Xanth Series by Piers Anthony
The Xanth series by Piers Anthony is a long-running fantasy series filled with humor, magic, and puns. Set in the magical land of Xanth, where every citizen has a unique magical talent, the series follows various characters on their adventures. The books are known for their whimsical tone, clever wordplay, and imaginative world-building. With 47 books (and counting), the Xanth series is a treasure trove of fantastical tales.
Publication Order of Xanth Books
- A Spell for Chameleon (1977)
- The Source of Magic (1979)
- Castle Roogna (1979)
- Centaur Aisle (1982)
- Ogre, Ogre (1982)
- Night Mare (1983)
- Dragon on a Pedestal (1983)
- Crewel Lye: A Caustic Yarn (1984)
- Golem in the Gears (1986)
- Vale of the Vole (1987)
- Heaven Cent (1988)
- Man from Mundania (1989)
- Isle of View (1990)
- Question Quest (1991)
- The Color of Her Panties (1992)
- Demons Don’t Dream (1993)
- Harpy Thyme (1994)
- Geis of the Gargoyle (1995)
- Roc and a Hard Place (1995)
- Yon Ill Wind (1996)
- Faun & Games (1997)
- Zombie Lover (1998)
- Xone of Contention (1999)
- The Dastard (2000)
- Swell Foop (2001)
- Up in a Heaval (2002)
- Cube Route (2003)
- Currant Events (2004)
- Pet Peeve (2005)
- Stork Naked (2006)
- Air Apparent (2007)
- Two to the Fifth (2008)
- Jumper Cable (2009)
- Knot Gneiss (2010)
- Well-Tempered Clavicle (2011)
- Luck of the Draw (2012)
- Esrever Doom (2013)
- Board Stiff (2013)
- Five Portraits (2014)
- Isis Orb (2016)
- Ghost Writer in the Sky (2017)
- Fire Sail (2018)
- Jest Right (2019)
- Apoca Lips (2020)
- Skeleton Key (2021)
- A Tryst of Fate (2022)
- Feline Wizardry (2023)
1. A Spell for Chameleon (1977)
The series begins with Bink, a young man who lives in Xanth but seems to lack a magical talent. In Xanth, having magic is essential, and those without it are exiled to Mundania (the non-magical world). Bink’s journey to discover his talent takes him on an adventure filled with danger, humor, and unexpected twists. This book introduces readers to the whimsical and pun-filled world of Xanth.
2. The Source of Magic (1979)
Bink is tasked with finding the source of Xanth’s magic. Along the way, he encounters strange creatures, dangerous challenges, and more of Xanth’s quirky inhabitants. This book expands on the magical world and its rules, offering readers a deeper dive into the land of Xanth.
3. Castle Roogna (1979)
Dor, Bink’s son, is sent back in time to restore Castle Roogna to its former glory. Along the way, he befriends Jumper, a giant spider, and learns valuable lessons about courage and responsibility. This book combines time travel, adventure, and heartwarming friendships.
4. Centaur Aisle (1982)
Dor is now king of Xanth, but when King Trent goes missing, Dor must travel to Mundania to rescue him. This book explores the relationship between Xanth and Mundania, blending humor and action in a delightful tale.
5. Ogre, Ogre (1982)
Smash, a gentle ogre, embarks on a quest to find his true purpose. Along the way, he helps seven women with their own problems, learning about kindness and courage. This book is a fan favorite for its humor and heart.
6. Night Mare (1983)
Mare Imbrium, a magical night mare, must save Xanth from a deadly invasion. This book explores themes of duty and courage.
7. Dragon on a Pedestal (1983)
Ivy, Bink’s daughter, befriends a baby dragon while Xanth faces a mysterious threat. This story is filled with charm and adventure.
8. Crewel Lye: A Caustic Yarn (1984)
Jordan the Barbarian tells the tale of his tragic love and betrayal. This book is a mix of humor, romance, and action.
9. Golem in the Gears (1986)
Grundy the Golem embarks on a quest to rescue Rapunzel. This story is a delightful mix of fairy tale and adventure.
10. Vale of the Vole (1987)
Esk, a young man with a unique talent, teams up with magical creatures to save the Vale of the Vole from destruction.
11. Heaven Cent (1988)
Ivy searches for the Good Magician Humfrey to solve a personal problem. Her journey is filled with humor and surprises.
12. Man from Mundania (1989)
Grey, a Mundane, discovers his magical heritage and falls in love with Princess Ivy. This book explores the clash between magic and reality.
13. Isle of View (1990)
Ivy and Grey’s love is tested when a kidnapped centaur must be rescued. This story is both heartwarming and action-packed.
14. Question Quest (1991)
Good Magician Humfrey recounts his life story, revealing the secrets behind his wisdom and eccentricity.
15. The Color of Her Panties (1992)
Mela Merwoman searches for love while Jenny Elf and Che Centaur face their own challenges. This book is filled with humor and puns.
16. Demons Don’t Dream (1993)
Two Mundanes are drawn into Xanth through a magical computer game. Their adventure is both thrilling and hilarious.
17. Harpy Thyme (1994)
Gloha, the only female harpy, searches for love with the help of the Good Magician. Her journey is filled with humor and heart.
18. Geis of the Gargoyle (1995)
Gary Gargoyle must save Xanth’s water supply while dealing with his own transformation. This book is a mix of adventure and environmental themes.
19. Roc and a Hard Place (1995)
Pierce, a young Roc, must solve a murder mystery in Xanth. This story is a clever blend of humor and intrigue.
20. Yon Ill Wind (1996)
A Mundane family is swept into Xanth by a magical storm. Their adventure is both humorous and heartwarming.
21. Faun & Games (1997)
A faun named Forrest embarks on a quest to save a nymph. This book is filled with puns and lighthearted fun.
22. Zombie Lover (1998)
Breanna, a young woman, must deal with a zombie invasion while navigating her own romantic troubles.
23. Xone of Contention (1999)
A magical exchange program sends a Mundane to Xanth and a Xanthian to Mundania. Chaos and hilarity ensue.
24. The Dastard (2000)
A villainous man named The Dastard uses his power to undo events, causing chaos in Xanth. This book explores redemption and consequences.
25. Swell Foop (2001)
A group of adventurers must find six magical rings to save Xanth. This story is a classic quest filled with humor and surprises.
26. Up in a Heaval (2002)
A magical upheaval threatens Xanth, and a young woman named Umlaut must restore order.
27. Cube Route (2003)
A young girl named Cube embarks on a journey to find her magical talent. Her adventure is both whimsical and inspiring.
28. Currant Events (2004)
Clio, the Muse of History, must save Xanth from a magical threat while dealing with her own romantic troubles.
29. Pet Peeve (2005)
A magical bird causes chaos in Xanth, and a young man must find a way to stop it.
30. Stork Naked (2006)
A woman named Surprise searches for her missing baby in a story filled with humor and heart.
31. Air Apparent (2007)
A murder mystery in Xanth leads to surprising revelations and magical adventures.
32. Two to the Fifth (2008)
A young woman named Ragna must stop a magical dictator from taking over Xanth.
33. Jumper Cable (2009)
A man named Jumper must repair the magical threads that hold Xanth together.
34. Knot Gneiss (2010)
A magical rock causes trouble in Xanth, and a young woman must solve the mystery.
35. Well-Tempered Clavicle (2011)
A walking skeleton embarks on a journey of self-discovery in this humorous tale.
36. Luck of the Draw (2012)
A Mundane man competes in a magical contest to win the love of a Xanthian woman.
37. Esrever Doom (2013)
A young man must reverse a magical curse that threatens Xanth.
38. Board Stiff (2013)
A woman turned into a board game piece must find a way to regain her humanity.
39. Five Portraits (2014)
Five magical paintings hold the key to saving Xanth from a new threat.
40. Isis Orb (2016)
A group of adventurers searches for a magical orb that can grant wishes.
41. Ghost Writer in the Sky (2017)
A ghostly writer causes chaos in Xanth, leading to a humorous and adventurous tale.
42. Fire Sail (2018)
A magical ship takes a group of adventurers on a journey to save Xanth.
43. Jest Right (2019)
A young woman must prove her worth in a magical contest filled with humor and surprises.
44. Apoca Lips (2020)
A magical apocalypse threatens Xanth, and a group of heroes must save the day.
45. Skeleton Key (2021)
A magical key holds the secret to solving a mystery in Xanth.
46. A Tryst of Fate (2022)
A romantic adventure unfolds as two characters navigate the magical land of Xanth.
47. Feline Wizardry (2023)
A magical cat takes center stage in this whimsical and heartwarming tale.
Why You’ll Love Xanth
The Xanth series is perfect for readers who enjoy lighthearted fantasy with a touch of humor. Piers Anthony’s clever use of puns and wordplay adds a unique charm to the books. The world of Xanth is filled with magical creatures, quirky characters, and imaginative settings. Each book offers a new adventure while building on the rich lore of the series. Whether you’re looking for a fun escape or a whimsical journey, Xanth has something for everyone.
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