Roc and a Hard Place (Xanth, No. 19) [Mass Market Paperback]

Piers Anthony (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1996

Seeking a solution to a perplexing personal problem, the delectable Demoness Metria asks for help from the wise Magician Humfrey. But before he will help her, she must perform a perilous mission: Rove the length and breadth of Xanth in search of a suitable jury for the trial of Roxanne Roc-a notably noble and virtuous bird charged with a most improbable offense.

Exciting, exhilarating, and brimming with hilarious high jinks, Roc and a Hard Place is Xanth at its most enchanting.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The 19th novel in this lighthearted series, popular for its puns and its innocent naughtiness, is again set in the fantasy land of Xanth (Demons Don't Dream ). Here, Anthony tells the story of the Demoness Metria and her other selves, the crazy D. Mentia and the waif Woe Betide, as they carry on a mission for the Good Magician Humfrey: Metria and company must assemble a court and jury to try Roxanne Roc, under unspecified charges from another magical Xanth bird, the Simurgh. On this loose structure are hung many outlandish characters, adventures, jokes and plays on words-such as the quarter horse that splits into four one-legged creatures, or the twins Ordinate and Abscissa, who can travel "by geometry." The mentions of Xanth's enforced "Adult Conspiracy to keep Interesting Things from Children," the youth of some of the characters and the euphemistic presentation of sex may appeal to younger readers. A concluding author's note adds a more somber touch, as Anthony explains how deceased friends and fans have made their way into his ever-evolving vision of Xanth.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

In the umpteenth installment of Anthony's Xanth series, the Demoness Metria has a problem that only the good magician Humfrey can help her solve. There is a price to pay, however--finding a jury to give Roxanne Roc, under indictment for some bizarre crimes (and under such dubious circumstances that even Metria doubts Roxanne's innocence), an impartial trial. It is getting hard to say anything new about the Xanth yarns, for Anthony is not really putting many surprises in them anymore. The series goes on as before, affording honorable light entertainment and no more, but never any less. Perhaps the most interesting feature of this book is Anthony's afterword, which takes up how he draws on events and people in Mundania (i.e., our world) to continually expand the cast and concepts of Xanth. Roland Green --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, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812534867
• ISBN-13: 978-0812534863
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #175,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( A ) > Anthony, Piers
  • #79 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > General > Comic

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

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Metria kicks!!!, April 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Roc and a Hard Place (Magic of Xanth Novel) (Hardcover)

This is almost the greatest book, being only second to isle of view. but if you love the demoness metria then you'll love this book. She embarks on a journey across the land of xanth and beyond to summon people and creatures for the trial of the century. full of puns, laughs, and reunions its the second best xanth book ever!!! if you don't love it, you haven't really read it. but you have to read the previous books in order to feel the nostalgia.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Good...older ones better, February 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Roc and a Hard Place (Xanth, No. 19) (Mass Market Paperback)

I wish Piers would have stopped writing in the Xanth series, even though I continue to read the newer ones. Then I would have been spared the pain of having each successive book being slightly less amusing. It becomes so old after this book that I don't know why I bother anymore...BUT the older books in the Xanth series are delightful. Invest your time and money in those.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard To Resist, January 14, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (St. Lucy, Barbados) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roc and a Hard Place (Xanth, No. 19) (Mass Market Paperback)

Roc and a Hard Place is my first Xanth book(Sept 1998). It is excruciatingly punny. I loved it, loved it, loved it! All the others I have seen since then (Harpy Thyme, Valley of the Voles, Colour of Her Panties) are hilarious. This series is a must-read for all not-so-serious fans of fantasy who are sickened by the blood and gore that pervades most of this category of books. I only gave it five stars because they wouldn't let me give it ten!