Review by kirwar4face (2003-03-18)
Ambitious demon Azzie Elbub proposes to win the millennial contest between Good and Evil by tempting two writers of genius to collaborate on what is intended as an hilarious fairy-tale parody. After Azzie removes all possible humor from the collaboration, we are left with Bring Me the Head of Prince Charming, of which the funniest components are the really excellent cover by Don Maitz and the amusing section-heading drawings by Larry Elmore. But people bought the book anyway, and the authors went on to write two sequels! A novel that would have been a delicious send-up of fantasy cliches, if only it had had any jokes in it. Not one's best introduction to either Zelazny or Sheckley. (I was exaggerating for effect: I found a joke in the book, two-thirds of the way through. The angel Babrael has said he would be happy, as a guest, to eat whatever Azzie has prepared. 'No, you wouldn't,' says Azzie. 'Trust me on this.')