A Spell for Chameleon

I had ordered this book in "good condition" but the one I got was less than good condition I'd say. It has crunches and folds on the cover and a few pages. But good book

I read the Xanth books starting when I was an early teenager.... in the 80s. So I wanted to read some of them again. Turns out I still like them. Just remember, as an author, Piers Anthony is a somewhat misogynistic "dirty old man", even in his 1977 book when he was 43.

This is one of the best fantasy novels ever written. Set in the magic land of Xanth, it tells the story of a man named Bink who must determine what his magic power is before he turns twenty-five, or else he will be exiled forever. The great magician Humphrey is certain that Bink has great powers, but believes that somebody is trying to hide them. There are plenty of surprises and scenes of great suspense throughout the novel. Some people might view the ending as a rip-off, but really this isn't a novel that's read for its plot.What makes this book so good is that Anthony doesn't take himself too seriously. It's filled with outrageous puns and jokes, and the author never stays in a serious mood for very long before reverting to a humorour scene. That's the real reason that "A Spell for Chameleon" and the ensuing sequels are still so amazingly popular.

This is not only the first of many pun filled books, but the best of the series. The others are fun filled and contain some very good writting. But this book has a well developed plot that is worth reading. Be careful though, for the series seems never ending. Xanth is a marvellous place to visit, espically if you are familiar with Florida. Everybody has a magical talent of lesser or greater degree, but our hero seems to lack one, and heads for exile and adventure. It is worth your time to pick up this book and follow our heros' adventure.

What makes Xanth so wonderful is that even though it's magic, and even though anything can happen, it is written in such a way that we can see the experiences of the characters happening to us. We can put ourselves into the story. When we can put ourselves into the story, we want to find out what happens to us, quite naturally. I found myself empathizing with Bink, repsecting Trent and Humfrey, pitying Iris for her narrow-mindedness, etc. The world is fantasy, but the characters are QUITE real. Things happen in the story, but Piers makes sure that everything that happens in the story serves to tell us more about the characters. Piers seems to have written this book as if he were convinced it took place on Earth. He was able to explain the nuances of the fantasy world through the thoughts and reflections of realistic characters, thus making the world more realisitc and less pointlessly silly, as it seems in later novels. But this is a classic; I couldn't put it down. It was both entertaining and rich in insight. Castle Roogna and Ogre, Ogre were that way too. Great adventures, great theme. Must read.

I have read all 22 Xanth novels. Six of them really stand out as good stories: Good, moral, heroic main characters, cool talents and magical abilities, good storyline. They get pretty serious, and it almost seems that Piers is trying to teach young readers through the good, moral, honorable, heroic characters, how to act in real life. But most of them get so congested with puns that there's really nothing going on, and it just gets corny. The six good ones are A Spell for Chameleon#1 Castle Roogna#3 Ogre, Ogre#5 Crewel Lye: A Caustic Yarn#8 Heaven Cent#11 and Question Quest#14. Faun & Games#21 had an OK character named Atilla the Pun. The puns get on my nerves. I like puns, I just don't like Piers Anthony's puns. When he started this series he wrote for young men. Now he writes for troublesome adolescents, it seems. He can't go a book without mentioning breasts and panties. Yes, there is a romance in virtually every Xanth book, but still, the sexual inuendos don't fit; they're out of context. I guess Piers just ran out of cool magic talents for his characters. Because let's face it: that's what made the series. When it had magicians with interesting talents that one could base an entire story on the ramifications of them, it was a good series. It isn't anymore. Read the first 14 and then stop.

A Spell for Chamleon is the best book I have ever read, that is with the exception of the rest of the Xanth Series. The reson I love this book is because it is full of fantasy, magic, adventure, & an element that only P.A. can give it. Piers Anthony is the best Author that I have had the Privlege to read. My dad gave me a book one day said read this I think you'll like. I was prepared to be bored out of my mind, but for once my dad was right. I loved the book so much I couldn't put it down, approx. 3 hours later I asked my dad were the next one in the series was. Unfortunely we don't have all the books I hope I can add some more of Anthony's Masterpieces to my family library soon. I hope you love these books as much as I do.