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Xanth #13
Isle of View
Lovelorn
Loveworn Love Lost
Loveworn Love Lost
Perplexed Prince Dolph, Xanth's precocious shapeshifter, should be in love but isn't. Nonetheless, he must choose between two fiancees--Nada the uninterested and Electra the uninteresting--or all three of them will suffer the most dire consequences. Luckily a convenient catastrophe has popped up to distract Dolph from his dilemma--the foal-napping of young Che Centaur by goblins. And the only one who knows where Che is is a nice but remarkably naive elflike girl named Jenny from the World of Two Moons. If anyone can save the missing centaur...she sure can't.
344 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
100 people are currently reading
2241 people want to read
About the author
Piers Anthony
438 books4,210 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
February 14, 2015
The last Xanth book that I read
30 December 2011
Well, I am finally at the end of all of the Xanth novels that I have read. I really do not know why I went through them all and wrote a comment on them, but I guess it is something that I felt that I had to do. I guess I really did persist through these novels, but then at the time that I was reading them, I was enjoying them, however I stopped here, for numerous reasons. I guess one of the main reasons is that I temporarily moved away from reading. While I would still read during this period of my life, I ended up spending more time with friends, and unfortunately reading is not something that one can necessarily do with friends. The most social aspect of reading, such as this website, is when one joins a bookclub, reads the same book, and then gets together and discusses them. However my friends were not real readers at the time, so I guess I was a bit of the odd one out. However, when I moved on from these friends of mine, I began to pick up books again. I guess in the end, reading is in my blood.
It was also helpful going through these books and I also discovered the Spellsinger series, which I have read all of, but never actually put on the list of books that I have read. I do not mean the Goodreads list, but rather an external list that I am going through, and as I add a book to Goodreads, I delete it from the list. It is slow work, but at least it encourages me to think about all of the books that I have read.
30 December 2011
Well, I am finally at the end of all of the Xanth novels that I have read. I really do not know why I went through them all and wrote a comment on them, but I guess it is something that I felt that I had to do. I guess I really did persist through these novels, but then at the time that I was reading them, I was enjoying them, however I stopped here, for numerous reasons. I guess one of the main reasons is that I temporarily moved away from reading. While I would still read during this period of my life, I ended up spending more time with friends, and unfortunately reading is not something that one can necessarily do with friends. The most social aspect of reading, such as this website, is when one joins a bookclub, reads the same book, and then gets together and discusses them. However my friends were not real readers at the time, so I guess I was a bit of the odd one out. However, when I moved on from these friends of mine, I began to pick up books again. I guess in the end, reading is in my blood.
It was also helpful going through these books and I also discovered the Spellsinger series, which I have read all of, but never actually put on the list of books that I have read. I do not mean the Goodreads list, but rather an external list that I am going through, and as I add a book to Goodreads, I delete it from the list. It is slow work, but at least it encourages me to think about all of the books that I have read.
Read
October 7, 2013I read through 17 of the Xanth series over a short period of time, years ago, and remember this as my favorite! In re-reading it, I picked up right where I left off - in love with Piers Anthony's style of writing! The puns, plot twists and cohesiveness are exhilerating. Let's just say that the Isle is a 'place' where a Prince can't say: I love you! (or pick the 'right' girl to marry). In between this underlying dilemma, this 13th of the series adds goblins, a Centaur, and magical Elf girl (Jenny) and a love triangle that doesn't really exist, well, kind of! Light, airy, feel good sci-fi that's definitely enjoyed by word-play buffs, too!
December 27, 2016
I giggled when I read about Jenny Elf. I'm a huge fan of Elfquest so it was great to have this cute crossover.
May 10, 2021
Piers Anthony reviews his own book (and the series) in the Author's Note at the end of this book. He says:
"I have regarded Xanth as the least consequential writing I do. It's easy, fun, and popular, but the critics revile it, and it's hard to find anybody who likes it except the readers and booksellers. I have been told that I should never have done more than the first Xanth novel, and disgust abounds about this business of having as many as nine novels in a trilogy."
He seems to understand Xanth's place in the literature world better than some other author's might about their own work. I, for one, have been mostly panning this series as I re-read it. But I once, as a Xanth reader, looked forward to each new book, partly because I was really into Dungeons & Dragons, partly because the covers were gorgeous in their primary/secondary color spines and painted covers, and mostly because they were somewhat titillating to young readers. Sure, by this thirteenth book, I was in my first year of college. But reading Xanth books, by then, was more habit than anything else. I believe I stopped after The Color of Her Panties because it's a creepy book for an adult to be seen reading in public. I'm not even sure how I had the nerve to purchase it being that we didn't have online sales back then, only weird mail order book clubs and I never managed to join one of those.
What I'm trying to say is, "Yes, Xanth books aren't great. And they really lose their way at times, with some chapters becoming altars to readers who have sent in terrible puns." Generally 70% of the chapters have no bearing on the actual plot; they're just D&D style encounters which the protagonists must overcome. When I was younger, that was a plus to the books; they did read like a D&D adventure. Now, I just plow through them as if they're a checklist: the Humphrey's Castle Challenge Chapter, the Tangle Tree Chapter, the Titillating Encounter with a Topless Hybrid Creature Chapter, the Journey Through the Hypnogourd Chapter, the Mailed-in Reader's Puns Chapter. It's a bit of a chore. But it's also familiar and easy to read and kind of like catching up on family. I might think differently if I loved my family more, though. Sorry, Mom and Dad, comparing you to Xanth novels. I guess it's better than saying Douglas Coupland reminds me of my relationship with them. Or Stephen King. Or Nick Hornsby. Or Mark Z. Danielewski. Hmm, maybe the Xanth comparison is actually a compliment.
Isle of View, in particular (since this is an Isle of View review), is terrible for the first two hundred or so pages. But I gave the book three stars because I found myself interested, at the end, in the various characters and their attempted resolutions of their convoluted situations. Plus I guess this is the first book in the series to have a 17 year old and a 15 year old engage in sex. Hmm, that may have come out wrong. I didn't mean to suggest that's why I liked the end of the book! I just mean, after thirteen books of children trying to learn how to "summon the stork" but being cock-blocked by The Adult Conspiracy, it was surprising to learn, as a reader, how characters in Xanth have sex. Apparently they just hug a lot until this happens: . . .
Ha ha. Good one, Piers. Also, I'm sorry one of the worst people in the world has the same name as you.
This book features an elf from Elfquest which is probably why I liked it back when I first read it. I should re-read Elfquest so I can write this review for it: . . .
In conclusion, I shouldn't be writing reviews for Xanth books. I'm no longer their target audience. I'm now the kind of person who carries Thomas Pynchon books in public and tries to make eye contact with people who have noticed the book I'm carrying and then nod sagely, as if to say, "Why, yes, I do understand Pynchon. Do you also like my green and magenta ascot?" When I carry a Xanth novel in public, I actively avoid eye contact.
One last story about this book. The characters in the book always hear "Isle of View" as "I love you" and answer accordingly. While I was reading this book, I had it on me while visiting my cousin and her friends. She asked what I was reading. I said, "Isle of View." And she responded, like the characters in the book, "I love you too!" So, good job, Piers Anthony. I'm sorry I don't really like your books now, as a jaded and cynical adult. The fault lies entirely with me.
"I have regarded Xanth as the least consequential writing I do. It's easy, fun, and popular, but the critics revile it, and it's hard to find anybody who likes it except the readers and booksellers. I have been told that I should never have done more than the first Xanth novel, and disgust abounds about this business of having as many as nine novels in a trilogy."
He seems to understand Xanth's place in the literature world better than some other author's might about their own work. I, for one, have been mostly panning this series as I re-read it. But I once, as a Xanth reader, looked forward to each new book, partly because I was really into Dungeons & Dragons, partly because the covers were gorgeous in their primary/secondary color spines and painted covers, and mostly because they were somewhat titillating to young readers. Sure, by this thirteenth book, I was in my first year of college. But reading Xanth books, by then, was more habit than anything else. I believe I stopped after The Color of Her Panties because it's a creepy book for an adult to be seen reading in public. I'm not even sure how I had the nerve to purchase it being that we didn't have online sales back then, only weird mail order book clubs and I never managed to join one of those.
What I'm trying to say is, "Yes, Xanth books aren't great. And they really lose their way at times, with some chapters becoming altars to readers who have sent in terrible puns." Generally 70% of the chapters have no bearing on the actual plot; they're just D&D style encounters which the protagonists must overcome. When I was younger, that was a plus to the books; they did read like a D&D adventure. Now, I just plow through them as if they're a checklist: the Humphrey's Castle Challenge Chapter, the Tangle Tree Chapter, the Titillating Encounter with a Topless Hybrid Creature Chapter, the Journey Through the Hypnogourd Chapter, the Mailed-in Reader's Puns Chapter. It's a bit of a chore. But it's also familiar and easy to read and kind of like catching up on family. I might think differently if I loved my family more, though. Sorry, Mom and Dad, comparing you to Xanth novels. I guess it's better than saying Douglas Coupland reminds me of my relationship with them. Or Stephen King. Or Nick Hornsby. Or Mark Z. Danielewski. Hmm, maybe the Xanth comparison is actually a compliment.
Isle of View, in particular (since this is an Isle of View review), is terrible for the first two hundred or so pages. But I gave the book three stars because I found myself interested, at the end, in the various characters and their attempted resolutions of their convoluted situations. Plus I guess this is the first book in the series to have a 17 year old and a 15 year old engage in sex. Hmm, that may have come out wrong. I didn't mean to suggest that's why I liked the end of the book! I just mean, after thirteen books of children trying to learn how to "summon the stork" but being cock-blocked by The Adult Conspiracy, it was surprising to learn, as a reader, how characters in Xanth have sex. Apparently they just hug a lot until this happens: . . .
Ha ha. Good one, Piers. Also, I'm sorry one of the worst people in the world has the same name as you.
This book features an elf from Elfquest which is probably why I liked it back when I first read it. I should re-read Elfquest so I can write this review for it: . . .
In conclusion, I shouldn't be writing reviews for Xanth books. I'm no longer their target audience. I'm now the kind of person who carries Thomas Pynchon books in public and tries to make eye contact with people who have noticed the book I'm carrying and then nod sagely, as if to say, "Why, yes, I do understand Pynchon. Do you also like my green and magenta ascot?" When I carry a Xanth novel in public, I actively avoid eye contact.
One last story about this book. The characters in the book always hear "Isle of View" as "I love you" and answer accordingly. While I was reading this book, I had it on me while visiting my cousin and her friends. She asked what I was reading. I said, "Isle of View." And she responded, like the characters in the book, "I love you too!" So, good job, Piers Anthony. I'm sorry I don't really like your books now, as a jaded and cynical adult. The fault lies entirely with me.
April 23, 2013
Obviously the title is yet another pun. Prince Dolph is dealing with figuring out which of two girls betrothed to him is going to actually be his wife. (Guess polygamy isn't allowed in Xanth. A pity.)
I think this book was where I started to lose interest in this series. I wasn't a huge fan in the first place; I thought they were basically readable, and wanted to know all the details because my best friend loved them and we had little jokes that referenced the series, but Piers Anthony started sacrificing the integrity--ahem--of his stories to make reader input more obvious here, and one way that manifested in Isle of View was that he actually inserted a reader as a character.
I honestly could have said "Aw, that's sweet" if it had stayed a single book's touching shout-out. Jenny Elf was based on a real Jenny who had been badly injured in a car wreck, and Anthony's inclusion of a Jenny-based character was sort of his way of acknowledging an important fan. But he inserted this Jenny Elf character not so much as a Xanth character, but as a fanfiction character because Jenny preferred the elves from a different series and she wanted her character to look like ElfQuest elves, not Xanth elves. Like I said, I could have overlooked it if it was once. But Anthony also let readers send in puns, give feedback on what he should do with his characters, and have a lot of say-so in what he churned out. It sort of started to become a free-for-all of fan service and I have never liked it when that sort of thing starts to show.
Story-wise, this book focuses on how a young winged centaur got stolen by goblins, and that's because they want a royal goblin named Gwendolyn to get tutored by him and ride around on his back to hide her disability. Goblins don't look well on disabled goblins. Not sure why a goblin doesn't just ask, you know? But maybe they thought it wouldn't work? (There sure wouldn't have been any kidnapping adventure!) In the middle of this is the myopic Jenny Elf, who somehow managed to "stumble into" Xanth. She tries to help the kidnapped centaur but gets caught up in the mess. Even though the goblins "win" rights to keep young Che Centaur, his mom isn't exactly going to just let them keep her baby. So it's time for a winged monster attack! Huzzah!
The resolution Dolph makes about which fiancée he'll marry is not handled badly, at least. It's nice that we occasionally have a guy who isn't just handed a girl who feels the same as he does and they get to live happily ever after and have new kids to go on new quests to find each other and fall in love. However, I must say any book that involves female centaurs will inevitably talk about their boobies, and any book that involves Nada will inevitably talk about her boobies, and did you know this trivia about boobies? Well, boobies! Just in case you were wondering about their boobies. Because I know you were.
(Boobies.)
I think this book was where I started to lose interest in this series. I wasn't a huge fan in the first place; I thought they were basically readable, and wanted to know all the details because my best friend loved them and we had little jokes that referenced the series, but Piers Anthony started sacrificing the integrity--ahem--of his stories to make reader input more obvious here, and one way that manifested in Isle of View was that he actually inserted a reader as a character.
I honestly could have said "Aw, that's sweet" if it had stayed a single book's touching shout-out. Jenny Elf was based on a real Jenny who had been badly injured in a car wreck, and Anthony's inclusion of a Jenny-based character was sort of his way of acknowledging an important fan. But he inserted this Jenny Elf character not so much as a Xanth character, but as a fanfiction character because Jenny preferred the elves from a different series and she wanted her character to look like ElfQuest elves, not Xanth elves. Like I said, I could have overlooked it if it was once. But Anthony also let readers send in puns, give feedback on what he should do with his characters, and have a lot of say-so in what he churned out. It sort of started to become a free-for-all of fan service and I have never liked it when that sort of thing starts to show.
Story-wise, this book focuses on how a young winged centaur got stolen by goblins, and that's because they want a royal goblin named Gwendolyn to get tutored by him and ride around on his back to hide her disability. Goblins don't look well on disabled goblins. Not sure why a goblin doesn't just ask, you know? But maybe they thought it wouldn't work? (There sure wouldn't have been any kidnapping adventure!) In the middle of this is the myopic Jenny Elf, who somehow managed to "stumble into" Xanth. She tries to help the kidnapped centaur but gets caught up in the mess. Even though the goblins "win" rights to keep young Che Centaur, his mom isn't exactly going to just let them keep her baby. So it's time for a winged monster attack! Huzzah!
The resolution Dolph makes about which fiancée he'll marry is not handled badly, at least. It's nice that we occasionally have a guy who isn't just handed a girl who feels the same as he does and they get to live happily ever after and have new kids to go on new quests to find each other and fall in love. However, I must say any book that involves female centaurs will inevitably talk about their boobies, and any book that involves Nada will inevitably talk about her boobies, and did you know this trivia about boobies? Well, boobies! Just in case you were wondering about their boobies. Because I know you were.
(Boobies.)
December 2, 2013
When I first read this book a few years ago, I laughed at the title. My boyfriend asked me what was so funny, read the title and stared blankly at it. I read it aloud. Nothing. Ah, the ultimate proof some love puns, and some just don't get it!
Time is running out for Electra, as she must marry Dolph before her birthday or die. However, Dolph doesn't want to marry her, he's sure he loves only Nada. Before a wedding can occur however, Che the flying centaur foal has been foalnapped, and all of Xanth must come together to rescue him. Then of course there is Jenny, an elf from the world of Two Moons, and Sammy her cat. Jenny's story is one I won't repeat here, but read the author's note at the end for her sad story.
Signalling the stork between Dolph and Electra is just about as graphic as these books get (if you don't count all the random nudity, and because the characters don't count it, neither do I, haha) and is one of the funniest scenes to date. Xanth doesn't have the slow introduction to sex most young people get in Mundania, there's no sex ed or music videos to give you the idea. It actually reminded me of when I told my older sister that I had lost my virginity, and she looked at me funny and asked how we knew what to do, because both myself and my partner were virgins! Obviously there are some Dolphs and Electras out there still.
A very funny book, I really believe Xanth was getting close to it's absolute best at this point (my favorite books are Yon Ill Wind and Zombie Lover) and that it stays there for a good long while. Definite recommend for Xanth lovers, five stars.
Time is running out for Electra, as she must marry Dolph before her birthday or die. However, Dolph doesn't want to marry her, he's sure he loves only Nada. Before a wedding can occur however, Che the flying centaur foal has been foalnapped, and all of Xanth must come together to rescue him. Then of course there is Jenny, an elf from the world of Two Moons, and Sammy her cat. Jenny's story is one I won't repeat here, but read the author's note at the end for her sad story.
Signalling the stork between Dolph and Electra is just about as graphic as these books get (if you don't count all the random nudity, and because the characters don't count it, neither do I, haha) and is one of the funniest scenes to date. Xanth doesn't have the slow introduction to sex most young people get in Mundania, there's no sex ed or music videos to give you the idea. It actually reminded me of when I told my older sister that I had lost my virginity, and she looked at me funny and asked how we knew what to do, because both myself and my partner were virgins! Obviously there are some Dolphs and Electras out there still.
A very funny book, I really believe Xanth was getting close to it's absolute best at this point (my favorite books are Yon Ill Wind and Zombie Lover) and that it stays there for a good long while. Definite recommend for Xanth lovers, five stars.
March 20, 2015
As I mentioned in my review of Heaven Cent, this book doesn't really stand alone but rather is a conclusion of the events (well some of them) of that book. As such, it feels like that one had all the action and this is just a 300+ page epilogue.
Even though I read this at the age of 11, I found the sex scene to be way too tame. It felt like the 'adult' parts of the book were purposefully edited so that I could read it, at a time when I really, really wanted to be one of the adults.
Damn the Conspiracy!
Even though I read this at the age of 11, I found the sex scene to be way too tame. It felt like the 'adult' parts of the book were purposefully edited so that I could read it, at a time when I really, really wanted to be one of the adults.
Damn the Conspiracy!
January 22, 2016
The Xanth novels are a quick, fun and funny read. Great starter books for young fantasy readers. There is a ton of them and you can pick up any of them and start. Very recommended
September 7, 2023
Plot 3/5
This isn't my first Xanth novel, and so I knew what to expect when coming in: humorous and wacky adventures with a healthy dose of mythological creatures. The narration, for the most part, paces and flows well. The point of view switches perspectives every chapter. A structure that I'm not a fan of even when—as in this case—it's executed in a reasonable manner. Each perspective swap is clearly labeled by mentioning the name of the character who's perspective we're looking through at the beginning of each chapter (which in my opinion is the way to do it if it needs to be done at all). As a result I had no trouble following along, even if it did irk me a little. While it was paced well throughout the majority, the ending was a bit of slog for me, as it felt shallow, repetitive, and tedious to read compared to the rest of the novel.
Characters 2/5
My least favorite aspect of this book. While I found the child characters to be endearing and heartwarming, the adults and teens I found to be incredibly shallow. I am specifically not a fan of the love triangle between Dolph, Electra, and Nada which is one of the main focuses of this book I'm sad to say. The romance is poorly written and we don't get to see its development at all. Instead it happens in a single shallow moment. Many of the characters are not defined by their inner qualities, but by their gender, race, or physical appearances. A rather ridiculous notion, especially considering many of them can change forms. One would think they'd be a little less concerned about appearances, since in the world of Xanth, not everything is what it appears to be. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. As a result I found many of the main characters to be unlikable. Once again, aside from the children. I wished the story had focused more on them than the adults. The children I could see the friendship blossoming between them and it touched my heart. They were the redeeming parts and, in my mind, true stars of this novel.
Setting 4/5
It's always fun to return to Xanth and all its wonder. Though the adventures can seem somewhat silly and random at times, in my opinion, that's all part of its charm. It's what makes them stand out a part from any other fantasy series that I've read. The descriptions of the setting as we follow the characters on their adventures is vivid and rich with detail. Always making me feel right at home during my visits to this magical world. I also enjoy the incorporation of mythological creatures such as the centaur, nagas, and harpies. I may think they're shallow-minded as individuals, but it's still nice to see races other than the usual humans, elves and goblins, though those are here, too. And I also like to see the inclusion of hybrids as well. It's a well-balanced mix of familiar and the rarities. This is why I generally consider the setting to be the core strength of any Xanth novel.
Overall 3/5
As with any in the series, I'd recommend this book to anyone who has a healthy sense of humor and isn't easily offended by shallow characters or reoccurring 'battle of the sexes' type of scenarios. I know the wacky charms of Xanth is not for everyone, but I usually enjoy having a good chuckle over cheesy 'dad jokes' and puns. The random chaos is something I always look forward to when I go to pick up a book from this memorable and beloved series. Although, as a stand alone story, if I were to recommend a Xanth novel, I'd probably suggest one of the others over this one, as Isle of View fell a little short of my expectations.
This isn't my first Xanth novel, and so I knew what to expect when coming in: humorous and wacky adventures with a healthy dose of mythological creatures. The narration, for the most part, paces and flows well. The point of view switches perspectives every chapter. A structure that I'm not a fan of even when—as in this case—it's executed in a reasonable manner. Each perspective swap is clearly labeled by mentioning the name of the character who's perspective we're looking through at the beginning of each chapter (which in my opinion is the way to do it if it needs to be done at all). As a result I had no trouble following along, even if it did irk me a little. While it was paced well throughout the majority, the ending was a bit of slog for me, as it felt shallow, repetitive, and tedious to read compared to the rest of the novel.
Characters 2/5
My least favorite aspect of this book. While I found the child characters to be endearing and heartwarming, the adults and teens I found to be incredibly shallow. I am specifically not a fan of the love triangle between Dolph, Electra, and Nada which is one of the main focuses of this book I'm sad to say. The romance is poorly written and we don't get to see its development at all. Instead it happens in a single shallow moment. Many of the characters are not defined by their inner qualities, but by their gender, race, or physical appearances. A rather ridiculous notion, especially considering many of them can change forms. One would think they'd be a little less concerned about appearances, since in the world of Xanth, not everything is what it appears to be. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. As a result I found many of the main characters to be unlikable. Once again, aside from the children. I wished the story had focused more on them than the adults. The children I could see the friendship blossoming between them and it touched my heart. They were the redeeming parts and, in my mind, true stars of this novel.
Setting 4/5
It's always fun to return to Xanth and all its wonder. Though the adventures can seem somewhat silly and random at times, in my opinion, that's all part of its charm. It's what makes them stand out a part from any other fantasy series that I've read. The descriptions of the setting as we follow the characters on their adventures is vivid and rich with detail. Always making me feel right at home during my visits to this magical world. I also enjoy the incorporation of mythological creatures such as the centaur, nagas, and harpies. I may think they're shallow-minded as individuals, but it's still nice to see races other than the usual humans, elves and goblins, though those are here, too. And I also like to see the inclusion of hybrids as well. It's a well-balanced mix of familiar and the rarities. This is why I generally consider the setting to be the core strength of any Xanth novel.
Overall 3/5
As with any in the series, I'd recommend this book to anyone who has a healthy sense of humor and isn't easily offended by shallow characters or reoccurring 'battle of the sexes' type of scenarios. I know the wacky charms of Xanth is not for everyone, but I usually enjoy having a good chuckle over cheesy 'dad jokes' and puns. The random chaos is something I always look forward to when I go to pick up a book from this memorable and beloved series. Although, as a stand alone story, if I were to recommend a Xanth novel, I'd probably suggest one of the others over this one, as Isle of View fell a little short of my expectations.
August 26, 2019
4 Stars
Isle of View is the thirteenth book in the Xanth series by Piers Anthony. Prince Dolph is happy for the distraction from having to choose a fiancee- when a baby centaur is foal-napped. Che has been snatched by goblins. This puts the elflike Jenny in Prince Dolph's path- and things about to take an interesting turn.
The Xanth 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. Recently I had been reorganising my bookshelves, because eight book cases have become insufficient to house all my books (#bookwhoredilemma)- and it came to the point where I was going to have to get rid of some of my older books/series in order to make way for new favourites. I looked at all the larger/longer series first and this is one of the larger series that I have, it came under scrutiny. I decided to reread all the books I was considering getting rid of first- before making a final decision. I can honestly say that although I these books didn’t blow me away as they once did- 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/beasts. 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 I have missed.
The world of Xanth 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 Xanth 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 in the end I can’t cull any of my collection. So I decided to just purchase a couple of extra bookcases instead. #myprecious
A series worth exploring- especially for any epic fantasy lover who loves some fun and humour served with their adventure.
Thank you, Mr. Anthony!
Isle of View is the thirteenth book in the Xanth series by Piers Anthony. Prince Dolph is happy for the distraction from having to choose a fiancee- when a baby centaur is foal-napped. Che has been snatched by goblins. This puts the elflike Jenny in Prince Dolph's path- and things about to take an interesting turn.
The Xanth 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. Recently I had been reorganising my bookshelves, because eight book cases have become insufficient to house all my books (#bookwhoredilemma)- and it came to the point where I was going to have to get rid of some of my older books/series in order to make way for new favourites. I looked at all the larger/longer series first and this is one of the larger series that I have, it came under scrutiny. I decided to reread all the books I was considering getting rid of first- before making a final decision. I can honestly say that although I these books didn’t blow me away as they once did- 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/beasts. 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 I have missed.
The world of Xanth 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 Xanth 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 in the end I can’t cull any of my collection. So I decided to just purchase a couple of extra bookcases instead. #myprecious
A series worth exploring- especially for any epic fantasy lover who loves some fun and humour served with their adventure.
Thank you, Mr. Anthony!
December 4, 2017
The story I just finished reading was called "Isle of View", and it is the thirteenth book in the Xanth series. In this book, there were many main characters. The main characters that were in the book the most often were: Prince Dolph, Jenny Elf, Che Centaur, Chex centaur, Nada, and Electra. In the story, the young winged centaur, named Che, was kidnapped by goblins. Chex centaur, who is Che’s mother, gets prince Dolph, Nada, and Electra to help find her foal (along with some others). At about the same time Jenny elf shows up, and also becomes a captive of the goblin tribe. Prince Dolph and the others search for Che and have to rescue him before something bad happens. And due to a curse on Electra, Dolph has to decide whether to marry Nada, who is uninterested in him, and Electra, who he is not interested in. If he does not decide by the end of the week, Electra will die from the curse. They face many obstacles while trying to find Che, and eventually end up into a very complicated situation involving the winged monsters (who want Che back, since he is also a winged monster) and the land monsters.
I cannot really relate to any of the characters in this story, even though there are many of them. I also cannot relate to any of the adventures they had because I haven’t been on any adventures really. But I can relate this story to other stories that I have read. In this story, Prince Dolph has to choose between the thing that he wants more than anything, and the other option; which he knows is the actual right thing to do. Usually, in other stories, the main characters are faced with extremely difficult decisions, in which doing the right thing usually goes against what they want. This is how this story is similar to some other ones I have read.
The thing that I liked about this story the most is the way the plot went. The story had parts of it that were serious, and parts of it that were humorous. I think the author did really well in his way of writing and the way he made the characters. I would recommend this book to many different readers; people who like Piers Anthony’s other books, people who like books with a little humor in them, people who like fantasy novels, and even to some people who don’t read too often. It is a great book and people who read it will enjoy it. (If you read this book you should read the Xanth books that come before it, just to help you understand some things better.)
I cannot really relate to any of the characters in this story, even though there are many of them. I also cannot relate to any of the adventures they had because I haven’t been on any adventures really. But I can relate this story to other stories that I have read. In this story, Prince Dolph has to choose between the thing that he wants more than anything, and the other option; which he knows is the actual right thing to do. Usually, in other stories, the main characters are faced with extremely difficult decisions, in which doing the right thing usually goes against what they want. This is how this story is similar to some other ones I have read.
The thing that I liked about this story the most is the way the plot went. The story had parts of it that were serious, and parts of it that were humorous. I think the author did really well in his way of writing and the way he made the characters. I would recommend this book to many different readers; people who like Piers Anthony’s other books, people who like books with a little humor in them, people who like fantasy novels, and even to some people who don’t read too often. It is a great book and people who read it will enjoy it. (If you read this book you should read the Xanth books that come before it, just to help you understand some things better.)
July 14, 2023
Che, the 5 year old foal of Chex and Cherion. Chex, busy in their home had left Che out in the yard, trusting him to stay near. When she goes out to check on him, she finds him missing and about the same time a girl runs into the yard looking for her cat. This turns out to be Jenny, a elf girl from the land of two moons. Her cat, Sammy can find anything except his way home. Jenny agrees to help her find Che, when she tells Sammy, he runs quickly away and Jenny takes off after him.
Chex heads to castle Roogna to ask for help finding Che. They send out several 2 person teams to help find him.
Plus Dolph has one week to decide which of his 2 betrothed to marry. Electra will turn 18 in a week and if she doesn't marry Dolph by then she will die anyway.
That's just the start of this book and it gets better from there. Check it out!!
Chex heads to castle Roogna to ask for help finding Che. They send out several 2 person teams to help find him.
Plus Dolph has one week to decide which of his 2 betrothed to marry. Electra will turn 18 in a week and if she doesn't marry Dolph by then she will die anyway.
That's just the start of this book and it gets better from there. Check it out!!
July 26, 2024
Resolution of multiple problems
The stories are resolved. Previous books 📚 have set up the plot lines and set up to converge. The book is definitely on the clean and discrete level. Some simplistic assumptions are made but do not hinder the plots. Che, a foal, is kidnapped and needs rescuing. Jenny Elf is a crossover from another line of books, ElfQuest, used with permission. Dolph, a prince, must choose between Electra, a human girl 👧 and Nada , a Naga princess 👸. Electra will die if she doesn't marry Dolph. Things look simple but aren't. They must also help a goblin 👧, also a heiress. And a wide war needs stopping. There is nice 👌 resolution.
The stories are resolved. Previous books 📚 have set up the plot lines and set up to converge. The book is definitely on the clean and discrete level. Some simplistic assumptions are made but do not hinder the plots. Che, a foal, is kidnapped and needs rescuing. Jenny Elf is a crossover from another line of books, ElfQuest, used with permission. Dolph, a prince, must choose between Electra, a human girl 👧 and Nada , a Naga princess 👸. Electra will die if she doesn't marry Dolph. Things look simple but aren't. They must also help a goblin 👧, also a heiress. And a wide war needs stopping. There is nice 👌 resolution.
Read
October 23, 2025LovelornLoveworn Love LostPerplexed Prince Dolph, Xanth's precocious shapeshifter, should be in love but isn't. Nonetheless, he must chose between two fiancées -- Nada the uninterested and Electra the uninteresting -- or all three of them will suffer the most dire consequences. Luckily a convenient catastrophe has popped up to distract Dolph form his dilemma -- the foal-napping of young Che Centaur by goblins. And the only one who knows where Che is is a nice but remarkably naive elflike gir named Jenny from the World of Two Moons. If anyone can save the missing centaur...she sure can't.
August 21, 2025
This volume I feel like almost went to smoothly at times. I appreciate that not everyone in power was crazy or demanding but I also enjoy the chaos that comes with those types of characters. It makes it for fun and interesting interactions. So everyone semi being on the same page or just extremely interested in working things out appropriately kind of killed some of that excitement. It was still a good read and I enjoyed our new characters. Plus it was nice to see how the whole betrothed situation played out.
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July 4, 2020I really enjoyed reading this book. Normally I don’t read the Authors Notes section, but I did and learned about Jenny the Elf who based on a real girl from Mundania. Her story had me trying to read through tears clouding up my eyes. I know this novel came out in 1989 but I can’t help to wonder what became of Jenny
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2023
Hurraaayyyy! I finally found out how to call the stork! Okay, not really, but the hints are there. Fortunately, I already know what an ellipsis is (I'm a freelance copy editor).
Getting there was most of the fun. The story kept me interested better than one or two of the previous books. Good writing and interesting vignettes.
Getting there was most of the fun. The story kept me interested better than one or two of the previous books. Good writing and interesting vignettes.
November 23, 2019
I devoured these books as a kid, and they're still fun to return to now. The best kind of trash: heartfelt, full of puns, and clearly written by an author who adores his fans and his goofy fantasy world.
January 5, 2025
A masterpiece is born.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the delightful xanth stories. Not surprising to say I've love them all as well as this book. The characters are the best and the stories completed into masterpieces all.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the delightful xanth stories. Not surprising to say I've love them all as well as this book. The characters are the best and the stories completed into masterpieces all.
June 4, 2025
Did not disappoint.
Piers Anthony weaves tales of adventure better than anyone. His style makes me laugh and groan. The world he has created is beautiful and I wish rivers in our world had cookies, and fizzy drinks.
Piers Anthony weaves tales of adventure better than anyone. His style makes me laugh and groan. The world he has created is beautiful and I wish rivers in our world had cookies, and fizzy drinks.
May 6, 2016
So much of life is random chance.
In Isle Of View, a character is introduced to Xanth: Jenny the Elf. She's one of the "Elfquest" elves who winds up in Xanth through a hole in the... something... that quickly gets plugged after two monsters briefly come through.
In the author's note, Piers Anthony explains that "Jenny The Elf" is based on Jenny Gildwarg, who in the late 80s was hit by a drunk driver and ended up in a coma when she was about 12. Her parents thought it might help if she got a note from Piers Anthony, since she was a Xanth fan. He wrote her and asked if she would like to be a character in his next book, and if so, would she prefer to be an elf or an ogre? Jenny reacted and said Yes and then using her eyes said she wanted to be an elf.
So Anthony wrote her into the book, and later said he went to meet her at a convention. He later published some of his letters to her into a book Letters To Jenny and is said to have donated 10% of her profits to her.
After I finished Isle Of View (which wraps up the Dolph-is-engaged-to-two-people storyline by having Dolph fall in love after all with the girl who would otherwise die if he didn't marry her) I googled around and tried to find out what ever happened to Jenny Gildwarg. (Google, by the way, is terrible for stuff like that. Google returns the most popular results, and in a world where Piers Anthony has written hundreds of books and is famous, and two of those or so mentioned Jenny Gildwarg, you will get dozens of pages of results talking about the book and how it came to be written, but no follow ups (if they exist) on the girl herself because (presumably) those are not as popular.)
I wasn't able to determine whether she is still alive -- she'd be about 40 now -- but the book made me think about how some people get chosen and others do not.
It's a terrible thing that Jenny Gildwarg was hit by a drunk driver and paralyzed and in a coma. But Jenny had a famous(ish) author visit her, write her into a book, and pay some of her expenses, which is more than the 24,999 other people injured or killed in drunk-driving accidents that year got.
In May, 1988, a drunk driver in a pickup truck smashed into a bus, causing a gas fire. 27 people died; 34 more were injured. I wasn't able to find any celebrity help for them.
In 2010, Teagan Marti, a 12-year-old, fell from a ride in the Wisconsin Dells and was paralyzed. Charlie Sheen paid for a therapy dog for her (those cost about $25,000, depending on what training is needed.) In Texas the other day, a 16-year old girl was killed when a carnival ride flung her off. As of yet, no celebrities have stepped forward to help her out.
A few years back, the "Ice Bucket Challenge" raised all kinds of money for ALS, which is still a disease that every few years makes the news with another possible cure, each of which has yet to pan out. That 'challenge' raised $100,000,000 for ALS research. That's a lot of money. Meanwhile, the United States uses a lottery system to determine who gets "Section 8" rental assistance vouchers (intended to help families who on average make $13,000 a year obtain housing.)
I'm not saying that these people did not deserve help; it's not that Teagan Marti was more or less deserving of assistance than the Texas girl (whose friend was injured, also, in the same accident.) What is obvious though, is that we make poor choices about how best to help people.
I asked Middle Daughter this the other day on our commute from work. Suppose, I said, that God told you you could pick out one charity in the world, any charity, and God would cure the thing that charity was trying to help. Which one would you pick to do the most good?
"Autism," she said.
To do the most good, I reminded her, and she said yeah but her brothers have autism.
When we think about what will do the most good, we often make decisions that are based on the wrong criteria. 50 Cent the other day posted a video making fun of a janitor with autism; he said the guy was drunk or high. When he learned the man had autism, he apologized and donated $100,000 to autism research. I said He should have given that guy $100,000, and then thought: but which would do the most good?
It's entirely possible that Superman's best use would be to generate clean power for people so that the pollution and costs of the way we generate power now would be used to solve other problems. (This, of course, assumes that we would use those resources to solve problems, when in reality we would simply allow them to be redirected to the 1%, making Superman the greatest wealth-generating machine in history.)
Leaving aside whether that would make for a good comic book, how many people, given superpowers, would think I should definitely use these to irrigate drought-ravaged regions?
The way we decide to help people is based almost entirely on random chance, prejudices, who can afford better advertising budgets, and what is the most exciting. That's a great way to generate sympathetic news articles and good publicity, and keep life interesting. But it's a pretty awful way to run society.
In Isle Of View, a character is introduced to Xanth: Jenny the Elf. She's one of the "Elfquest" elves who winds up in Xanth through a hole in the... something... that quickly gets plugged after two monsters briefly come through.
In the author's note, Piers Anthony explains that "Jenny The Elf" is based on Jenny Gildwarg, who in the late 80s was hit by a drunk driver and ended up in a coma when she was about 12. Her parents thought it might help if she got a note from Piers Anthony, since she was a Xanth fan. He wrote her and asked if she would like to be a character in his next book, and if so, would she prefer to be an elf or an ogre? Jenny reacted and said Yes and then using her eyes said she wanted to be an elf.
So Anthony wrote her into the book, and later said he went to meet her at a convention. He later published some of his letters to her into a book Letters To Jenny and is said to have donated 10% of her profits to her.
After I finished Isle Of View (which wraps up the Dolph-is-engaged-to-two-people storyline by having Dolph fall in love after all with the girl who would otherwise die if he didn't marry her) I googled around and tried to find out what ever happened to Jenny Gildwarg. (Google, by the way, is terrible for stuff like that. Google returns the most popular results, and in a world where Piers Anthony has written hundreds of books and is famous, and two of those or so mentioned Jenny Gildwarg, you will get dozens of pages of results talking about the book and how it came to be written, but no follow ups (if they exist) on the girl herself because (presumably) those are not as popular.)
I wasn't able to determine whether she is still alive -- she'd be about 40 now -- but the book made me think about how some people get chosen and others do not.
It's a terrible thing that Jenny Gildwarg was hit by a drunk driver and paralyzed and in a coma. But Jenny had a famous(ish) author visit her, write her into a book, and pay some of her expenses, which is more than the 24,999 other people injured or killed in drunk-driving accidents that year got.
In May, 1988, a drunk driver in a pickup truck smashed into a bus, causing a gas fire. 27 people died; 34 more were injured. I wasn't able to find any celebrity help for them.
In 2010, Teagan Marti, a 12-year-old, fell from a ride in the Wisconsin Dells and was paralyzed. Charlie Sheen paid for a therapy dog for her (those cost about $25,000, depending on what training is needed.) In Texas the other day, a 16-year old girl was killed when a carnival ride flung her off. As of yet, no celebrities have stepped forward to help her out.
A few years back, the "Ice Bucket Challenge" raised all kinds of money for ALS, which is still a disease that every few years makes the news with another possible cure, each of which has yet to pan out. That 'challenge' raised $100,000,000 for ALS research. That's a lot of money. Meanwhile, the United States uses a lottery system to determine who gets "Section 8" rental assistance vouchers (intended to help families who on average make $13,000 a year obtain housing.)
I'm not saying that these people did not deserve help; it's not that Teagan Marti was more or less deserving of assistance than the Texas girl (whose friend was injured, also, in the same accident.) What is obvious though, is that we make poor choices about how best to help people.
I asked Middle Daughter this the other day on our commute from work. Suppose, I said, that God told you you could pick out one charity in the world, any charity, and God would cure the thing that charity was trying to help. Which one would you pick to do the most good?
"Autism," she said.
To do the most good, I reminded her, and she said yeah but her brothers have autism.
When we think about what will do the most good, we often make decisions that are based on the wrong criteria. 50 Cent the other day posted a video making fun of a janitor with autism; he said the guy was drunk or high. When he learned the man had autism, he apologized and donated $100,000 to autism research. I said He should have given that guy $100,000, and then thought: but which would do the most good?
It's entirely possible that Superman's best use would be to generate clean power for people so that the pollution and costs of the way we generate power now would be used to solve other problems. (This, of course, assumes that we would use those resources to solve problems, when in reality we would simply allow them to be redirected to the 1%, making Superman the greatest wealth-generating machine in history.)
Leaving aside whether that would make for a good comic book, how many people, given superpowers, would think I should definitely use these to irrigate drought-ravaged regions?
The way we decide to help people is based almost entirely on random chance, prejudices, who can afford better advertising budgets, and what is the most exciting. That's a great way to generate sympathetic news articles and good publicity, and keep life interesting. But it's a pretty awful way to run society.
September 2, 2017
This is the 13th in the Xanth series and the books are very good. This book is not quite as punny but is a good story and the resolution of Dolph's Dilemma is revealed in the last chapter.
September 29, 2017
Say the title out loud, preferably when someone else is in the room with you... Just do it.
December 4, 2017
Another great book by Piers Anthony in the Xanth series. And for those of us who know the real story behind JennyElf we give the author three huge cheers!!!👍👍👍
January 18, 2018
My note when I read it in 1994: a "Xanth adventure" which is sort of a children's book with soooooo many puns. Mildly interesting but hard to finish.
February 10, 2018
Good. I look forward to reading more about Jenny Elf
December 2, 2018
One more down.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
January 14, 2021
The ending was satisfying. This book brought an end to a love triangle that spanned multiple books.
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