The Dastard (Xanth, No. 24) [Hardcover]

Piers Anthony (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 2000

Piers Anthony's comical chronicles of his enchanted realm of Xanth are among the most beloved fantasy series ever written, with millions of readers worldwide. Now, Anthony returns with an all-new adventure that blends high hilarity with super-scary suspense.

Many malevolent menaces have imperiled the magical land of Xanth in its long and storied history. But none has been as despicably dangerous as the Dastard. Once a common country boy, he sold his soul to a detestable demon for the power to erase events and rewrite history for his own devious ends. Now the entire future of Xanth is at the mercy of the Dastard's every whim.

But this depraved desperado underestimates the courage and cleverness of a young girl named Becka, who can transform herself into a fearsome dragon at the speed of thought. With the help of a colorful band of brave companions, Becka challenges the Dastard with the greatest magic of all - the power of the human heart.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From the densely populated imagination of Anthony (Xone of Contention) comes yet another pun and reader-suggestions-laden tale of Xanth. Many familiar characters make their appearance in this slowly unwinding yarn about the eponymous boy, self-named for his dastardly deeds, who undoes history in order to ruin the happiness of everyone he meets, and about the triplet princessesDMelody, Harmony and RhythmDwho are in the conspiracy to stop him. Along for the ride is the dragon/girl, Becka, who refuses to show the Dastard her panties. A poor introduction to Anthony's brand of fantasy, this novel will leave readers feeling as though they've just slogged through one of those deadly comic strips in which the puns come fast and furious and drive everyone mad. Only the staunchest fansDbut there are many of theseDwill be moved to send in their suggestions for the next book. The assertion by minor characters in the book that "we hate Xanth... we detest puns... we're critics" may prove a self-fulfilling prophecy for all who shake their heads at a man reading a book who eats litter. He's "litter-ate." (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Frustrated farm boy Anomy gives up his soul in return for the ability to unhappen events. Since he uses this power mostly for ill, he adopts the sobriquet the Dastard and becomes a problem. The good guys send a half-dragon, half-human girl, a roc, and the princesses Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm on his trail. Complicating the action in this customarily busy Xanth yarn are the Sea Hag, an insatiably vengeful spirit who possesses the bodies of young women, wears them out, and throws them away; time travel; some intriguing limits to and complexities of magic; the usual word- and concept play; and some serious ethical thinking when the Dastard regains a soul (a borrowed one, not the original). Readers may become impatient with the Adult Conspiracy and the power of panties, devices used on all intergender encounters, at the cost of a good deal of their potential, at least for readers who are already conspiring adults. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (October 13, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312869002
• ISBN-13: 978-0312869007
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,122,684 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Piers Anthony is one of the world's most popular fantasy authors, and a New York Times bestseller twenty-one times over. His Xanth novels have been read and loved by millions of readers around the world, and he daily receives hundreds of letters from his devoted fans.In addition to the Xanth series, Anthony is the author of many other best-selling works. Piers Anthony lives in Inverness, Florida.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Dastard, September 30, 2000

By 

"drowelf" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dastard (Xanth, No. 24) (Hardcover)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Xanth is my favorite place to visit, April 11, 2002

By 

Vicki M. Taylor "author and reader" (Tampa, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dastard (Xanth, No. 24) (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining--ignore the Cri-tics, Xanth is still good!, October 10, 2001

By 

Sean Machado (Taunton, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dastard (Xanth, No. 24) (Hardcover)

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...