Geis of the Gargoyle (Xanth, No. 18) [Mass Market Paperback]

Piers Anthony (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1995

Since Xanth began, the gargoyles of that magical place have been under a magical compulsion to protect the purity of the Swan Knee River which flows in to Xanth from dreary Mundania. But recently the pollution from the outside world has grown ever greater, and young Gary Gar, latest in a long line of gargoyle guardians, is finding it ever more difficult to fulfill his responsibilities.

So Gary does what any sensible Xanth resident with a dire dilemma would do. He goes to see the Good Magician Humfrey, who sends him on a peculiar quest--to transform himself into human shape, tutor a precocious child with more than her share of wild magical talents, and find a philter which can restore the river to its previous pristine state.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This newest entry in the Xanth series should delight Anthony's (Harpy Thyme) many fans while drawing the usual groans from pun-hating others. Gargoyle Gary Gar, hereditary guardian and purifier of the waters of the Swan Knee River flowing from Mundania into Xanth, wants to make his job easier. The Good Magician Humfrey offers him an idea, but in exchange Gary must teach the wild child Surprise self-control, a task that requires him to assume human form. Agreeing with reluctance, Gary sets off to search for the suggested "philter" in the company of the multi-talented Surprise, the Sorceress Iris, demoness D. Mentia and the former juvenile delinquent Hiatus, who is seeking his true love, Desiree Dryad. Nearing their goal in the Region of Madness, the crew is cast back a millennium in time to find their quest tied to serious danger for all of Xanth. Through Anthony's often charming froth an element of wisdom will occasionally shoulder its way.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Anthony began writing his "Xanth" saga in the 1970s, but it wasn't until Demons Don't Dream (Tor Bks., 1993) that he made it to the hardcover best sellers lists. In this latest Xanth novel, an environmentally conscious gargoyle searches for a spell to purify a polluted river.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Tor Fantasy (October 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812534859
• ISBN-13: 978-0812534856
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #425,501 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

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The One That Turned Me Away, May 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Geis of the Gargoyle (Xanth, No. 18) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have to admit, that I was suprised to see that this book got such a high rating, as it was the one in the series that pushed me away from Xanth. I finished it and was overcome by a sense of pointlessness in reading these books that must have begun with "Demons Don't Dream." The older books are much better, when the author actually had a story to tell, it seems unfortunate that now Anthony spends his time with Xanth in attempts to fill it with what he thinks are clever puns to appease the fans who send in their ideas, when really in my opinion, the puns are just plain annoying. I suggest Anthony stops cranking out Xanth books so quickly, and instead tries to think of some interesting stories to tell, although I have to say, there are signs of improvment with the most recent books, "Faun and Games," for example.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another terrific Xanth novel., March 23, 2000

By 

"wnanw" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Geis of the Gargoyle (Xanth, No. 18) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was one of the best that I've ever read... and I've read a ton of books. In this book, Gary Gargoyle encounters a pollution that he can't purify, so he goes to the good magician for help. Not surprisingly, the good magician tells him what he needs then sends Gary off to do the job he must do for repayment of the good magician's service of helping him. He gets a hard job though... tutoring (Remember Grundy and Rapunzel's daughter?) Surprise!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of Magic, Puns and Unique Characters, July 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Geis of the Gargoyle (Xanth, No. 18) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book started out as easy reading - comprehensible and not much to the story line. As the book progressed, however, the plot became more detailed as more and more characters were introduced. I would recommend the reader to definitely have a strong imagination to picture the intricate objects explained in this book, as well as the scenery. I found this book to be most enjoyable; I read it in only three days. I definitely look forward to reading more Xanth books, this being my first.