M.Y.T.H. Inc. in Action

Ace, June 1991, 245 pp.
ISBN: 0-441-55282-X

Genre: Fantasy
Subgenre: Humor
Reviewed: 10/20/2003

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Excerpt

Basic Training . . . The Sergeant Smiley Method

". . . To deal with an ARMED opponent, however, is a different matter entirely! Fortunately, we have an EXPERT with us to demonstrate how that is done! GUIDO! Front and center!"

"Me, Sergeant?" I blinks, as I had not expected to be called upon.

"That's right," the sergeant sez, showin' some extra teeth in his smile. "at the firing range you made a big point that only jerks have to kill people. Well, here's your chance to show everybody how to 'gentle' an enemy into submission when he's trying to kill you."

Needless to say, I don't care for the sounds of this, but as I have been summoned, I have little choice but to step forward into the clear space bein' used for the demonstrations. My discomfort grows as the sergeant gestures to Corporal Whittle, who tosses him a short sword. That's right, a real short sword . . .with a point and sharpened edges.

"What's with the sword, Sergeant?" I sez.

"I said this was going to be a demonstration against an armed opponent," he grins. "What we're going to do is I'm going to try to kill you, and you're going to try to stop me without killing me."

". . . And if I don't?"

"Then I guess we'll have us a little 'training accident' . . ."

Synopsis

Before Skeeve travels to Perv to look for Aahz (see Myth-Nomers and Im-Pervections), he instructs his two bodyguards, Guido and Nunzio, to stop Queen Hemlock and the advancement of her army, led by General Badaxe. The only way they can figure to do this is by joining the army and causing problems from within.

Finding themselves in the Klah army, Guido and Nunzio are promoted every time they think they are causing damage between the army and civilians. One thing leads to another and both are soon wearing sergeant stripes. Things really start to get sticky when they run across a deveel and end up in jail.

To make matters worse, Don Bruce, the head of the mafia, shows up on the scene. This was the last thing the boys wanted, as they weren't even supposed to be on Klah in the first place. No mobsters are. As time begins to run out, Guido and Nunzio must figure out how to stop Queen Hemlock from taking more and more land, or they will have to do the impossible and make a hit on the queen.

M.Y.T.H. Inc. in Action is the ninth book of the Myth Adventures series by Robert Asprin. These books are incredibly funny fantasy tales that normally revolve around the lives of Skeeve and Aahz. In this book, as with all books that have a "M.Y.T.H. Inc." in the title, this story is told from the point of view of another character in Skeeve's crew. This time it is Guido who tells the tale of how he and Nunzio try to stop Queen Hemlock's military conquests. 

Review

Guido and Nunzio, former mob kneecappers, are interesting characters, but I do not feel they rank up there with Skeeve and Aahz. Yes, Tananda, Massha and Chumley all briefly appear in this tale, but the story mostly revolves around Guido and Nunzio.

My personal preference are the stories involving the original crew of the Myth series. I love the bumbling Skeeve and the money-hungry Aahz. This story does have merit though and I did enjoy the read. But, I think Klah is a rather boring dimension and would be happy is the crew never went there again.

The Bazaar at Diva is where it is at. I love that place. The next book in the series promises to be interesting as Skeeve must trying in figure out how to get out of the clutches of Queen Hemlock in Sweet Myth-tery of Life.

Overall, M.Y.T.H. Inc. in Action is still a good read, but the book isn't all that funny. But like all other Myth Adventures books, it is entertaining.

I rated this book a 7 out of 10.