Scan barcode
usbsticky's review against another edition
3.0
Spoilers ahead.
I'm re-reading this series from the start. I've read each of these about 20 times since they were published so I know the books quite well. The last re-read was many years ago though. This seems to be the one I like least so far. I think the reason is that Piers Anthony started dumbing down his Xanth series starting with this one.
He used to be a series sci-fi and fantasy writer. The Xanth series had an outer shell for kids but some of the material touched upon and the dialog were quite adult. I especially liked the characters and the exchanges they had between themselves. Centaur Aisle seem to lack this subtle seriousness. It also suffered from a lack of interesting characters.
Ichabod is perhaps the most interesting character in this book. King Oary does make a couple of interesting observations but overall I think Piers Anthony tried too hard for this book to be cute. Some of the puns have become downright obnoxious. Humor is best when subtle, not forced down our throats every page. There were also a few passages I had to fast read as Anthony spent too much time going over a certain event.
The romance between Dor and Irene were ok if repetitive. Overall, Anthony's writing for this book just doesn't seem to be as sharp.
Summary:
King Trent is going to Mundania for a trade deal. He tasks Dor to find a new magician down Centaur Isle as a training exercise. They find Arnolde whose talent is an aisle of magic. Trent and Iris become MIA so the gang decide to go there to find them. First they find an archivist who helps them identify the time period and location.
The gang finds the location by trial and error. Once there they discover that a regent has usurped the throne and thrown the real king and Trent and Iris into prison. Using Arnolde's talent the gang rescues them and sets everything right.
The plot is not bad, I just find the writing not up to the standard as before.
I'm re-reading this series from the start. I've read each of these about 20 times since they were published so I know the books quite well. The last re-read was many years ago though. This seems to be the one I like least so far. I think the reason is that Piers Anthony started dumbing down his Xanth series starting with this one.
He used to be a series sci-fi and fantasy writer. The Xanth series had an outer shell for kids but some of the material touched upon and the dialog were quite adult. I especially liked the characters and the exchanges they had between themselves. Centaur Aisle seem to lack this subtle seriousness. It also suffered from a lack of interesting characters.
Ichabod is perhaps the most interesting character in this book. King Oary does make a couple of interesting observations but overall I think Piers Anthony tried too hard for this book to be cute. Some of the puns have become downright obnoxious. Humor is best when subtle, not forced down our throats every page. There were also a few passages I had to fast read as Anthony spent too much time going over a certain event.
The romance between Dor and Irene were ok if repetitive. Overall, Anthony's writing for this book just doesn't seem to be as sharp.
Summary:
King Trent is going to Mundania for a trade deal. He tasks Dor to find a new magician down Centaur Isle as a training exercise. They find Arnolde whose talent is an aisle of magic. Trent and Iris become MIA so the gang decide to go there to find them. First they find an archivist who helps them identify the time period and location.
The gang finds the location by trial and error. Once there they discover that a regent has usurped the throne and thrown the real king and Trent and Iris into prison. Using Arnolde's talent the gang rescues them and sets everything right.
The plot is not bad, I just find the writing not up to the standard as before.
proggeddy's review
5.0
Centaur Aisle is a great addition to the Xanth series! Pure and simple. Anthony captures all the silly puniness of Xanth and even some from Mundania. For people reading the series in order Centaur Aisle loses none of the momentum of the series and encourages the reader to press on and read the following books.
fibrejunky's review against another edition
5.0
It had been so long since I read this one, that I'd forgotten nearly everything, other than the barest outline. I really enjoyed how each person in the party was crucial to the success of the quest. The development of Dor and Irene's relationship was very nicely done.
As part of this book takes place in Mundania, and Mundania is a parallel to our own world, it makes me curious about how much of the history is based upon our own timeline. I wonder what I would find if I were to delve into the history of Europe in the 8th and 9th centuries.
Also, of note, this book includes the first of Xanth's Author's Notes.
As part of this book takes place in Mundania, and Mundania is a parallel to our own world, it makes me curious about how much of the history is based upon our own timeline. I wonder what I would find if I were to delve into the history of Europe in the 8th and 9th centuries.
Also, of note, this book includes the first of Xanth's Author's Notes.
hotsake's review against another edition
3.0
The first half of the book was stupid fun while the second half was a lot less fun but equally stupid.
erollinus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
saraf7990's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
vaderbird's review
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
utbw42's review
4.0
An enjoyable and sometimes slightly provocative entry into the Xanth series. Dor, Irene, Smash, and Grundy (and other characters) are fun to follow as they set out to rescue King Trent of Xanth in Mundania. I continue to be struck by how clever these novels are with the English language.