The Outsorcerer's Apprentice

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.

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.

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.

Creative, innovative and mind bendingly amusing. Its been weeks since I read it and I still think of some of the concepts, especially coffee stirrers. Its not a deep novel so don't be expecting exposes on the human condition, but never the less it will spark some thought.

A fun read. Love Tom Holts play on words

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

If you're looking for a silly, raucous satire that is plotted like a jigsaw puzzle, you would probably enjoy this book. I've read many of Tom Holt's books and all have been a delight.

really enjoyable. LIght hearted with a feather touch, on all thats wrong in the world and business!

Mr. Holt is a man who cannot stop writing. As he spins one tale, he is writing two more. He is the finest creator of multiple reality / alternate dimensional phase-shifting mad worlds that may seem to start normal, but slowly shift into twisted fairy tales. I cannot recommend his works anymore highly. All praise Mordok and Lunchbox. It's all about the Quantum. Mind the frogs.

Great read!

I haven't read a Holt book in a while, and I was pleasantly surprised by this. It's laugh-out-loud funny in parts, and very engaging. I enjoyed it a lot. I usually read Pritchett when I'm in the mood for comic fantasy, but I think I'll be switching to Tom Holt in future!

Molto divertente (in senso british) e scorrevole. Lettura perfetta in vacanza. Fa sicuramente desiderare di proseguire la lettura con altri libri dello stesso autore.

Subtle, sarcastic, and outrageously funny while all the while making us question established beliefs and every so gently changing the way we think about everything! And most importantly, make us wonder about the one question humanity's existence in the multiverse depends on - does the doughnut need a hole?