Two to the Fifth

Fortunately, I love a good pun. I also have a complete set of the Xanth novels (or at least all the ones that are out in paperback), so I just reread the entire series beginning with the first, "A Spell for Chameleon." They're fun. Not profound...just fun. I do some writing myself, so I'm not sure how Piers Anthony keeps coming up with these ideas. This latest one deals with writer's block (a block of wood that morphs into a dreamworld advisor). I'm still looking for that block of wood. Mine always seems to get in the way. The books have been getting a bit raunchier, but that's fun, too. This book is a worthy addition to the series.

Two to the Fifth (2008) is the thirty-second fantasy novel in the Xanth series, following Air Apparent. In the previous volume, Wira and Debra almost catch up with their sweethearts on the World of Cone, but Hugo and the Random Factor have to flee. Then they reunite on the World of Mote, but they all flee the Mote Monsters. Later, Ilene repairs the chain of worlds. Fray summons the Demoness Gaia and forces a compromise on the Demon Earth. Gaia then removes the change in Factor's Talent and Demon Xanth restores Hugo and Factor into their original bodies. In this novel, Cyrus Cyborg is a half-breed, the son of Roland the Robot and Hannah the Barbarian. His father and mother have both planned his future, but he is not sure what he wants to be. So he goes to the Good Magician Humfrey as a querent. Don Donkey is a robotic animal made by Cyrus. He has a metallic body, burns wood for fuel and has a sardonic sense of humor. Cyrus can communicate directly with Don and see through the donkey's eyes. Melody, Harmony and Rhythm are daughters of Princess Ivy. Together the princesses are eight times as strong as each is individually, thus are the strongest known magicians within Xanth. Piper Nymph is also a hybrid. Her mother is Desiree Dryad and her Father is Hiatus Human. She is a healer and has a pet whirlwind named Dusty Dust Devil. Xina is a girl who is able to magically change her hair style and color. She wants to be an actress. The Sand Witch is a former querent of the Good Magician. She is now serving the time for her Answer. Tuff is another former querent serving his time. He has the Talent of taking stone from volcanoes. Acro is a nymph who is also serving her time. She has received her Answer, but doesn't yet understand it. Dusti is a Dust Demon. She is the older sister of Dusty. She is another querent serving her time. Lady Bug is a winged woman. She tends aphids, who make a sweet syrup. Crabapple is a woman with giant crab pinchers on her arms. They are handy for cutting things, so she is treated with respect. Yet nobody wants to marry her. The Dragon Lady is a fire-breathing dragon. She had a nymph roommate and now talks like a nymph. Malete is a fragment of the Muse of Meditation. She cures writer's block. She is invisible to anyone other than her particular writer. Curtis is a Curse Friend. His specialty is play production. In this story, Cyrus reaches the Good Magician's Castle and passes his three Challenges. Once inside, he is taken in hand by Wira -- the GM's daughter -- and escorted to Sofia Socksorter, the GM's Designated Wife. She explains the current problem with Ragna Roc. When Wira introduces him to her father, the GM states that Cyrus wants to be a Playwright. Then the GM tells him to gather a troupe and go on tour. Hopefully Ragna Roc will invite the troupe to perform a play, giving them a chance to remove the bird from Xanth. Cyrus invites Dusti, Acro, Tuff and the Sand Witch to join h

If you're a Xanth fan, add this one to your library! Two to the Fifth is fun, fantastic and punny! Xanth stories are punny parodies of "Mundania" (real life) and make for awesome reading. I found Two to the Fifth to have a slightly faster pace than most Xanth novels. It was a lot of fun. Some of the puns are getting more sophisicated. There's also lots of magical adventure in this story. It's everything a fantasy book should be. UPDATE : After re-reading this, I'm beginning to feel that Piers Anthony is becoming a bit of a pervert. I've read his books for so long that I tend to skim over parts I'm uncomfortable with and there are several such parts in this book. The puns are great, but the Xanth series is becoming increasing "adult", be mindful of that when purchasing the newer books.

Another great one. The thing I love about the Xanth series is that there fun, quick, action filled reads. Though this was a little slower than some, but not by much, this was still a great entery into the series. I've been reading these books for 13 years now and I have to say they're still going storng.

The world of Xanth is only a sequel away. In this case, 2 to the 5th, is the 32nd book, and surprise! 2 to the 5th is 32, and it also happens to be the clue that the Good Magician Humphrey gives to Cyrus, the Cyborg, son of Rowland Robot and Hannah Barbarian. If that isn't confusing yet, even before he gets to the Good Magician, he has to go through three challenges packed with puns, and 'players' before he is assigned the task of writing plays that will attract the attention of Ragna Roc and place three young princesses Melody, Harmony, and Rhythym together to defeat Ragna. Breathe...Add Tess Tosterone, Xina, Acro Nymph, and Dusti to the twisted dramatic troupe without a play, and the result is a punny, playful, adventure. Anthony is a master of his craft. Few other authors are able to mix puns so freely, and easily into a novel, and yet retain a loyal readership. Many of the puns are from readers themselves too, and if that's not encouraging to a reader, then nothing is. This is a great novel to wind down with. Humorous, inventive, and yet it is packed with enough to progress the characters in a 'logical' manner. You'll laugh, you'll want to send your own puns in, and even want to finish this book off just in time to wait for the next one. Tim Lasiuta