Roc and a Hard Place

Demoness Metria quests for Magician Humfrey, assembles a jury for Roxanne Roc's trial, a virtuous bird accused of swearing ("Darn!") in front of her egg. She navigates Xanth's magical chaos, puns, and adult conspiracies with a cast of quirky characters: the Simurgh and Dwarf Demons. The story features Metria's internal struggles with her multiple selves: D. Mentia, Woe Betide, and explores love and acceptance.

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.

#19-- thats right #19 and still marching onwards towards hilarity

"One year after the events of Geis of the Gargoyle, Demoness Metria, whilst making her husband Veleno deliriously happy, finds that the stork will not acknowledge her summons. Seeking to summon the stork, Metria (and her worser half, D. Mentia) are sent on a quest by the Good Magician Humphrey. Metria is then given a task by the Simurgh: Deliver a bag's worth of summons to their respective citizens of Xanth in order to hold a trial for Roxanne Roc. All that remains is to find out why Roxanne Roc is being held trial as Metria meets with many old Xanth characters, Grundy Golem, Sorceress Iris, Magician Trent, Gray Murphy, Jordan the Barbarian, Desiree Dryad, and many more!"

Enjoyable while reading, then totally forgetable.

XANTH