The Outsorcerer's Apprentice

When I first started reading Tom Holt about seven years ago, I was amazed at his crazy obsession with logic. The plots and the worlds he throws you in are completely nutty, but there is that crazy logic going on. And its hilarious the way he goes about describing the way large corporations and law firms (his main targets) go about screwing people over.This book is no different and is the third in a series starting with Doughnut.I used to think Holt was another Pratchett in a good way. There are all the fantasy elements, but Holt's books are grounded in everyday life on earth and then something steps in to transport the characters to another dimension, usually an evil corporation or just an ill advised genius as is the case here. I think its high fantasy (Pratchett) where everything is happening in a magical realm versus low fantasy (Holt) where the real world is interjected with magic.There are a lot of jokes and gags, every page, and the sentiments are basically the same, we must save ourselves and the world somehow.With Holt magic is just science and technology run amok like Frankenstein's monster and then there is the element of how we deal or change with it accordingly. This book more than others starts to examine these changing behaviors. As always with Holt man meets woman and the day is saved, kind of, but here there is also nephew and uncle paving the way for change. Love, I guess is at the bottom of this. Good stuff.

I've bought a large number of Mr. Holt's books over the years. Most have been good, or at least good enough. A few, and I think this is one of them, are just filler. He introduces some interesting plot devices here, and a few of the characters elicit a laugh or two, but this is not his best work. That said, it also isn't his worst.If you are a fan, I would recommend reading it, otherwise you may want to start with an earlier novel by this author.

From the first page to the last, this clever book was pure delight. Full of smart word play, engaging characters, and a setting rich with parody and charm, this book is a frothy, silly escape. The Outsourcer's Apprentice was my first Tom Holt book but it won't be my last.

I really like Tom Holt's earlier work but I had trouble getting into this story. The characters and plot just weren't compelling.

Great read if you like scifi and fantasy, and business humor.

This is a reasonably funny story which parodies fantasy stories and modern society. If I was a Brit, I probably would have gotten some of the inside jokes that I didn't pick up as an American, but there were plenty I did get and they were pretty good. The bits about the economy in the fantasy kingdom making no sense were funny, as were the plays on standard character types such as lawyers, elves, goblins and dwarves. There were some laugh-out-loud parts, but also some parts that dragged, but overall a good read.

Nice imaginative Holt.Not as well structured as some of his earlier works, but explores the storybook world quite as neatly as Fforde.

I love Tom Holt's writing.

Tom Holt continues his wandering through the superbly surreal surroundings of his fantasy worlds. This one appeals to me more than the last couple he has written and I was gripped by the narrative and engaged in the story more. I was expecting something better (if you will pardon the pun), but he has got back on track. To fully understand the references and plot line, it helps if you have read "Doughnut" - but it isn't essential (and if you are a Tom Holt fan you will have read it already anyway).

I found the way this book, blends the impossible with the impossible and does it seamlessly is a work of genius. This kept me interested and guessing to the very last page Thank you.

Despite some of other reviews, I found this much easier to follow than its precursors in the 'doughnut' series. Funny, imaginative, readable. Sure, it's not high literature, but it passes a few hours pleasurably, and it was the most enjoyable Tom Holt book I've read since 'Blonde Bombshell' - and, unlike some Holt fantasy novels, the ending wasn't disappointing either.

If you are reading this then you are interested in Tom Holt books and will probably know the story line. Won't spoil that for you but you need to read / listen to Doughnut first.All I will say is that Ray Sawyer, the narrator, does have a range of different voices for the characters and is quite good, but if you listen to the Terry Pratchet talking books, he's nowhere near as good as Nigel Planer who is superb.

Ought for a friend. Very pleased with the book.