Split Infinity

Definitely an interesting book, jumping between two worlds. A mixing of genres that definitely hold opposite ends of a creative spectrum.

There are many times I thought Stile a boob, but then it is a prototype for some of Anthony's characters. I had to give him the benefit of not knowing the one world at all, though it didn't salvage his status in my mind. I'll admit I had trouble with the series earlier, but one has to dig to find the proper theme.

From a writer's standpoint, I see places where it can be tightened, better executed. Too many of the characters feel flat, even the secondary ones. I'll keep reading, because I want to see the next book go for more punch, but I'm not hopeful anymore...

This is one of those books that I have read a hundred times (quite possibly literally) and cannot be objective about. I first read it when I was maybe 8. And man oh man did I love it. Horses! Unicorns! Magic! Underdogs winning!

It... doesn't hold up. There are some key worldbuilding elements that don't really work that I never would have noticed as a kid - so it's basically a slave society, where the slaves are all totally naked and powerless except they can leave the planet at any time. And yet it seems totally functional, has zero crime, zero serf-on-serf rape (although it is explicitly stated that serfs can be used as sex toys by Citizens) and apparently is such an awesome place to be that no one in their right mind would leave show more voluntarily. (They... get fed? And have shelter? And get to play games in their free time?)

Also, Anthony has some really... archaic attitudes about women, and they leak through. Every single woman that Stile encounters, encountered in the past, or might encounter in the future finds him inexplicably irresistible, whether or not they are his type, species, or whatever. He is therefore chivalrously obliged to take eternal possession of most of them, to the point where there is an actual conversation where a guy asks him if he could have Stile's girlfriend (because he's an honorable man and therefore would never actually approach the woman first.) And he graciously allows one of his adoring lackeys to be his steed forever. (I meant it about the species.)

So... not a book, or a series, I could in good conscience recommend. I'm not even sure I'll make it through a reread, as much fun as the various game depictions are. (Although... ugh, the Red Adept. Next book!) show less

A masterful blending of science fiction and fantasy; the action takes place in two worlds: the technologically advanced planet Proton and the medieval fantasy world Phaze. Our hero, Stile, passes between worlds defeating foes and avoiding death in both.
I don't actually want to explain much more about the book. In fact, I'm of the opinion that even the blurb on the back gives too much away. The outcome of a couple of contests is completely spoiled due to that information. In fact, I would encourage anyone who thinks they might be the least bit interested to go pick up the book immediately without reading a further word. Seriously. Why are you still reading this? Go get this book and read it right now. I'll wait.
Anyone still reading this show more review should hopefully only be doing so because you've already read the book and are for some reason curious to know more about what I thought of it. Okay. So, I really liked Stile, even though he's a bit cavalier about sleeping with two "women" at the same time. I thought both Sheen and Neysa were very resourceful and strong female characters. I was fascinated by the Game and totally wish I could play it myself. I only have one niggling issue with the plot, but hopefully it will clear up later in the series: (spoiler tagged, highlight to view) it bothers me that Stile would be a powerful adept in one world and an almost powerless serf in the other. I sort of got the impression that people were roughly analogous across worlds; it seems unlikely for there to be such a disparity between the two of him. Other than that, high marks. Really, very good. Can't wait to read the next one. show less

A touch of mystery, fantasy, AND science fiction. Seems to consider the question: what is the line between science fiction and fantasy? Not a deep book, but the main character does a great job of drawing you into the story.

This was a reread of a nostalgic book I really enjoyed when I was a kid...when I was a much less critical reader. I remember burning through this series, and desperately wanting to get home from a trip so I could borrow the second book in the series from my friend Malcolm.

This series is, well, all the stuff about female characters is true. Most of them have an uncomfortable, rather slavish devotion to the main character. Looking back, I'm sure this is one of the things that appealed to my amorphous, young male brain.

Besides that though, this is an enjoyable read and an interesting blend of genres, with a cool protagonist.

I have residual affection for this, which was a teen favourite, but it is unreadable as an adult. The stilted language and casual sexism are jarring, as are unlikely images such as a female robot whose breasts are 'perfect' (visually and to touch, of course), but can be removed - and resemble bed pans when held upside down. You what now? One to read only if you can switch off logic and offence triggers.

Anthony, Piers. Split Infinity. 1980. E-book ed., Del Rey, 2012. Apprentice Adept 1.
Piers Anthony is a clever tongue-in-cheek fantasist who delights in building unusual worlds. In Split Infinity, he gives us two for the price of one. We begin with a domed city on the planet Proton, a high-tech dystopia replete with humanoid robots and ray guns. Our hero, Stiles, is an indentured serf hoping to earn his citizenship by winning at the national games that include everything from ping pong and chess to fencing and horse racing. He is good with horses and has the classic jockey stature. Unknown citizens want to end his racing career. Another unknown citizen provides him with a sexy humanoid robot bodyguard. Then it is magic portal time, and show more we are off to a pastoral world replete with unicorns and werewolves. Stiles discovers he has innate magic powers.
A word about sex: clothes are illegal in the domed city, and all the women and fem robots are well-endowed. Anthony riffs on the later novels of Robert Heinlein, and such eighties pulpiness is not for everyone:--four stars, just barely. show less