Key to Chroma (Chromagic) [Paperback]

Piers Anthony (Author)

Book Description

Series: Chromagic | Publication Date: November 30, 2003

Key to Chroma The Second Novel in the Epic ChroMagic Fantasy Series Settled by a human expedition over 1,000 years ago, the planet Charm is both magical and dangerous. Volcanoes, scattered throughout the vast landscape, erupt with a fantastic array of colors creating Chroma zones and permeating everything and everyone with magic. The barbarian Havoc became king of this strange land and immediately found himself a target to unknown powerful assassins. Having finally secured a firm grip on governing the planet with the help of the God-like Glamors, Havoc and his companions must now set off in search of seven mysterious ikons to attempt to learn the secret of the Changelings . a secret that could answer all of Havoc's questions, or lead him to his doom.

Editorial Reviews

Review

5 STARS! Chroma continues to fascinate, making readers anxious for the final book in the trilogy to be published, and hopeful that like Mr Anthony's previous "trilogies" it becomes something longer. Changelings don't only attract fellow characters, they draw the readers to themselves as well. —Amanda Killgore, Scribes World

A new highlight in my library! I didn't know Piers Anthony was even writing this series of books but when I found the first book in the series and read it, I had to have the second. After having finished the second, I can't wait for the third. The characters develop before your eyes and you need to know what is going to happen next. It is one suprise after another to keep you guessing. If you love to read Piers Anthony books, this series is a must read. —James M. Consugar, February 2004

Those familiar with Piers Anthony probably know the name; those really familiar with his work might even have the first novel in the three (or five) book series. I've got both the first and second, and can hardly wait for the third. The book is constructed well, in my opinion. There's the familiar Anthony method of letting each chapter focus on a person or group of people—but in many of the chapters are substories that expand upon the world of Charm, as well as reveal more about the characters of the novel. They'd also make pretty nice short stories on their own. Piers's humor is still quite evident in this novel. While it's not a comedy—far from it—his humor still shines through. One character, who hails from the Invisible Chroma, is known as Jamais Vu. For those unfamiliar with French, this means "Never seen." In brief—you should buy this book. I'm sure you'll be...Charmed. —David McGrath

4 Stars! Chroma continues to fascinate, making readers anxious for the final book in the trilogy to be published. —Amanda Killgore, ScribesWorld Reviews

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Mundania Press LLC (November 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594260184
• ISBN-13: 978-1594260186
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,224,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Key to Chroma a great sequal to read!, June 18, 2004

By 

"marisol_from_path" (Playa del Rey, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Key to Chroma (Chromagic) (Paperback)

Key to Chroma, is a fantastic follow-up for its sequel, Key to Havoc. Not only do we learn more about the changelings but also about the "all powerful" Glamours. This novel has more adventure, action and romance than the first one and as a bonus there is all this small short stories inside the main storyline that can stand all by itself. My favorite is in chapter 5, titled "Dancer." It is one of the sweetest story ever that Piers has written. It is really in the tradition of the Arabian Nights stories. Sex is still a made component of the series and this novel doesn't lack on steamy sex scenes but also have sex scenes that really make you realize the different between just having sex and making love, so it is really nice to find a balance between romance and sex in this novel.

Also, this sequel really expand in the nature of the Chroma magic and Glamour magic and the challenges and the conclusions are very satisfying to read.

I highly recommend this novel and I can't wait for the next one, Key to Destiny! It is so nice to read something totally new from Piers that is not Xanth. I love Xanth but I do miss his SF/Fantasy novels like the Incarnations series or the Apprentice Adept series. This novel follow the Piers' tradition of great storytelling. If you want an adult novel full of fun and action, buy Key to Chroma and read it, you will not regret it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Charming Story Drowning in Smut, August 21, 2009

By 

R. Montgomery - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Key to Chroma (Chromagic) (Paperback)

I am a long-time Anthony reader and I am certainly no prude but this series is uncomfortably graphic. The storyline sucks you in instantly but you have to wade through scene after scene of graphically detailed sex. There are numerous rape scenes and our heroine (Gale) decides at one point that it is best not to report a pedophile.

The storyline itself is nothing new. It is the classic fish out of water/man of the people rise to power story. You know the one, he is better suited for the job because he didn't want it and has no political ambition. The fish out of water portion is how uncivilized he is. Think Beverly Hillbillies but in this story Jed Clampett becomes president not a millionaire.

Even though the concept is not new it is still a very nice story just be prepared to skip about every 4th paragraph because it seems like that is how often the graphic sex scenes appear.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too Racey for Me, September 22, 2010

By 

Brunetta Lafara Lingg "Netta" (Saint Helens, Oregon, US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Key to Chroma (Kindle Edition)

I love Piers Anthony's Books. Usually. But there's just too much sex in this series. This one, the First Book. isn't as bad as the others. It just gets worse and worse with each one. The Story Line ... what I was able to read ... was excellent. But I had to skip over so much of it because of the sex.

The Kindle Version was as good as the book would have been.