What do you think?
Rate this book
Xanth #30
Stork Naked
Surprise Golem and her beloved husband, Umlaut, were more than delighted when, after a most delicious and delightful honeymoon, the stork arrived with their long-awaited baby boy. But their delight turned to consternation when the stork, a rookie named Stymie, refused to deliver him! He disqualified Surprise on a technicality, claiming she was too young, just because she had been five years old when she herself had been delivered.
Before Surprise could protest, Stymie absconded with her little one, setting off in search of a more suitable set of parents. But when Surprise attempted to track them down, she found they had vanished without a trace! Anxious and outraged, she took her problem to the Good Magician Humfrey. To her utter astonishment, he refused her request, choosing instead to pair her up with Che Centaur, who was also looking for a lost one—the all-wise bird called the Simurgh, who watched over the universe.
And to make matters worse, Surprise was required to take an odd group of companions along on her quest, including the two half-demon children of the Demoness Metria—Demon Ted and DeMonica—a foul-mouthed fowl known as the Pet Peeve, and an ageless infant known as Woe Betide.
After much investigation, Surprise and Che discovered the terrible truth. Their misplaced charges had each fallen through a freakish fissure into an alternate universe, a parallel Xanth where everything was just slightly different. And the only means to locate them was the fabled Reality Mask, which could sift and sort through the infinity of all possible worlds. But the Mask was in the custody of Pyra, a fiery nymph on Lion Mountain, protected by marauding monsters.
To reach their goal, they were forced to traverse a treacherous Love Spring that caused anyone who waded in it to have amorous thoughts. Torn between their desperate longing for one another and their solemn vows to those they loved, Surprise and Che continued their quest through a host of alternate Xanths, despite unseen forces that were determined to lead them into temptation.
Before Surprise could protest, Stymie absconded with her little one, setting off in search of a more suitable set of parents. But when Surprise attempted to track them down, she found they had vanished without a trace! Anxious and outraged, she took her problem to the Good Magician Humfrey. To her utter astonishment, he refused her request, choosing instead to pair her up with Che Centaur, who was also looking for a lost one—the all-wise bird called the Simurgh, who watched over the universe.
And to make matters worse, Surprise was required to take an odd group of companions along on her quest, including the two half-demon children of the Demoness Metria—Demon Ted and DeMonica—a foul-mouthed fowl known as the Pet Peeve, and an ageless infant known as Woe Betide.
After much investigation, Surprise and Che discovered the terrible truth. Their misplaced charges had each fallen through a freakish fissure into an alternate universe, a parallel Xanth where everything was just slightly different. And the only means to locate them was the fabled Reality Mask, which could sift and sort through the infinity of all possible worlds. But the Mask was in the custody of Pyra, a fiery nymph on Lion Mountain, protected by marauding monsters.
To reach their goal, they were forced to traverse a treacherous Love Spring that caused anyone who waded in it to have amorous thoughts. Torn between their desperate longing for one another and their solemn vows to those they loved, Surprise and Che continued their quest through a host of alternate Xanths, despite unseen forces that were determined to lead them into temptation.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 31, 2006
4 people are currently reading
2571 people want to read
About the author
Piers Anthony
441 books4,216 followersThough he spent the first four years of his life in England, Piers never returned to live in his country of birth after moving to Spain and immigrated to America at age six. After graduating with a B.A. from Goddard College, he married one of his fellow students and and spent fifteen years in an assortment of professions before he began writing fiction full-time.
Piers is a self-proclaimed environmentalist and lives on a tree farm in Florida with his wife. They have two grown daughters.
Piers is a self-proclaimed environmentalist and lives on a tree farm in Florida with his wife. They have two grown daughters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
November 24, 2013
Yet another Xanth novel. I enjoyed this one, for the most part. A good quest with interesting stakes. However, I do have one nitpick: WHY didn't Surprise just use her talent to abate the love-elixir effects?? Every time it was brought up (*again* and *again*) I had to roll my eyes. Before they try to cross the water, she mentions making a spell to nullify the effects once they have crossed. She doesn't, because they thought they weren't affected, but once they realize they actually *were* affected, she should've been able to magically abate it. Instead, NOBODY in the group even considers having her try and instead it turns into this running angst theme through the whole rest of the story. Gah.
Oh, and when they were going home, would it really have taken them very long to check the last reality before choosing? The fate of Xanth is at stake, people! Seems rather irresponsible. And if that *wasn't* the right one, what happens to the "wrong" reality's Surprise et al? Will there ultimately be two of each in that reality and none in the "right" one, like there was for all the other realities they visited? One can only hope the versions from the "wrong" reality also pick the wrong (for them) reality and end up in this group's "right" reality... and I am probably way overthinking this, so I'm going to stop typing now...
Oh, and when they were going home, would it really have taken them very long to check the last reality before choosing? The fate of Xanth is at stake, people! Seems rather irresponsible. And if that *wasn't* the right one, what happens to the "wrong" reality's Surprise et al? Will there ultimately be two of each in that reality and none in the "right" one, like there was for all the other realities they visited? One can only hope the versions from the "wrong" reality also pick the wrong (for them) reality and end up in this group's "right" reality... and I am probably way overthinking this, so I'm going to stop typing now...
November 15, 2008
At this point in Piers Anthony's epic Xanth series, you're either already a fan (and a completist), or you're not. Light, fuss-free reading packed full of puns and occasionally inventive twists, the series is stil far from what it used to be - Stork Naked is proof of that. There are some fun moments as Surprise Golem goes on a doomed quest to find her child, with every character along for the ride getting their turn in the sun (Woe Betide, the child aspect of Demoness Metria, is fun and demonstrates beyond the shadow of a doubt that Anthony's best character in the past few books is a foul-mouthed, flighty demon with a vocabulary problem).
But there are huge loopholes that remain unresolved (didn't Surprise mention the possibility of using her talent to abate the after-effects of a love spell once invoked?) and twists that happen purely because it fits the story. Not that I expect anything more from the Xanth series these days; at this point I'm reading out of loyalty and because it doesn't hurt my brain to do so. But surely Anthony could take a LITTLE more care than to litter such huge, lazy, and just plain OBVIOUS shortcuts in his wake?
But there are huge loopholes that remain unresolved (didn't Surprise mention the possibility of using her talent to abate the after-effects of a love spell once invoked?) and twists that happen purely because it fits the story. Not that I expect anything more from the Xanth series these days; at this point I'm reading out of loyalty and because it doesn't hurt my brain to do so. But surely Anthony could take a LITTLE more care than to litter such huge, lazy, and just plain OBVIOUS shortcuts in his wake?
July 19, 2015
Honestly one of the worst Xanth novels I came across.
My biggest problem with this book is that one of the main conflicts in this book already had a solution before it even became a conflict.
I am referring to the love between Surprise Golem and Che Centaur.
Early in the book the two come across a body of water that is actually filled with love elixir. They decide to wade through, determining that if they DO fall in love, Surprise will just abolish it with her talent.
At first it appears as if the elixir didn't work, and that there is no problem. However, it soon becomes apparent that it did work and there is a significant attraction between the two. They cannot act on it, because they are both married. This conflict becomes a central part of the entire book.
Except they have already determined that Surprise would fix this problem if it occurred. They never remember that, and for no apparent reason.
I don't expect much from these books, just fun fluff. But come on, don't set something up and forget that you wrote about it.
My biggest problem with this book is that one of the main conflicts in this book already had a solution before it even became a conflict.
I am referring to the love between Surprise Golem and Che Centaur.
Early in the book the two come across a body of water that is actually filled with love elixir. They decide to wade through, determining that if they DO fall in love, Surprise will just abolish it with her talent.
At first it appears as if the elixir didn't work, and that there is no problem. However, it soon becomes apparent that it did work and there is a significant attraction between the two. They cannot act on it, because they are both married. This conflict becomes a central part of the entire book.
Except they have already determined that Surprise would fix this problem if it occurred. They never remember that, and for no apparent reason.
I don't expect much from these books, just fun fluff. But come on, don't set something up and forget that you wrote about it.
August 23, 2009
Surprise, surprise, and that has nothing to do with the main character's name. The email I sent in 2001 was made a part in this book, and he named a baby after me to solve a plot line. Wild. My kids think I'm famous.
May 5, 2009
Xanth books are sort of like candy corn to me. I recall really liking it, and I do sort of like it, but then it gets to be too much.
March 17, 2014
I still love Piers Anthony's Xanth series for its witticisms and humor. However, this particular book got a little slow-paced at times, which made certain chapters tedious. Overall, I enjoyed it.
August 7, 2023
This one is a bit heavy with the Demon bet involved in complicating relationships - not one of the best!
September 28, 2019
4 Stars
Stork Naked is the thirtieth book in the Xanth series by Piers Anthony. It's an action packed, crazy adventure that takes us to an alternate universe- Parallel Xanthe, where things are just a little bit different. And it all starts when Surprise Gollem and her husband Umlaut are expecting a delivery from the stork. But the stork gets other ideas, and their precious baby boy isn't delivered. So when Surprise Golem decides to track them down she finds no trace of them. What's happened? And where could they be? This is a situation that calls for the help of Magician Humfrey- but he teams her up with Che Centaur instead- who is also on the hunt for a missing 'person/bird'. Along with an odd group of companions, this band of adventurers discover a fissure to an alternate universe which will require the use of the Reality Mask to pinpoint. So they add another task to their ever growing list of mission requirements. Do they find what they're looking for? There's a lot of fun to be had in the quest to find out what happens!
The Xanthe Series is quite a really long series that has spanned many decades. I remember reading the first few books back in the very early 1980’s and was totally captivated by the epic fantasy that unfolded before my eyes. I collected all the books as each new one was released and have revisited them a few times over the years.
I can honestly say that although these books didn’t blow me away as they did the first couple of times I read them- I still really enjoyed all the adventure, magic, swords & sorcery like, epic fantasy that Mr. Anthony is renowned for.
He has imbued his stories with plenty of humour, a playfulness, lots of fun, action, some history, conspiracies, secrets, surprising developments, and much, much more. We meet so many varied and original characters along the way- the books are full of wonderful fictional beasts and paranormal creatures. From centaurs, to demons, dragons, fauns, gargoyles, goblins, golems, harpies, merfolk, elves, nymphs, ogres, zombies, and curse fiends- and a few more I am sure have slipped my mind.
The world of Xanthe is wonderfully rich and vividly descriptive. It is really well written and is so easy to imagine, it came to life before my eyes. Each ‘person’ in Xanthe is born with their own unique magical ability, which is called a ‘talent’. We follow along on many epic adventures and explore the world as the story unfolds.
I have many fond memories of reading this book/series and it’s definitely a series that’s worth exploring- especially for any epic fantasy lover who loves some fun and humour served with their adventure.
Thank you, Mr. Anthony!
Stork Naked is the thirtieth book in the Xanth series by Piers Anthony. It's an action packed, crazy adventure that takes us to an alternate universe- Parallel Xanthe, where things are just a little bit different. And it all starts when Surprise Gollem and her husband Umlaut are expecting a delivery from the stork. But the stork gets other ideas, and their precious baby boy isn't delivered. So when Surprise Golem decides to track them down she finds no trace of them. What's happened? And where could they be? This is a situation that calls for the help of Magician Humfrey- but he teams her up with Che Centaur instead- who is also on the hunt for a missing 'person/bird'. Along with an odd group of companions, this band of adventurers discover a fissure to an alternate universe which will require the use of the Reality Mask to pinpoint. So they add another task to their ever growing list of mission requirements. Do they find what they're looking for? There's a lot of fun to be had in the quest to find out what happens!
The Xanthe Series is quite a really long series that has spanned many decades. I remember reading the first few books back in the very early 1980’s and was totally captivated by the epic fantasy that unfolded before my eyes. I collected all the books as each new one was released and have revisited them a few times over the years.
I can honestly say that although these books didn’t blow me away as they did the first couple of times I read them- I still really enjoyed all the adventure, magic, swords & sorcery like, epic fantasy that Mr. Anthony is renowned for.
He has imbued his stories with plenty of humour, a playfulness, lots of fun, action, some history, conspiracies, secrets, surprising developments, and much, much more. We meet so many varied and original characters along the way- the books are full of wonderful fictional beasts and paranormal creatures. From centaurs, to demons, dragons, fauns, gargoyles, goblins, golems, harpies, merfolk, elves, nymphs, ogres, zombies, and curse fiends- and a few more I am sure have slipped my mind.
The world of Xanthe is wonderfully rich and vividly descriptive. It is really well written and is so easy to imagine, it came to life before my eyes. Each ‘person’ in Xanthe is born with their own unique magical ability, which is called a ‘talent’. We follow along on many epic adventures and explore the world as the story unfolds.
I have many fond memories of reading this book/series and it’s definitely a series that’s worth exploring- especially for any epic fantasy lover who loves some fun and humour served with their adventure.
Thank you, Mr. Anthony!
February 9, 2021
Two and a half stars for what has to be his best book in years. There was/is a very interesting issue concerning alternate realities that could theoretically destroy the Xanth universe since it is clear/likely that they went back to the wrong reality. For example, two pieces of matter cannot occupy huge same space. If they are in the wrong reality, they could meet their alternate selves as they did in the other realities, and were they to touch (it’s not clear in this novel whether such a touching occurred, so I would say no) some kind of paradox would be created. Knowing our author, this would probably just create a dumb pun and that would magically take care of the problem, but in the world of Mundania, could be the end of all things ( multiple dimensions aside). In any event, while there was another dumb Demon bet going on in the background pushing the action, Morgan le Antagonist makes another appearance to get back into Xanth. Apparently she is still not creative enough to sneak in there and now everyone in Xanth and Mundania knows who she is now and how to thwart her. Che’s solution in this episode, while creative, was not permanent enough to get rid of her, so I’m sure we’ll see her try again. At least I was able to enjoy this one, and it was a quick read for once. Onwards!!!
August 14, 2020
A new Xanth book was recommended to me a month or so ago and it dawned on my that I didn't even know Piers Anthony was still alive, let alone still writing. I'd had the entire series in paper/hardback for years, but hadn't read any since 1997. Decided that I'd better get back in the game. This is the only one I couldn't get from my shelf of haven't read yets - again paper/hardback and more recently the kindle since I blindly bought them for years. Anyway, I digress. If you enjoy a good pun, and sadly many don't, but many more do, the wacky wonderful world of Xanth is definitely for you. It is really better to read them in order since they make more sense that way, but I have to get this one back to the library since it is Inter-library-loan and has a due date, so it's not quite in the right order. I am just too easily distracted by so many books, but once I sit down and concentrate on a book, I can read it rather quickly.
This is indeed a great series. Most of them are readily available in digital form, but if you are lucky and have an awesome library with good interlibrary loan capabilities, they are sitting somewhere on a shelf waiting for you to find them. Give Xanth a try!
This is indeed a great series. Most of them are readily available in digital form, but if you are lucky and have an awesome library with good interlibrary loan capabilities, they are sitting somewhere on a shelf waiting for you to find them. Give Xanth a try!
August 31, 2025
I spent much of this month reading Xanth books. A total of 5.
This one about Surprise and her failed stork delivery due to a confusion with her actual age was not a favourite.
I found the events and the emotional problems faced by the characters, to be beyond the normal Xanth world and leaning towards more Mundania and wondered if the author was reflecting on his own romantic experiences of the past.
This one about Surprise and her failed stork delivery due to a confusion with her actual age was not a favourite.
I found the events and the emotional problems faced by the characters, to be beyond the normal Xanth world and leaning towards more Mundania and wondered if the author was reflecting on his own romantic experiences of the past.
June 1, 2020
The Xanth books by Piers Anthony were one of the first SciFi/Fantasy series I ever read. I love puns so I have always enjoyed them. Upon re-reading them I can see that they have some weaknesses but overall they stand the test of time. They are a fun and fast read that keeps me amused without any deep thinking required.
December 19, 2020
Surprise has to find her baby when the stork decides not to deliver it as her registered age is 13 instead of the 18 she actually is.
Not a bad plot, but I'm getting very tired of the Adult Conspiracy theme in his latest books, and also everything leading back to sex. I love the earlier books where romance or companionship is more the theme so this is a disturbing trend to me.
Not a bad plot, but I'm getting very tired of the Adult Conspiracy theme in his latest books, and also everything leading back to sex. I love the earlier books where romance or companionship is more the theme so this is a disturbing trend to me.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
January 20, 2017
This was the 30th installment in the Xanth Series. It focuses mainly on Surprise, Che Centaur, and the Pet Peeve.
The book starts off with Surprise awaiting a delivery. She and her husband Umlaut signaled the stork and she was waiting for her baby. However, when the stork arrived, he would not deliver her baby because they had her as 13 years old in their records. Surprise forgot to correct her delivery date so Stork Works had her being too young. On top of that, the stork that was delivering the baby was on probation, and he did not want to make another mistake and flew away with Surprise's baby. So, she did what any reasonable citizen of Xanth would do...she went to ask the Good Magician for an answer. Since she was babysitting at the time she had to take along the Pet Peeve, Demon Ted and DeMonica.
Her answer to forget the baby. When she refused, she was sent out on a mission with Che Centaur. It seems that the Simurgh has gone missing, and it may be that she may be trapped in an alternate Xanth dimension, one which the stork went to to deliver Surprise Golem's baby. With the kids, and Demoness Metria (locked in her Woe Betide stage) they start out on their journey. Along the way, the meet up with the stork that miss delivered the baby, a women who has a talent with fire named Pyra, Che and Surprise have to wade through a lake of love elixir and have to fight the urges they now feel for one another, visit 6 different dimensions of alternate Xanth realities, and fight with Morgan Le Fay...all over a Demon bet. Can Surprise be corrupted?
This was a pretty good installment in the Xanth series. It took a little time to get into the story, but it was a pretty quick read overall and had many of the things that make a Xanth series book fun...puns, magic, and more puns. I would recommend it to any fan of the Xanth series, and while it can be a stand alone book, I would recommend that readers first read Pet Peeve. This book seems like a sequel to that one more than other Xanth books are.
The book starts off with Surprise awaiting a delivery. She and her husband Umlaut signaled the stork and she was waiting for her baby. However, when the stork arrived, he would not deliver her baby because they had her as 13 years old in their records. Surprise forgot to correct her delivery date so Stork Works had her being too young. On top of that, the stork that was delivering the baby was on probation, and he did not want to make another mistake and flew away with Surprise's baby. So, she did what any reasonable citizen of Xanth would do...she went to ask the Good Magician for an answer. Since she was babysitting at the time she had to take along the Pet Peeve, Demon Ted and DeMonica.
Her answer to forget the baby. When she refused, she was sent out on a mission with Che Centaur. It seems that the Simurgh has gone missing, and it may be that she may be trapped in an alternate Xanth dimension, one which the stork went to to deliver Surprise Golem's baby. With the kids, and Demoness Metria (locked in her Woe Betide stage) they start out on their journey. Along the way, the meet up with the stork that miss delivered the baby, a women who has a talent with fire named Pyra, Che and Surprise have to wade through a lake of love elixir and have to fight the urges they now feel for one another, visit 6 different dimensions of alternate Xanth realities, and fight with Morgan Le Fay...all over a Demon bet. Can Surprise be corrupted?
This was a pretty good installment in the Xanth series. It took a little time to get into the story, but it was a pretty quick read overall and had many of the things that make a Xanth series book fun...puns, magic, and more puns. I would recommend it to any fan of the Xanth series, and while it can be a stand alone book, I would recommend that readers first read Pet Peeve. This book seems like a sequel to that one more than other Xanth books are.
December 29, 2009
Xanth #30: Stork Naked, by Piers Anthony
Surprise Golem gets the shock of her life when her baby is delivered, but the stork flies off with the baby because of a technicality. She immediately decides to see the Good Magician, to find out how to get her baby back. He tries to dissuade her from her quest, but Surprise is a good girl with morals, and already loves her baby, so she sets off on a mission to attempt to rescue the infant.
But what Surprise doesn't know is that she is part of a Demon bet. Two of the characters that join her quest, Stymy Stork and Pyra, are the agents of the Demons. Each has a reason for wanting Surprise to succeed or fail, because then they will get their heart's desire.
Surprise and Che Centaur, who is on a mission of his own trying to find the Simurgh, adventure through the alternate realities of Xanth. Not content with the endless possibilities offered by the moons of Ida (explored in previous books), Anthony introduces an alternate reality concept, and Surprise and Che visit 6 realities out of an infinite number of realities.
I didn't really enjoy this Xanth novel; I think a large portion of it, especially around the middle, could have been cut out and that would have improved the book quite a bit. "Stork Naked" feels quite fractured, probably because the viewpoint switches often, from Surprise, to Che, to Stymy, and so on; at one point, each character has their own chapter. Things jumped around too much and at some points I had to look back because I was confused on how the characters got from A to B. At times the puns were too overwhelming, and it seemed as if Anthony was just trying to clear his backlog of readers' suggestions. A few parts were interesting, but they weren't enough to overcome the rest of the book's faults.
2/5.
Surprise Golem gets the shock of her life when her baby is delivered, but the stork flies off with the baby because of a technicality. She immediately decides to see the Good Magician, to find out how to get her baby back. He tries to dissuade her from her quest, but Surprise is a good girl with morals, and already loves her baby, so she sets off on a mission to attempt to rescue the infant.
But what Surprise doesn't know is that she is part of a Demon bet. Two of the characters that join her quest, Stymy Stork and Pyra, are the agents of the Demons. Each has a reason for wanting Surprise to succeed or fail, because then they will get their heart's desire.
Surprise and Che Centaur, who is on a mission of his own trying to find the Simurgh, adventure through the alternate realities of Xanth. Not content with the endless possibilities offered by the moons of Ida (explored in previous books), Anthony introduces an alternate reality concept, and Surprise and Che visit 6 realities out of an infinite number of realities.
I didn't really enjoy this Xanth novel; I think a large portion of it, especially around the middle, could have been cut out and that would have improved the book quite a bit. "Stork Naked" feels quite fractured, probably because the viewpoint switches often, from Surprise, to Che, to Stymy, and so on; at one point, each character has their own chapter. Things jumped around too much and at some points I had to look back because I was confused on how the characters got from A to B. At times the puns were too overwhelming, and it seemed as if Anthony was just trying to clear his backlog of readers' suggestions. A few parts were interesting, but they weren't enough to overcome the rest of the book's faults.
2/5.
August 5, 2009
I learned that using (an abundance of) puns in a book is fine, until you make your characters realize they're puns.
I simply cannot finish this book. Every time a pun is used AND EXPLAINED I cringe. It really feels like the author expects his readers to have an IQ of 70 as he explains everything. I feel insulted on every page. An example that was the last straw:
Not that bad, you think. No. If it was left with that, it was just a very obvious and not very funny pun. But...:
Just in case the reader didn't!
I'm sorry I wasted $5.99 and a couple hours to get this far, but I give up. And that hasn't happened in years.
I simply cannot finish this book. Every time a pun is used AND EXPLAINED I cringe. It really feels like the author expects his readers to have an IQ of 70 as he explains everything. I feel insulted on every page. An example that was the last straw:
"I met an imp named Otence once," Pyra remarked. "His/her talent was to make males lose that sort of interest. I'm uncertain of the imp's gender. Maybe you should check with it."
Not that bad, you think. No. If it was left with that, it was just a very obvious and not very funny pun. But...:
Imp Otence. Che got it.
Just in case the reader didn't!
I'm sorry I wasted $5.99 and a couple hours to get this far, but I give up. And that hasn't happened in years.
May 15, 2016
So, in Piers Anthony's magical land of Xanth, wee babes of all kinds are delivered by the storks...! And as we have all seen in Tom & Jerry cartoons, just how horribly awry that can go...!
In this instance, said stork has sailed off course and has been sucked into a hole, in the fabric of reality. What is Surprise Golem, the expectant mother who has just lost her new baby, going to do? No surprise here; off adventuring to search for the wee bundle.
Set on a certain quest to track down and retrieve her lost little one, she meets all sorts of punny denizens of Xanth and also journeys far through many Xanth worlds. But in the spirit of things... I will leave the rest as a... Surprise!!!
This is his thirtieth novel, and as far as I am concerned he can keep cranking them out, they're great; his fans love them!
In this instance, said stork has sailed off course and has been sucked into a hole, in the fabric of reality. What is Surprise Golem, the expectant mother who has just lost her new baby, going to do? No surprise here; off adventuring to search for the wee bundle.
Set on a certain quest to track down and retrieve her lost little one, she meets all sorts of punny denizens of Xanth and also journeys far through many Xanth worlds. But in the spirit of things... I will leave the rest as a... Surprise!!!
This is his thirtieth novel, and as far as I am concerned he can keep cranking them out, they're great; his fans love them!
July 29, 2013
Where previous Xanth books were clever, often with interesting solutions to silly problems and just enough clever wordplay to set Xanth apart from other fantasy settings, Stork Naked is simply tedious. The plot feels contrived, and many chapters, even whole subplots, are simply engines to deliver as many puns as possible. The wordplay that was once such a definitive part of the series has been twisted, until you get the impression Anthony had a list of puns he hadn't used yet, and threw together something he could put them in.
I would recommend it as a chapter-a-night book to read with kids before they go to sleep, except that the majority of the plot is wholly inappropriate for children.
Really, the only redeeming quality is the sheer creativity Anthony continues to display.
I would recommend it as a chapter-a-night book to read with kids before they go to sleep, except that the majority of the plot is wholly inappropriate for children.
Really, the only redeeming quality is the sheer creativity Anthony continues to display.
April 12, 2014
Xanth is always really good. But this was not one of the greats. Lots of holes. Surprise can do any talent she can think of once, but often doesn't think of anything. She has a plan to avoid a certain situation they find themselves in, but then never does implement the plan, to their constant inconvenience. Then it just kind of ended, like "okay, I'm bored with writing this book, "They All Live Happily Ever After The End." But a nice way to try to mix SciFi ideas with Fantasy. And a great new twist on how to show different versions of Xanth without using one of Ida's numerous moons. And there is an almost prophetic feel to the whole story. Like we are getting a glimpse into the state of Piers' own marriage.
February 14, 2012
There's really no rating a single Xanth book, because while they each are different, they are also the same but right now, I'm loving the sameness because I know what to expect and can be happy and relaxed and just lose myself in this world for a while.
"Stork Naked" is no different. It was fun and naughty and crazy, with some bigger themes wrapped up in the zaniness. It was the perfect I'm-sick-and-can't-leave-the-couch book. I read this one in one day and will be starting the next one this morning.
So, say what you want, but I enjoy the hell out of the books every time I read one, even when I pretty much always know what's going to happen. I love it anyway!
"Stork Naked" is no different. It was fun and naughty and crazy, with some bigger themes wrapped up in the zaniness. It was the perfect I'm-sick-and-can't-leave-the-couch book. I read this one in one day and will be starting the next one this morning.
So, say what you want, but I enjoy the hell out of the books every time I read one, even when I pretty much always know what's going to happen. I love it anyway!
July 15, 2016
The book centers on Surprise Golem. She is refused her baby from the stork because of the Storkworks first mishap in delivering her. They have her listed as five years younger than she is. Of course, the big D demons are behind this in some devious way. I'm not going to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read by giving away anymore than I have. I love all of the Xanth series. Even with seeing some contempt for these books by critics. If there are people who haven't read these books, I think you should. They are very punny and fantastical. You can read pretty much any book in the series and not have to worry about starting from the first.
October 21, 2013
Piers Anthony takes us into another adventure in the punny world of Xanth. As usual, a visit to the Good Magician leads the main characters on the quest for an answer. This time, it is not just Xanth main that Surprise and her fellow travellers visit. This time they must access alternate realities in order to complete their quest. But, as usual there is a bit of a twist. Forces are working against the group, trying to make them fail. Some new characters and new worlds create a different venture for Xanth fans.
September 26, 2022
"It is fairly easy to choose between right and wrong, when you know which is which. It is harder to choose between wrong and wrong, or between mixed situations."
Yet another pun-filled Xanth novel. We finally get a deeper look into the intricacies of how stork delivery works (mostly because the plot is started when one of those deliveries gets messed up). Then we go on a regular Xanth adventure with a mismatched group of creatures. Love-spring foul ups, alternate realities (when before we've really only seen Mundania, the Gourd, and Ida's moons.
Yet another pun-filled Xanth novel. We finally get a deeper look into the intricacies of how stork delivery works (mostly because the plot is started when one of those deliveries gets messed up). Then we go on a regular Xanth adventure with a mismatched group of creatures. Love-spring foul ups, alternate realities (when before we've really only seen Mundania, the Gourd, and Ida's moons.
December 23, 2013
Surprise Golem is always a great character to have along on an adventure, but this one is her very own. When her baby gets taken back by a mistaken stork, Che and Surprise along with a select few companions must go in search, across all kinds of different realities. What they learn shocks them into new realizations about their current relationships and may mean Xanth will never be the same again.
You know the rating, five stars!
You know the rating, five stars!
October 31, 2010
Not to bad, as usual with the Xanth series it is full of puns, and sometimes while reading you have to stop (at least I do anyway) and think to actually get the pun. But all in all a good read if you like Piers Anthony and the Xanth series.
May 11, 2012
using puns and suggestive wording Anthony brings another story about innocence and its loss on xanth.
the traditional xanth with the adult conspiracy and all... this story explores the great conspiracy and why the world needs it
a great story of personal triumph
the traditional xanth with the adult conspiracy and all... this story explores the great conspiracy and why the world needs it
a great story of personal triumph
May 21, 2021
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
October 5, 2007
I will finish reading this book probably by Oct. 7.
It is a pretty good one. The more books made, the more puns-per-book. but stil fun. and I like the talentssss.
It is a pretty good one. The more books made, the more puns-per-book. but stil fun. and I like the talentssss.
November 20, 2007
I normally enjoy Piers Anthony's fantasy books, but this one did not draw me in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews