Not having read the first book, Hair Power, I was delighted by the accessibility of the sequel. You don’t have to read the first to understand the second; everything necessary is outlined in the short and simple Introduction to the text.
Hair Suite is exactly what you might expect from Piers Anthony: fun, unexpected, and more than a little wacky! I liked this book better than others by Anthony; the plot is not only intriguing but also fairly clever. The characters also felt more dimensional and developed than his usual style; relationships between these characters felt refreshingly natural and established. Perhaps the first book allowed Anthony a longer time to get in the characters head, thereby aiding both of these aspects, which are not usually a strong point in his novels.
Furthermore, I was impressed with the high level world building in Anthony’s novel. Right from the opening scene, the world feels established and lived-in. This is particularly impressive in light of the inclusion of aliens and a world order including both these aliens alongside humans.
Overall, this is one of Anthony’s best works yet. Hair Suite is perfect as either a standalone or the sequel to Hair Power. It’s an ideal quick read that will take you on a wonky and unexpected adventure.
DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts are my own.