thejoyofbooking's review
Night Mare (and the rest of the Xanth series) sadly didn't hold up to a re-reading as an adult, but as a pre-teen and young teenager, I found these hilarious and wonderful.
Piers Anthony specializes in a kind of subversive and dirty humor that's just on this side of not appropriate for children. They're also almost terrifying, in a way that left me wanting more. That combined with the mythology made for absorbing childhood reading for me.
The one thing that saved the book upon my adult re-read was the amazingly intricate world that Anthony has created for Xanth. Located on what we Mundanians consider to be the state of Florida, Xanth is really a magical world populated by gorgons, fairies, trolls and all manner of fantastical creatures. (The Night Mares of this tale are working horses who deliver scary dreams to the inhabitants of the mundane world, named after the lakes of the moon.) In addition to creating exactly the sort of fantasy world I love, Anthony also makes genius word play involving a lot of literalism and in-jokes, which make for reading the entire series multiple times a lot of fun when you're twelve.
Piers Anthony specializes in a kind of subversive and dirty humor that's just on this side of not appropriate for children. They're also almost terrifying, in a way that left me wanting more. That combined with the mythology made for absorbing childhood reading for me.
The one thing that saved the book upon my adult re-read was the amazingly intricate world that Anthony has created for Xanth. Located on what we Mundanians consider to be the state of Florida, Xanth is really a magical world populated by gorgons, fairies, trolls and all manner of fantastical creatures. (The Night Mares of this tale are working horses who deliver scary dreams to the inhabitants of the mundane world, named after the lakes of the moon.) In addition to creating exactly the sort of fantasy world I love, Anthony also makes genius word play involving a lot of literalism and in-jokes, which make for reading the entire series multiple times a lot of fun when you're twelve.
craftingrama's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoy a series that grows plus includes each person mentioned its like getting to know each individual in the other books personally.
fibrejunky's review against another edition
5.0
Update: figured out what happened to my review. Definitely shouldn't try to do this when I'm sick because I hit the wrong button, lost my window and ended up starting a completely new review with a different edition without realizing it. All better now.
This book was my introduction to the world of Piers Anthony. To be brief, I've never looked back.
Eventually, I'll write a more in depth review, but the short version is if you do not like puns, you won't enjoy any of the Xanth novels. If you want to laugh, sit back an enjoy the ride.
Re-reading this for the I-don't-know-how-many-th time. Beware the Horseman!
Finished it last night. I was left with such a smile and I almost want to read it again right away, but i've been unpacking books this past week, so who knows what will be next!
This book was my introduction to the world of Piers Anthony. To be brief, I've never looked back.
Eventually, I'll write a more in depth review, but the short version is if you do not like puns, you won't enjoy any of the Xanth novels. If you want to laugh, sit back an enjoy the ride.
Re-reading this for the I-don't-know-how-many-th time. Beware the Horseman!
Finished it last night. I was left with such a smile and I almost want to read it again right away, but i've been unpacking books this past week, so who knows what will be next!
kaiouelios's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
2.75
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
3.0
Least enjoyable of the six Xanth books I've read so far, but still a good yarn. I don't think this one was as clever as the others, just more straightforward story telling with existing characters. Still enjoyed it...and will tackle the next one soon.
waden34's review
3.0
This was a fun quick read. It was good to see some of the characters that have been left out of the last few books.