Horror Book Reviews
More Details...Price: $7.99 |
Title: Night Mare (Xanth Novels) |
|
Review of Night Mare (Xanth Novels)
- Although the Nextwave of barbarian warriors was invading Xanth, Mare Imbrium discovered that ever since she had gained the half soul, the night mare had begun to mishandle her job of delivering bad dreams. Exiled to the day world with a message for King Trent, Mare met the relentless, unforgiving Horseman. For the night mare, it began to be all a horrible nightmare!
Product Description
[ Back to Homepage | Back to Horror Movie Reviews Index ]
HellHorror.com not responsible for reviews/comments and they may be removed at any time.
Submit Comment
Login / Join/Register for a free account
Comments for Night Mare (Xanth Novels)
- Posted on 2007-10-20
the puns of Xanth misfire
In this , the sixth book of Xanth, we are reintroduced to many of the characters that were featured in the previous book - Ogre, orgre. The events in this book take place some four years after the conclusion of Ogre, Ogre and we are treated to the adventure as told by one of the most original characters in Xanth, the Night Mare Imbri. Thos who read the previous book remember her as the Night Mare that takes Smash and Tandy around and becomes part of the adventurer's band when Chem Centaur give her half her soul.
As the book begins we find out that have a Night Mare (horses whose jobs it is to bring nightmares to people) is failing at her occupation because her half-soul is making her be ineffective. So, the Dark Stallion sends her away to King Trent with a warning message. This warning message has to do with the invastion that Xanth is undergoing by a large band of warriors from Mundania. These Mundanes are making immense progress because they are being helped by an enigmatic man known as the Horseman.
In typical Xanth fashion, it pays the reader to pay attention to all the puns. In fact, the author tells us that all of Xanth is made of puns. So, we have a Night Mare bringing nightmares and in this book she lives through her own, and Xanth's nightmare of an invasion. If you understand this, then you can find the author's clues as to the course of the book sprinkled liberally thoughout the story ... but I will not divulge them to you - enjoy figuring them out!
Unlike previous Xanth books, I found this one to be extremely dark in tone. Not only is Xanth under siege from an army of Mundanes, but the only way that Xanth's citizens can fight is by killing them. Since the Mundane army is large, most of the book devolves into the story of one battle after another as both the Mundane army and the Xanthian forces are decimated. One very poignant chapter describes the battle between 50 centaurs and 300 humans and the tragic results of it. The book can be measured as the 600 mundane soldiers are slowly killed off via various means and the author almost seems to delight in telling us how each of the 600 was killed! I found that to be disconcerting and unappealing.
We also learn about the Kings of Xanth. We all know that only Magician class male people can by Kings, but under this emergency, that rule is twisted and turned and some very surprising characters become King. Oh, yes, we go through ten Kings of Xanth in this book.
The final battle is fought, as is customary between the tired champion of the good side - Imbri - and the rested and prepared Horseman with the predictable result of Imbri's win. However, even here the book goes too dark. As a result of the victory, Imbri can reverse the spells that held nine Kings hostage, but when she does so, she loses her body! The very lasat part of the book tries to twist that around into some sort of positive meta-physical thing, but the reality is that she is no longer a Night Mare, nor is she a Xanth horse, but becomes something completely different and something feels like a made up and tacked on ending because the book becomes more of a tragedy than the farce it was intended to be. So, I downgraded it severly for these reasons.
Score: 3
- Posted on 2002-08-29
One of the Best xanth books!
I though night mare was probably one of the absolute best xanth books! Imbri is a great character, and the book has a great plot. I recomend reading the series in order, becasue you will understand more of the jokes, and the book will make more sense. If you do find the urge to read the books out of order this one should be near the top of your list!
Score: 5
- Posted on 2002-08-08
It was O.K
Having read all of the earlier "Incarnations of Immortality" series I was anxious to find more books by Piers Anthony."Night Mare did not live up to my expectations maybe this is just the weak link in the series (there is always one you must admit) and I will try the others.
It seemed to me as if this book showed good promise but got bogged down trying to impress a younger audience.
Score: 3 - Posted on 2002-07-29
A fun book, but needs some back ground.
As far as Zanth books go, this was one of my few favorites, but I also think it needs more background than most Zanth novels. Most of them are more stand-alone, but many old characters are brought back in this book, and it's nice to understand Zanth's situation as it relates to "Mundania" before you read this book.Consequentially I would recommend reading "A Spell for Chameleon," the first book, "Castle Roogna," and "Ogre, Ogre" before reading "Night Mare." Of course if you wanted to start out with the best you could read "Dragon on a Pedestal," a cute and up-lifting book, the very best of the Zanth Series. (It's later than all the others though, so it's sort of a toss up.)
Score: 4
- Posted on 2001-11-09
Avid Anthony Fan
If you like Piers Anthony and the Xanth series this book wont let you down. Lots of new puns, many twists and turns. A great read.
Score: 4