Crewel Lye (Xanth, #8)

Crewel Lye (Xanth #8)

3.63 of 5 stars 3.63  ·  rating details  ·  7,326 ratings  ·  73 reviews
Jordan was a ghost in Castle Roogna now. Although once he had been the most valorus of knights--that is, until he was betrayed by two wily magicians and the woman he loves. Now, if he only can remember how he was killed, he'll be able to reassemble his body. And he is getting impatient....
Paperback, 320 pages
Published March 12th 1987 by Del Rey (first published December 1984)
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Swankivy
Ah, punny titles. I wonder if he thinks of the titles first and then writes a book to match? Seems like it.

This book features Princess Ivy again. I like Princess Ivy. Partly because she's a female character whose talent isn't somehow related to sex or appearance, thanks. (Though that would have been creepy since her first appearance as a protagonist was at three years old.) But she is mostly not the focus of this one; she watches the story of Jordan the Barbarian through a magic tapestry.

I kinda...more
David Sarkies
I guess I might be getting to a point where I am confusing the Goodreads Database. By putting in all of the Xanth books I is probably starting to think that I read a lot of pre-teen fantasy novels. While it is true that I have done so in the past, it is not necessarily something that I am doing at the moment. Okay, I do have a number of such books on my self which I will get around to reading someday (which includes Game of Thrones, but that is hardly a pre-teen fantasy novel).
I guess the othe...more
Andy
A real pleasant surprise....this one has a great story going for it, but Anthony has managed to insert two great characters (Jordan the Barbarian and Threnody the demon-spawn) that really make this tale zip through. I've come to expect a certain level of entertainment from Xanth novels, but this one was just a real pleasure to read. Interesting note at the end: Anthony says all his Xanth novels are written for adults, but enjoyed by kids. I have noticed more and more adult themes creeping into t...more
J Austill
This book is likely the best of the Xanth novels, in my opinion, as it spends the most time in that position. Though, depending on day, I've been known to favour A Spell for Chameleon.

A lot of series are difficult to decide a reading order for. That isn't true of Xanth as the published order IS the chronological order. That couldn't be more apparent with Crewel Lye.

This books answers a question which many readers posed after reading Book 3, Castle Roogna. In that book, the plot centers around D...more
John
Feb 28, 2011 John rated it 5 of 5 stars
Shelves: xanth
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Stephanie
This one is my favorite of the Xanth series. I read this book before I read any of the others. It was in this book that Piers Anthony entranced me into the magical world of Xanth. He piqued my interest through his play one words and phrases. He created a world that was fun and magical in all sense of the word. Although I love his other books, this one holds a special place in my heart for creating a passion for fantasy fiction.
Blake
I had a little trouble with the shift to a first person narrative when Jordan Ghost started telling the story of his death as he followed the events in the magic tapestry. Mainly because there was a lot of summarizing of events prior to the story at hand to provide the background, which is necessary but can get dull. Luckily that only lasted for a chapter or so and once the story got rolling again, it was another great, punny read. While I've enjoyed all the of the Xanth novels so far, I've real...more
Twyla
I know I haven't been reading as much. Reading is more of a winter season thing rather than a reno season or garden season thing. Yes there'r only three seasons in my year.
I like this book.
I like this author
I like the use of puns.
I enjoyed the countryside, the history, the - well everything but the monsters. Love the stork analogy; I'll have to remember that should I ever get the chance to fuck again; which at this point in my life is highly doubtful.
Its an easy going read; the story flows well...more
Jenn
Anthony's concepts are always clever, but I nearly died from pun fallout in this book. They aren't even clever puns. They were incredibly distracting after a while. As a result, this was the last Anthony book I picked up.

There comes a time when a series has run it's course and the author needs to stop.
Ward Bond
Jordan was a ghost in Castle Roogna now. Although once he had been themost valorus of knights--that is, until he was betrayed by two wily magicians and the woman he loves. Now, if he only can remember how he was killed, he'll be able to reassemble his body. And he is getting impatient....
Adrienne Kiser
This book has all the qualities that make Xanth novels so much fun... it is light-hearted, the good guy always wins, there is definite swashbuckling, and it doesn't take itself too seriously. I was overjoyed to get my hands on this one!
jessica
This is a strategic re-read. I've been feeling very depressed lately about forces outside of my control and the other night as I lay in bed unable to sleep, began puttering around in dark, rifling through stacks of books until I found just the right escapist tome to lighten my mood. Passed up Fool's Fate, Ender's Game and any number of Dresden Files books that might have done the trick.

There is a time in all of our lives for some quality fantastical punning a la Piers Anthony and for me this tim...more
Kristin
This book is so fun for multiple reasons. Crazy plot twists, magic goof ups, and word punning like crazy. Fantasy that is intelligently written and engaging for adults. I've read it twice now.
Spencer Morris
This was even better than I remembered. It's a love story told to a 5-year-old audience with sex, betrayal and bitter regret! 'Nuff said.

I would like to point out a quote from Mr. Anthony in the "Author's Note" at the end:

"You see, I have many young readers, who write me in much greater numbers than the older ones do, but they are really not the largest audience for Xanth. Despite appearances, Xanth is intended mostly for adults, which may be why the kids like it."

So. I did not name my son after...more
Brianne
Xanth has a lot of moving forward but going back in time moments, this was one of them. Still the book wasn't confusing and I really enjoyed it. You can twist a land and wring tons of good original stories out of it.

Xanth is a good series to read as a filler series. Read the books you want if you run out of books, pick up a Xanth, or you could just read them all through, that's cool too.
Theresa
Humor, romance, and adventure all rolled in one book.
While there are a few who don't like this book because of the excessive use of puns and wordplay, I find it the opposite. I think the only way to make the Xanth series better than it is, is to show just how versatile the English language can be.
About the story in itself, while there was more romance than I expected, but it also held quite a few comedic moments for those who aren't fans of straight romance. Overall, I found the mix of it all to...more
Greg
A book, from a series of books, that I read in my teens. I picked it up at a thrift store to read it once again. A little tongue-in-cheek, it's a fun read for teenagers.
Irene
At some point Piers Anthony stops being clever with puns and the series turns into like a series written for twelve year olds but even so this book was p good
Monica
I remember I enjoyed this series a great deal when I was an early teen. I also remember that as the series went on it got darker, weirder and a little pervier.
Gwendy2
This is my favorite Xanth book. Some people call it the punniest, but I call it the funniest. Gotta love this type of humor.
Three
Please see my review of A Spell for Chameleon
Dawn Banning
Started to get burned out on this series. Getting a bit too silly as I entered highschool decades ago.,,
Meighan
I enjoyed the story in this book, but the puns were a little heavy handed.
Susan Tietjen
Very good. Again a new twist and the characters keep getting better.
Sarah Sammis
I don't recall the details except for reading it on the train.
Yao Rui Huang
Just way cute, interesting ideas, and fun stories.
Natalie
Another fun romp through Xanth, and not a re-read for a change, I've never read this one before! Love PAs books, they're proper fantasy fun!!
Sherry
Ivy who is now 5 is having a boring afternoon after being grounded. Sits and listens to the tale of his demise told by one of the resident ghosts of the castle
Raymond
Crewel Lye a Caustic Yarn by Piers Anthony (1984)
Heidi
Feb 23, 2009 Heidi added it
This was my first Sci-Fi - got me hooked.
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Crewel Lye (Xanth, #8)
Crewel Lye (Xanth, #8)
Crewel Lye (Xanth, #8)
Crewel Lye (Xanth, #8)
Crewel Lye (Xanth, #8)

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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) A Spell for Chameleon (Xanth, #1) Bearing An Hourglass (Incarnations of Immortality, #2) Castle Roogna (Xanth, #3) The Source of Magic (Xanth, #2)

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