Five Portraits
Oct 2014 · The Xanth Novels Book 39 · Open Road Media
4.6star
30 reviews
Ebook
254
Pages
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Eligible
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About this ebook
The magical land of Xanth is in peril in this follow-up to Board Stiff by New York Times–bestselling author Piers Anthony.
“It occurs to me that you folk are no ordinary group,” the troll said.
“We're on a special mission to eliminate the last of the anti-pun virus. We are a bit unusual.”
Astrid Basilisk-Cockatrice is the daughter of anonymous parents who whiled away a dull minute by generating her on a warm compost pile, then went their own deadly ways, never to see her or each other again. She found herself a soul, but her gaze is fatal and her touch is toxic. That’s not so strange in the Land of Xanth, where everyone has a unique magical talent, and charms, curses, and enchanted puzzles lie around every corner.
Now, Astrid and her companions are finishing the cleanup of a virus that ravaged the puns of Xanth, and new Quests are already popping up. For instance, Astrid is attempting to fulfill her mission in life, if only she can figure out what that is. And then there’s the missing Question from the Good Magician’s Book of Answers. Not to mention the small matter of a Demon Wager regarding the impending destruction of Xanth. But it’s nothing Astrid and her motley crew of lovely maidens and strapping men can’t handle . . . they hope.
Piers Anthony delivers another tale set in the bestselling world of Xanth, filled with magic, surprises, adventure, and a few puns. Here’s what the author has to say about his new book:
“Five Portraits is a kind of sequel to Board Stiff in that it picks up where the other leaves off, with the same characters. Apart from that, it’s one of my favorites within the series. There’s something about Astrid Basilisk that appeals to me: a very pretty girl whose very glance is deadly, yet she’s a nice person whose selfless effort to save five difficult children from future Xanth is thoroughly worthy. I also like the theme of the power of unlikely friendship. Not just Xanth, but Mundania, too, would be better if there were more such friendships.”
“It occurs to me that you folk are no ordinary group,” the troll said.
“We're on a special mission to eliminate the last of the anti-pun virus. We are a bit unusual.”
Astrid Basilisk-Cockatrice is the daughter of anonymous parents who whiled away a dull minute by generating her on a warm compost pile, then went their own deadly ways, never to see her or each other again. She found herself a soul, but her gaze is fatal and her touch is toxic. That’s not so strange in the Land of Xanth, where everyone has a unique magical talent, and charms, curses, and enchanted puzzles lie around every corner.
Now, Astrid and her companions are finishing the cleanup of a virus that ravaged the puns of Xanth, and new Quests are already popping up. For instance, Astrid is attempting to fulfill her mission in life, if only she can figure out what that is. And then there’s the missing Question from the Good Magician’s Book of Answers. Not to mention the small matter of a Demon Wager regarding the impending destruction of Xanth. But it’s nothing Astrid and her motley crew of lovely maidens and strapping men can’t handle . . . they hope.
Piers Anthony delivers another tale set in the bestselling world of Xanth, filled with magic, surprises, adventure, and a few puns. Here’s what the author has to say about his new book:
“Five Portraits is a kind of sequel to Board Stiff in that it picks up where the other leaves off, with the same characters. Apart from that, it’s one of my favorites within the series. There’s something about Astrid Basilisk that appeals to me: a very pretty girl whose very glance is deadly, yet she’s a nice person whose selfless effort to save five difficult children from future Xanth is thoroughly worthy. I also like the theme of the power of unlikely friendship. Not just Xanth, but Mundania, too, would be better if there were more such friendships.”
Ratings and reviews
4.6
30 reviews
Jill Thompson
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February 4, 2024
I have enjoyed the world of Xanth since I was a child. Always a good read regardless of the title and fit for reading to young readers as well. Fit for readers of any age. Never a bad choice. All are independent novels that can be read in any order and characters are fit for all ages. Enough good, bad, happy, sad that everyone can relate & enjoy.
Colonel SeeSmith
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November 22, 2022
Reminds me of a guy I knew one time...an Irish blow hole, who dated a girl....me myself and I, and a table for 3 please...except 5, nothing to do with the classic story but I like to push my pathetic life on Piers Anthony's books ...just because I like to plagerise the mindset and then listen to shredding the mindset by Craig baceda
Katherine Combs
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October 26, 2022
I enjoyed Astrid's journey & the five children she meets along the way. Enjoyed this. Must read
About the author
Piers Anthony has written dozens of bestselling science fiction and fantasy novels. Perhaps best known for his long-running Xanth series, many of which are New York Times bestsellers, he has also had great success with the Incarnations of Immortality series and the Cluster series, as well as Bio of a Space Tyrant and others. Much more information about Piers Anthony can be found at www.HiPiers.com.
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