Three stories from the first book (The Dying Earth) were good, I've thought so from the time I first read it, but the rest of the book was just terribly disappointing. What a waste of money. :( ( )

Overhyped Hodgpodge: I looked forward to a bunch of great stories about the future of earth and how mankind was dealing with it. Instead this was three or four books obviously done at different times that were were slapped together to form a somwhat continuous story for the most part. I liked the first couple of stories and then the repetitiveness of Cugel wore me out. Unrepentent, scurrilous Cugel was funny for the first 30 pages but after what seemed like 1000 pages I wanted to bump him off myself.
Please beware of the other reviews. Unless you want a semi humorous fantasy novel telling a bunch of semi linked stories about a dying earth with lots of magic then stay the heck away from this.

Of the four books collected in this omnibus, I can only recommend the first: The Dying Earth contains a set of enjoyable short stories set in a world infused with an atmosphere of magic and mystery. The additional volumes, though at times entertaining, more often than not were a chore to get through, and often felt internally inconsistent. The first volume is definitely worth a read, though, and if you can find the omnibus edition at a decent price, go for it.

3-1/2 stars for The Dying Earth
2-1/2 for the rest ( )

- The Dying Earth, four and a half stars
- The Eyes of the Overworld, four stars
- Cugel's Saga, three stars
- Rhialto the Marvellous, three stars

A necessary read for sci-fi/fantasy fans! I didn't realize how much had been borrowed from Jack Vance's series until I read them. Still poignant and awfully hilarious all these years later. ( )

Collection of 4 fantasy collections of short stories made into novels.
The Dying Earth and Eyes of the Overworld are fantastic and great imaginative fantasy (Clark Ashton Smith good recommendation if you like those).
The second pair of novels isn't as good and is just entertaining.
The book itself gets a high rating because of content and completeness. 1-star deduction for an awful cover. A shame because all of the original paperback covers are well done. ( )