A Tryst of Fate

Xanth #45

by Piers Anthony

You're better wed than dead--even in Xanth--in the hilariously punny new adventure in the fantasy series soon to be adapted for film and television!

Squid may only be a tween alien cuttlefish, but her feelings for Chaos, her Demon boyfriend, are real, which is why she's more than ready to let someone else take over as the protagonist of this story. Being a main character is exhausting--and it's drastically cutting down her flirting time with Chaos. But their alternate future is dependent upon their completion of one final mission . . .

Seven years from now, in another reality frame, things are not so picture perfect. Squid's dream of happily ever after turns into happily never after when Chaos's human host is murdered the night before their wedding. So before they become newly dead instead of newly wed, Squid and Chaos must travel through time in order to meet their maker . . .

Praise for Piers Anthony

"Piers Anthony is one of those authors who can perform magic with the ordinary. . . . [He] is a craftsman." --A Reader's Guide to Science Fiction

"Anthony's unflagging sparkle, verve and wordplay spin everyday trials of Mundane life into storytelling gold." --Publishers Weekly

Genres: Fantasy

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 19, 2021

About the author

Though 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.

Reviews

[Kaylee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was... different. I expect all the off-hand comments about gender and using "assets" and the sex with Anthony. Well, there was a lot more sex in this one but I also think that had a huge thing to do with the MCs actually being adults. That's... getting more and more difficult to read, especially with his use of "ugly/beautiful." But normally I can push those aside because I love Anthony's writing style and he has some great ideas.

This one, however... It had a lot more explanation than ever. There were literal paragraphs of a character explaining what was going on or what had happened (even a full-on monologue), and info that we already had. Normally there isn't that repetition either. Oh yeah, the random telepathy everywhere. Everywhere. Everyone had it. Seemed to be a short-cut of types but then things still were explained.

This one was violent. That doesn't bother me. I get it with the plot and all as well but... It was just strange, especially with the numerous suicide/suicide attempt mentions. Anthony rarely mentions anything with suicide and for it to happen multiple times in one book... Has me worried.

I did not want to pick this book back up - I even had to borrow it from the library twice (and wait for it) since it had expired. That makes me incredibly sad.

I can only cross my fingers for the next book. I don't want things to go back the way they were - that just makes no sense. But, at the same time, I do hope that some things are dialed down a bit. I would like more of the plot back. Crossing fingers and toes that the "Young Prince Ion" mentioned for the next book is not child young. We finally escaped that here!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the final book of 2022 and it couldn't have ended on a more complicted note. I've reading the Zanth novels since the beginning and there was a point in time where Piers hit a slump. Not him personally, but I felt a lack of interest in the series. Considered adding him to the permanent retired pile and then changed my mind. I would ride it out till the end, because the end is coming. We are both aware he can't write forever and at some point the books would just....stop.

But he managed to pull a series and complex surprise with this one. It was a tad slow in the beginning, but the puns, complex story line, scene's from my childhood (you'll have to read it to understand) and I think we read the same book at some point.

Some of the characters reflect a sci-fi book I read back int he '80's where the main characters could be either male or female upon maturity. Not an easy as it sounds. It was a fascninating read and it was a single novel or one time story and it resonates in this current novel.

The storyline is very complex with all the Zanth oddities that you would expect. It comes as the last book of the year, but there are at least 3 more books in the series. You will have to read this one to get the full impact of why I was taken with it. Enjoy

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I think Mr. Anthony has run out of topics, he finds something new to pun about. All Xanth novels have punny titles and contain outrageous puns. This one starts with something buzzing around one of the characters. When caught it turns out to be a flying eyeball--the Eye of the Bee-holder. And it gets worse from there. If you don't like puns, you won't like Xanth. There are a lot of sexual situations; you also won't like Xanth if you're a prude. However, those of us who like puns and don't mind fairly tasteful discussion of sexiness eagerly await the next book. I liked the early Xanth books best, but I enjoyed this one. Recommended.

[Hazel · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I started this one and saw Squid and Laurelai I groaned, but we moved away from them quickly, and I began to enjoy the story. I really enjoyed following the travels of these new characters. The bugs bunny and Ninja Turtle elements are a little too much for me but I can just manage to squeeze past that awkwardness. The ending also falls a bit flat, and I could use a break from all the big D Demon shenanigans.

Still the fantastical elements were quite fun.

[Nathan Dehoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Xanth book, but it focuses on a new character, an artificial assassin called Goar Golem. He kills Squid and Larry (they get better, I think), and has to atone for his misdeeds. Then he meets up with a nymph whose job is to spread cancer. As usual, the plot shifts from one thing to another pretty rapidly, including such oddities as travel back in time with a paleontologist to get a baby spinosaurus for a dragon, and an alliance of monsters against an invasion. And obviously there are a lot of puns, panty flashes, and fast hookups. Interestingly, someone I know is actually credited with one of the puns. The story would probably be more interesting if they made more use of Goar's strange composition, instead of just saying that he's unattractive.

[John (Hey Y'all Listen Up) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn't perfect. It does drag a little bit in the middle. Some of the content may offend some people. It's the 45th book in the series, so you should already know what you're getting into at this point. With all that said, this book is laugh out loud funny. The puns come at a good pace. The ending is clever. In other words, just what I want from a Xanth novel.

[Sally · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Xanth series has always been light-hearted, feel good fantasy. This book is quite dark. It starts literally grisly then the reader is expected to follow the story from the point of view of a hack saw murdering machine. If the author wants to write murder mystery, he should start a new series not ruin Xanth.

[Anndrea Chaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xanth never disappoints

I have loved Xanth books for years! I'm always anxiously awaiting the next one! This book as well as the others before has not disappointed. This book is perfect for anyone that loves a great story and pungent puns! Thank you Mr. Anthony for bringing years of wonder to my childhood and now into adulthood! May your stories live on in infamy!

[steven wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun reading

A more adult themed Xanth tome, but enjoyable with the expected puns and difficult choices. It was nice to see more of Squid as an important presence even if not the protagonist.

[Robert Whiting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the saga

This was another brilliant addition to the Xanth saga. The characters were engaging as usual; and a contest between Demons is always mischief, but fun to be apart of.

[John Lash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone is a cri tic. Took me a little bit to get into this one. I’m overjoyed that it wasn’t over filled with puns. I’m glad to see the writing style is more like the early days. However I did feel there was a lot of fluff in this book. Overall not bad.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final chapters made the whole series of adventures worth it.

[Lawana Sisam · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF! Too far out there for me. I'm just not into science fiction. I can see where SF fans would love this. Anthony has quite an imagination!

[Vader · Rating 3 out of 5]

5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not complete it.

[Scott Moritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of the better Xanth books.