Rating: 
Summary: Xanth series 1-14 review... Entertaining quick reads
Review: I passed by these books everytime I went to the book store. I didn't think I would enjoy these novels, they looked too childish. I finally ran out of other fiction to read, so I picked the first book up in a used book store. Boy was I surprised. I enjoyed it so much I decided to buy the whole series. This series definitely has a quirky side to it. However it is a very enjoyable fantasy series. Full of excellent imagery, characters and storylines. Mr. Anthony is constantly coming up with interesting new stories for this series. The puns don't destroy the fantasy element. They add an enjoyable sidenote. These novels took me through a variety of emotions (most of which either had me chuckling or laughing outloud). "Question Quest" (book #14) is the last book in the series that I have read so far. I definitely plan on reading the rest though. I have read more than 450 fantasy novels in the past 15+ years, so I am always trying to find something a little new and entertaining. Xanth definitely fills this requirement. I highly recommend these novels for a quick light read.
Rating: 
Summary: An Exellent Opening Volume of the Xanth Series (1 of 25)
Review: This is the first book of what now numbers 25 volumes in the Xanth series by Piers Anthony. Do not let the size of this series frighten you because each volume is an individual story in and of itself and can be spread out between more serious works you may be reading. I do, however, recommend that you read the books in order to understand them even better. Have you ever read something serious and wanted a humorous break? That is what this book and the whole series is. It is comic fantasy that soars, suprisingly often, into areas of profound ideas and philosophies. It does not shy away from ... attractions either and this is incorporated well into the book. This, the very first Xanth book, details the young man Bink and his quest to try to discover what his magic talent is. Everyone in the magical land of Xanth has a talent. If you don't discover it before your 25th birthday you are banished forever to Mundania, a boring place similar to the realities of Earth. Bink does this to stay with and marry his sweetheart, Sabrina. During his quest he goes through many dangers and encounters Centaurs, Evil and Good Magicians, a Sorceress of Illusion, a soldier, and others along the way. He goes through many adventures and it should be pointed out that their are actually 2 quests within this one book. The author does not have a heavy male or female bias but writes to please everybody. He has alot of fans of both genders. He displays an intimate understanding of love and even of women's menstrual periods! This is a very funny fantasy novel with love, trust, honor, and lots of ... appeal at its core. I think you may love it, I really did.
Rating:
Summary: The First Step to a Magical World
Review: I have been always reading fantasy books such as Harry Potter for my entire life. But this book was extremely good, no other fantasy books can ever compare with this book! Just a few months ago, a friend of mine lent me this book to read over the winter, which a teacher introduced her to read. As usual, I took this book casually as though I read this many times and took it without notice. However, as I started reading, I was immediately emerging into the book. It did not seem like any other original fantasy as I have read before like Harry Potter; talking about magic and casting spells! This book, took me into magical worlds where I could never have imagined and the description makes me feel like I¡¦m watching the characters doing things first-hand.
There is one unique way in how Mr. Anthony writes, which I really admire. Each character he describes is really different from each other and unusual. I¡¦m using the word unusual is because one of the characters he described was known as a villain however this villain turned out not doing any villainous action. Basically, he misleaded us and surprised us!
In this book, each person/character obtains a skill, where each individual has his or her own magic. However, the main character Bink was forced to lead a magical journey and duels with the most evil wizard known in his magical world. If one likes to read books about magic, adventure, and fantasy this is a must read book!
Also, since I have started this fantasy, I have never stopped reading, up till now; I have read the first three series of Xanth (the name this magical world Bink and the other characters dwell in). I¡¦m going to continue and finish the rest of the series about Xanth since this book is really good!
Rating:
Summary: A delightful tale starts the series well.
Review: Be warned: if you fall in love with this book, you'll want to read the 2,000 sequels, and after three or four of them, you'll realise your mistake. They're much, much inferior. This is by far the best of the Xanth series--a terrific little book, funny, exciting, with a perfect twist of an ending. Anthony's excesses are even somewhat charming when encountered for the first time (sexism, puns, billions of uninteresting supporting characters., etc.). It really is worth the read. Xanth is a marvellous place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. Everybody has a magical talent of lesser or greater degree, but our hero seems to lack one, and heads for exile and adventure. Note: a 3 star ranking from me is actually pretty good; I reserve 4 stars for really original works, and 5 only for the rare few that are or ought to be classic; unfortunately most books published are 2 or less.
Rating:
Summary: A great book from a great author.
Review: This is one of the greatest books for people to read in the fantasy genre. I first read this book when I was 13 years old. At first it took me a while to get through it, I couldn't understand why. I finally sat down one day and forced myself to start reading it and I have been thankful for that everyday since. This book sends you deep into the wonderfully created world of Xanth, a seemingly alternate fantasy universe of Florida strangely enough. The characters in the book are all extreamly colorful and delightful. The main character, Bink, is the classic bumbling hero treading through life trying to find a magic talent before he is kicked out of Xanth forever and sent into the dreaded Mundania. He faces many trials by magic and pure thought and somehow is able to escape most situations without even a scratch, strangely enough.. If you like a story with fun situations and exciting adventures, then this is for you. If you like puns and humor, then this is for you. If you like fantasy, then this is for you. Grumps, people searching for the worst in everything and those without imagination need not apply for this is the wrong book for you. Enjoy a classic at its finest.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!! I couldn't put it down!
Review: I just finished this book! It is soooo good! If you enjoy fantasy you'll love this book. It is full of action, suspense, magic, and mystery all rolled into one neat story!!!! I ASSURE you if you read this book, you will NOT be disapointed!
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: This is one of the best fantasy novels ever written. Set in the magic land of Xanth, it tells the story of a man named Bink who must determine what his magic power is before he turns twenty-five, or else he will be exiled forever. The great magician Humphrey is certain that Bink has great powers, but believes that somebody is trying to hide them. There are plenty of surprises and scenes of great suspense throughout the novel. Some people might view the ending as a rip-off, but really this isn't a novel that's read for its plot. What makes this book so good is that Anthony doesn't take himself too seriously. It's filled with outrageous puns and jokes, and the author never stays in a serious mood for very long before reverting to a humorour scene. That's the real reason that "A Spell for Chameleon" and the ensuing sequels are still so amazingly popular.
Rating:
Summary: A must read!
Review: Lately, have you run into any carnivorous Tangler trees? Haw about the gigantic, Roc bird, or a Manticore (shown on the cover of the book). Do you get your shoes of a ripe shoe tree. If so, you're living in Piers Anthony's magical land of Xanth! Introducing the average, Earth dwelling human to this fantasy world could prove to be difficult. But Anthony mastered this with wit, extraordinary word choice, and well formed characters. He begins this mystical series with 'A Spell for Chameleon'. Bink of the North Village has no magic talent. Every citizen in Xanth is born with a talent, even if it's what is called "spot on the wall" magic; a useless talent. If a citizen of Xanth does not have apparent magic by age 25, they would be banished. All the kids in North Village taunted him about his seemingly lack of magic, they would laugh and call him the "Talentless Wonder", and harassed him with dim -witted logic and what Anthony calls 'garden variety' magic. They would never be further off in assuming Bink had no magic within him! Bink, although he was a supposed talentless wonder, was no weakling, in intellect nor body. If the other children were to race him, Bink always won. Well he won according to "Mundane" (no magic) rules. But when magic interfered some cheap kid who could create an illusionary hole, or run through hills, generally won. Still , Bink grew p to be a fine mane, and held no hindrance to magic itself. In fact, Bink was quite curious about it. But curiosity does not help you find a magic talent, and in a couple of weeks Bink would be banished to Mundania, a world with no magic, otherwise known as "Earth". Apparently having no magic in a magical land is bad enough, but there is more to it. There would be no exception made for Bink, unless he had a visible talent, and he would be banished not long after his 25th birthday. The decrepit Storm King, Xanth's current king, enforced this law wholly. The only thing Bink could think to do is go to the Good Magician Humfrey, who has all the answers. Also, Humfrey charges one years service per answer, and Bink would have to stay and fulfill his payment before he was banished. Bink is sent on a journey that would discover some amazing secrets, and repeal all accusations. along the way, he would meet many friends and magical creatures, as well as the previous Evil Magician Trent, who has definitely changed his scene. A Spell for Chameleon is a definite must-read for any fantasy fan, and any other book fan at that! If you enjoy a witty, clever, creative and fun book, I would recommend any Piers Anthony book!
Rating:
Summary: xantherific
Review: I would have given this work 5 stars if the main persons name was not Bink. That was hard to get passed. Besides that the rest of the book was wonderful. The juxtaposition (no pun intended) between xanth and dreary old mundania was facinating. The character development was first rate. The puns were very entertaining. The world he created in xanth was so real it was just amazing. I would hope in his future books he could develop mundania a little more. It could have used more detail, so that we could learn a little of what mundania was like besides being dreary.
Rating:
Summary: Despite Bink's Sexist Attitude, I Enjoyed "Chameleon"
Review: I read this ten years ago and with a rereading I still enjoy the characters and the introduction to the imaginative world of Xanth. Maybe I am more politically correct these days, but Bink comes across as shallow and sexist. He is an interesting character, but his attitude toward women leaves something to be desired. I'm not sure what the author's trying to say--Bink decides he can't settle down with just one woman, but a woman like Dee will do because she never looks the same way twice. Besides that, I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and am looking forward to reading other books from this series--again.
|
