This is an ironic, darkly humorous, and fast-paced novel that delves into the fascinating concept of how good and evil are created or emerge in many unusual situations. It presents a thrilling contest between the forces of good and the darkest underbelly of the evil realms.

Humour, like all aspects of life itself, contains a light and dark side. This book is truly excellent to listen to. There is, without a doubt, a plan - of all evil plans - that is about to unfold in the year 10,000. The story is filled with surprises that keep you on the edge of your seat all the way to the last sentence.

I am so eager to start the next book in the series as soon as possible. I can't wait to see what new adventures and challenges await the characters and how the battle between good and evil will continue to play out. This novel has truly captured my imagination and left me hungry for more.

In this comedic fantasy, a red-headed lower devil makes a rather outlandish decision. He decides to enter the annual contest between good and evil with a plan that involves an elaborate love betrayal.

His scheme requires him to set up a princess in distress and build an oafish prince to rescue her. The twist is that once the prince saves the princess, she'll kill him, and the devil will win the trophy for evil.

Yes, at first glance, it might sound dumb. But upon closer inspection, it isn't that dumb at all. In fact, it is pretty funny in parts. It's just that, well, mostly it elicits a response of "huh, that was pretty good." Maybe it'll bring a chuckle or a loving groan over a bad pun or joke.

Overall, it was okay. If you know what I mean. I mean, it still beats TV any day. But I liked it more for the concept and the attempt rather than the actual completed product. It had its moments of charm and humor, even if it wasn't a perfect masterpiece.

Oh, now this was just an utter delight!

It turns out that there are sequels to this wonderful thing. How exciting is that? The thought of more adventures and stories to explore is simply thrilling.

I can't wait to dive into those sequels and see what new surprises and joys they have in store for me. It's like opening a door to a whole new world of entertainment and imagination.

I'll be right back as I go off to embark on this new literary journey. I'm sure it's going to be an amazing experience that will keep me on the edge of my seat and leave me craving for more.

This was a really fun story and it happens to be the first in a trilogy that I'm currently reading.

I'm in the process of finishing book two, but that's a whole other story for another time.

You know, sometimes classics really work and manage to captivate readers, while other times they just don't quite hit the mark.

I'm not entirely sure, but it could be possible that this series was the inspiration behind "Good Omens".

There are certain elements and themes in this trilogy that seem to have a similar feel or essence to what we see in "Good Omens".

It's always interesting to explore different books and make connections like this.

As I continue to read through this trilogy, I'm eager to see if there are more similarities or if it will take its own unique turn.

Either way, it's been an enjoyable reading experience so far.

There is this truly tantalizing mystery that has intrigued many. In 1991, two American writers, Roger Zelazny and Robert Sheckley, published a certain book. However, just a year before in 1990, two British writers, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, published "Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch".

Both of these books share several interesting features. They both have an angel and a demon as central characters, a witch, a thrilling contest between Good and Evil, and are filled with plenty of humour. This has led to the question: Was this some kind of unspoken contest or challenge between the two pairs of writers? If anyone happens to be friendly with Neil Gaiman, it would be great if they could ask him about this.

The comparison between the two books is inevitable. The demon Azzie in the American book is perhaps not as charismatic as the demon Crowley in "Good Omens". This could be partly because Crowley was brought to life by a Scottish actor in an adaptation, which added to the charm of the character. Additionally, the adaptation of "Good Omens" featured some very special music, enhancing the overall experience for many readers. In contrast, Azzie has to rely solely on the written word to make an impact.

Both books are indeed funny, but the American one is perhaps a bit grosser in its details. Nevertheless, both are page-turners that keep the reader engaged from start to finish. While the author does not regret the time spent reading the American book, they are not in a hurry to pick up the sequel, "If at Faust You Don't Succeed".

As the quotes from the books show, there are moments of wisdom and charm in both. Whether it's Hermes sternly telling a young demon not to be a defeatist or Charming knowing that shaggy little ponies in the woods can give good advice, these details add to the overall appeal of the stories.

Overall, both books have their own unique qualities and it's up to the reader to decide which one they prefer.

It's okay if your expectations aren't overly high.

This is just a lighthearted and enjoyable little story that features some charming characters.

Throughout the narrative, there are a handful of jokes that are sure to bring a smile to your face.

The characters are well-developed and have their own unique personalities, which makes them easy to relate to and root for.

The story unfolds in a simple yet engaging way, taking you on a journey filled with laughter and entertainment.

Whether you're looking for a quick read to pass the time or just something to brighten your day, this little story is definitely worth checking out.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride as you get to know these charming characters and their humorous adventures.

You might be surprised at how much you end up enjoying this fun little tale.

This story had a plethora of interesting and fun ideas within it.

However, as it came to an end, it was somewhat of a disappointment.

There wasn't really anything objectively wrong with it.

But it simply wasn't nearly as humorous, clever, or sharp as one would anticipate from a writer of Zelazny's caliber.

One might have expected more wit, more unexpected twists, and a greater depth of humor.

Perhaps the build-up of those fun ideas led to overly high expectations.

Nevertheless, it still had its moments and was an enjoyable read to a certain extent.

But compared to what one might have hoped for from such a great writer, it just didn't quite measure up.

Overall, it was a bit of a letdown despite having some good elements.

Whimsical and highly entertaining, this piece offers a unique reading experience.

It may not be an extremely deep exploration of the fantasy genre, yet the characters have an undeniable charm that effortlessly draws you in.

(Spoiler alert!) I found myself unexpectedly sympathizing with Azzie when he lost. However, to his credit, he did receive a couple of rather nice consolation prizes.

In terms of pacing and development, it feels almost like a long short story, with a smooth flow that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Overall, this has left me with a strong anticipation to explore some of Zelazyny's other works, eager to see what other imaginative worlds and captivating characters he has in store.

I'm excited to embark on this literary journey and discover the full range of his creative talents.

RinToC book 21 -

(3.5 stars)

It is the year 1000, which implies that it is the time for the Millennial Games between the forces of Heaven and Hell. Minor subdemon Azzie, who is bored with running pit #405, devises a clever plan to win the game for Hell. His plan involves creating a fairy tale where Napping Beauty violently rejects Prince Charming, thus proving that true love is a lie.

Azzie enlists the help of his friends Frike (an Igor), Ylith (an immortal witch and Azzie’s ex-girlfriend - or ghoulfriend?), and Hermes Trismegistus. Together, they must piece together a couple of lovebirds before Heaven builds their boring Gothic Cathedral and wins 1000 years of good for humanity.

The story is all very silly. I can understand why 11/12 year old me adored this book so much. It is easy to follow, has cool illustrations, and contains a lot of that Addams Family style ghoulish humor that I love so dearly. However, I just wish it was written better. If a few sex jokes were cut out, this book would definitely be on par with Lemony Snicket.

The story is extremely clever, yet it is hard for me to fully engage with it.

I firmly believe that if the author had made the main character, who happens to be a demon, more humanized and multi-dimensional, this book would have become a real page turner.

Merely describing the shenanigans within a cutesy plot can only take the story so far. It lacks the depth and complexity that would truly draw the reader in and keep them hooked from start to finish.

By adding more layers to the demon character, such as its inner conflicts, desires, and fears, the reader could have formed a stronger emotional connection with it. This, in turn, would have made the overall reading experience more immersive and enjoyable.

As it stands, the book has great potential, but it falls short in making the main character truly relatable and captivating.

The story was rather amusing, yet it had a meandering quality to it.

It felt as if it lacked a clear and central plot that could hold the reader's attention firmly.

Throughout the narrative, there were numerous threads that were introduced, but unfortunately, many of them were left untied at the end.

This left the reader with a sense of dissatisfaction and a feeling that the story could have been more cohesive and resolved.

Perhaps with a more focused plot and a better tying up of loose ends, the story would have been more engaging and satisfying.

As it stands, while it had its moments of amusement, the overall lack of a central plot and unresolved threads detracted from its overall impact.

It serves as a reminder of the importance of having a well-structured and tightly woven story to keep the reader fully invested from beginning to end.

The beginning of this story is a little slow, but as soon as all of the characters are introduced, the real fun starts. I think this trilogy is really original and witty. It actually reminds me a bit of "Good Omens" by Pratchett and Gaiman.

However, the ending was a bit of a letdown, and so were most of the climatic moments. With all the build-up, you would expect a more spectacular resolution to the major conflicts. There were several instances in the book where I wasn't entirely convinced. I understand that it's supposed to be funny and not overly realistic, but it felt like the author was being a bit lazy and not really thinking through the situations or how the characters would react. He was just giving us easy explanations to keep the story going. I've read all ten Amber-related books, and I know that's not how Zelazny writes. So, I've decided to blame Sheckley for this.

Still, I have to say that I love the book despite its flaws. It has its own charm and entertainment value that makes it worth reading. :D