A Spell for Chameleon (Xanth, #1)

A Spell for Chameleon (Xanth #1)

3.89 of 5 stars 3.89  ·  rating details  ·  17,702 ratings  ·  729 reviews
Xanth was the enchanted land where magic ruled--where every citizen had a special spell only he could cast. That is, except for Bink of North Village. He was sure he possessed no magic, and knew that if he didn't find some soon, he would be exiled. According to the Good Magician Humfrey, the charts said that Bink was as powerful as the King or even the Evil Magician Trent....more
Mass Market Paperback, 344 pages
Published February 12th 1977 by Del Rey Books
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Community Reviews

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Kevin
Jun 23, 2008 Kevin rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: nobody.
Shelves: fantasy, ya-fiction
I wish I could give this book a higher review. The storytelling is tight, the magic is interesting, and it can be occasionally funny. But the characters are mostly two-dimensional, with maybe an extra half dimension added to The Evil Magician Trent and to Chameleon of the book's title. And oh my god is this thing sexist. Chameleon herself could be a truly great character if Anthony had much interest in watch she thinks of her condition, of how her thinking changes as she changes, or in any other...more
Azz Lunatic
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Jim
I got book 2 of this series first, read it a couple of times before I finally got the first. I think the first 4 books are well worth reading - a must read for anyone into fantasy books. I think the series is up in the 20 odd count somewhere now. The first 3 or 4 are excellent. After that, I just couldn't get too into it any more. Might just be me.

When this came out, it was unlike any series before it AND was funny on top of that. Humor in this sort of fiction is hard to pull off, but Anthony d...more
Renee
The other day, I saw A Spell for Chameleon on a shelving cart and realized two things. First, that I'd read it before and despite enjoying it, had forgotten it completely. Second, that the author was Piers Anthony, who's been described as an outrageous sexist even amongst sci-fi/fantasy writers. So I picked it up again, for nostalgia's sake but also to see if Anthony was really so bad (he couldn't be, right? I mean, I liked this before...). And after reading it again, all I can say is...

HOW DID...more
Scurra
This is a stand-in for the entire Xanth sequence, since it is currently running at 30-odd books and counting. And I love all of them.

Ultimately, this is a series that you either "get" or you don't. And if you don't, then nothing I (or anyone else!) can say here will make any difference.

I don't like them for the writing quality. Even after all this time, Anthony still has trouble putting a sentence together, or making his dialogue sparkle or creating a convincing character (either male or female...more
Jillian
I turned to the Xanth series because I wanted an enjoyable summer read that would remind me of my childhood instead of my thesis. Though I'd somehow never read him, I assumed Piers Anthony would be an excellent choice, what with all of the praise and awards lavished on him, but I must say I'm somewhat disappointed. He certainly creates an intriguing alternate world and is an undeniably clever writer, especially skilled at word games and puns. (I imagine he would be an ideal video game writer, th...more
Chris
Piers Anthony is an author who is more conceptually innovative than literary. His writing is like puff pastry and not very substantive, but his characters are likable and the plots engaging. He has moments of preachiness mixed in, and sometimes a puerile sense of humor, but if you don't mind these things (or indeed, revel in them) you should give him a try. None of Anthony's books takes long to read, and you'll be able to tell by the first 100 pages of a series whether you're into his concept.

Xa...more
Stanley Townsend
This 1st Xanth book held my interest. I was reluctant to get into the series based on the many charges of sexism raised by reviewers. A female friend discounted these and I jumped in. Glad I did. Lots of themes in this one pertaining to characteristics and traits of the female gender - intrinsic to the plot - but this did not strike me as denigration. I'm sure some zealot could quote me line and verse in attempt to prove me wrong. I just don't see it. I thought the ending was a bit weak - like h...more
Catt
Wow.

i began reading the Xanth series somewhere around the 15th or 16th book many years ago. It was filled with light-hearted drama, action and puns that made me laugh out loud.

But this first book was such an original idea & filled with an amazing amount of tension, thoughts, morals, as well as the drama & etc. that will come to follow.

Bink not only takes an amazing journey through Xanth, into Mundania & back, but also inside & outside himself.


"How many people similarly spent thei...more
Stephen
2.5 stars. First in the Xanth series of books. Took me a while to get around to reading this as it has been on my "to read" list for a while. A decently written, fun book with a good system of magic and interesting world-building. Definitely on the lighter side, but I enjoyed the puns and the tone of the book. Not as good as some of Anthony's other books (most notably On a Pale Horse), but still a good read.
Hillary Hall
A Spell for Chameleon was Piers Anthony’s first book in his extensive Xanth series, which consists of 27 books. The Xanth series is considered a classic in the fantasy genre.
A Spell for Chameleon takes place in the magical world of Xanth, a land inhabited by humans, sentient creatures, monsters, and a vast variety of magical plants. This story follows the protagonist, 25-year-old Bink, who must discover a magical talent if he is to remain in Xanth. This is because in the magical land of Xanth,...more
Swankivy
The magical Land of Xanth is a clever idea, and the early part of this series--though already pun-filled--is not as insufferably chock full of silly internal references and whole scenes that exist to reveal a punch line as the later books are. This is the story of Bink, who of all the people of Xanth appears to have no magical talent. Everyone's got one! But not Bink! So he's got to go see the good magician Humfrey (this is the plot of perhaps half the books--go see the wizard, outsmart the trap...more
Lynn
I originally read this in college and mostly enjoyed it, although I thought Anthony was horribly sexist. (In a sequel, he says in the introduction something to the effect of "Those who object to the sexism in Xanth will be encouraged by this look at Mundania, which is worse." Um, no.) The details of the magic in Xanth are original and fun to read, and he obviously put a lot of work into envisioning such a world. The plot was also clever, with a satisfying ending.

But. BUT!

When I reread this, I re...more
Three
I started reading the Xanth books when I was about 12 (in the middle of the series with Ogre, Ogre), and continued buying the new ones as they came out over the next six or seven years. They grew progressively less entertaining as I grew progressively more discriminating and well-read (and as exposure rendered the continuing puns overdone in the extreme), but I still remember how much I loved them initially.

Even though they have a decidedly silly aspect to them, I think that in many ways they a...more
Cleo
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Alana
I read this book 3 times, twice in childhood and the third time just now with my husband.
1. It is outright sexist. No contest. Even my husband was a little offended.
2. The Author over explains everything in lieu of providing plot.
3. Balk. Balks. Balked. Balking. Every two to three pages.

It harbors the most ming-boggling chauvinism I have ever read, mainly because it is so blatant. No woman has a substantial magic apart from affecting appearances (usually their own) or... cooking. That is, of c...more
V.
Despite what people say about the author's sexism, his fondness for puns (a greater crime in some people's eyes) and the juvenile nature of some of the storytelling, this book has many good qualities, most of which reviewers haven't really talked about.

The central premise here is this: which is preferable, a very beautiful, very dumb woman, or a super smart, wise but ugly woman?

You can probably tell from this that a) the book is aimed at young men, and b) women might find the question, never mi...more
Rebecca
Others have already mentioned the sexism. Most of the time, I was able to just roll my eyes and ignore it, and I'm definitely willing to turn a blind eye to things written over 30 years back, but two bits really made me cringe: The fake rape trial in an early chapter, and how Iris's reappearance in the end is treated. (view spoiler)[That Trent, who is set up throughout the whole book as being well-educated, decent, honourable, and so tolarant againt his enemies that he even hesitates transformin...more
Cyberpope
My review of the 100+ books in the Xanth series(Yes, I've read them all)

This is, by far, the best of all of them.

Xanth is a magical land(seems to be in Florida somewhere) where every citizen, by law, must have some sort of msgic talent.

In this first one we're introduced to the main character, Bink, appears to have no magic talent, so is about to be exiled.

There's more to his seeming lack of talent than first appears.

Along the way we meet a few more characters who will be central to the whole se...more
Tom
Sep 01, 2012 Tom rated it 3 of 5 stars
Shelves: fantasy

This is the first in a series of fantasy novels by Piers Anthony set in the mythical world of Xanth where everyone has a magical power, except Bink.

When I read this as a teenage boy I loved the fantasy world Anthony created and the nature of Bink and his rival, Magician Trent.

The story begins with Bink ostracized by his village because he has no magical power and follows him on his quest to discover said power. He traverses the dangerous landscape of Xanth encountering a number of powerful foes

...more
Ward Bond
EDITORIAL REVIEW:

Though already developing a successful career in SF with such heady novels as *Chthon* and *Omnivore*, Piers Anthony did not reach brand-name status until he cooked up some fantasy in 1977. And it was cheerful, humorous fantasy at that, as in his first Xanth series novel, *A Spell for Chameleon*. The book's young hero, Bink, is without magical powers in a world ruled entirely by magic. Worse still, if he doesn't discover his own magical talent soon, he will be forever banished f...more
Mary Davis
Jun 13, 2012 Mary Davis rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fantasy readers
Shelves: books-read-2012
B&N Synopsis:

Xanth was the enchanted land where magic ruled--where every citizen had a special spell only he could cast. That is, except for Bink of North Village. He was sure he possessed no magic, and knew that if he didn't find some soon, he would be exiled. According to the Good Magician Humpfrey, the charts said that Bink was as powerful as the King or even the Evil Magician Trent. Unfortunately, no one could determine its form. Meanwhile, Bink was in despair. If he didn't find his magi...more
Justin Kemppainen
I definitely enjoyed this book, but I'm a little out of the demographic at this point in my life. The language, plotting, and so on are a little closer to mid-late teenage males, but this doesn't make it bad.

The writing and story is simple. The world is not designed with particular attention and elegance; it's more organic. People who are looking for a very deep world are not likely to find it in Xanth (at least the first book). The characters are also quite simple. They've got a couple of layer...more
David Sarkies
I read this book a very long time ago so my memory of it is very hazy, however, it is unlikely that I will read it again, therefore I will write a brief commentary on it. Piers Anthony was one of the more popular authors of young adult fantasy and science-fiction back in the 80's, and I suspect that he still writes even today. Apparently this book was going to be made into a film (Hollywood are looking at a lot of books to see if they can capitalise on the Lord of the Rings phenomena, however t...more
Ithlilian
This book appears to be geared towards teenage boys with the constant mention of breasts and pretty girls, but it's writing style seems geared more toward younger readers. A Spell for Chameleon has a storytelling feel like a mother reading her children bedtime stories or a teacher reading to a circle of children. Very early on however, we get sexual references. They aren't veiled or hidden, they are right there in your face (no pun intended). Since I'm neither a teenager nor a male I wasn't too...more
Aniruddha-isb
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Leeanna
Xanth 1: A Spell for Chameleon, by Piers Anthony

Twenty-five year old Bink of the North Village is in danger of being exiled from his homeland, Xanth, because he has no magic talent. Xanth is a land where magic is the norm, and the King requires that every citizen have a magic talent. Naturally Bink wants to discover his talent so he can stay in his homeland and marry his girlfriend, so he heads off to the Good Magician for help.

So begins the first novel in the Xanth series, which now has over 3...more
Hannah
Awesome read, and so much fun!

I loved the main characters; they were all so quirky in their own ways, intelligent and straightforward without being whiny and know-it-all. Bink made a great lead; for once, a fantasy hero who isn't invincible OR a whiny, angsty loser! He's tall, young and good-looking, but he's also flawed. He has issues with them, but then he faces them head-on and deals with them with minimal fuss. Same goes for Trent and Chameleon, and the three make an extremely likeable trio...more
George Shirer
I first read A Spell for Chameleon ages ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. For a while, I was enamored of Xanth. I loved the wordplay and the characters, but eventually left them behind.
A little while ago I was browsing through my local bookstore when I came across a sale copy of A Spell for Chameleon and, feeling somewhat nostalgic, bought it.
I sort of wish I hadn't.
My memories of Xanth and its inhabitants were rose-tinted. Returning to that world, to this story, after a few decades was a di...more
Irishgirl1247
I like many other reviewers read these books when I was rather young.My dad started me on them when I was about 11 and was breezing through children books so fast it was damaging his credit card with trips to borders and gas to the library. I loved them. As a child a read horse books, Nancy Drew and a few fairy tales, but this opened up a whole new world to me. What I find most interesting is how the sexism/sex went completely over my head. I actually kinda of worked out nicely, my brain simply...more
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Xanth series 23 77 Oct 26, 2012 02:47pm  
A Spell for Chameleon (Mass Market Paperback)
A Spell for Chameleon (Xanth, #1)
A Spell for Chameleon (Xanth, #1)
A Spell for Chameleon (Xanth, #1)
A Spell for Chameleon (Xanth, #1)

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Though he spent the first four years of his life in England, Piers never returned to live in his country of birth after moving to Spain and immigrated to America at age six. After graduating with a B.A. from Goddard College, he married one of his fellow students and and spent fifteen years in an assortment of professions before he began writing fiction full-time.

Piers is a self-proclaimed environm...more
More about Piers Anthony...
On A Pale Horse (Incarnations of Immortality, #1) Bearing An Hourglass (Incarnations of Immortality, #2) Castle Roogna (Xanth, #3) The Source of Magic (Xanth, #2) With a Tangled Skein (Incarnations of Immortality, #3)

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