Customer Reviews

Knot Gneiss (Xanth)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm not sure where all the 5* reviews are coming from - I've been a fan of the series for years so when I was looking for something to read on my train commute I grabbed this - maybe it is just that the pun idea is aging, but I really felt this is not a significant addition to the series - there are some good plot hooks in there but I felt as though the parts with meat got glossed over in order to get to the next gratuitous, reader-submitted pun. While I appreciate the willingnesss to build in the reader input, for me it goes over the top when it is so incidental (literally, the equivalent of watching stupid puns with no relevance to the story out the window of a bus.) It seemed like the approach was more build-up & stupid pun with a short punchline for the actual story. And the moons of Ida just weren't a concept that needed to be brought into the series, nor was making Ida the long-lost sister of a major (interesting) character (that wasn't news in this book but it continues to irritate)

I won't repeat the story as others have done that. If you are a fan of the series, it is ok, but it wouldn't be at all interesting if you don't know the series and haven't read the recent books.

So, pleasant escapism but frustrating in that there was a good story buried in there that just didn't come out.

I own every one of the Xamth novels ever published in paperback, which I believe now comes to 34 books, and I've read all but the latest few more than once. "Knot Gneiss" is up to the original Xanth standards--how Piers manages to keep coming up with new ideas I'll never know, but I guess the puns readers submit are a help. I'm an author myself, so I know what kind of headaches one can encounter when trying to come up with original ideas. One thing I noticed is that Piers is including a few more adult scenes in his latest novels. That's good, especially for those of us who are about the same age as the author and enjoy books not specifically written for kids. My recommendation for those of you who have the entire series: reserve a long slot of time and read the series from beginning to end. You'll enjoy it as one enormous novel.

The purchase went smoothly using an Western Union gift card.
The book I ordered came at the time said and the books condition was perfect.

Characters with near God-like abilities go on a quest and bumble around in stale puns that have already been used in prior Xanth stories... I wood knot dew that to yew, but Piers Anthony wood.

After seeing the 5 star reviews, I thought this book might be better than his last, but this one is worse. I used to be a die hard Piers Anthony fan, but the entertaining Xanth is gone replaced by a Xanth with super heros and puns relentlessly beating the reader over the head. Not even good puns.

Piers must be running out of puns because there are many places where characters draw attention to the fact that they're characters in a book. Once might be amusing, but Piers beats the reader right out of the story with this technique too.

Poor plot lines, over used puns, unchallanged characters: I'm looking for a new pun-source, as Xanth has dried up.

Not Nice. I didn't pronounce it right until my daughter told me, then it was obvious. I was reading Xanth novels when I was 13. Now my 16 year old daughter has read every one and loves them.

Another excellent book by Piers Anthony. I have read all of his Xanth series and they all are very good. They also seem to be growing up with a little more explained sexual exploits still blocked but understandable so still acceptable for all ages.

Got as Christmas gift for my husband. He says this book is as good as all the others he has read from Piers Anthony. I think he has almost all of Piers Anthony books now and is anxious for more.

Knot Gneiss (2010) is the thirty-fourth Fantasy novel in the Xanth series, following Jumper Cable. The initial work in this series is A Spell for Chameleon.

In the previous volume, Button ghost showed them a secret door that led down to the dungeon. Dawn was afraid of depths, so she stayed behind. Later Wenda also stayed behind to guard their rear. Finally only Jumper and Phanta were left when they reached the Demoness Eris.

Afterward, they all attended a ball. Wenda met Prince Charming. When the quest was over, Wenda married the prince.

In this novel, Wenda Woodwife Charming has filled out all over. Now she lives in a castle with the prince.

Humfrey is the Good Magician. He provides answers to those with questions if they can solve three challenges. He has five and a half wives, who alternate wifely duties. Wira stays with him most of the time to manage his socks.

Meryl is a winged mermaid. Her father is a fairy who encountered a mermaid at a love spring.

Jumper is a spider. He had accompanied Wenda in the previous quest. Now he is the Prince of Spiders and married to the Demoness Eris.

Princess Ida is the sister of King Ivy. The moon Ptero constantly revolves around her head.

In this story, Wenda is having violent mood changes. Prince Charming has taken long trips to avoid her temper. She desperately wants to lose these mood changes.

Wenda goes out to sit on the swing out by the Social Circle. Swinging seems to calm her. After a few high swings, she realizes that she has a problem. She resolves to take it to the Good Magician for an answer.

On the way to Humfrey's castle, Wenda solves a problem for a woman that she meets. When she reaches the castle, Wenda readily solves the challenges and gains entry.

Wira meets her at the entrance. On the way to see the Good Magician, Wira tells Wenda that her mood changes were caused by her favorite swing. Now that she knows about the Mood Swing, Wenda doesn't need her answer.

Wira explains that Wenda's quest is a really challenging and dangerous mission. It will also take Wenda away from Prince Charming for a long time. So the quest has to be truly voluntary.

Wira also explains that Wenda is developing a talent for reverse wood. She recognizes different kinds of reverse wood and can handle them with impunity. Her mission will require such talent.

Humfrey tells Wenda that a knot of petrified reverse wood has been exposed within the Gap Chasm. It terrifies anyone exposed to it. The knot must be taken to safekeeping before the goblins find it.

The Good Magician gives Wenda a potion to correct her woodsy accent. Wenda bikes toward the Gap Chasm thinking about her mission. When she reaches the chasm, she suddenly panics. She decides that her talents are incapable of successfully completing the task.

She turns back toward Humfrey's castle. But on the way she encounters Meryl. Wenda explains her misgivings to Meryl. When they part, Meryl gives her a token to summon the winged mermaid.

Wenda returns to the castle, where Wira and the designated wife discuss her issues. They tell her that she is the only one who can accomplish the mission. Then Wira points out that she can have Companions.

Wenda immediately thinks of Jumper. Then she remembers Meryl. Later she adds Dipper Swimming Bird and Princess Ida as Companions.

This tale takes Wenda and her Companions into the Gap Chasm to retrieve the knot. Wenda uses reverse wood to damp the fearsome emanations from the knot. They load it on a small cart provided by Humfrey and start out toward the Good Magician's castle.

Various mishaps occur on the way back to the castle. The next installment in this series is Well-Tempered Clavicle.

Highly recommended for Anthony fans and for anyone else who enjoy tales of daring adventure, persistent questors, and truly atrocious puns. Read and enjoy!

-Arthur W. Jordin