I knew Roger Zelazny was my favorite author the moment I read the Amber series. However, that was back when I didn't do a whole lot of reading. So, I never really delved into his other works.

Since then, I've started checking out more of his stuff. And the title and back cover of this book were more than enough to get me sucked in.

For starters, Zelazny's writing voice is truly unique. Even if one of his stories were dull, I'm pretty sure I would still enjoy it simply because of the way he writes. His characters are always witty and his narration is always top-notch.

That being said, I found myself flying through this book mainly because of the captivating voice in which it was written. As for the plot and characters, there were times when I felt that largely unnecessary things were happening just to lengthen the book. Many occurrences seemed somewhat random, but I was okay with them because they were still a delight to read. Once again, I just can't get enough of Zelazny's writing.

The concept is great. It's about a demon trying to win a contest that involves doing the most evil deeds imaginable, only to encounter every conceivable problem along the way. However, it seems like there just wasn't enough content to justify this being a full-length novel. Or maybe I'm wrong and I just haven't taken enough time to fully digest the story yet.

I was dangerously close to giving this book 5 stars, but ended up settling on 4. In terms of the plot and characters, it's probably not a 5-star book. Yet I was drawn into longer reading sessions with this book than with many other books I've rated 5 stars. So, in a way, I enjoyed this book even more than some books I've rated higher. But I realize that from a storytelling perspective, it's probably not quite as good. Still, it's definitely a solid read.

Bring Me the Head of Prince Charming definitely isn't the first Zelazny book I'd recommend to someone. But that doesn't stop it from being an enjoyable read from start to finish.

There were many things in this book that reminded me of others. I had the feeling that I had already read it before. For me, it was a mixture of Eric by Terry Pratchett, The Plague in Raya by Zotov, The Book of the Dead by Neil Gaiman, and my favorite animation - The Corpse Bride by Tim Burton. Humor, bureaucracy, and fantasy in large doses - a wonderful collaboration between Zelazny, whom I love with all my heart, and Sheckley, whom I read for the first time. All of this garnished with wisdom against the backdrop of the eternal battle between Light and Darkness - another good read for this year.

It was truly an engaging and unique literary experience. The combination of different elements from various works and authors created a rich and captivating narrative. The use of humor added a lighthearted touch to the story, while the bureaucracy and fantasy elements added depth and complexity. The battle between Light and Darkness served as a powerful theme that gave the book a sense of significance and purpose. Overall, it was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend to others.

"Bring Me the Head of the Prince" is one of the freshest and most original books that I have read. I am more than happy to give it 5 stars.

The tandem of Roger Zelazny and Robert Sheckley makes me laugh out loud! Demons, angels, witches, the judge, dragons.... and - for a treat - a scared Prince and a feisty Princess. All the heroes, at first glance, seem incompatible, and probably precisely because of that - it is a very interesting combination.

Santa Clause will never be the same for me.

I remember the days when I was a child, eagerly waiting for Santa Clause to come on Christmas Eve. The excitement and anticipation were palpable. I would leave out milk and cookies for him, hoping he would enjoy them after his long journey of delivering presents.

But as I grew older, my perception of Santa Clause changed. I started to question the magic and the reality behind it. Maybe it was the influence of the outside world or my own growing up.

Now, when I think of Santa Clause, it's not just about the presents and the magic. It's about the memories and the spirit of Christmas. He still represents the joy and giving that comes with the holiday season.

Although Santa Clause may never be the same for me as he was when I was a child, he will always hold a special place in my heart.

3.5

Two highly regarded authors decide to collaborate on a literary piece that, unfortunately, turns out to be a bit of fluff.

Individually, both authors are fine writers with a knack for crafting sentences that flow smoothly and effortlessly. However, when it comes to the overall structure and development of the book, it falls short.

The book seems to be a collection of concepts that they found amusing while drinking together. But after the drinking session ended, neither author took enough responsibility or ownership to shape these concepts into a sharp point or a graceful story arc.

As a result, the reader is left with a disjointed and somewhat lackluster reading experience. The potential that was there at the beginning fails to materialize, and the book never truly engages the reader on a deeper level.

It's a shame, really, considering the talent of the two authors. But perhaps this serves as a reminder that even the best writers need to put in the hard work and dedication to create a truly memorable and impactful piece of literature.

The beginning of this book was rather creepy, and this atmosphere persisted up to the first half of the story. However, something strange happened afterwards as it somehow became funny.

To my perception, it seemed as if Zelazny initiated the book and then Sheckley took over and completed it.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but it wasn't the kind of book that I would eagerly pick up again. In fact, this experience might even make me give up on Zelazny for good.

I had high hopes for this book initially, given the reputation of the author. But the unexpected shift in tone left me a bit confused and less than fully satisfied.

Perhaps others might have a different opinion and find more to appreciate in this work. But for me, it was a bit of a letdown.

Nevertheless, I will still keep an open mind and explore other works by different authors to find that perfect literary gem.

The experience described is pleasant and entertaining, but it is also somewhat shallow and silly.

Oh, it's a superficial story for adults, yet I would still recommend it to some people.

It might not offer profound insights or complex themes, but sometimes, we just need something light-hearted to enjoy.

The pleasantness of it can bring a smile to our faces and provide a brief escape from the seriousness of daily life.

Although it may seem a bit silly at times, that's part of its charm.

Some people might appreciate this kind of light entertainment and find it a welcome diversion.

So, despite its flaws, it has its own value and can be recommended to those who are in the mood for something not too demanding or overly intellectual.

Unmissable humorous satire! This is truly a work of genius. The way it cleverly mocks and satirizes various aspects of life is both hilarious and thought-provoking. It has the power to make you laugh out loud while also making you reflect on the absurdities and follies that exist in our society. If you were to read this and then regret it, I highly suspect that you must be in need of some serious psychiatric help. How could anyone not appreciate the sheer brilliance and entertainment value of this remarkable piece of work? It is a must-read for anyone who has a sense of humor and a desire to see the world from a different perspective. So, don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to be thoroughly entertained and enlightened!

I really like Sheckley's short stories - they are real masterpieces.

However, this work seemed contrived and almost not funny. It is a craftsmanship rather than the result of talented inspiration.

Sheckley is known for his unique style and creativity in writing short stories. His works often contain unexpected twists and turns, as well as a touch of humor. But this particular piece fails to capture the essence of his talent.

Perhaps the author was trying too hard to be clever or was influenced by some external factors. Whatever the reason, the end result is a story that lacks the charm and magic that we have come to expect from Sheckley.

Despite this, I still believe that Sheckley is a great writer, and this one work does not overshadow his many other outstanding achievements.

This was the first book that I earned way back in 1999.

I was working at a stand selling books. Fortunately, on one nice day, the boss didn't have money to pay me, so he told me to pick a few books.

I chose this one and "In the Mountains Gone Mad"....This novel is still very appealing to me. Although it's not in the style of Zelazny that I like, but rather more like Sheckley's. The plot is good, and the characters are likable....Maybe I'll continue with the series.

It's interesting how this book came into my possession. It was a kind of unexpected gift.

Since then, it has always held a special place on my bookshelf.

Every time I look at it, I remember that day and the decision I made.

I wonder if the other books in the series will be as enjoyable as this one.

Only time will tell, but for now, I'm content with having this wonderful novel in my collection.

Once upon a time, in a world not so very different from our own, there was a curious little incident that was about to unfold.

It all began with a rather ordinary looking book that seemed to have a life of its own. The book, which was sitting on a dusty shelf in an old bookstore, suddenly let out a strange little sigh.

The bookstore owner, who was dozing behind the counter, didn't notice at first. But then, a small gust of wind blew through the store, and the book's pages started to turn all on their own.

As the pages flipped, strange and wonderful images seemed to dance before the eyes of anyone who happened to look. There were unicorns galloping across rainbows, dragons breathing fire, and little people with wings flitting about.

Soon, a crowd had gathered around the book, and everyone was staring in amazement. No one could quite believe what they were seeing.

And so, the adventure began.

This book failed to hold my attention, and I could hardly bring myself to finish it.

It constantly shifts between a narrator's perspective and the third person, which is rather disorienting.

The dialogue comes across as stilted and unnatural, and the characters' actions often lack logic and coherence.

Moreover, significant issues are brushed aside with just a sentence or two of explanation, leaving the reader feeling dissatisfied.

The intention was to tell a fairy tale, and in that regard, it did succeed to some extent. However, it failed to meet the high expectations I had of these authors.

The story had a great concept at its core, and the plot idea seemed solid. But unfortunately, the execution was so poor that it detracted from the overall enjoyment of the book.

It's a real pity, as with better writing and more careful development, this could have been a truly wonderful read.