Xanth

A bumbling elf girl and a shapeshifting prince must rescue a kidnapped flying centaur in this humorous fantasy adventure by a New York Times–bestseller. Shapeshifting Prince Dolph can take on almost any form he chooses but he can't decide on whom to marry. Dolph has two fiancées: Nada Naga and Electra. While he prefers Nada to Electra, Nada has no interest in him. Meanwhie, Electra loves Dolph and if she doesn't marry him, she'll die. Fortunately, a convenient catastrophe arises that requires Dolph's immediate attention. Goblins have kidnapped young Che Centaur. Their only lead is an elflike girl named Jenny from the World of the Two Moons whose nearsighted vision has gotten her lost. With her leading the way, there's no telling where this search for the missing centaur will go.

A magician sends a melancholic maiden on a rescue mission in Hell in this humorous fantasy adventure by a New York Times–bestselling author. As one of the trouble-making twins of Castle Zombie, Lacuna used to have so much fun when she was a little girl. But now at thirty-four, she's bored stiff and wonders where her life went horribly wrong. To escape her funk, she heads to Good Magician Grey to pose a question. Of course, in Xanth, getting an answer is far from simple . . .  Grey sends Lacuna to Hell in a handbasket . . . literally. There, she meets Good Magician Humfrey, who's spent the last ten years waiting to get his wife back from a terrible demon. With her magical talents-and a few gorgons-Lacuna just might be able to help Humfrey, escape Hell alive, and fix her boring life, once and for all.

Sixteen-year-old Dug has yet to be impressed by a computer game, but that's before he gets hooked by Companions of Xanth-and the beguilingly beautiful princess-serpent he's chosen to guide him. Nada Naga has her work cut out for her keeping Dug's eyes on the magical prize . . . and off of her human form. Kim is no stranger to Xanth, which is why she chooses her favorite companion, Jenny Elf, to accompany her through its marvels-and dangers. Though Kim's hyper-enthusiasm is infectious, she doesn't really believe that Xanth is real, and it's up to Jenny to prove it. What the two players don't know is that there's more at stake than winning; the very existence of Xanth hangs in the balance. Demons may run the game, but there are voids to avoid, loan sharks to outswim, and Com Pewter-the most evil machine of all-to outwit. Not to mention that a companion may be just as willing to sabotage Dug and Kim as help them succeed . . .

It's harpy hour in the New York Times–bestselling series, as a one-of-a-kind Xanth woman searches for her happy ever after. Though Gloha loves every inch of Xanth-from Lake Ogre-Chobee to the Ever Glades-being the only harpy-goblin cross in existence has her feeling a bit lonely. Now that she's old enough to enter into the Adult Conspiracy, she has to face reality: There are no males of her kind to mate with. Her only chance at love is to seek the help of the Good Magician, but all he has to give her is a referral . . . Sent to find the Good Magician's second son, Trent, Gloha embarks on a journey that will take her to the most magical and mad parts of Xanth. Along the way, she'll acquire friends and foes-including demons and nymphs, a winged centaur filly, a skeleton searching for a soul, and an invisible giant. But with the help of Trent, Gloha just might discover that her quest for the ideal partner may be the biggest fantasy of all.

As a gargoyle, Gary Gar has one job in Xanth: to protect the Swan Knee River from the pollution flowing in from Mundania. But more dirt plus less rain will crack any gargoyle's stony composure. So Gary does what any good Xanthian would do: He seeks the help of the Good Magician. But payment for his service is high. Gary must find a philter for the water, while taking on human form to tutor a wild human child, with help from the surly Sorceress Iris, and-even though time is of the essence-taking Hiatus, a known troublemaker, along for the ride. It won't be easy, especially when they're all transported back to the dawn of time. And if they can't figure out what's going on in the past, there may be no future for Xanth-come hell or high water . . .

Seeking a solution to a perplexing personal problem, the delectable Demoness Metria asks for help from the wise Magician Humfrey. But before he will help her, she must perform a perilous mission: Rove the length and breadth of Xanth in search of a suitable jury for the trial of Roxanne Roc, a notably noble and virtuous bird charged with a most improbable offense. Exciting, exhilarating, and brimming with hilarious high jinks, Roc and a Hard Place is Xanth at its most enchanting.

A fickle flux in the fabric of space has allowed a horrendous hurricane to blast into Xanth, stirring up mischief and madness wherever she goes. Trapped in a preposterous form by a cosmic wager, the Demon X(A/N)th must join forces with a vexatious vixen named Chlorine to save Xanth from this terrifying and tempestuous threat. Their companions on this haphazard quest are a hapless human family-Jim and Karen Baldwin and their two teenage sons, David and Sean-gusted into Xanth from the mundane world beyond. Together they encounter a host of turbulent misadventures as they struggle to keep Xanth from being blown off the map forever.

The miraculous and mirth-filled land of Xanth holds many marvels. But now an extraordinary new aspect of this remarkable realm unfolds as young Forrest Faun's quest takes him to a tiny planet hidden in the heart of Xanth. There, with a delightful "day mare" as his constant companion, Forrest will find more marvels then he ever dreamed of. Packed with magic, mystery, and merrymaking, Faun & Games is the freshest and most exciting Xanth adventure in a month of Pundays!

Something's rotten in the land of Xanth-and it's not just the undead-in this adventure in the New York Times–bestselling series. Horrors and hilarity collide as a fate far worse than death awaits a vivacious young visitor. Breanna, a beautiful young newcomer to the enchanted land of Xanth, must deal with a distressing dilemma. She has unwittingly attracted the affections of King Xeth, ruler of Xanth's Zombies, who yearns to make her queen of the undead! Her quest to preserve her innocence, and find her destiny, takes her on an exhilarating excursion packed with perils, puzzles, and piles of puns. Zombie Lover will provide a profusion of macabre merriment.

Climate and culture shock ensue when Xanthians swap bodies with mere humans in this madcap adventure in the New York Times–bestselling series. All Breanna of the Black Wave and her newfound love, Justin Tree, want is a little time to get to know each other better, but a climatic catastrophe is causing a massive meltdown that threatens to inundate the ancient forests of Xanth. The only way to avert this dire disaster is to undertake a voyage into the distant mists of the past, to find the moment when this ghastly greenhouse effect began. And the only people who can safely make that journey are those unaffected by Xanth's magic-normal, ordinary humans from our own world. So Breanna and Justin turn to the Demon X(A/N)th (a.k.a. Nimby) and his lovely consort Chlorine for help. Together, they devise a daring plan. Making use of the O-Xone, a magical computer network that links the worlds of Xanth and Earth, Nimby and Chlorine make contact with a young couple from Earth who are working on a Xanth game, and arrange to exchange bodies with them. But an unexpected surprise awaits them on their arrival . . .

The future of Xanth is in frightful peril. A powerful magical bird named Ragna Roc has embarked on a campaign to become absolute ruler of that mystical realm. Those who swear loyalty to him are spared. The rest have simply disappeared. So powerful are Ragna's sorceries that even the Good Magician Humfrey dares not confront him directly. Instead he enlists Cyrus the Cyborg, a handsome half-human playwright with little knowledge of the world, in a stealthy subterfuge. Cyrus must assemble a troupe of traveling players to attract Ragna's interest. And hidden in disguise among the bevy of beautiful young actresses are the young princesses, Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm, whose magic’s might just be a match for the evil bird. But Ragna has planted a spy in the midst of the troupe, one who knows their deepest secrets, including the true nature of Cyrus's forbidden love for one of the young princesses. Only a mysterious child called Kadence, and a cryptic clue - "Two to the Fifth" - may give the companions the edge they need to defeat Ragna's dictatorial dreams. Brimming with passion and merriment, drama and deception, Piers Anthony's thirty-second Xanth fantasy, Two to the Fifth, is a pun-packed performance sure to provoke applause and ovations from the series' myriad fans. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

In the thirty-third thrilling escapade in Piers Anthony's rousing Xanth fantasy series, an adventurous arachnid named Jumper must assume human form to save the enchanted realm from a cosmic peril. A cataclysmic battle between two all-powerful Demons has severed a mystical connection that joins Xanth to our own world. The key to restoring it is hidden within a cryptic prophecy that Jumper discovers when he is suddenly transformed from spider to man. As he sets out to discern the prophecy's meaning, he gathers about him a half dozen alluring damsels who do their best to help him solve the riddle while vying for his attentions. But a seductive siren and her demonic consort have determined to use their wiles to lure Jumper and his lovely companions away from their urgent mission. In a madcap adventure that is alternately harrowing and hilarious, they soon discover that danger, deception, and even true love may be found where they least expect it. In Jumper Cable, master storyteller Piers Anthony spins a wild and witty web of wonder that is sure to captivate fans of fantastic adventure everywhere! At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Wenda Woodwife has a knotty problem-her mood swings have sent her beloved husband, Prince Charming, off on Adventure. She seeks the cure from the Good Magician Humphrey, only to discover that he has a knotty problem of his own and that only Wenda Woodwife can help him. She'll need Companions. Luckily, in Xanth magical companions are never far away, and all roads lead to Adventure. Knot Gneiss, this 34th installment in the saga of the magical land of Xanth proves the enduring appeal of Piers Anthony's peerless creation. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Picka Bones and his sister Joy'nt are off in search of adventure with three creatures newly arrived from Mundania-and not the sort of creatures you might expect! Join them in a madcap quest, in this 35th tale of the land of Xanth. For nearly three decades, Piers Anthony's bestselling Xanth series has been delighting tens of thousands of fantasy fans around the world. The saga continues with the Well-Tempered Clavicle.

Piers Anthony's 37th adventure in Xanth changes the Mood to one of Doom! Kody woke up in a hospital bed, not knowing how he got there. Before his questions could be answered, he was told that he was about to undergo surgery, and that there could be some side effects...And then he woke up again, this time in Xanth. Kody is the only person in Xanth who has not been affected by a dreadful spell that reverses how people see each other. What was adorable is now loathsome. What was ugly is now beautiful. What was loved is now hated. Kody has clearly arrived just in time! Only he has any hope of reversing the spell, turning Esrever Doom into Reverse Mood.

Be careful what you wish for... "I'm actually a smart girl who would make any man an excellent wife. But no man sees that. No man is interested in my mind or personality, just my whatevers. So here is my wish: I'm board stiff. I want Adventure, Excitement, and Romance." So begins Piers Anthony's thirty-eighth Xanth novel, in which Irrelevant Kandy looks at her reflection in the water of the shallow well and sees luxuriant midnight-black hair reaching down to her breathtakingly slender waist, matching the dark eyes in her lovely face. A torso that comes close to absolute perfection. She is man's desire. That is part of the problem. In the shallow magic of the well, she asks that her wish be granted. Something happens. A sudden whirlwind surrounds her, lifting her up and ripping off her clothing. She is changing somehow. Then she falls flat on the ground. Literally. She has been transformed into a flat, stiff board with two knotholes for eyes.

Piers Anthony delivers another tale set in the bestselling world of Xanth, filled with magic, surprises, adventure, and a few puns. Here's what the author has to say about his new book:  "Five Portraits is a kind of sequel to Board Stiff in that it picks up where the other leaves off, with the same characters. Apart from that, it's one of my favorites within the series. There's something about Astrid Basilisk that appeals to me: a very pretty girl whose very glance is deadly, yet she's a nice person whose selfless effort to save five difficult children from future Xanth is thoroughly worthy. I also like the theme of the power of unlikely friendship. Not just Xanth, but Mundania, too, would be better if there were more such friendships."

A quest to fulfill a lifelong wish turns into an adventure rife with magical creatures and arduous tasks-and puns, of course-when New York Times–bestselling author Piers Anthony revisits the enchanted land of Xanth   In Xanth, everyone has a talent. But that doesn't mean everyone loves his talent, and no one understands that better than Hapless. Endowed with the ability to conjure any instrument he wants, Hapless could be an extraordinary musician if only he could play a tune that didn't fall ear-piercingly flat. His one desire is to find an instrument he can play-and maybe a girlfriend or three. But like music, women have never been his forte.   When the Good Magician hears about Hapless's desperate desire, he sends the young man on a quest to find the elusive Isis Orb, a magical talisman that could fulfill his wish. But the mysterious Egyptian goddess for whom the orb is named guards the enchanted object and won't let anyone see it-let alone use it.   Setting out to achieve the impossible, Hapless meets an eclectic mix of creatures that join him on his journey. Like the musically challenged Hapless, they all have wishes they hope the Isis Orb will grant. But the only way they can control the orb is to capture the five totems from the regions of Xanth: Fire, Earth, Air, Water, and the Void. Together, this motley crew will heroically fight dragons, a six-headed griffin, and even a beautiful, seductive water gorgon who tries to rain on Hapless's parade.   With its thrilling exploits and endless humor, the newest addition to Piers Anthony's beloved Xanth series is sure to keep readers enthralled.  Isis Orb is the 40th book in the Xanth series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Two Ordinary People from Mundania travel to Xanth to defeat a rogue Night Colt in the latest in a beloved series from bestselling author Piers Anthony. The Night Colt has one ambition: to deliver dreams to the deserving. Unfortunately, only Night Mares can take on this task, and the Colt has no hope of leading his own herd if he can't get any practice. . . . So he's struck a deal with a Mundane. During the hours when the Night Mares rest-dusk and dawn-the duo plants stories in the air, compelling the people of Xanth to enact them-whether they want to or not. Unwilling to participate in these fantasies, the princesses of Xanth, Dawn and Eve, come up with a plan to fight the menacing pair, but they'll need the help of two unlikely heroes to succeed. In Mundania, a mysterious painting entrances Ordinary People Tartan and Tara. But why do they each see something different when they look at it? They quickly learn that it's not a painting after all, but a portal to a magical world. With nothing to lose, they climb through the portal into Xanth and are met with a plea to help stop the Night Colt and his ghost writer. Tartan and Tara don't hesitate to join the quest to save Xanth from the ultimate pun-tastrophe. Together with their new friends, they'll begin a journey full of magic and romance-and, of course, puns-that will lead them to a long-lost prince, a beautiful dragoness, the goddess Isis, and a demon named Ted. With rip-roaring humor and nonstop adventure, the newest addition to Piers Anthony's popular Xanth series is sure to enchant fans of epic fantasy. Ghost Writer in the Sky is the 41st book in the Xanth series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

The New York Times–bestselling series continues with this pun-tastic epic quest and far-flung fantasy adventure. Lydell, a shy, naive man of twenty-one, and world-weary grandmother Grania could not be more different. But when their paths cross on the way to beseech the Good Magician to add some excitement to their extraordinarily dull lives, the one thing they have in common is about to get them more than they bargained for . . . Lydell and Grania's exceptional integrity makes them valuable to the Good Magician. He promises to fulfill their hearts' desires on the condition they pilot a fireboat to its new proprietors, whoever-and wherever-they may be. Along with an obnoxious bird and a robot dogfish as shipmates, they unfurl their sail of flame and cruise through the skies of Xanth, guided by cryptic clues. Picking up a crew of future children along the way, Lydell and Grania must plan a royal wedding, detonate an F-Bomb, evade illusion dragons, rescue Jack and Jill, find a princess for a werewolf prince, and face their greatest fears-all while remaining true to their compulsively honest selves. Fire Sail is the 42nd book in the Xanth series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

All of Xanth is a stage as an unlikely hero saves the show in the bestselling series. There's no shortage of laughs when Jess is around; she's been cursed to have nobody take her seriously. But her dubious talent comes in handy when she meets the very handsome showman Magnus. He promises to fake taking her seriously-if Jess joins his traveling show. But first they must see the Good Magician. He will give them the use of the flying Fire Boat to tour the realm if they complete a quest. The only problem is, he can't remember what quest. Something to do with night mares, day mares, and one or two future princesses. As Jess and Magnus try to unravel the mystery, they discover their true mission: to save Xanth from a big bird with a bone to peck . . .

Squid, the alien cuttlefish, is getting an upgrade: a boost to her shape-changing talent so she can lead a mission against a foreign Demon who's stirring up trouble in Xanth. At Squid's side are her rescued siblings and one very special child-Larry, a girl in a boy's body, who will act as a secret host for their adoptive mother, the Demoness Fornax. Aboard the Fire Boat, they form a plan to disguise themselves as a traveling dance troupe. Each child is paired up with a native Xanthian. But it's the friendship that blossoms between Squid and Larry that will power their quest, and they'll have to do some fancy footwork to avoid the trials and tribulations that await them.

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

In this heroic Xanth adventure from the New York Times–bestselling author, there's no time like the present to free six plucky princesses from the past. Young Vinia is enjoying her life with her boyfriend, Prince Ion. They complement each other perfectly: her telekinesis helps him walk, and his ambiance abolishes all allergens, allowing her to breathe freely. But Ion and his twin, Hilda, are bored with their easy royal lives and are restless for an adventure . . . While telling the story of how their parents met, the twins remember their mother was once captured by a dragon and frozen in crystal along with a half dozen other strong-willed princesses. She managed to escape, but the six other maidens continue to be held captive-which gives Vinia, Ion, Hilda, and Hilda's caprine-crossbreed boyfriend the perfect excuse to embark on a quest. But first they must get the approval of their parents-and the Good Magician. Since Vinia is the protagonist in this story (though she's much more comfortable as a background character), it's up to her complete the Magician's challenges. And then comes their greatest test: to free the princesses from their patriarchal prison, frozen in place by the Dragon with the Girl Tattoo . . . 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

No one's safe when a pundemic spreads through the land of Xanth in this madcap adventure from the New York Times–bestselling author. What's a single prince to do when confronted with the baton of protagonism? Why, become the hero of his own story of course! And in Xanth that usually means embarking on a quest. For Prince Nolan Naga, there's only one thing missing from his life: a wife. He needs a royal match by the time he assumes the throne. But to make sure he lands the right spouse, he must consult with the Good Magician. After completing the three challenges necessary to see the Good Magician, Nolan learns that the ideal bride for him does exist. She is Apoca of the Lips Tribe. From the Queendom of Thanx-a matriarchy that is the opposite of Xanth-she is a formidable woman, one whose very kiss can seduce a man into love slavery. But before a happily ever after, they'll have to team up to put an end to a curse that's causing every baby in Xanth to be born with the same magical talent, all while navigating through a realm plagued by endless puns. It could be the end of the world as we know it . . . 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

A spot of trouble could wipe out Xanth when the Demon Jupiter throws his red dot at the magical realm in this clever and suspenseful fantasy. Umlaut is an ordinary man with an uncanny ability to imitate others-and a particular knack for attracting young ladies. All in all, he's an unlikely candidate to save the world. But when the dreaded Demon Jupiter, enraged by a piece of errant snail mail, hurls his Red Dot at the magical realm of Xanth, it falls on Umlaut to stop the dire dot's destruction. Even the Good Magician Humphry is perplexed as some force obscures the future. Now Umlaut-together with the beautiful serpent Sesame and a colorful cast of companions-embarks on an unforgettable odyssey across the enchanted realm to the unmagical land of Euphoria, where he meets a sweet girl named Surprise. But before Umlaut can complete his quest, he must solve the puzzle of his own existence . . . a task even more daunting than saving the world.

A villain threatens the future of Xanth by erasing the past-and only a teenage dragon-girl can stop him in this fantasy adventure. He calls himself The Dastard-a name he's more than earned the right to claim. Having sold his soul for the ability to erase events, he now holds the future of Xanth in his dastardly grip. And the only one capable of foiling his evil plan is a most unlikely hero. The daughter of Draco the Dragon and a human woman, Becka has never been sure if she belongs in the magical world of Xanth. Seeking her true purpose in life from the Good Magician Humphrey, she discovers that she not only belongs in Xanth-but that all of Xanth depends on her!

The enchanted land of Xanth faces a matter of intense gravity when gravity itself disappears in this harrowing and hilarious fantasy adventure. Cynthia Centaur has come to the Good Magician Humphrey at exactly the wrong time. Seeking an answer to a rather personal question, she expects only to face the typical challenges. Instead, she is charged with saving all of Xanth from a terrifying threat. The powerful Demon Earth has been kidnapped. And when he disappears, the world's gravitational field goes with him. The very fabric of Earth-and, incidentally, Xanth-will soon unravel unless Cynthia and her companions can find a mysterious object known as the Swell Foop and use it to defeat a terrifying enemy in a comic contest. The twenty-fifth volume in Piers Anthony's legendary Xanth series, Swell Foop blends humor and danger, romance and wonder, in one of his most intricate and intriguing tales yet.

While on a quest to unload an offensive parrot, a kindly goblin must defend all of Xanth from robot invaders in this zany fantasy adventure. Most goblins are decidedly unpleasant company, but Goody Goblin is cursed with unflappable kindness. So, it is all the more frustrating when he is charged with finding a suitable home for the Pet Peeve: a foulmouthed parrot with a knack for insulting anyone in its vicinity . . . while mimicking the voice of the person carrying it. Goody is joined on his quest by the brawny warrior Hannah Barbarian, who must protect him in his travels. But when they unwittingly trigger an invasion of robot marauders, insults are the least of their worries. With all of Xanth in danger, Goody, Hannah-and the beautiful goblin chief Gwenny Goblin-must rally dragons, zombies, centaurs, and more to fend off their mechanical foes.

A mythic muse descends Parnassus for a perilous quest in the world of Xanth in the New York Times–bestselling author's raucous fantasy series. When Clio, the Muse of History, discovers a bewildering discrepancy in her Chronicles of Xanth, she leaves her comfortable study on Mount Parnassus in search of answers. But it won't be as easy as asking her old friend, the Good Magician Humphrey, to look it up in his Book of Answers. Instead, Clio must brave a dangerous Dragon World and search for the fabled Currant, a rare red berry which holds the secret she's after. Along the way, Clio meets the brave and beautiful Becka Dragongirl, a couple of pocket dragons, a little girl whose destiny collides with hers, and Sherlock, an unassuming man from Mundania who might just be a master magician-and the unlikely man of Clio's dreams . . .

When a magician's son disappears, a madcap mystery sets off a parallel pair of perilous quests in this beloved fantasy adventure series. The Good Magician Humfrey's son Hugo has vanished from his cellar. And what's worse, there's a murdered man left in his place. With Humphrey's book of answers scrambled, it's a mystery that can only be solved by . . . a thirteen-year-old girl named Debra. Hailing from Mundania, Debra was hoping to lift an obnoxious curse on her name. But thanks to the strange ways of Xanth-and Hugo's gorgon mother-she is now a flying centaur embarking on an incredible misadventure through astonishing locales that reach back to the origins of time itself.

The New York Times–bestselling fantasy author reveals surprising new dimensions within the magical realm of Xanth in this rollicking adventure novel. Surprise Golem and her husband Umlaut are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their baby-which should be delivered by stork any day. But when the bundle of joy fails to arrive, Surprise is more than a little upset. The Stork assigned to make the delivery has inexplicably refused to surrender the child, and instead flies off through a hole in the fabric of reality. To track down her offspring, Surprise must lead an ill-assorted assemblage of confederates on a desperate quest through dozens of different Xanths. But sinister, unseen forces are determined to stop her. And in order to find her child, Surprise may have to lose her heart.

Three cloistered nymphs discover the wild land of Xanth in this epic adventure from the acclaimed fantasy author. The idyllic splendor of the Faun & Nymph Retreat never grows old. With not a stitch of clothing in sight, the fauns give chase, the nymphs play hard to get, and they celebrate-as they put it-when they come together. Over and over again. But when three nymphs accidentally escape from the retreat, the simple creatures discover a far more complicated reality in the world of Xanth. Suddenly, they need to wear clothes, find shelter, eat food-and perform messy natural functions that weren't operational before. As they face these challenges, the nymphs set off on a journey to the Queendom of Thanx and soon find themselves on a mission to tame the five Elements: Fire, Water, Air, Earth, and the Void. And while they grapple with threats from each, they discover that saving the universe can be even more fun than a faun-filled day in the Retreat.

When a Xanth woman wishes for beauty, she embarks on a rollicking quest across the magical world-and into our own-in this witty fantasy adventure. The young woman named Cube didn't expect anything to come of her wistful, whispered words. But in the magical realm of Xanth, wishes are serious business. Soon, Cube is leading a colorful crew on a quest to find the elusive Cube Route: a perilous path that promises to grant her heart's desire. Crossing the expansive world of Xanth is only the beginning of their adventure. Entering the human world, Cube finds herself rescuing a beautiful damsel in distress. But in a topsy-turvy Counter-Xanth, anything can be transformed into its opposite, and Cube finally comes face to face with the beauty she yearns for . . .

A shapeshifting prince embarks on a journey to find a missing magician in this NewYorkTimes–bestselling fantasy adventure series. The Good Magician Humphrey is still missing and Prince Dolph is determined to find him. Though he is armed with the power to become any animal he chooses, his royal parents insist that he bring along a companion-and his skeletal friend Marrow Bones seems like the perfect choice. Soon Dolph and Marrow are on a rollicking quest from Humphrey's castle to a mysterious island where they must seek out the elusive Heaven Cent. Along the way they encounter bone-hungry harpies, mean-spirited merwomen, and the beautiful Princess Nada held captive by ogres.

Three entries from the New York Times–bestselling epic fantasy series that's full of rip-roaring humor and nonstop adventure. Ghost Writer in the Sky Tartan and Tara, two Ordinary People from Mundania, travel through a portal to Xanth, a magical realm where they are met with a plea for help. Two princesses need them to stop the Night Colt and his ghost writer from causing chaos in their kingdom. Tartan and Tara don't hesitate to join the quest to save Xanth from the ultimate pun-tastrophe. Together with their new friends, they embark on a journey full of magic and romance-and, of course, puns-that will lead them to a long-lost prince, a beautiful dragoness, the goddess Isis, and a demon named Ted . . . Fire Sail Lydell, a shy, naïve man of twenty-one, and world-weary grandmother Grania cross paths when they beseech the Good Magician to add some excitement to the dull lives. The Good Magician promises to fulfill their hearts' desires on the condition they pilot a fireboat to its new proprietors, whoever-and wherever-they are. With an obnoxious bird and a robot dogfish for shipmates, the two sail off on a pun-tastic quest and far-flung fantasy adventure . . . Jest Right Jess is cursed to have no one take her seriously. When she meets the very handsome showman Magnus, he promises to fake taking her seriously-if she joins his traveling show. The Good Magician will let them use his flying Fire Boat to tour the realm if they complete a quest he can't remember. As Jess and Magnus try to unravel the mystery, they discover their true mission: to save Xanth from a big bird with a bone to peck . . . These books are the forty-first, forty-second, and forty-third books in the Xanth series respectively, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

An ogre with a talent for protest must stop the destruction of an untouched paradise in the New York Times–bestselling author's fantasy adventure. Esk is part ogre, part nymph, and all attitude. He has a magical talent for protest-when he says "No!" people don't just listen, they literally stop in their tracks. But even his abilities haven't been enough to thwart a seductive demoness. When Esk sets out on a pilgrimage to get help from the Good Magician Humphrey, he discovers that he will be going much further . . . on an unexpected mission of mercy. A greedy demon horde has descended on a running river paradise and its harmless inhabitants. Now it is up to Esk and his companions-a beautiful winged centaur named Chex and a brave burrower Called Volney-to search Xanth's treacherous reaches, gather together a mind-boggling company of creatures, and defend the precious Vale of the Vole.

A merwoman and a goblin girl each take on dangerous quests in this hilarious fantasy adventure by a New York Times–bestselling author. In Xanth, almost everything is magic, and whatever isn't is probably lying. The land is also more dangerous than the sea, but that isn't going to stop Mela Merwoman, who is searching for a husband. With her options running low, she transforms into a human and leaves the safety of the sea to ask Good Magician Humfrey for assistance. But before Mela can begin her quest, she must first indulge in the landbound custom of wearing clothes, which means picking out what to wear . . . from the trees, of course. While Mela can pick her clothes, Gwenny Goblin cannot pick her family. Her awful half-brother, Gobble, will be the next chief of the goblin horde, if Gwenny doesn't take the title first. To do so, she must prove her courage through stealing an egg that lies between a deadly roc and a hard place. With the help of Che Centaur and Jenny Elf-and maybe even Mela-Gwenny just might make it back home alive . . .

Three installments of the New York Times–bestselling series set in a land of enchantment filled with magic, surprises, adventure, and-best of all-puns! The world of Xanth is a wacky one full of offbeat heroes and surprising journeys. In these three volumes of this hilarious series, characters bumble their way through many misadventures to find their happy ending on the other side, aided and hindered by puns along the way. Board Stiff: Thanks to a mental typo and an ornery wishing well the once beautiful Irrelevant Kandy is now a board of wood-with mind control powers. And Ease wishes everything wasn't so easy. Fortunately, Humfrey the Good Magician is there to provide them with a quest: saving the puns of Xanth. But who released a virus that could destroy Xanth's essence, and will Kandy and Ease figure out how to stop it in time? Five Portraits: Astrid Basilisk is a sweet girl whose very glance is deadly. As she embarks on a selfless mission to save five difficult children from future Xanth, she must fight the pun virus that threatens to destroy the magical world. Isis Orb: Hapless has the ability to conjure any musical instrument he wants, but he can't carry a tune in a bucket. All he wants is to learn to play an instrument and get a girlfriend. When the Good Magician hears about his desperate desire, he sends Hapless on a quest to find the elusive Isis Orb, a magical talisman that could fulfill his wish. But the mysterious Egyptian goddess guarding it isn't going to let him simply take it.

When a princess from Xanth ventures to Mundania, she discovers an unexpected world of wonder in the New York Times–bestselling fantasy series. When Prince Dolph set out to find the Good Magician Humphrey, he wound up betrothed to two different women. With the magician still missing, his older sister Princess Ivy takes up the quest-and she's bringing her brother's co-fiancées along for the adventure. First they must retrieve a stolen magic mirror from the evil machine Com-Pewter. But when they try to transport themselves to Humphrey's location, they find themselves in Mundania-in the company of a computer-loving college kid who's looking for love. Grey Murphy is an ordinary guy who hopes a new computer program will find him his perfect match. When he meets Ivy, he's sure she's the one despite her claims that she is a princess from a fantasy world called Xanth. When Grey follows Ivy back home, his scientific skepticism soon reveals aspects of Xanth that nobody could have imagined-and the astonishing truth about the supposedly ordinary Grey.