Customer Reviews

Isle of View (Xanth, No. 13)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am a 16 year-old guy who loves Piers Anthony's style of writing. This book has staked its claim at the top of my list of Xanth writings. Wow. This novel is full of twists and turns that keeps the reader coming back for more. Even if you have read ahead of this and know the story, you will be quite pleased. Che Centaur is the only offspring of his kind that he knows of, and he is protected by all the winged monsters of Xanth due to a pledge enstated by the infamous Simurgh, however, Che is kidnapped by Goblins. (Never good!) Meanwhile, it is a very short time away from poor Electra's eighteenth birthday, and Prince Dolph has still not chosen between the voluptuous Princess Nada Naga and Electra, the maiden he awoke from a 1000 year slumber, who has fallen magically in love with him. Naturally being a young man, Dolph is considering Nada Naga mor readily than Electra, despite the huge age difference between himself the half-serpentine princess. The book pans out in the usual Piers Anthony way, full of puns, twists and turns, and has a beautifully written climax that can literally take your breath away. If you like fantasy at all, you must pick this book up. Also, on a personal note, Jenny Elf is introduced in this book, and for those who are unaware, Jenny Elf is actually a real girl who has horribly injured for life in a brutal drunk-driving accident, when she was a young girl. Her story is also in the end notes of this book. It truly brings a tear to one's eye, and this reviewer's heart goes out to her and her family.

Xanth has three major pre dicaments. First, the foal-napping of five year old Che, the child of Xanth's only pair of winged centaurs. Second, Prince Dolph must choose between Electra, the uninteresting, and Nada, the uninterested. The catch is, if he doesn't marry Electra, she dies. Third, an odd elf and her cat have wandered through a dimensional rip in the very fabric of Xanth, and can't get back. Jenny, the elf, is peculiar because she doesn't draw power from an elm, she is about twice the size of aregular elf, her ears are pointed, and she only has 4 fingers. It turns out that Jenny attempts a rescue of Che after a brief run in with his mother. They escape from one tribe of goblins only to be hopelessly captured by another. An interesting twist of fate arises for all characters in this mind blowing novel. Another all time master piece by Piers Anthony

The Xanth book Isle of View is the first of the "Jenny" books. Jenny is an elf from another fantasy series who blunders into Xanth on account of chasing her directional cat to a feather. Because her character is in honor of a brave little girl who was immobilized/semi-paralyzed by a hit-and-run driver, Anthony's writing reaches it's highest level ever. The visiting Jenny is a sweet, good girl whose gifts bring her triumphant through her adventures, and leaves changes of lasting value with the other characters. Her self-sacrificing search for Che, the young winged centaur shines through her surroundings. The usual puns fit in well and the story ties up several threads from previous volumes in a satifactory ending for all. This inspiring volume is the best advertisement for the series.

This one was the best in the line, as far as I've read so far!(Demons Don't Dream) The thing about Xanth books is you love them or hate them, and there's little in between. They're wonderful books, and someday, I will actually manage to have read ALL of them! Until then, I can only wonder.

This was once again, another Xanth novel that you must read. And... Dolph finally chooses between Electra and Nada Naga. Guess who he chooses? I won't tell you, you have to read the book to find out for yourself.

Prince Dolph has a decision to make and it is not an easy one. Since the age of 13 he has been betorthed to two girls. He is in love with one, and likes the other one. The problem is that the one he loves, is older than him by five years and she does not love him, but is committed to the relationship because of the royal political situation. So, if Dolph asks her, she will marry him and be his wife. The other girl loves Dolph, but Dolph only likes her. Electra was woken up from her enchanted sleep by Dolph's kiss but she will die when she turns 18 unless Dolph marries her. What a quandary!

In this book, we find out how this quandary is resolved. But, first, there are several other mysteries and twists that must be resolved. The main theme of this book is a whole different storyline. It seems that Che Centaur has been foal-napped by Goblins and the whole Xanth realm is searched to find him. Che is unique in that he is the only foal who has wings and can fly and the Simurgh proclaimed that he will be responsible for a major change in Xanth and committed all the flying creatures to protect him. Unfortunately, Goblins are not flying creatures, so when Che is foal-napped, a nasty situation develops.

Another major element here is that we are introdcued to Jenny Elf who appears from the land of Two Moons. In the Xanth Note at the end of the book we find out that Jenny Elf is a charater created by Anthony to help a young girl who was struck and paralyzed by a drunk driver. Talking with Piers Anthony helped bring Jenny out of her comma, so Piers introduces another of the real Jenny's favorite characters into this book and wraps some of the real Jenny's attributes into Jenny Elf. So, here we have an unusual character who assumes a very major role in the development of this story and of Xanth itself in the form of a 12 year old Elf girl.

The ususal Xanth puns and twists and turns are all there - although in much more muted form than in previous volumes. The main characters are there and we all know about how nasty the goblins are. This book represents a departure though in that the themes are getting more mature. When the Goblinate of the Golden Horde appears, we get a pretty graphic depiction of how they live - and it is not really meant for youngsters. Also, the whole sexual theme that has been a constant throughout the previous books (the sight of girl's panties) takes on a more adult direction with much more direct entendres (for instance, at one point Dolph is talking with the demoness Metria and he says that he should plug her hole - causing her to stop and think...).

Those who like Xanth and its innocence may be a bit perturbed by this changes, but I believe they are for the better and make this series a more interesting one for the rest of us. So, I recommend it and think it is one of the better Xanth's to have come out. Now that this story arc of four books is over, I wonder what's next?

This book was great. It has to be one of the best Xanth novels so far. There were several plots that were so different yet so similar. It had humor, but at the same time, it had meaning. That is the hardest thing to find in books. I must say, all of the Xanth novels show this characteristic, but this was one of the best.

Wonderful book and series - very funny, good for adults and kids too I think!

Isle of View is a typical Piers Anthony romp through the land of Xanth, with all puns and bad jokes present. If you haven't liked the Xanth books in the past, then you won't like this one, because it's more of the same.

I, on the other hand, have become quite fond of Anthony's irreverent punning and hilarious cast of characters. We get to see a different side of the centaur society with the outcast family of winged centaurs when Che, the foal, is kid- ...err... foal-napped.

The ensuing action (and hilarity) make this a worthy addition to the Xanth lineup. Does anybody know the way there? I think I'd like to move in....

I thought that this book was amazing! But i cant seem to find out what the next book is if you know please email me at Anne4756@aol.com thanx