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Title: Centaur Aisle (Xanth Novels) |
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Review of Centaur Aisle (Xanth Novels)
- Dor agreed to act as King of Xanth so long as Trent was gone for a week. But the weeks passed and Trent did not return. Dor knew he had to rescue his king but with no magic powers, how could it be done...?
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Comments for Centaur Aisle (Xanth Novels)
- Posted on 2007-05-29
Dor and Irene are growing up
Dor is growing up and King Trent is providing him with occasional opportunities to practice his Kingship skills as we all know from previous books that Dor is the designated heir for King Trent. So, at the beginning of the book, King Trent informs Dor that he will be going on a secret trade mission to Mundania and Dor needs to take over the Kingship while Trent is away. To camouflage everything, Trent tells everyone that he and Iris are taking a long needed vacation. The whole absence is supposed to be for only a week.
Dor takes over and finds out that being a King is not as easy as it seems. As a matter of fact, there are implications and complications for every seemingly minor decision that is brought to Dor's attention. So, Dor does the best he can and seems to do a fair job of it especially since his magical talent is very helpful! The week passes by and Dor is ready the give up his throne ... but Trent does not return!!!
Another two weeks pass by and Dor is beside himself with worry. Not only that, but Trent's daughter Irene is also sick with worry and since she is Dor's constant companion, it is hard for him to ignore the issue. Another factor that complicates life is that Dor is now 16 and Irene is 15 and she is developing into quite a beautiful girl while Dor is also developing into a man and is starting to notice that Irene has developed in some very interesting shapes and intriguing ways!
Finally, Dor and Irene cannot stand it any more and they resolve to search out where Trent is and rescue him if necessary. But, another complication arises, it seems that a new Magician has been detected in the very south of Xanth and that needs to be investigated immediately. This is especially important since the furthest southern point of Xanth is inhabited by Centaurs - it is called Centaur Isle - who believe that magic is obscene. With the potential complications of all of this, Dor and Irene collect their friends (Chester the Centaur, Grundy the Golem, and Smash the Ogre) and go off to check out what is going on in the south.
As is usual with Xanth stories, there are many marvelous and dangerous creatures that are encountered and many situations where the play on words leads to some wonderful imagery (for instance, light bulbs are planted in the fields and the brightest bulbs are the most desirable). In this case, Centaur Isle leads to the magic-infused Centaur whose magical talent is the creation of an aisle of magic in front and behind him. In other words, a Centaur Aisle! Dor is also a very creative speller and many people use this attribute when giving him hints. For instance, Trent tells Dor to always rely on his Honesty when needing to make a decision on where to do. This does not make sense to anyone until Dor writes it down as ONESTI which then is revealed as a kingdom in Mundania!
Adventure after adventure result and the happy crew goes from discovering the magical Centaur to finding where Trent and Iris are being held captive. It takes quite a bit of ingenuity and inventiveness on the part of Dor, Irene and Grundy to find Trent and Iris and release them and then set the world aright.
This is a standard Xanth book in its creativity, its word play, and its humor. The storyline itself is dead-serious of course, and the resolution leads to many other possible followups. It is a very enjoyable and quick read - a perfect story for the beach or if you are a commuter!
Score: 3
- Posted on 2005-10-28
Centaur Isle
Genre: Fantasy
Three sentence summary: A man, a young woman, a golem, an orge, and a centaur go out into the "wilderness" to find their lost king. The man's name is Dor, he goes looking for the king because the land of Xanth, a magical place, needs him. He is a substitute for hte king which is to overwhelming fro him.
What I most liked about the book: It kept you reading. The book's problems, when shown to you, are very unexspected.
What I didn't like and why: I didn't like it when the party went into the "real" world. I would much rather a total fantasy book.
My favorite character and why: Irene is my favorite character because she's beautiful and stubburn. She dosen't let anyone boss her around.
The scene, line, or passage that meant something to me and why(page #): "...He resented their dastardly deed that had ripped him from his contented existence and made him an exile." Pg.175 This quote describes a centaur that has just found out terrible news but he makes the most of it, that's why I like this quote.
What I would say about this book to someone else: It's daring and a romance story. It's exciting and about truth.
One question I have after reading this book: Did Dor and Irene get married?
My strongest reason for recommending this book: It is a good book, it dosen't give away the answer until the end. And, it is a fantasy.
Score: 3 - Posted on 2005-05-05
Centaur Aisle is a great book.
I highly recommend this book! I have read most of the Xanth Series by Mr. Anthony and would recommend it as a necesary step in the evolution of Xanth and the understanding of the land and its people. These are the key characters who set the stage for all of the future books. The twists in the plot and the fun of what Magic (albeit funny Magic) might be like in Mundania are hilariously, exotically absorbing and if you look at this fraom a point of view of how the stories relate back to this book you will realize how great it truly is! I know it is a little more serious and less light hearted than the first three Xanth Novels but it is exciting and fun nonetheless. I actually consider this one my pesonal favorite of the twenty some-odd titles in the series that I have read. I consider Xanth Novels as "Must Read TV" because they are so delightfully entertaining, one is able to be drawn in and can almost watch the series of events unfold. Punny or not these books are great fun and I hope everyone else has as great a time as I have had reading them. Enjoy the escape of your imagination!!
Score: 5
- Posted on 2004-12-08
Centaur Aisle is moderately appealing book in Xanth series
In this fourth book in the Xanth series by Piers Anthony, you will follow the adventures of the temporary king Dor, Princess Irene, orge Smash, the golem Grundy, and a centaur named Arnolde the Archivist. The present king, Trent, and Queen Iris have left on a secret mission and left Dor in charge of Xanth until their return. The only problem is that they DON'T return! Can Dor figure out the clues that Trent gave him to determine their location in Mundania? How will they save the royal pair -- Mundania is a place where magic does not exist! Enter a new magician in the realm of Xanth, and the impossible becomes a magical reality.
One of my favorite parts of the book would be the climatic ending battle between our heroes and the antagonists. It is not my favorite of the Xanth books, but it is notable to see how Dor changes throughout the book. The author provides a slightly different side to Queen Iris' personality at the end of the book that I appreciated when I read it again as well.
Score: 3 - Posted on 2004-07-16
A high flying adventure!
Prince Dor has been left in charge while King Trent and Queen Iris go on a trade mission to the mysterious land of mundania.However, something goes wrong. Trent and Iris do not return when they are suppose to and Dor is left with an upset daughter (Prinsess Irene) and the Xanth elders who all know Dor is not ready to be king.
Going against the Elders wishes Dor and Irene set off in search of Trent with an unusual magition, a half ogre, a living doll, and a pouch of magical spells, including one cursed jar of salve that makes for an interesting twist.
This adventure takes place in Xanth, Mundania present, Mundania past, and the boarder lines between Xanth and Mundania, high in the air to far beneath the ground.
Xanth lovers will relish the new and interesting puns, while newer readers will find the adventure fun and amazing at times. A must read for any interested in Xanth.
Score: 5