Isle of View (Xanth, No. 13)

I am a 16 year-old guy who loves Piers Anthony's style of writing. This book has staked its claim at the top of my list of Xanth writings. Wow. This novel is full of twists and turns that keeps the reader coming back for more. Even if you have read ahead of this and know the story, you will be quite pleased. Che Centaur is the only offspring of his kind that he knows of, and he is protected by all the winged monsters of Xanth due to a pledge enstated by the infamous Simurgh, however, Che is kidnapped by Goblins. (Never good!) Meanwhile, it is a very short time away from poor Electra's eighteenth birthday, and Prince Dolph has still not chosen between the voluptuous Princess Nada Naga and Electra, the maiden he awoke from a 1000 year slumber, who has fallen magically in love with him. Naturally being a young man, Dolph is considering Nada Naga mor readily than Electra, despite the huge age difference between himself the half-serpentine princess. The book pans out in the usual Piers Anthony way, full of puns, twists and turns, and has a beautifully written climax that can literally take your breath away. If you like fantasy at all, you must pick this book up. Also, on a personal note, Jenny Elf is introduced in this book, and for those who are unaware, Jenny Elf is actually a real girl who has horribly injured for life in a brutal drunk-driving accident, when she was a young girl. Her story is also in the end notes of this book. It truly brings a tear to one's eye, and this reviewer's heart goes out to her and her family.

This was once again, another Xanth novel that you must read. And... Dolph finally chooses between Electra and Nada Naga. Guess who he chooses? I won't tell you, you have to read the book to find out for yourself.

Xanth has three major pre dicaments. First, the foal-napping of five year old Che, the child of Xanth's only pair of winged centaurs. Second, Prince Dolph must choose between Electra, the uninteresting, and Nada, the uninterested. The catch is, if he doesn't marry Electra, she dies. Third, an odd elf and her cat have wandered through a dimensional rip in the very fabric of Xanth, and can't get back. Jenny, the elf, is peculiar because she doesn't draw power from an elm, she is about twice the size of aregular elf, her ears are pointed, and she only has 4 fingers. It turns out that Jenny attempts a rescue of Che after a brief run in with his mother. They escape from one tribe of goblins only to be hopelessly captured by another. An interesting twist of fate arises for all characters in this mind blowing novel. Another all time master piece by Piers Anthony

This one was the best in the line, as far as I've read so far!(Demons Don't Dream) The thing about Xanth books is you love them or hate them, and there's little in between. They're wonderful books, and someday, I will actually manage to have read ALL of them! Until then, I can only wonder.

The Xanth book Isle of View is the first of the "Jenny" books. Jenny is an elf from another fantasy series who blunders into Xanth on account of chasing her directional cat to a feather. Because her character is in honor of a brave little girl who was immobilized/semi-paralyzed by a hit-and-run driver, Anthony's writing reaches it's highest level ever. The visiting Jenny is a sweet, good girl whose gifts bring her triumphant through her adventures, and leaves changes of lasting value with the other characters. Her self-sacrificing search for Che, the young winged centaur shines through her surroundings. The usual puns fit in well and the story ties up several threads from previous volumes in a satifactory ending for all. This inspiring volume is the best advertisement for the series.