Robert asprin license invoked

Any actual assignments were delegated to a handful of "agents" they kept on retainer. Even though romantically involved in a haphazard, casual sort of way, the administrators were not so engaged when their phone rang.

To be specific, Don was reading a current bestseller while Sherry was updating her address book. The secretary heaved a sigh of martyrdom and rose from the sofa where he was comfortably reclined. Can I help you? He artfully punched the "hold" button and turned to Sherry who was already on the alert, having tracked the progression of his expression during the exchange.

The question was rhetorical. Even though Don had a bent for practical jokes, he never sounded a false alarm when it came to the working of the department. If nothing else, he felt that to do that would be so easy it would be beneath him.

He shook his head. Sherry's eyes widened. Don't mention it. That's what we're here for Thank you. There's an Irish rock group, Green Fire, that's about to start a tour of the U.

It seems one of their members has been getting threats and even suffered a couple attacks. The rat in the woodpile is that the threats and attacks have been of a psychic nature.

That makes it our problem. Don began to smile. Who's the target? Because of that, they're sending along an agent of their own to watch over Ms. Kenmare while she's on tour.

And if there's one of theirs tagging along, there has to be one of ours tagging along as well, right? Have we got anyone in New Orleans, or do we have to air-drop someone in? Elizabeth put down her copy of Paranormal magazine. Director Ringwall peered out of his office at her, his plump-cheeked face glowing pink. He was beaming. Ringwall gestured to her to shut the door.

Elizabeth stood, breathless, on the threadbare rag rug in front of his desk. What was so exciting that it could make her notoriously moody boss smile? Have you heard of Fionna Kenmare? She racked her brain for specific details. Sings what she calls acid folk rock.

Something to do with magic, sir. I've got an assignment for you. We got a call, from, er I don't need to tell you how far Upstairs. Truth is," he said, leaning over the desktop toward her and lowering his voice, "I can't.

I don't know. But this is a very important mission. There is reason to suspect that this Fionna Kenmare is under some kind of psychic or magical attack. She's reported seeing bleeding cuts appear on her skin when there's nothing sharp nearby.

Suffers mysterious illnesses. Such is the case of Kenneth Carson. As one of the most famous time scouts, he's now the owner of a small hotel in a time terminal. It's a quiet life, at least until a young woman shows up at his doorstep, asking that he train her to be a time scout. Carson's attempts to convince her otherwise before she runs off into the past and gets herself killed make up the tale.

It's an entertaining read, good for killing an afternoon or two. Nov 07, Darnoc Leadburger rated it liked it Shelves: sci-fi , time-travel , z-series-sf , y-library-sale. Definetely enough to build a good story out of. And the story is pretty good It may get a little murky during the last 50 or so pages, but not too badly. So why not four stars? While it probably sounds worse here than it came across, it still wasn't really my thing.

Still, the sci fI elements and overall story were pretty enjoyable. Nov 12, StarMan rated it did not like it Shelves: science-fiction , low-realism , avoid , time-travel , nope. I was far more annoyed than entertained.

Mar 27, Frederick Bodine rated it really liked it. Was not sure I would like it. Slow starter but I knew time travel issues vary and there would have to be a little set up first. I thought it worth it. I am not sure I will be reading more right away as I do not think the main characters of book one carry to book 2.

If I run across it I will for sure buy but not sure I will hunt it. I have so much to read already. It had a very original idea in the way of time travel and the local terminology. I am very happy I decided to take this one off the sh Was not sure I would like it.

I am very happy I decided to take this one off the shelf! Dec 14, Jackson rated it liked it. He was a time scout that went through time to fight and solve crime.

But there was also a little teenage girl that was very annoying all throughout the story and she doesn't change. But she also becomes a time scout along with Kit. They go on amazing adventures together and solve crimes together. There also is another character named Malcolm and he goes along with them and helps them on their adventures.

May 07, Jeanie T rated it really liked it. Very entertaining. My first favorite time travel. Jun 02, Dustin rated it it was ok. I got about a quarter of the way into this and it didn't grab me at all.

Marking this one as did not finish. Aug 28, Kim rated it it was ok. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The worldbuilding is top notch and I love it, but the age gap in the characters attracted to a teenager is not good. Also maturity through rape is a trope that needs to go away, period. Apr 02, Scott Holstad rated it did not like it Shelves: didn-t-finish , sci-fi.

Unbelievably stupid and not remotely believable. The most famous time scout of all time is the stupidly named Kit Carson, who is retired. One day, some total massive hottie, the like of whom has never been seen in the universe shows up on the space Unbelievably stupid and not remotely believable. One day, some total massive hottie, the like of whom has never been seen in the universe shows up on the space station in a massive rush looking for Kit.

All men think with their penises in this book. No more incestuous thoughts, I guess. Still, everyone else wants to pork her. Kit tries to talk her out of it and enlists the aid of every time scout around and the top weapons specialists and researchers around.

She thinks it sounds romantic and knows nothing about it. Well — get this — first of all, you have to be a scholar. You pretty much have to have a PhD.

Hates school. Kit is fluent in Margo barely knows one. Then, you pretty much have to be a special forces veteran.

A PhD. You have to know how to fight anyone anywhere and how to beat the hell out of anyone and kill them if need be. You also need to know your weapons. You need to know how to use, fire, and clean hundreds of guns. Margo has never picked one up. You need to know blades. You need to know at least three to five martial arts, black belt level, probably more. Margo took a few classes of one in high school. Really badly. There are too many other good books to read. One star. Definitely not recommended.

Dec 29, Andy Strutt rated it really liked it. I have to admit, I had never heard of Robert Asprin or Linda Evans before but decided to take a chance. The story is absolutely fascinating, based both in the future Up Time and in the past Down Time at the same time. There has been a catastrophic accident on Earth that has allowed the formation of intermittent time tunnels to the past.

They are accessed from hidden Time Terminals; all based in the past and can lead to anywhere in history from the Cretaceous to Victorian England.

The story revolves around Kit Carson a famous retired Time Scout who during his career has braved dozens of expeditions into the unknown past. He is well respected around Time Terminal 86 and lives a peaceful life until a young girl; Margo Smith turns up claiming to be his daughter and demanding he train her as a scout. Follow her escapades as she runs from a troubled past determined to show everyone that she has what it takes to be a Time Scout.

The novel is very well written and a unique concept, perfect for fans of pure science fiction and action thrillers alike. There are so many plot twists that you are kept guessing what is going to happen next. The characters are superbly constructed and you really begin to feel empathy for the troubled Margo as she fights for her dream.

I was rather lucky to drop on this copy but I am even luckier that I have discovered there are another three books in the series that I will be keeping my eyes open for in the future. Highly recommended. May 04, George rated it really liked it. Despite assertions by sensible reviewers here, no, Margo is not an idiot. Assuming you can accept that, as I did, the plotting actually makes a reasonable amount of sense. With one major exception, to my mind. At 16yo, an age for high school junior year, in Margo is being put thru what seems a full-time course in weapons and martial arts training, assigned a heavy course- Despite assertions by sensible reviewers here, no, Margo is not an idiot.

When to an astonishing extent she succeeds in what amounts to passing college while holding down a full-time job, she receives moderate praise. Aug 13, Bob Folker rated it it was ok. I needed something I could read on breaks, so it had to be easy to put down. This filled the bill. The premise: due to unknown causes, time warps have opened to the past. I can suspend disbelief for that if the story is good. And the story was not bad.

But I wouldn't call it good, either. Instead of focusing on the mystery of what has caused the warps, or the problems of the people stranded in 'Shangrila' from their homes in the past, which are the interesting problems the pre I needed something I could read on breaks, so it had to be easy to put down.

Instead of focusing on the mystery of what has caused the warps, or the problems of the people stranded in 'Shangrila' from their homes in the past, which are the interesting problems the premise presents, it instead focuses on a young woman who wants to become the first female 'Time Scout'. That could be OK too, the actual Scouting stuff is interesting but it didn't grab me. The plot hinges on her desire to do it quick and dirty because she wants to prove something to somebody back up-time.

While her refusal to tell anybody her reasons is made out to be a plot point, I can't see that it makes much difference - she would have done much the same whether anybody knew or not.

The parts set in actual past settings, as opposed to the Shangrila staging area, are interesting, although the squicky romance doesn't help things for me either.

Two stars is all it gets. Apr 20, Jefferson rated it it was ok. The writing seemed very self indulgent, with entire chapters covering subjects that the authors clearly want to talk about in exhaustive detail, and a generally smug, condescending tone throughout the book.

The main female character spends most of the book being trained to be self-reliant, only to be brutally punished for not "doing it right" and ends up a helpless victim in need of rescue by her two male mentor figures. The ending makes it clear that they knew best and that she's "learned her l The writing seemed very self indulgent, with entire chapters covering subjects that the authors clearly want to talk about in exhaustive detail, and a generally smug, condescending tone throughout the book.

The ending makes it clear that they knew best and that she's "learned her lesson. May 05, Trish rated it liked it Shelves: science-fiction. Robert Asprin again. This series Time Scout is the first of four is set in a world where time tourism has become a big thing, with the founding and finding of nexuses nexi? Time Scouts are the individuals who go into new gates when they appear to see where they lead Interesting characters and enteretaining plots.

Jun 04, Anne Taylor rated it liked it Shelves: a-linda-evans. I really enjoyed the ficton in this book, but I'm not as sure I appreciate what they did with it. I find it also odd how they set her up to be a strong female character, but then half the time reveal her to be silly and weak. On the other hand, the story is gripping and the ficton is very well fleshed out by the plot.

When OOPSI, the branch of the British intelligence agency that specializes in the supernatural, sends her to act as a bodyguard of sorts to Fiona Kenmare, lead singer of the Irish acid-folk band Green Fire, she's just hoping to get this over with so she can get home and hopefully get promoted. But not only does Liz discover that she has a startling link to Fiona, she realizes that Fiona's insistence that something magical in nature is plaguing the band isn't her imagination -- she's really being targeted by sinister magic forces!

As the band prepares for a big concert in New Orleans, Liz ends up teaming up with an American FBI agent named Beauray though he prefers the nickname "Boo" , and the two must use all the magical means at their disposal to protect Fiona, Green Fire, and an entire stadium of fans from a black magic conspiracy that could destroy them all When this book found its groove and was at its best, it was an enjoyable read.

Liz is a somewhat neurotic character, but believable and with her own quirks and flaws, and I found myself growing to like her and rooting for her. Her relationships with other characters felt believable, and when she was the focus of the book I greatly enjoyed the read.

Boo is a curiously flat character, simply written to ooze Southern charm and provide handy exposition when needed, but his banter with Liz was enjoyable and fun. And the author's depiction of New Orleans made it seem like a colorful and exhilarating place to visit The other characters are pretty much stereotypes and caricatures -- the snotty rock diva, the harried and fussy band manager, the overprotective bodyguard, etc.

Even Liz's parter Boo, as stated above, feels curiously flat and underdeveloped. And the villains are so over-the-top evil that they're just flat-out cartoony and laughable, falling back on Hollywood depictions of Satanism that ceased to be scary decades ago. Said villains also seem to have no real motivation behind the destruction they're plotting beyond being as evil as possible -- there's talk of creating a surge of black magic power, but no indication on what that power is going to be used for.

The plot is fairly by-the-numbers, and at times it can't seem to decide whether it wants to be a sharp comedy or a bog-standard police procedural. I know Asprin in particular was capable of writing witty humor along with his magical antics, but here attempts at humor largely fall flat.

And the police-procedural thriller is livened up a little bit with magic but is otherwise fairly predictable I'm willing to give both Asprin and Nye another chance, as it hardly seems fair to judge two authors by one lackluster collaboration.

But "License Invoked" definitely doesn't seem like their best work, and while entertaining at points is an uneven and cliched read. It bears a few signs that it was meant to be the start of a series, but reading this book, it's easy to see why said series never panned out. Sep 17, Wendy Tekverk rated it really liked it. So wonderfully hokey and i loved every minute of it. Jan 10, Danie rated it did not like it.

Silly story about an acid-folk rock band whose lead singer is being targeted by Satanists. Yeah you read that right. Their protection is an uptight Brit lady-agent and a "N'awlins" freelancer both natural magickers who both work for secret government departments that deal in The Magic.

My biggest take-away was wondering whether Green Fire the band in the novel and their Irish green-haired front woman weren't a thinly veiled stand-in for Garbage and their Scottish pink-haired frontwoman.

Hope n Silly story about an acid-folk rock band whose lead singer is being targeted by Satanists. I kept waiting for the twist that would make the read worth it. It never came. Apr 01, Marilyn Fontane rated it liked it Shelves: fantasy. Strange book. Not a comic fantasy, but a black magic thriller.

Irish acid rock group, Green Fire, plans to begin their US tour in New Orleans, but the lead singer believes she is the recipient of black magic. So the Brits send one of their special forces agents along, and the Americans add Boo-Boo, a special agent of the FBI to guard against such activities. The group is in fact being demonized by a tele-evangalism church, who is paying top dollar to topple the group. It sounds like it should be Strange book. It sounds like it should be a comic romp, but in fact turns more thriller oriented.

It is however engaging; a fast page turner that keeps you reading once you're in to the story. Dec 30, Jack rated it really liked it. A whimsical look of what might happen if the government ever decided to take "magick" seriously and create a bureacracy about it. Of course, anyone that "knows" or "believes in" magic knows that this stuff in the book is pure fiction.

Magick doesn't work that way because it's internal, not external. Even so, this is one of Asprin's better attempts away from either the Myth, Phule or Thieves World series. That doesn't mean it's his best work, though. This book has it's slow spots where it tends to A whimsical look of what might happen if the government ever decided to take "magick" seriously and create a bureacracy about it.