Faun & Games
In his latest Xanth adventure, Faun & Games, Anthony reveals an amazing new facet of this fabulous realm never before suspected. Astonishing as it seems, orbiting the head of Princess Ida of Castle Roogna is a tiny miniature planet called Ptero, where everything in Xanth that ever was, or might be, can be found!
For Forrest Faun, a young satyr searching for a suitable spirit to save a magical tree, Ptero may well be his only hope. When he offers to do a service for the Good Magician Humfrey in exchange for an Answer to his Question, that wise wizard refuses. Instead, he sends Forrest a remarkable companion to guide him to this remarkable world-within-a-world.
Imbri is a "day mare," an enchanted magical steed who can conjure extraordinary dreams and assume the form of an enchanting young woman. Together she and Forrest set off on an adventure-filled quest.
But Ptero has some surprises for the travelers. Since the planet lacks sun and stars its directions are marked instead by colors. Time behaves in a most unpredictable fashion, creatures are seldom what they seem, and no one ever does anything without receiving something in return.
The land is broken by comic strips filled with punnish perils and infested with strange beings, including contrary centaurs and ogling ogres. And, in a diminutive castle on this microscopic world, Forrest and Imbri are at last given a Service by a minuscule Good Magician: to help two pert and flirty princesses, Dawn and Eve, save their world from marginalization.
But to achieve this goal, they must go deeper still into the hidden realms of Xanth – to the paradoxical planet of Pyramid, which is to Ptero as that world is to Xanth. There, at last, Forrest Faun will find his heart's desire and discover that the secrets he seeks have been far closer than he had ever imagined.
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Piers Anthony
Piers Anthony's name is synonymous with fantastical worlds, vivid characters, and an unparalleled sense of whimsy. Born in Oxford, England, in 1934, he moved to the United States as a child, shaping the cultural landscape of his imagination. What sets Anthony apart is his ability to weave humor and depth into stories that are both lighthearted and thought-provoking, making him a standout in the fantasy genre.
Anthony’s journey to becoming a household name in fantasy literature wasn’t a straightforward path. After serving in the U.S. Army and briefly teaching, he devoted himself to writing, selling his first short story and setting the stage for his later successes. However, it was with the Xanth series that he truly carved out his place in literary history. A world brimming with puns, magic, and eccentric characters, Xanth resonated with readers for its wit and its heart. What began as a fun experiment turned into a sprawling saga, with Anthony publishing a book for nearly every letter of the alphabet, earning him a global following that continues to grow.
Xanth
In the world of fantasy literature, few settings are as inventive and whimsical as the land of Xanth. Piers Anthony’s beloved series transports readers to a place where magic flows through every corner of the land, and everyone possesses a unique talent, known as a "gift." But don’t expect ordinary powers – these gifts are often as quirky, amusing, and unpredictable as the characters who wield them.
Xanth consists of forty-eight books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Related series Xanth (omnibus editions)
