Rating: 
Summary: WOW!
Review: Love Piers Anthony books! This book was punningly funny! The story was delightful...the ending perfect! I thought that some of the puns were distasteful, yet it must be expected at some point in time. The story kept me captivated, right until the end! Who knew what would happen next? I have read the whole series and will continue to do so!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: Piers Anthony has done it again with another great book taking place in Xanth. Basically, a man traded his soul for a talent that lets him unhappen things. He calls himself the Dastard, and is now unhappening good things, making everyone miserable. Meanwhile, a dragongirl asks the Good Magician whether she belongs with her mother's people (humans) or with her father's kind (dragons). The Good Magacian tells her to wait for somebody to help, and that's how this girl and the Dastard meet. Not only is that a great plot, but the characters are nice too. The ending is great, too. As usual, expect good puns, exciting adventures, interesing talents, and, all in all, a great book!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: Piers Anthony has done it again with another great book taking place in Xanth. Basically, a man traded his soul for a talent that lets him unhappen things. He calls himself the Dastard, and is now unhappening good things, making everyone miserable. Meanwhile, a dragongirl asks the Good Magician whether she belongs with her mother's people (humans) or with her father's kind (dragons). The Good Magacian tells her to wait for somebody to help, and that's how this girl and the Dastard meet. Not only is that a great plot, but the characters are nice too. The ending is great, too. As usual, expect good puns, exciting adventures, interesing talents, and, all in all, a great book!
Rating:
Summary: Xanth is my favorite place to visit
Review: Piers Anthony's Xanth series fills that void we all get when we just want to read for the pure pleasure and not have to "think". You know, like wanting to watch a light hearted movie where you don't have to follow an intricate plot line or keep track of who did what to whom and why. The Xanth series pokes fun at the mundane world. Anyone who lives in Florida will appreciate the way Anthony describes local landmarks with a pun-ish twist.The Dastard didn't let me down. Piers Anthony is back with a great plot as well as a bucketful puns. I know, people have been saying that the Xanth books were becoming just one big pun and there wasn't really a story. I'll have to agree, but it was only a few books and they were still a GREAT read. But, be forewarned. The Dastard has not one, not two, but more plots and subplots than you'd ever dream of in Xanth book. Savor it slowly so you don't miss any of the fun. I adore this series and eagerly await the next release. I fiercly guard by collection and only let very special people borrow copies after leaving an adequate replacement such as their car or deed to their house as collateral.
Rating:
Summary: Xanth is my favorite place to visit
Review: Piers Anthony's Xanth series fills that void we all get when we just want to read for the pure pleasure and not have to "think". You know, like wanting to watch a light hearted movie where you don't have to follow an intricate plot line or keep track of who did what to whom and why. The Xanth series pokes fun at the mundane world. Anyone who lives in Florida will appreciate the way Anthony describes local landmarks with a pun-ish twist. The Dastard didn't let me down. Piers Anthony is back with a great plot as well as a bucketful puns. I know, people have been saying that the Xanth books were becoming just one big pun and there wasn't really a story. I'll have to agree, but it was only a few books and they were still a GREAT read. But, be forewarned. The Dastard has not one, not two, but more plots and subplots than you'd ever dream of in Xanth book. Savor it slowly so you don't miss any of the fun. I adore this series and eagerly await the next release. I fiercly guard by collection and only let very special people borrow copies after leaving an adequate replacement such as their car or deed to their house as collateral.
Rating:
Summary: The Dastard
Review: The Dastard is on of Piers Anthony's better Xanth books. It has a lot of humor and too many puns (as usual), but the puns don't detract from the story. I have been waiting for the last 2 years for Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm to make an appearance as major characters and I really like their personalities. I would have liked them to star more as children (like Ivy did in Dragon on a Pedestal, my favorite Xanth novel), but maybe next time. Becka also proved to be a dynamic character. She had her dragon heratige to keep the Dastard in line, but also her morals and common sense to provide an alternate point of view from the Dastard and to move the plot along. Castle Maidragon was great fun and I hope it appears in future books. I'm glad Becka got her wish (though I won't say what it is). I thought the ending needed work and I would have prefered to see the Dastard work on using his talent for good. Over all, it was a terrific book and it kept me enthralled till the end.
Rating:
Summary: Best Xanth book in a long time!
Review: This is one of the best Xanth books that has ever been written. The plot and the talents seemed to be better and more thought out then some of the ones Piers gets from fans. If you like Xanth then you will enjoy it. If you don't, then this may not be the best choice for you. Now, I suggest that you stop reading this review and order this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Alright but not his best
Review: This was another example of Anthony's devolving into what friends have termed sexiest lit... I can't say I was terribly impressed by this edition to the Xanth series; it seems like he's been working to a formula the last few volumes. That said, if you've enjoyed the Xanth books up to this point, I guess this volume doesn't really offer any reason NOT to buy it. Just realize you won't be getting anything approximating original story/plotting.
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: Whenever I hear someone talk about Xanth, I tend to hear the same nonsense over and over. That "After a spell for Chameleon" Xanth should have been stopped. NOT TRUE! I have read ALL the books available in softcover and I have enjoyed them all. Do I think there are too many puns in some of the Xanth novels? Occasionally, yes. Do I think the series is something that should have been stopped? Heck no! The Xanth series is great for what it is--light fantasy, with an OCCASIONAL serious comment tossed in (drunk driving, etc). The books are something to pick up, enjoy, and get away from your troubles for a short time. If you want so-called "serious literature" and try to gauge Xanth by that standard you will be seriously disappointed. But then again if you are foolish enough to use the wrong standards in judging things in life, you will have trouble in more than just reading...
Rating:
Summary: Very entertaining--ignore the Cri-tics, Xanth is still good!
Review: Whenever I hear someone talk about Xanth, I tend to hear the same nonsense over and over. That "After a spell for Chameleon" Xanth should have been stopped. NOT TRUE! I have read ALL the books available in softcover and I have enjoyed them all. Do I think there are too many puns in some of the Xanth novels? Occasionally, yes. Do I think the series is something that should have been stopped? Heck no! The Xanth series is great for what it is--light fantasy, with an OCCASIONAL serious comment tossed in (drunk driving, etc). The books are something to pick up, enjoy, and get away from your troubles for a short time. If you want so-called "serious literature" and try to gauge Xanth by that standard you will be seriously disappointed. But then again if you are foolish enough to use the wrong standards in judging things in life, you will have trouble in more than just reading...
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