Risingshadow
Speculative Fiction Books
  • About
    • Home
    • Articles
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Staff Members
    • Newsletter
    • Finnish (FI)
  • Books
    • New Releases
    • Coming Soon
    • Bookshelf Activity
    • Advanced Search
    • Book Reviews
    • Genres & Tags
    • Submit Book
  • Community
    • Discussions
    • - Recent Messages
    • - Recent Topics
    • - Hot Topics
    • - Popular Topics
    • - Search
    • CHALLENGES
    • - Reading Challenge
    • - Book Trivia Quiz
  • Home
  • Books
  • Piers Anthony
  • Xanth
  • Ghost Writer in the Sky

Ghost Writer in the Sky

Xanth #41 / 49
by Piers Anthony
Ghost Writer in the Sky (Xanth #41) by Piers Anthony
Unrated

Two Ordinary People from Mundania travel to Xanth to defeat a rogue Night Colt in the latest in a beloved series from bestselling author Piers Anthony.

The Night Colt has one ambition: to deliver dreams to the deserving. Unfortunately, only Night Mares can take on this task, and the Colt has no hope of leading his own herd if he can’t get any practice... So he’s struck a deal with a Mundane. During the hours when the Night Mares rest — dusk and dawn — the duo plants stories in the air, compelling the people of Xanth to enact them — whether they want to or not. Unwilling to participate in these fantasies, the princesses of Xanth, Dawn and Eve, come up with a plan to fight the menacing pair, but they’ll need the help of two unlikely heroes to succeed.

In Mundania, a mysterious painting entrances Ordinary People Tartan and Tara. But why do they each see something different when they look at it? They quickly learn that it’s not a painting after all, but a portal to a magical world. With nothing to lose, they climb through the portal into Xanth and are met with a plea to help stop the Night Colt and his ghost writer.

Tartan and Tara don’t hesitate to join the quest to save Xanth from the ultimate pun-tastrophe. Together with their new friends, they’ll begin a journey full of magic and romance — and, of course, puns — that will lead them to a long-lost prince, a beautiful dragoness, the goddess Isis, and a demon named Ted.

With rip-roaring humor and nonstop adventure, the newest addition to Piers Anthony’s popular Xanth series is sure to enchant fans of epic fantasy.

Ghost Writer in the Sky is the 41st book in the Xanth series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Amazon: Check Best Offer

FantasyHumor
Release date: April 18, 2017

Book Order
Amazon
Kindle
Audible
Amazon CA
Amazon UK
Amazon Europe

Your Rating
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Standard Shelves

Readers also enjoyed

Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1)
★ 9.04 / 29
Babel: An Arcane History
★ 7.50 / 10
Creation's Captive (Broken Souls Trilogy #1)
★ 9.62 / 8
Fairy Tale
★ 7.26 / 8
The Will of the Many (The Hierarchy #1)
★ 8.58 / 7
Legends & Lattes (Legends and Lattes #1)
★ 7.28 / 7
In the Shadow of Lightning (Glass Immortals #1)
★ 9.84 / 6

Join the Discussion
Delays
Started by: Visitor on 12/18/2024
You can post as a guest or sign in for more features.
Have questions about this book or want to share your thoughts? Join the conversation!
Piers Anthony

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.

Read more ...

But it’s not just the wordplay that defines Anthony’s work. His Incarnations of Immortality series, which explores immortality, fate, and cosmic justice, shows a deeper philosophical side, blending speculative ideas with rich world-building. His Apprentice Adept series similarly explores complex themes like the nature of reality, self-discovery, and the power of choice.

Beyond his prolific career, Anthony's personal life has shaped his writing in profound ways. He has faced his share of loss, including the death of his daughter Penny in 2009 and his first wife, Carol Ann, in 2019. These tragedies have added a layer of emotional complexity to his more recent works, touching on themes of grief, resilience, and the human spirit’s capacity to endure.

Residing in California with his wife MaryLee Boyance, Anthony continues to engage with his audience, providing them with updates, personal insights, and new stories through his website, HiPiers.com. His ongoing dedication to the craft ensures that readers of all ages will continue to explore the worlds he’s so brilliantly created, from the whimsical lands of Xanth to the more reflective landscapes of his other series.

Piers Anthony's work is a testament to the power of storytelling—how it can transport, entertain, and challenge readers. With over 50 novels to his name, his impact on the fantasy genre is undeniable, making him a beloved figure among those who seek stories that mix humor, heart, and imagination.

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.

Read more ...

Xanth isn’t just a land of enchantment; it’s a realm where the rules of reality bend with playful abandon. From talking trees to magical creatures, each new adventure feels like an exploration of the unexpected. The series is known for its light-hearted humor, often punctuated by puns and wordplay that add layers of charm to its fantastical premise. Yet, within the humor lies a deeper thread of storytelling – one that explores themes of identity, destiny, and the power of individuality.

The heart of Xanth lies in its characters, each with their own strange and often hilarious abilities. As they journey through the magical realm, they face obstacles that challenge not just their gifts, but their very perceptions of the world around them. Each book introduces new characters, expanding the world and exploring different facets of its magic. From the mischievous antics of the characters to the often profound dilemmas they must solve, there’s a perfect balance between lightness and substance in every page.

With over 40 books in the series, Xanth is a sprawling epic that offers something for every kind of fantasy fan. Whether you’re captivated by the whimsy of a sentient, shape-shifting fruit or the trials of characters facing life-altering choices, Xanth’s enchanted landscapes provide endless possibilities. For those who crave a sense of wonder alongside a dash of comedy, it’s a world that invites you to stay a little longer, with each new story offering a fresh perspective on the magic and mystery of life itself.

In Xanth, magic isn’t just an art – it’s a way of life, and every page is an invitation to explore a world where imagination knows no bounds. With humor, heart, and a touch of mystery, the series continues to enchant readers, leaving them always hungry for the next adventure.


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)

A Spell for Chameleon (Xanth #1)
★ 8.20 / 5
The Source of Magic (Xanth #2)
★ 8.00 / 4
Castle Roogna (Xanth #3)
★ 8.00 / 4
Centaur Aisle (Xanth #4)
★ 8.00 / 4
Ogre, Ogre (Xanth #5)
★ 5.00 / 4
Night Mare (Xanth #6)
★ 6.00 / 4
Dragon on a Pedestal (Xanth #7)
★ 8.00 / 6
Crewel Lye: A Caustic Yarn (Xanth #8)
★ 6.00 / 3
Golem in the Gears (Xanth #9)
★ 5.34 / 3
Vale of the Vole (Xanth #10)
★ 4.66 / 3
Heaven Cent (Xanth #11)
★ 6.00 / 3
Man from Mundania (Xanth #12)
★ 7.34 / 3
Isle of View (Xanth #13)
★ 5.34 / 3
Question Quest (Xanth #14)
★ 5.34 / 3
The Color of Her Panties (Xanth #15)
★ 5.34 / 3
Demons Don't Dream (Xanth #16)
★ 7.00 / 2
Harpy Thyme (Xanth #17)
★ 5.00 / 2
Geis of the Gargoyle (Xanth #18)
★ 5.00 / 2
Roc and a Hard Place (Xanth #19)
★ 5.00 / 2
Yon Ill Wind (Xanth #20)
★ 5.00 / 2
Faun & Games (Xanth #21)
★ 6.00 / 2
Zombie Lover (Xanth #22)
★ 6.00 / 2
Xone of Contention (Xanth #23)
★ 6.00 / 2
The Dastard (Xanth #24)
★ 5.00 / 2
Swell Foop (Xanth #25)
★ 6.00 / 2
Up in a Heaval (Xanth #26)
★ 6.00 / 2
Cube Route (Xanth #27)
★ 7.00 / 2
Currant Events (Xanth #28)
★ 7.00 / 2
Pet Peeve (Xanth #29)
★ 6.00 / 2
Stork Naked (Xanth #30)
★ 4.00 / 2
Air Apparent (Xanth #31)
★ 5.00 / 2
Two to the Fifth (Xanth #32)
★ 6.00 / 1
Jumper Cable (Xanth #33)
★ 6.00 / 1
Knot Gneiss (Xanth #34)
Unrated
Well-Tempered Clavicle (Xanth #35)
Unrated
Luck of the Draw (Xanth #36)
★ 7.00 / 1
Esrever Doom (Xanth #37)
Unrated
Board Stiff (Xanth #38)
Unrated
Five Portraits (Xanth #39)
Unrated
Isis Orb (Xanth #40)
Unrated
Ghost Writer in the Sky (Xanth #41)
Unrated
Fire Sail (Xanth #42)
Unrated
Jest Right (Xanth #43)
Unrated
Skeleton Key (Xanth #44)
Unrated
A Tryst of Fate (Xanth #45)
★ 8.00 / 1
Six Crystal Princesses (Xanth #46)
Unrated
Apoca Lips (Xanth #47)
⧗ 8.00 / 1
Three Novel Nymphs (Xanth #48)
⧗ 8.00 / 1
Xanth Book 49 (Xanth #49)
⧗ 8.00 / 1


^ Top
Follow Us: Newsletter | Facebook | X | Mastodon | RSS
Hosted by Planeetta Internet Oy
© 1996 - 2025 Risingshadow. All rights reserved.
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Privacy Policy