The Color of Her Panties

Definitely the most interesting title of a book I have ever read, if not the weirdest, this one is overloaded with puns by Anthony and combines two separate plot lines that all tie in together at the end. Mela Merwoman is looking for a husband, while Gwenny Goblin is on a quest to become the goblin kiing of her kingdom. The book is really not as perverted as the title suggests, but it appears Anthony is no longer shy about revealing his true reasons for penning this series.

I was not impressed by this book, which is a shame because I generally like Piers Anthony's work. To be fair, I wasn't expecting *great* things out of it; but the plot didn't really pick up until the last quarter of the book, I didn't particularly like most of the characters, and a little bit of my soul died somewhere in the eleven-page trying-on-panties sequence.

The Xanth books by Piers Anthony were one of the first SciFi/Fantasy series I ever read. I love puns so I have always enjoyed them. Upon re-reading them I can see that they have some weaknesses but overall they stand the test of time. They are a fun and fast read that keeps me amused without any deep thinking required.

Piers has gotten sick of the Xanth series. It has become quite obvious, especially based on his author's note where everyone else came up with the puns and "humor" for his book. I love the author's previous work for this series but this is just not even close to his standard work.

Excellent instalment of the Xanth Series, but, with all the puns, Piers Anthony is best taken in small doses.

This Xanth adventure we have Mela Mermaid, Ida Human, and an Ogress are on their way to the good magician's castle and end up having to rescue Che, Jenny, and Gwenny from the Roc when they try to help Gwenny beat her brother to be chief of the goblins. The author admits that most of the puns in this novel were not written by himself and it shows.

A long time ago when I was tweenish, I loved this series. I know it won't survive a re-read, so I'm noting it and letting it go.