Roc and a Hard Place (Xanth)

Rating:
Summary: Its old now
Review: By this time Piers Anthony is losing the magic that made him so refreshing a read in the first place. There's hardly anything new and even the puns are getting dull. I think its time he moved on to other works. If he doesn't, then his readers will.

Rating:
Summary: Roc-ky
Review: Now I like the Xanth novels. I've read virtually all of them and they're entertaining, but that doesn't stop me from noting its problems and downfalls. Piers Anthony has made some improvement in his Xanth novels. While he still hasn't been able to let go of the ever-present find-a-mate-get-married-have-babies-for-the-next-Xanth-novel plot, it has been pressed more or less into the background instead of being the one of main focuses of the book. No the main problem of the book is that there is no real conflict in the story. Everything is accomplished too easily and you can always find someone who has the answer or something to give you just what you need. This is my definition of 'abuse of magic'. There is never any doubt about the outcome. Problems are just passing clouds, without any real substence or lingering effects. That may be fine with younger readers, but who are these books written for anyway? You tend to think adults, because 'Roc and A Hard Place' is full of Sexual Innuendo and Situations. Which is downright absurd when the last three chapters of 'Roc and a Hard Place' are about a bird being put on trail for having violated the Adult Conspiracy by uttering the word 'Darn' in the presence of a juvenile... in this case, an egg.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I ever read
Review: Roc and a Hard Place is my first Xanth book(Sept 1998). It is excruciatingly punny. I loved it, loved it, loved it! All the others I have seen since then (Harpy Thyme, Valley of the Voles, Colour of Her Panties) are hilarious. This series is a must-read for all not-so-serious fans of fantasy who are sickened by the blood and gore that pervades most of this category of books. I only gave it five stars because they wouldn't let me give it ten!

Rating:
Summary: too much too much
Review: Yes, he's quite the wit with puns and words and phrases, and yes it's fun.... but enough already. Let us have some interesting storyline too! I think I still like best the story A Spell For Chameleon. It was heartwarming. Roc and a Hard Place is just an exercise in wordiness. Does he get paid by the word? No character development, no plot development, just more and more and more of the same.

Rating:
Summary: too much too much
Review: Yes, he's quite the wit with puns and words and phrases, and yes it's fun.... but enough already. Let us have some interesting storyline too! I think I still like best the story A Spell For Chameleon. It was heartwarming. Roc and a Hard Place is just an exercise in wordiness. Does he get paid by the word? No character development, no plot development, just more and more and more of the same.