Shade of the Tree [Mass Market Paperback]

Piers Anthony (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 1987

The estate was Joshua Pinson's inheritance from his oddball uncle Elijah: isolated in the deep Florida woods, with a half-built solar house stocked with enough supplies to weather a siege. Josh decided it was time to take his two young children away from New York and the memories of their murdered mother. Time to make a new life in sunny Florida. There was just one thing that Josh hadn't counted on.

The place was haunted.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Shade of the Tree is set in Stephen king country...a fine and unpredictable tale."--The New York Times Book Review

"Standard trappings of horror fiction--haunted houses, ghosts, and chain-saws--undergo a new twist in a story that contains light humor and dark fantasy in an intriguing blend."--Library Journal

"Anthony's style is energetic and well paced...The plot captivates from the beginning. Nothing is wasted...Shade of the Tree promises to be a fine summer read."--Best Sellers

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.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books (May 15, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812531035
• ISBN-13: 978-0812531039
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,193,618 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

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Anthony's Best, February 22, 2003

By 

Elderbear (Loma Linda, Aztlan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Shade of the Tree (Hardcover)

Piers Anthony demonstrates his competence at horror novel writing. This story enthralls almost immediately, about a father and his two children taking refuge from The Big City in a safe, rural setting. Anthony builds empathy for the plight of the family, who have just lost their mother to NY crime. But as he does this, he begins to insert elements into the rural Florida setting that don't quite fit, that can be explained away at first, but then ...

I won't give anything away, but this could have made a great X-Files episode. Anthony demonstrates that he can run with King or Straub with this story. His characterization is much deeper than usual, but he doesn't neglect his perversely creative ability to plot beyond the lines.

Great bedtime reading for city dwellers. Not certain I'd read it at all if I lived in an old house under an old tree, miles from anywhere ...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Suspenseful and intelligent, December 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Shade of the Tree (Mass Market Paperback)

There was a day when Piers was known for more than his stupid and silly fantasies, and this is one the best books from those times. Much of the scenery and background is taken from his real life, but here he creates more suspense and drama than I've ever seen in any of his books. The characters are real and believeable, the writing is tight and descriptive, and the overall suspense of the book keeps you turning the pages until the very end -- where the book goes from suspense/horror to outright light fantasy. But hey, I'm not complaining, at least it's not some cope out, splatter the wall with blood ending that Stephen King has come up with a hundred and one times already. I highly recommend this book to all who are even remotely interested in this genre of writing; it is not, however, for those who are incapable of conceiving of literature beyond Xanth.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A really good Book!, May 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Shade of the Tree (Mass Market Paperback)

I've read it more than 10 years ago and still thinks this book is one of the better book written by Piers Anthony. I truly loved the story and advise you to buy the book and read it.