Battle Circle

Battle Circle incorporates the stories of SOS the rope, Var the stick, and Neq the sword: this is Piers Anthony work orginally published in the early 1970s. The stories of SOS, Var, and Neq are based in a barbaric world (possibly america), where honour rules supreme, and disagreements are sorted by challenge and battle in the "circle". Each story is vastly entertaining and follows the trials and tribulations of each man fulfilling his destiny and dream/s.An avid Piers Anthony fan, I believe that this novel is one of his best works and so was surprised that only used books are available for this novel! Piers Anthony's Battle Circle is original, thought provoking, and evokes emotional interest/empathy with each character (which is something worth mentioning: a truly good author is hard to come by these days!). In three words, I believe you will find this book: a timeless "keeper".

This is, without a dought, the most amazing piece of literature I have ever read. It is three books in one: Sos the rope, Var the sticks, and Neq the sword. Anthony intertwines them masterfully. He creates his own world that you will sucked into and accually start wishing our world was similar. The dimensions of this book are astounding. You will want to read it over and over

Battle Circle is a trilogy of Books - Sos the Rope, Var the stick and Neq the sword, available as a set in one volume. The story follows the life of a wandering warrior in a land of nomadic fighting tribes, and charts his adventures, and the changing fortunes of his empire. The book is perhapst he best work, and yet one of the least well known by this great author. The plot is watertight, and gripping, and the characters draw you into this wonderful work of storytelling. Excellent.

I picked up Battle Circle purely on a name-recognition basis, and was rewarded for my faith. The three volumes of Battle Circle are some of the least lighthearted of Piers Anthony's work. Sos the Rope, Var the Stick, and Neq the Sword are parts of a very tragic and captivating story. Par for the course for Anthony, the characters deal not only with their own situations, but with the ethical considerations associated with their actions and others'. For this reason his heroes always command respect and those of the Battle Circle, while violent and largely illiterate, are no exception.

The first time I read this book I was about 12 years old and yes, I am a woman. I loved it and have read it a few more times since then. During the three stories the characters must master (or fail) tests of courage, skill, and strength. A must read for any fantasy fan.