read Gleep's Tale, dragon stops attacks until contents shown.
2* Myth-Adventurers, female assassin Pookie trains Spyder with Duc's contract.
*2 Myth Inc. Instructions, missing from a wedding present lead to an attempted assassination.
*2 Mything in Dreamland, Skeeve follows partner-teacher Pervect Aahz, the latter with his magic restored and wanting to stay.
*1 Myth-Trained, 9p Skeeve and unicorn retired, reconsider original training in magic and war.
*1 Next are four too serious war stories, almost with lessons.
From the Files of Tambu: Incident at Zarn, is a planet mistakenly destroyed when a commander misunderstands failed order transmission.
Ex-Khan, Ghengis in Hell declines aid from present-day mediocre red-neck war-monger narrator.
Two Gentlemen of the Trade (like Verona), family feud extended by joint secret romance.
Harmless Excursion, drastic wipe-out with same feud when foolish youngster wants to slip out unprotected.
*4 Finally, some humor and clever hood-winking.
Wanted: Guardian, dwarf Ibble and human poker-aficiando Stiller from Prince Rangor want dragon Schmirnov to keep glowing magic sword Mothganger.
*3 Gift in Parting, Old Man, fisher, catches monster before son Hort leaves.
*1 To Guard the Guardians, civil police Hell Hound commander Zalbar cooperates with crime-boss Jubal to solve two problems: rebel vigilante subordinate fast-healing Tempus and Kurd who experiments like Nazi mad scientist on live slaves. Almost horror. Gruesomely warped unjust (my opinion) justice, memorable nightmare material.
*2 Off-beat conflict resolutions. Spoilers. I tell you winner, but obvious from beginning.
Capture, scifi writers-artists disrupt alien invader ship.
Ultimate Weapon drains brains (more *1 because bad guys win).
Cold Cash War, corporate mercenaries vanquish government incompetents.
3* You never call, Mother's Day delays opposing (once friends) commanders. I'd like better if the war got called off permanently, but reminiscent of WW1&2 stories of Christmas truces.
2* Con Job, scifi convention converts confidence-trick gang. Being written for a real DragonCon just before the author dies is not an indicator of quality or necessity to publish.
1* Saga of Dark Horde, I already forgot, cursed leader's group slips out from Ghengis' command.
The real test is how memorable the plots and/or characters are over time, so re-visiting my rating, after months or years, will be more accurate.
*4 I'd read Gleep's Tale, dragon stops attacks until contents shown.
2* Myth-Adventurers, female assassin Pookie trains Spyder with Duc's contract.
*2 Myth Inc. Instructions, missing from a wedding present lead to an attempted assassination.
*2 Mything in Dreamland, Skeeve follows partner-teacher Pervect Aahz, the latter with his magic restored and wanting to stay.
*1 Myth-Trained, 9p Skeeve and unicorn retired, reconsider original training in magic and war.
*1 Next are four too serious war stories, almost with lessons.
From the Files of Tambu: Incident at Zarn, is a planet mistakenly destroyed when a commander misunderstands failed order transmission.
Ex-Khan, Ghengis in Hell declines aid from present-day mediocre red-neck war-monger narrator.
Two Gentlemen of the Trade (like Verona), family feud extended by joint secret romance.
Harmless Excursion, drastic wipe-out with same feud when foolish youngster wants to slip out unprotected.
*4 Finally, some humor and clever hood-winking.
Wanted: Guardian, dwarf Ibble and human poker-aficiando Stiller from Prince Rangor want dragon Schmirnov to keep glowing magic sword Mothganger.
*3 Gift in Parting, Old Man, fisher, catches monster before son Hort leaves.
*1 To Guard the Guardians, civil police Hell Hound commander Zalbar cooperates with crime-boss Jubal to solve two problems: rebel vigilante subordinate fast-healing Tempus and Kurd who experiments like Nazi mad scientist on live slaves. Almost horror. Gruesomely warped unjust (my opinion) justice, memorable nightmare material.
*2 Off-beat conflict resolutions. Spoilers. I tell you winner, but obvious from beginning.
Capture, scifi writers-artists disrupt alien invader ship.
Ultimate Weapon drains brains (more *1 because bad guys win).
Cold Cash War, corporate mercenaries vanquish government incompetents.
3* You never call, Mother's Day delays opposing (once friends) commanders. I'd like better if the war got called off permanently, but reminiscent of WW1&2 stories of Christmas truces.
2* Con Job, scifi convention converts confidence-trick gang. Being written for a real DragonCon just before the author dies is not an indicator of quality or necessity to publish.
1* Saga of Dark Horde, I already forgot, cursed leader's group slips out from Ghengis' command.
The real test is how memorable the plots and/or characters are over time, so re-visiting my rating, after months or years, will be more accurate.
January 14, 2011
Keep in mind that I was a HUGE Robert Asprin fan back in the day, I ADORED the Myth Adventures series, particularly the graphic novels illustrated by Phil Foglio. Classic! Hysterical! And when I found out the other day that Asprin actually passed away almost THREE YEARS AGO (where the heck have *I* been) I was heartbroken. Belated goodbye Rob, thanks for all the laughs.
So, you'll know it's with the utmost respect that I recommend against reading this book, unless of course you're doing what I was doing, which was read the last Asprin stories that will ever be written (horrible to think that, it's such a loss.)
In the introduction it even says that Asprin preferred to write novels as opposed to short stories. And it kind of shows in this collection. I know for a fact that he was an amazing writer, but these stories come off a little flat. A little too much "telling instead of showing." Exposition's a little awkward. I just think if you want a taste of some classic Robert Asprin fiction, you should find the original Myth Adventures books and read them instead, it'll give you a much better idea of how amazing he was. (And if you can find the Foglio graphic novels, so much the better. I was CRYING laughing the first time I read them, they're still up there in my top-ten favorite fantasy books, wonderful wonderful stuff.)
So, you'll know it's with the utmost respect that I recommend against reading this book, unless of course you're doing what I was doing, which was read the last Asprin stories that will ever be written (horrible to think that, it's such a loss.)
In the introduction it even says that Asprin preferred to write novels as opposed to short stories. And it kind of shows in this collection. I know for a fact that he was an amazing writer, but these stories come off a little flat. A little too much "telling instead of showing." Exposition's a little awkward. I just think if you want a taste of some classic Robert Asprin fiction, you should find the original Myth Adventures books and read them instead, it'll give you a much better idea of how amazing he was. (And if you can find the Foglio graphic novels, so much the better. I was CRYING laughing the first time I read them, they're still up there in my top-ten favorite fantasy books, wonderful wonderful stuff.)
March 23, 2013
Postmortem collections like this are always a bit depressing, especially for someone whose work you love. At least I did get the chance to meet him at a couple of conventions before his death and tell him how much I liked his books...but I digress.
Some of these stories were new to me, and some I'd read before in other collections. The new stuff came as a nice surprise, especially the Myth stories that I'd missed (or forgotten) somehow. The final story (in more ways than one; it's his last work, sent off the day before his death) hit me especially hard, as it takes place at a convention I attend every year. I was a little disappointed by the inclusion of "Cold Cash War," as I'd previously read the novel-length version, but I can't really fault anyone for that. After all, as noted in the introduction, Asprin didn't write much short fiction; there just wasn't a lot to choose from.
While I can't call this an all-time classic anthology, I'm glad I picked it up. Reading it finally felt like a proper way to say goodbye.
Some of these stories were new to me, and some I'd read before in other collections. The new stuff came as a nice surprise, especially the Myth stories that I'd missed (or forgotten) somehow. The final story (in more ways than one; it's his last work, sent off the day before his death) hit me especially hard, as it takes place at a convention I attend every year. I was a little disappointed by the inclusion of "Cold Cash War," as I'd previously read the novel-length version, but I can't really fault anyone for that. After all, as noted in the introduction, Asprin didn't write much short fiction; there just wasn't a lot to choose from.
While I can't call this an all-time classic anthology, I'm glad I picked it up. Reading it finally felt like a proper way to say goodbye.
March 18, 2013
If you are looking for some last tidbits of Skeeve's adventures don't bother. All the MYTH stories in this volume were previously published under the title M.Y.T.H. - Inc. Link. This is just a ploy by publishers to try and get readers hooked on other series that Robert Asprin worked on. Very disappointed that it is billed as part of this series as only about 1/4 th of the book is in the series (and previously published). The jacket says that this is the first time all the Myth Stories of less than novel length have been collected which is an outright lie!
August 7, 2024
I've only read the first 5 or 6 Myth books, and they are some of my favorite fantasy books ever. I haven't read any of the author's other series, and maybe that's why I couldn't really connect with the other stories in this book that weren't about Skeeve and company.
The stories that are in the Myth universe are good to great. I really loved getting inside Aahz's head. And GLEEP! I loved hearing his "voice" too. I'm sad Asprin didn't do a full book from Gleep's perspective!
The other stories in this volume were really not for me, sorry to those who love Asprin. I'm just not into his other series and so I didn't know the characters or any back story.
The stories that are in the Myth universe are good to great. I really loved getting inside Aahz's head. And GLEEP! I loved hearing his "voice" too. I'm sad Asprin didn't do a full book from Gleep's perspective!
The other stories in this volume were really not for me, sorry to those who love Asprin. I'm just not into his other series and so I didn't know the characters or any back story.
December 2, 2017
A really nice collection of stories, not all of them related to the M.Y.T.H. Inc. universe.
They are all lots of fun. Of course, I liked some better than others, but I don't think there was any I disliked. They are all well constructed, with entertainment and something to think about as well. It displays Asprin's versatility and skill.
They are all lots of fun. Of course, I liked some better than others, but I don't think there was any I disliked. They are all well constructed, with entertainment and something to think about as well. It displays Asprin's versatility and skill.
March 5, 2019
I have to honest, I didn’t get past the second page of the first short story as soon as he started describing his female characters. Skintight leather jumpsuit? Fishnet stockings and miniskirt? And does any author really need to use the phrase “biker slut� to describe their main character??? I mean... why??
December 18, 2020
I enjoyed most of the short stories in here, particularly the ones involving MYTH Inc. and Sanctuary. In particular, I loved the story concerning the origin of how Tempus came to be in Kurd’s possession, and while I have not read those anthologies in years, if my memory serves correctly, this story had previously been told somewhere. Otherwise, the rest of the stories were good.
May 8, 2021
This is a collection of short stories. Just like most books with short stories some are good some not as much. Overall it is a decent book. Asprin does like injecting some light hearted humor into his books.
August 21, 2012
This is a posthumous collections of short stories that cap Asprin's career. It was delightful to read about Skeeve and Aahz one more time since Asprin died. Nearly a third of the book contains random adventures from the Myth series. Readers will see some of them culled from the Myth books themselves, as at least one, and maybe two are duplicated from the series. The stories seem to stand out and probably reflect Asprin's desire or intention to expand them into fully-developed books; but did not have the time or inclination.
The rest of the book is an odd assortment of stories. Most of them include the crucial twist that permeates most of his writings. The modern soldier defeating the Samurai was especially well done and insightful; although the rest of the story seemed incomplete.
Overall, it is pleasant to reconnect with Asprin; but the duplication and the feeling of incomplete stories makes the Asprin estate appear greedy.
The rest of the book is an odd assortment of stories. Most of them include the crucial twist that permeates most of his writings. The modern soldier defeating the Samurai was especially well done and insightful; although the rest of the story seemed incomplete.
Overall, it is pleasant to reconnect with Asprin; but the duplication and the feeling of incomplete stories makes the Asprin estate appear greedy.
October 11, 2013
A fantastic novel collection with a range of different stories, all from some stories from his MYTH-universe (as I bought this for - Gleep's Tale, Myth-adventures, MYTH Inc Instructions and Mything in Dreamland) to his famous setting of Thief's World (Gift in parting and To guard the guardians) and the Sanctuary to one longer hard core novel of companies and mercenaries in Brazil called Cold Clash War.
Add to that some stories about the Mongols (The Ex-khan, The Saga of the dark horde)and the rest are SF space stories as f.ex The Capture and You Never Call.
in "You Never Call", who is one of the most funny stories I've ever read, there are a whole battle who is stopped because the commanders mum calls him on "Mother's day" and demand that he don't fight before the day is over or even better next week... that was one of the best stories, together with the Cold clash War and the MYTH-stories.
Add to that some stories about the Mongols (The Ex-khan, The Saga of the dark horde)and the rest are SF space stories as f.ex The Capture and You Never Call.
in "You Never Call", who is one of the most funny stories I've ever read, there are a whole battle who is stopped because the commanders mum calls him on "Mother's day" and demand that he don't fight before the day is over or even better next week... that was one of the best stories, together with the Cold clash War and the MYTH-stories.
January 10, 2013
Having loved the Myth series, I was delighted to find another Myth book. Like Robet Asprin himself I prefer novels to short stories, but he's been dead 3 years, so I take what I can get. That said, it wasn't a lot. Only about a third concerned the Myth series characters--and I think maybe at least one of them was actually a part of one of the novels. I seem to remember it before I actually finished it. Some of the other stories were fun; some were not. Rough drafts? Unfinished for a reason? On the other hand "Gleep's Tale" was worthwhile, "Cold Cash War" was insightful. Asprin lovers will want to read it, but if you don't already love his work, this is not the place to start.
October 24, 2012
Typically, I don't do well with short stories - there's just not enough to bite into... And then I get distracted since they are all different stories. In this case, I read the entire collection in just two days! So it gets high marks from me. A few of the stories are Myth-type; some others have common elements with each other, so that it sort of a continuation... A few are completely stand-alone. But all in all, this was great. Light read.
April 12, 2011
Several short stories by Asprin, most of them not part of the Myth series. As I had previously read all but one of the Myth stories and none of the rest, I was happy with the mix. I have previously stayed away from his more serious stuff, but after reading some here, I really should give it a try. Includes the last story he sent off the day before he died.
January 13, 2020
This book did contain a few of stories from the Myth series. The stories were good overall, but somewhat unpolished. In a way that gave the reader a look into how Asprin wrote. Published after his death, this book provided fans a final glimpse of his work. I did enjoy them, but finishing the book was somewhat bittersweet.
February 13, 2015
Great Read, it had been a while since I had read any of his work and this book made remember how great of author he was. Stories from a few of his worlds, that reminded me of reading the thieves world and Myth series when I was kid. Wish there could be more .....
January 12, 2011
Poorly edited -- perhaps some of these were Asprin's final drafts. Fun stories, many of which I had read previously.
September 24, 2012
Interesting collection of short works and one novel. Enjoyed encountering works not known before.
May 4, 2013
Enjoyed this quick read book.
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