According to the Author Notes, Anthony lent his name to this one to help a down and out author. I'm not sure I buy that. The tone is too much like Anthony's. This book feels like a grown-up Xanth novel. There aren't as many puns, but then the book is written for an older audience and the "mature content" doesn't have to be disguised.

I enjoyed the story and liked the "matter of factness" of the magic. There's no real explanation - it just IS. And, since my husband plays blues guitar (among other styles), I really enjoyed all the musical references. But, no musical knowledge is needed to understand or enjoy this story. ( )

While I was reading this I couldn't help but think that Piers Anthony must have had Jack Black in mind for the lead character. Same body shape, same scruffiness, same passion for power riffs. Is it possible he was thinking of turning this into a movie?