Key to Havoc (Chromagic) [Hardcover]

Piers Anthony (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 2003 | Series: Chromagic

ChroMagic is a brand-new epic fantasy series from the Master of Fantasy and Best-Selling Author Piers Anthony. Mr. Anthony is best known for his wonderful Xanth series with its creative magic, colorful characters, fantastic monsters, and of course-the Puns! But beware! ChroMagic is not Xanth! It is an adult-oriented epic fantasy thriller from the imagination of Piers Anthony.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A full five swords! Key to Havoc is a major work of fantasy by a major author. -J. Crispin-Ripley, KnowBetter.com

4 STARS! Once again, Mr. Anthony creates a complex world unlike anything we might imagine. Though he uses elements recognizable from previous books, they are recombined in a fresh way. Honesty and frankness are as much a hallmark of his work as magic, so you may blush a bit, for he leaves little to the imagination. Yet, you will be laughing and turning the pages rapidly as well. -Amanda Killgore, Scribes World

Key to Havoc is the first book in a projected five-book series, all involving a rather peculiar solar system, and the denizens thereof. Vivid and Void, star and black hole, rotate about one another, fomenting chaos in the twin planets of Charm and Counter-Charm. Literal fomentation in this case-much as Jupiter wreaks havoc on Io, causing it to constantly be in flux, Charm and its twin are covered in volcanoes. Magical color-spewing volcanoes. I loved the book. I didn't want to see it end. And so-a strong yes. It's quite worth reading. Executive summary: familiar yet new setting. Big book, big world, big ideas. (Something old, something new, nothing borrowed, something blue...) Buy this book. Please. I want to find out how the series ends, dang it! -David McGrath, 2003

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

PIERS ANTHONY is one of the world's most popular fantasy and science fiction authors, 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 hundred of letters from his devoted fans. He lives in Florida. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Mundania Press LLC (May 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972367071
• ISBN-13: 978-0972367073
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,275,862 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

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Anthony can DEFINITELY write more than Xanth novels, January 23, 2004

By 

Chris Roeszler (Fargo, ND United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Key to Havoc (Chromagic) (Hardcover)

Oh my lord, this was a fantastic book!! I've been having trouble just sitting down to read this last year, but once I picked this up, I couldn't put it down. Yes, it's a bit cliche, but it's true too. I participated in an online reading group about this also, and between reading the book and discussing it with these people (from said reading group), I had a spectacular time :)

The book involves a barbarian becoming king against his will and solving problems with the understanding that he can then leave the throne after solving these problems. His approach to each situation is unique and done in a manner that no one would expect - and he does it while avoiding assassination attempts to boot!

All of his followers are loyal, but wait until you see WHY - you will (hopefully) end up like me; having more questions about what's going on, and eager for the next page, chapter, and book :)

Please, if you have any interest in fantasy novels, give this a try. I find it hard to believe that anyone would be disappointed by this.

One more thing... we need help. If sales from the first three books go well, rumor has it that Mr. Anthony will write a fourth and fifth book also! I don't want to miss out on those, so please help us convince him to write the last two by buying the first three!

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new whimsical, sexy and adventurous world by Piers, December 26, 2003

By 

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

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

This is the first book in a fantasy series called the Chromagic series. This is a fantastic book with a brand new world with a magic system that blow me away. A planet long ago colonized by humans and disconnected with Earth thereafter. What people didn't know is that it had volcanoes that created magical fields that turned anything in their area whatever color the volcano spouts (red, yellow, green, black, white, etc...).

The main story is quintessential Piers. The main character Havoc is taken away from his village and his love, Gale, to the big capital city and force to become King of the Chroma. Kingship has its privilage but not if someone wants to kill you and that is one of the many challenges that Havoc needs to deal with with the help of his girlfriend Gale and other interesting characters that he encounted in the castle. There is a secret menace, a dark mystery, love and passion and lot of adventures.

This is not a kiddie book a la Xanth. This is an adult novel with a lot of sex and blood but with a Piers' twist.

If you like Piers and enjoy reading such things as Apprentice Adept or Bio of an Space Tyrant, this is the novel and the series for you.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a GREAT book!!! Best new thing from PA!, December 19, 2003

By 

Robert W. Smith "Robert Smith, Ph.D." (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Key to Havoc (Chromagic) (Hardcover)

I loved this book! I have been a fan of PA (Piers Anthony) for 18 years now. I am thrilled that he has a new series published. This book, the first in the ChroMagic series, is EXCELLENT! It has a little bit of everything...magic, adventure, mystery, romance, s-e-x!

I believe that any PA fans will be very happy with this book! No, it's not Xanth. Xanth is great. BUt this is WONDERFUL!

I'm not going to give any details on the story because, well, you can read what you need to know above. I don't want to give anything juicy away!

This is not a book for children, however. This series is written for ADULTS. On a much higher level than Xanth.