A Night in the Netherhells

Rating:
Summary: You won't laugh out loud, but at least it has a plot
Review: "The field needs more humorists of this caliber," says Robert Asprin on the first page. Indeed! This is definitely better than Asprin's Myth.

This is the third book in a trilogy, and I haven't read the first two, but Craig Shaw Gardner does a commendable job in introducing the characters and their problems. Sure, they are caricatures, but that's what you'd expect from this kind of parody.

The good thing about the book is that it has a plot, that keeps moving, and things build upon one another. The story returns to things you've seen before, and there's some sense of anticipation. Why am I all enthusiastic about this? Because Asprin's Myth books lack these features.

So there it is - a book with silly characters, that encounter silly situations, and handle them with all the required seriousness. That's a good recipe for some laughs. Although I didn't get the "wow, this man really understands what people are about and how stupid they are" feeling that I get from a Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett book, the book is enjoyable, mildly funny, and manages to keep the interest level high (unlike some Pratchett books).

Rating:
Summary: Not Just Your Average Masterpiece...
Review: As with all the other books included in the much-lauded 'Ebenezum' series, this book does not let the reader down in the least! Each character is beautifully represented by Mr. Gardner, who shows his remarkable grasp of a world knocked slightly askew...one might draw parallels between this work and Douglas Adams' 'Hitchiker's Guide' series. A truly remarkable book on it's own, and much better when you read it's predecessors! Definately recommended reading!

Rating:
Summary: Not Just Your Average Masterpiece...
Review: As with all the other books included in the much-lauded 'Ebenezum' series, this book does not let the reader down in the least! Each character is beautifully represented by Mr. Gardner, who shows his remarkable grasp of a world knocked slightly askew...one might draw parallels between this work and Douglas Adams' 'Hitchiker's Guide' series. A truly remarkable book on it's own, and much better when you read it's predecessors! Definately recommended reading!

Rating:
Summary: Too funny
Review: This is the conclusion (well, sort of) of the Ebenezum trilogy. Here Gardner overcomes his slight roughness from "Multitude," and returns to top form.

Vushta, City of Forbidden Delights, is gone: demons have dragged it down into the Netherhells, and with it any hope of a cure for Ebenezum. Only a few wizards are left in what remains of it. Guxx Unfufadoo plans to invade the upper world. And, perhaps worst of all, two of Wuntvor's girlfriends have found out about each other!

What can be done? Wuntvor must lead a special expedition to the Netherhells, consisting of Hendrek, Snarks, Norei, and Cuthbert the talking sword. (Ebenezum is absent for most of this adventure) Among the problems: Commercialization has hit the Netherhells (much to Snarks' horror), Guxx plans to take over the world, Vushta is in the slimy hands of the demons, and Wuntvor has this magical hat that keeps spitting out ferrets, flowers and scarves...

The lunatic funniness of this one is too good to be described. The Netherhells are a hilarious spoof of the generally-accepted vision of hell and demons, coupled with a few sly jabs at commercialization and massive construction. We also have the climax of Wuntvor's very complex love life (I was afraid those girls were going to duke it out over him). We even have Cuthbert, a cowardly and fastidious talking sword who listens in from inside his scabbard and squeals in dismay when used to kill an enemy. And Wuntvor's army of ferrets is too hilarious for words, as is how he manages to mass-produce them ("Yes! No! No! Yes! Yes! Yes! No!").

The characters are still fun! (Hard for any author to keep up) Wuntvor is required to grow a little more in this book, since he has to LEAD an expedition, rather than bouncing around with his master. Snarks and Brax are three-dimensional in a delightfully two-dimensional manner; as is doom-speaking warrior Hendrek, and the psychotic Dealer of Death (yes, he's back, and he's squishing demons). The weak link is Norei, who doesn't have any of the quirks of the other characters. But if you bypass her, the cast is just perfect.

As ever, it's sparingly-written; we aren't overloaded with detail or unnecessary dialogue. Parents can utter a sigh of relief, since this trilogy is fine for kids. And any kid or teen who's read fantasy (or even fairy tales) will laugh themselves silly, just as well as the adults.

Wonderful conclusion (sort of) to the Ebenezum trilogy. (Reprint "Song of Wuntvor"! I want more of this kooky little universe)

Rating:
Summary: Night in the neatherhells is a riot
Review: You can't get through this book without cracking up laughing somewhere during it. I've never heard of Gardner before I read this book. Some people might not like it because they think it is far too silly. I'd say they are a bunch of prudes anyway. The adverage reader will love this book. If you like monty python and douglas adams you'll might like Gardner. It's not a typical fantasy book it makes fun of the genre. Irrepressably funny.