Three Complete Xanth Novels: A Spell for Chameleon; The Source of Magic; Castle Roogna

Customer Reviews:

THESE BOOKS ARE GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......1999-07-07

These books are fantastic!!!! It is a shame not more kids are into these books.I know people all ages would like them because ALL my friends like these books & they are my father's favorite books. Maybe some more people should show these books on their sites. I give these books 1000+ thumbs up (if I had that many thumbs) and 1,000,000,000,000+ stars.

Piers Anthony at his finest!.......1998-12-06

These three books make for an excellent trilogy, thick with a rich writing style, imaginative prose, and surprising depth for a "lightweight" fantasy series. I cannot imagine the fantasy genre without these. Piers Anthony has opened up a whole new route of writing fantasy. You'll be won over by Xanth's charm instantly. Excellent.

You Gotta Love These Books!.......1998-11-04

Pier Xanthony is a great author. His books are mostly for adults, but teens love them too! I happen to be one, so I would know. His books are punishly hilarious, and lots of fun! I hope he never stops writing them. If you haven't read any then you should definately go for these. Start with A Spell for Chameleon, the rest of the books are listed inside in the order that you read them. They are best read if you start from the beginning, that way you get the right info at the right time. For example, if you don't know about the Gap and the Gap Dragon then you won't understand what's going on at some points. I wouldn't give this series anything less than a 5-star rating. I love it!

The best of the series.......1997-07-29

The first three books of the Xanth series are the best of the hideously sprawling series. The characters are more fully realized and the atmosphere is not so cheekily sexist. The puns actually add to the stories, instead of dragging the readers along to the big blinking neon sign PUN! PUN! PUN! Bink and Chameleon are probably the best characters Anthony has written, because they are adults and have some rather serious relationship problems. To put it bluntly, this was the only volume of my Xanth collection that I bothered to save when my bedroom was flooded

The first books of Piers Anthony's renowned Xanth Series.......1996-08-20

Containing the trilogy that started the well-known series, this book introduces the reader to the magical world of Xanth.

Book Description

Former D.C. cop Leigh Ann Warren is starting a new job and looking forward to a blissful wedded life. But someone is not willing to let her escape so easily -- a lethal adversary with a grudge who's determined to make Leigh Ann pay ... and keep paying.

What begins as a series of petty harassments quickly escalates into more serious crimes, as a stranger driven by hate and unburdened by conscience steals Leigh Ann's identity to threaten her extended family. And when her invisible enemy graduates to murder, Leigh Ann realizes that there's only one way to take back her life and stop the terror: She must beat a killer at her own twisted game.

Customer Reviews:

Good Book.......2005-04-16

This is my first book by Chassie West and after reading it. I went out and purchased two of her other books. It was a good book and could definitely be a tv series. Move over Anglea Lansbury.

Her Many Faces.......2005-01-23

KILLER CHAMELEON is the latest installment of the popular series involving the crime-fighting sleuth, Leigh Ann Warren. She's back to solve the whodunit that is affecting her life. Leigh is a former D.C. cop who, after two postponements, is trying to get married. She does not want any more drama to erupt in her life and to keep her from marrying the man she loves.

Someone has cancelled Leigh's honeymoon reservations. Whoever she is looks like her, talks like her, definitely has it in for her and is intent on ruining any form of Leigh's happiness. The chameleon is so adept in changing her appearance that discovering her identity is a true mystery. When the chameleon harms someone close to Leigh, she is determined that she will solve this whodunit sooner rather than later.

KILLER CHAMELEON will take readers on a ride as they try to guess the identity of the chameleon. The mystery will keep you reading, however, if you are unfamiliar with the previous Leigh Warren mysteries you will be at a slight disadvantage. There is only a minimal amount of background given and mostly from the recent mystery solved. Although most of the characters were developed in previous stories, their characterizations are sufficient for the enjoyment of this book. The pace was not as swift as I would have liked, but the premise was enjoyable. Personally, I will read the previous stories in this series so I can better grasp our crime fighting sleuth and I would also encourage others to read them as well. Chassie West has, without a doubt, an interesting series that is sure to gain a large following. (RAW Rating: 3.5)

Reviewed by Cashana Seals
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Best day I've spent in months!.......2004-10-30

Well, I finally took a day off yesterday to do nothing but read. I started "Killer Chameleon", and literally didn't put it down until I finished this very early am...and I'm really not a morning person. It was wonderful! And I was so glad to see Leigh Ann back and with Duck (love him!). As usual, Chassie West writes superbly; never slackening the tension or giving too much away too soon. Her characters are believable, unlike so many these days, and likeable.
I'm thinkin' mini-series/on going series here...CBS?NBC?ABC? How about it? Grab this series before USA or TNT does. (How cool would this be if someone really did make this a mini-series/tv/series?!)

Good mystery.......2004-10-18

Enjoyed this book, I'm a big fan of Chassie West's book. Keep up the good work.

Average customer rating:

Chameleon: Short Stories
Jane Bryce
Manufacturer: Peepal Tree Press Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

Connecting Africa to the Caribbean through vibrant, sensuous descriptions, this collection of stories follows a young white girl who is plunged into a puzzling awareness of the complexities of race relations. Whether trying to understand her parents, their Muslim servant’s sense of the sacred, or the incomprehensible prohibitions of a colonial childhood, the maturing girl struggles to rectify the constant tension between the sense of separateness and the desire to belong. Told in a touching, first-person voice, this collection of elegant and poignant stories captures the anima of Africa and the Caribbean.

Spell for Chameleon (Xanth Novels (Paperback))

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Classic "trilogy" !
Not Free SF Reader
Harry Potter of its day--Started my love of reading!
Enjoyable fantasy
This Book Was Good

Spell for Chameleon (Xanth Novels (Paperback))
Piers Anthony
Manufacturer: Del Rey Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0345913736

Amazon.com

Though already developing a successful career in SF with such heady novels as Chthon and Omnivore, Piers Anthony did not reach brand-name status until he cooked up some fantasy in 1977. And it was cheerful, humorous fantasy at that, as in his first Xanth series novel, A Spell for Chameleon. The book's young hero, Bink, is without magical powers in a world ruled entirely by magic. Worse still, if he doesn't discover his own magical talent soon, he will be forever banished from his homeland. Naturally, it takes an epic quest for Bink to learn what his unique talent truly is--and perhaps to win the girl of his dreams as well. A Spell for Chameleon was the very first of Anthony's bestselling (and still ongoing) humorous fantasy series. Noteworthy for their outrageous word puns and bizarre characters, the Xanth books are a light yet often satisfying brew, especially when compared with the author's sometimes nihilistic and ultraviolent hard SF. --Stanley Wiater

Book Description

FOR LACK OF A SPELL . . .

Xanth was the enchanted land where magic ruled--where every citizen had a special spell only he could cast. It was a land of centaurs and dragons and basilisks.

For Bink of North Village, however, Xanth was no fairy tale. He alone had no magic. And unless he got some--and got some fast!--he would be exiled. Forever. But the Good Magician Humfrey was convinced that Bink did indeed have magic. In fact, both Beauregard the genie and the magic wall chart insisted that Bink had magic. Magic as powerful as any possessed by the King or by Good Magician Humfrey--or even by the Evil Magician Trent.

Be that as it may, no one could fathom the nature of Bink's very special magic. Bink was in despair. This was even worse than having no magic at all . . . and he would still be exiled!

BEST NOVEL OF THE YEAR, BRITISH FANTASY SOCIETY

Customer Reviews:

Classic "trilogy" !.......2007-09-08

This was one of my favorite series of books. Wonderfully entertaining, I often read the books in less than a day.

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Get magic, or get the arse.

The world of Xanth is full of magical creatures, and all the humans there are also magic wielders of one sort or another, from Aces to Deuces, to borrow some Wild Cards terminology i.e. powerful to useless.

The boy Bink has no magic, and sets out to find out why, on the way encountering the titular character, a woman with multiple forms who ends up having the hots for him.

Adventure ensues, and Bink does discover his own magical ability, which is a negative one, so tricky to find out about.

Harry Potter of its day--Started my love of reading!.......2007-08-20

I would be very surprised if J.K. Rowling hasn't read the Xanth series. Her puns and plays on words and her magical world that coexists with the world of Muggles draws many parallels to Piers Anthony's world of Xanth and the world of Mundania. These books could EASILY be brought to life on the screen, and are very appropriate for the younger set--to most degrees (I wouldn't say so with his Adept series, though).

I first started reading this series when my older cousin gave them to me back in 1987--I read about 10 or 11 of them before finally petering out--because I think Anthony started to wear out with them as well. Still, these are some of the first real books I read, and I devoured each one with absolute relish. They are witty, adventurous, and have a light-hearted feel that many other fantasy series lack.

Highly recommended for tweens and above!

Jason Sipe, Hood Press Books, Tales of Madness: Seven Horror Stories by Edgar Allan Poe

Enjoyable fantasy.......2007-05-28

Pier Anthony's Xanth series gets off to a terrific start with "A Spell for Chameleon." Bink is a young man who doesn't possess any magic, which in the world of Xanth is a problem. If he can't show some ability, then he'll be exiled to the non-magical world - Mundania. Bink is advised to consult the Great Magician Humfrey, who has the power to reveal what is hidden. If Bink really does have magic, then Humfrey should be able to help. The journey to Humfrey's castle is fraught with perils, and this leg represents only the beginning of Bink's adventures.

I'm a newbie to fantasy novels, but several people recommended this book to me, and the Xanth series sounded intriguing. This first novel has everything I'd expect - a likeable protagonist, a journey that is constantly thwarted, and a few good plot twists. What I enjoyed most was the Xanth world, which is filled with creative touches, as well as Anthony's jokey tone. The book does have quite a few puns (Xanth's wilderness is crowded with numerous "punny" trees, including shoe trees); however, the humor doesn't hinder the story. All in all "A Spell for Chameleon" was an enjoyable read, and one that has convinced me to try the second book in the series.

This Book Was Good.......2007-05-18

I thought that this was a good book. It had me constantly thinking about what was going to happen next, it had surprises that I didn't even expect, and it was very descriptive that the images constantly stayed in my head till I finished the book. This book will keep you reading until you turn the last page; you won't want to put it down.
I liked the book because it has just the right amount of everything that you would look for in a book: mystery, murder, comedy, and suspense. It also had lots of questions that really made me think, and as I continued to read, it answered them all. There are few twists in the book that you wouldn't expect, most are good but it really depends on the way that you look at it. I thought the comedy in the book was great, but you have to understand what is going on and also have to have a good sense of humor.
The book is very interesting until the very end and you want to stop reading. The story is based on a young man in his late twenties named Bink who is to be exiled from Xanth, unless he can show that he has a magical talent. So he sets out on an adventure to discover if he has a magic talent or not. Along the way he makes friends, enemies, and comes close to death. This book is an adventure waiting to unfold.
I think the author did a great job of compiling all of the events into an imaginative story that has you wondering what's going to happen on every page. There is minimal inappropriate language and some sexual references, but it should be fine for anyone that can handle it that isn't too immature. I suggest that if you like this book that you will enjoy the sequels like I did; they are just as equally exciting and just as descriptive. I suggest this book to anyone that has a good imagination and who likes to ponder interesting yet difficult questions because this would be the book for you.

Fantastic Four: The Chameleon Strikes! (Marvel Age)

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Fantastic Four: The Chameleon Strikes! (Marvel Age)
Todd Dezago
Manufacturer: Spotlight
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

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ASIN: 1599610051

Average customer rating:

Confusing and boring
Not As Good As The First, But Timely

Chameleon: A Novel
Mark Burnell
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060194669
Release Date: 2002-03-26

Book Description

Stephanie Patrick is back, in a brilliantly edgy story about two people caught in the turbulence of terrorism -- from the author of The Rhythm Section.

After the tragic loss of her family, Stephanie Patrick was lured into the intelligence world, where she was transformed into the feared assassin Petra Reuter. Eighteen months later, she disappeared.

Now, she's living a quiet, peaceful life, under an assumed identity, in an idyllic village in southern France. But escaping her erstwhile employer proves to be easier said than done. His reappearance threatens to ruin everything she has created for herself, but he comes with a deal that offers a slender strand of hope: if she agrees to one last assignment, she can then walk away for good.

The target is Koba, the alias used by a Russian criminal with interests stretching from the Urals to America's East Coast. He's a man with influential connections to former members of the KGB and the Soviet Red Army but his true identity remains a secret.

Stephanie is plunged back into the shadowy underworld where international crime and terrorism meet. Her ability to switch personae is what keeps her alive from day to day but it's a fragile talent that constantly threatens to undermine her. Her search for Koba leads her from New York through Europe to Moscow. Yet despite the violence and corruption she encounters, Stephanie discovers the one thing she hadn't expected: true love.

His name is Konstantin Komarov. He may be either a businessman or a criminal,depending on one's point of view. The FBI calls him the Don from the Don. He exists at the heart of a financial empire created by the Russian crime pandemic. Like Stephanie, Konstantin is a chameleon, constantly adapting to changing environments. He's a man as comfortable in Manhattan as he would be in Moscow or Magadan.

But between Stephanie and Komarov lies Koba, an old alias masking a new global threat. In a world where trust is weakness, honesty is naïveté, and where brutality is routine, could falling in love be the greatest risk of all?

Download Description

Stephanie Patrick is back, in a brilliantly edgy story about two people caught in the turbulence of terrorism - from the author of The Rhythm Section. After the tragic loss of her family, Stephanie Patrick was lured into the intelligence world, where she was transformed into the feared assassin Petra Reuter. Eighteen months later, she disappeared.Now, she's living a quiet, peaceful life, under an assumed identity, in an idyllic village in southern France. But escaping her erstwhile employer proves to be easier said than done. His reappearance threatens to ruin everything she has created for herself, but he comes with a deal that offers a slender strand of hope: if she agrees to one last assignment, she can then walk away for good. The target is Koba, the alias used by a Russian criminal with interests stretching from the Urals to America's East Coast. He's a man with influential connections to former members of the KGB and the Soviet Red Army but his true identity remains a secret. Stephanie is plunged back into the shadowy underworld where international crime and terrorism meet.

Customer Reviews:

Confusing and boring.......2003-01-28

Comparing this book with other thrillers, I think it's not the Casablanca of this century but rather the most confusing book I have ever read. A very good introduction but too many characters lost the plot and thus as a result the reader may find the book boring just like I felt. I've just finished reading Home Run by Gerald Seymour and I really enjoyed the latter. It's about international terro. as well but it's simpler and much more entertaining. Hope that not too many authors copy the style of this book.

Not As Good As The First, But Timely.......2002-11-13

This book, like "The Rhythm Section", is at least timely. Whereas that book partially predicted 9/11, "Chameleon" partially deals with current, and volatile issues:Russia,Chechens, violence, and chemical weapons."Chameleon" again features Stephanie/Petra, here compelled to search for Koba, the unknowable magnate of Russian organized crime.She thus penetrates one of Russia's most powerful Mafiyas, displays her skills as an international assassin, and encounters deadly, even evil players leading to a climax involving the purchase of biological weapons.She also finds love with Kostya, a money launderer and man of respect within Russia's Mafiyas. This, though believably done, is one of the book's weaknesses. Their brief, passionate meetings don't sustain interest. More compelling but confusing is the plotting. Some events (the torture and murder of Salibi and his bodyguard) seem not fully explained. The author, however, has done his homework. His description of Russian crime, its structure in various countries, and those minor or major figures within or around it are authentic. So is his knowledge of the former Soviet Union's ethnic composition and description of chemical weapons. Though not as engrossing as "The Rhythm Section,""Chameleon" is an intelligent, above average installment in Stephanie/Petra's career. Where, if anywhere, will the author take her next?

Average customer rating:

Tom Clancy is a wuss compared to Stony Man!

The Chameleon Factor (Stonyman)
Don Pendleton
Manufacturer: Gold Eagle
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0373619588

Book Description

Stony Man
Their orders come direct from the Oval Office--and only when the situation is desperate enough to call for swift hands-on measures. Stony Man's cybernetics team and tactical commandos are put into action to remove threats against America with surgical precision. Now it's crisis time, and the situation is big--a Level-10 security clearance, For the President Only. And for Stony Man, it's one shot, no second chances. . .

Chameleon
A brilliant new development in portable stealth technology, Chameleon is a state-of-the-art jamming device that blocks all kinds of magnetic frequencies, making it the ultimate death shield in the right hands. But in the wrong hands, it would mean the obliteration of America's defense and communications systems--and open season on its citizens. When Chameleon is stolen by a traitor who provides a fiery demonstration of its doomsday power, Stony Man must retrieve it at any cost.

If Chameleon is deployed. . .shutting it down is not an option.

Customer Reviews:

Tom Clancy is a wuss compared to Stony Man!.......2005-09-19

This is the best Stony Man book in a long time. It is a taunt nail-biter and action packed wall to wall. The characterization is perfect, the plot believable and it never lets up. The only reason I don't give it a perfect 5 stars is that the ending is a bit abrupt. Highly recommended. Also recommended is the Cutting Audio multicast version of this book--it makes it come alive!

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Brian Moore: The Chameleon Novelist
Denis Sampson
Manufacturer: Martello Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Irish | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

Born to a middle-class family in Belfast in 1921, Brian Moore left Ireland to work for the Allies in World War II. He was posted in Algiers, Naples and France and spent time in postwar Poland. He then moved to Canada, settling in Montreal for over a decade. Moore now divides his time between California and Nova Scotia.

Over the years, Moore has written in a number of genres and shown a remarkable ability to "disappear" into his characters. The author of over twenty novels, from The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne to his most recent book, The Magician's Wife, Moore has twice won the Governor General's Award, and has been nominated for the Booker Prize three times.

This insightful biography draws on interviews with Moore himself, as well as with friends, family, and colleagues. The author uses diverse sources for his portrait of this fascinating artist: archival notes, diaries, drafts, letters, and the novels themselves.

The Brown Chameleon: A Novel Inspired by Actual Events

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Another Shocker by Froede

The Brown Chameleon: A Novel Inspired by Actual Events
Gordon Froede
Manufacturer: Writers Club Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0595262430

Book Description

Â“Gordon Froede is a praiseworthy original storyteller.Â”
Â—The NationÂ's Observer

Customer Reviews:

Another Shocker by Froede.......2003-01-13

I remember reading a magazine article a year ago about a Nazi, who used forged papers to seek refuge at an allied camp at the end of the war, pretending to be a Jew. Froede's book must be based on this actual event. He has done a marvelous job of spinning a yarn that is sure to hold the reader's attention. As in his previous novels, Froede uses his enormous wealth of knowldge about WWII events to bring history back to life.

The Chameleons: A Penetrating Novel About Big Time TV Versus the U.S. Senate.

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The Chameleons: A Penetrating Novel About Big Time TV Versus the U.S. Senate.
David. Levy
Manufacturer: Dood, Mead & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NYQ1XI

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