
Series: YouSpace #3
Published by Orbit Books on July 15, 2014
Genres: Adult SFF, Comedy
Pages: 400
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
My Reviews in this series: Doughnut
*This book was provided by the Publisher for review. No compensation was provided and all opinions are strictly my own.
A happy workforce, it is said, is a productive workforce.
Mmmm.
Try telling that to an army of belligerent goblins. Or the Big Bad Wolf. Or a professional dragonslayer. Who is looking after their well-being? Who gives a damn about their intolerable working conditions, lack of adequate health insurance, and terrible coffee in the canteen?
Thankfully, with access to an astonishingly diverse workforce and limitless natural resources, maximizing revenue and improving operating profit has never really been an issue for the one they call "the Wizard." Until now.
Because now a perfectly good business model -- based on sound fiscal planning, entrepreneurial flair, and only one or two of the infinite parallel worlds that make up our universe -- is about to be disrupted by a young man not entirely aware of what's going on.
There's also a slight risk that the fabric of reality will be torn to shreds. You really do have to be awfully careful with these things

OH WOW!
Where to start? The Outsorcerer’s Apprentice was a snort loudly sort of read. I mean that in a good way! I will go over a little of the ridiculousness here, the rest… well you’ll just have to read it for that.
It’s the third in the series
I can’t say much about this because, well… I didn’t know. I haven’t read any other Tom Holt books, but you can be sure I will be soon. I give him a HUGE gold star for not making me feel like I was dropped into the middle of a story. He did a hell of a job here. Can’t give him enough gold stars on this one. Maybe even a brownie badge. Obviously, you can totally enjoy this one as a stand alone… beware though, it will make you want to read more!
It’s SILLY, and I still LOVE it.
It’s the MOST RIDICULOUS thing I have ever read and still manages to be WITTY at the same time! The entire book is full of snark which is just fabulous, but also smarts. The fact that in the fantasy realm of things there is an amazingly strong societal taboo against food with holes in the middle cracks me up. They make it seem dirty, like something sexual in our reality. For example:
“Doing that. With an onion. Oh my God. And those other things he’d talked about, the ones she’d never even heard of. If he was into even weirder stuff than onion rings, she really didn’t want to know…” (Pg. 111)
This was said of the prince who is from our reality, he travels to the fantasy realm where he is a prince by the use of a doughnut and when he looses that doughnut which is his road home, he’s trying to convince locals to cook him a food with a hole in the middle. He’s treated like he’s really kinky for wanting something with a hole…
More Silliness!
The elves are slaving away playing music that keeps repeating over and over again… turns out, they are playing HOLD MUSIC for our reality! For no pay! This is just craziness and it’s hilarious. I just loved all the silliness. I am not even going to ruin it by talking about it. If you like this type of book then you will love this one. I felt as though the whole book was making fun of the way we do things and how we treat our workers and in general the silliness of society which was interesting and I wish I would have had a little more time and brain power to dissect the deeper meanings, but it was done tastefully and nothing gets beat into the ground or forced down your throat which just made it more awesome.
It’s a wrap!
If you love silly witty humor mixed with Fantasy and a dash of hidden deeper meaning then The Outsorcerer’s Apprentice is a great book for you!
Tina
Latest posts by Tina (see all)
- Review: The Immortal Crown by Richelle Mead - October 28, 2014
- Review: Fool’s Assassin by Robin Hobb - October 21, 2014
- Review: The Outsorcerer’s Apprentice by Tom Holt - August 8, 2014
blodeuedd
Witty and silly, ok, I am intrigued
blodeuedd recently posted…The Confabulist – Steven Galloway
Tina
I was surprised. It hit the ridiculous level several times and had me snickering.
Tina recently posted…Review: Crushed by Eliza Crewe
Dragana
I’ve been eyeing this series by Tom Holt for some time now. Did you read ‘Doughnut’ and ‘When It’s A Jar ‘ too, or it can be read out of order?
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Tabitha (Not Yet Read)
Tina didn’t read the first two books, we didn’t realize this was part of a series so it can definitely be read out of order.
Tabitha (Not Yet Read) recently posted…Review: The Outsorcerer’s Apprentice by Tom Holt
Tina
As Tabitha said, I didn’t realize it was a series until I was done reading it. I think I am glad I didn’t though because I probably would have gone back and tried to read the first two first. I loved this one but three in a row with the same levels of ridiculous and I probably would have been writing a different review. I think these (unless this is the genre you LOVE) are probably best enjoyed in between reading other things. I LOVED it, and I do want to read more of his works but I’d like to have some time before snorting my coffee through my nose again!
Tina recently posted…Review: Crushed by Eliza Crewe
Dragana
Thanks for clearing that up. I think I will start with Doughnut, my OCD makes me read series in order.
I always mix up genres when I read, because otherwise as you said Tina it can cause an overload.
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Kat Stark @ NotYetRead
Sounds hilarious, which means this one’s a go.
Kat Stark @ NotYetRead recently posted…Review: The Outsorcerer’s Apprentice by Tom Holt
Tina
It was, I hope you enjoy it!
Tina recently posted…Review: Crushed by Eliza Crewe
Mary @ BookSwarm
You know I’m intrigued! The goofiness of the title coupled with the elves and the onions…it sounds over the top and well enough written to carry it off.
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted…Do it in 140: Tweet-short Book Reviews (2)
Tina
Yes, exactly that. I just actually read that he Tom Holt (The author) attended law school as well, which makes his sense of humor fit. This is an author I would probably like to meet lol. Tabs, can we make that happen? 😛
Tina recently posted…Review: Crushed by Eliza Crewe
Tabitha (Not Yet Read)
I will definitely be reading this one! Elves making our hold music! Hilarious!
Tabitha (Not Yet Read) recently posted…Review: The Outsorcerer’s Apprentice by Tom Holt
Tina
I snorted my coffee, Mike thought I was dying. 😛
Tina recently posted…Review: Crushed by Eliza Crewe
Kirsty-Marie
Well, if nothing else it sounds like a fun one you can just relax with and read through quickly. It does sound hilarious though, maybe verging on ridiculous, but not the type that’s annoying, so yay! And since it’s the third in a series and it doesn’t feel like you’re missing something, I’m up for it. 🙂
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Tina
You know, I thought it was going to be a really fast read, but I found myself looking a little deeper to the message the author was getting at. By picking at the way we do things in society, like our taboos and what not. This one had me snorting and thinking.
Tina recently posted…Review: Crushed by Eliza Crewe
Lisa (@TenaciousReader)
I’ve looked at some of his other books, but have been hesitant because I can be so darn picky about humor in books.
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Tina
Read the first three chapters, you will know by then if you are going to enjoy it!
Tina recently posted…Review: Crushed by Eliza Crewe
Carmel @ Rabid Reads
Is there such a thing as a bad snort out loud read? I don’t think so… Anyway, I LOVE silly humour, and if this is seriously the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever read, then I gots to have it. Happy Friday, Tina!
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Tina
It’s kinda bad when you snort coffee out your nose! It hurts! But yeah this is the MOST ridiculous thing I have read… and I read Color of Her Panties years ago 😛 Feels a bit like Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy!
Tina recently posted…Review: Crushed by Eliza Crewe
Molly Mortensen
I’ve been trying to find a Tom Holt book for a while now because I heard his books were funny. Sounds like I should try harder. I love a sequel that doesn’t feel like one. Nice review! 🙂
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Tina
Thanks! Yeah, this was a first for me… probably not a last either!
Tina recently posted…Review: Crushed by Eliza Crewe
Nathan (@reviewbarn)
I think I did read the first two books of this series. But it is hard to tell because Holt keeps recycling ideas. That said, I enjoyed him the first time around but by the second book tired of his humor. Wonder if time would heal that?
Nathan (@reviewbarn) recently posted…Fantasy Review: ‘The Widow’s House’ by Daniel Abraham
Tina
I am thinking that I would space his books out a bit. I love series but to many of this type of book in general and it wouldn’t strike me as quite so ridiculous and would probably loose a lot of it’s charm. I’m with you on it growing old.
Tina recently posted…Review: Crushed by Eliza Crewe
Ana @ Read Me Away
From the blurb and review of the book, I’m getting a Terry Pratchett/Discworld kind of vibe. I adore Pratchett, so I want to pick this book up. 😀 I’ll keep my eyes out for it!
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Tina
Yes very Pratchett ish… reminded me also of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in some ways. Hope you enjoy it!
Tina recently posted…Review: Crushed by Eliza Crewe
Lola @ Hit or Miss Books
Oh, this sounds fun!! And witty, like you said! It would be a perfect relaxing read I believe. Plus, elves? AWESOME. Super review, Tina. 🙂
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Tina
Thanks, yes it’s lovely for relaxing and not so mind numbingly boring as to put you to sleep!
Tina recently posted…Review: Crushed by Eliza Crewe
Karen
Very cool that you can just jump in on book 3! I love snark and smarts!
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Tina
Yeah, I was really surprised to learn it was part of a series. The snark just screams at you in this one. Loved it!
Tina recently posted…Review: Crushed by Eliza Crewe
Jessica @ Rabid Reads
Oh, this does sound fun. I had this on my watchlist, but hadn’t heard much about it before now, so I think I’m definitely going to have to move it to wishlist 😉 ALSO–poor elves, LOL. Forced to play hold music, and not getting paid for it, the HORROR. *snickers*
Jessica @ Rabid Reads recently posted…Review: Wickedly Magical by Deborah Blake
Kel (Booked til Tuesday)
I’m a little worried I’ll get sucked into the “underlying issues commentary” and not enjoy the ride as much, but…it sounds so silly and ridiculous! I knew no human would record hold music of his/her own free will. Great review!
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