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169th out of 226 books
—
160 voters
Centaur Aisle (Xanth #4)
Dor agreed to act as King of Xanth so long as Trent was gone for a week. But the weeks passed and Trent did not return. Dor knew he had to rescue his king but with no magic powers, how could it be done...?
From the Paperback edition.
From the Paperback edition.
Paperback
Published
June 23rd 1997
by Del Rey
(first published December 1981)
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The first Piers Anthony book I ever read.
At my middle school, there was a yearly book drive where everyone would bring in boxes of books from home and all the kids could go buy books for a dollar. I would always buy anything that had a dragon or a knight on the cover. That's how I got into Piers, Dragonlance, Eddings, and all that other Junior High stuff. Not to mention Conan.
I got this book there, and needless to say, as an eleven-year-old, Anthony was hilarious. Especially in these early books...more
At my middle school, there was a yearly book drive where everyone would bring in boxes of books from home and all the kids could go buy books for a dollar. I would always buy anything that had a dragon or a knight on the cover. That's how I got into Piers, Dragonlance, Eddings, and all that other Junior High stuff. Not to mention Conan.
I got this book there, and needless to say, as an eleven-year-old, Anthony was hilarious. Especially in these early books...more
So in Xanth, centaurs hate magic. (Why a whole race would randomly hate magic is beyond me. Why a whole race would be written to all have the same opinion about something is also a rather too convenient way to create tension.) Anyway, Arnolde the centaur who has a magical talent is shunned by his kin.
But Arnolde isn't the protagonist. Magician Dor is, once again. He's babysitting the throne while King Trent is off in Mundania, land of no magic, but something goes wrong and Trent doesn't return,...more
But Arnolde isn't the protagonist. Magician Dor is, once again. He's babysitting the throne while King Trent is off in Mundania, land of no magic, but something goes wrong and Trent doesn't return,...more
This is the fourth in a series of fantasy novels by Piers Anthony set in the mythical world of Xanth and stars the heir apparent to the throne, Dor. Dor is left as king of Xanth after the current ruler, Magician Trent heads to Mundania on a diplomatic mission. Dor lacks the skills to properly rule Xanth and learns some hard lessons. When Trent doesn’t return as scheduled, Dor sets off with his friends Grundy, Chet the Centaur, Smash the Ogre, and the young woman Irene in search of Centaur Isle.
T
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Dec 30, 2011
David Sarkies
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Tweens who liked the Harry Potter Books
Recommended to David by:
Stewart Wymer
Shelves:
fantasy
One of the things that I noticed about the Xanth Series is that while they were written in a particular order, and while it is probably helpful to read them in order, it is probably not necessary to do so. Personally, though, even though the series do not directly follow on from each other, as to most trilogies as series, it is hinted that it is following a time line. Obviously Centaur Aisle follows on after Castle Roogna, but not directly.
King Trent decides to go on a journey, and puts Dor in...more
King Trent decides to go on a journey, and puts Dor in...more
Centaur Isle
A good book
Centaur Isle
There is a land called Xanth where anything can happen. In Xanth everyone has magic powers. Some of the main characters are Dor, who can talk to the imamate; Irene, who can grow plants instantly; Grundy, the golem who can talk in any langue possible, and smash an ogre who has insane strength. The King of this land is king Trent. He is a very respected king. Then one day he goes missing. Dor, being second to the throne, decides to take his friends on a mission t...more
A good book
Centaur Isle
There is a land called Xanth where anything can happen. In Xanth everyone has magic powers. Some of the main characters are Dor, who can talk to the imamate; Irene, who can grow plants instantly; Grundy, the golem who can talk in any langue possible, and smash an ogre who has insane strength. The King of this land is king Trent. He is a very respected king. Then one day he goes missing. Dor, being second to the throne, decides to take his friends on a mission t...more
This was my favorite Xanth book by far. This book more than any other figured preeminently into altering who I was as a young man. Young love, sexual tension, heroism, principles and danger; it was really all I wanted after I read this book.
Even if I go back and discover these books weren't as good as I remember (highly likely considering the span of years that's passed), I gotta give credit to them for helping raise me in a sense. Senses of justice were pretty much instilled in me by these book...more
Even if I go back and discover these books weren't as good as I remember (highly likely considering the span of years that's passed), I gotta give credit to them for helping raise me in a sense. Senses of justice were pretty much instilled in me by these book...more
Even though I'm sure he isn't trying very hard, I love Piers's love stories. They are cute and endearing to me. I gobbled up every second of Dor and Irene. Especially the "opposite" part.
I also really like Smash's loyalty to Chet even those two couldn't be more different. And that loyalty made it even more sweet when became friends with Arnolde.
I wasn't a big fan of their first trip to Mundania, and a lot of the book reminded me of all the camping in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Don't t...more
I also really like Smash's loyalty to Chet even those two couldn't be more different. And that loyalty made it even more sweet when became friends with Arnolde.
I wasn't a big fan of their first trip to Mundania, and a lot of the book reminded me of all the camping in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Don't t...more
Centaur Aisle is about how Dor goes on a quest to save King Trent from Mundania, which is where he went to discuss a trade route. When king Trent goes to Mundania, he says he is only going for a few days, but he goes missing and is gone for about two weeks. Now, Dor must travel to Centaur Aisle to find out how to find him.
This is one of my favorite books. My favorite part was when the Centaur realized that he had a magical ability, so he fled to a Mundanian island to think as he always does an...more
This is one of my favorite books. My favorite part was when the Centaur realized that he had a magical ability, so he fled to a Mundanian island to think as he always does an...more
i first discovered this series in high school for a book report... where i read demons dont dream. i found the book a couple years ago and was like hey i liked this book in high school ill read it again... and liked it again... after some research i found out it was the 16th book in a series of over 30 books... i was like... i will conquer this series... Piers Anthony's series is fun to read though not that memorable... the series does build on each book... so im excited to see where it'll go in...more
What makes this book great is the Xanth formula, as mentioned in my review of A Spell for Chamelon:
As a general rule, Xanth novels are about a protagonist who doesn't really fit in and has no idea what their purpose in life is or what group they would fit in with. That is, they are a normal young adult. They decide to go on a Quest and over the course of said Quest they discover who they are, where they belong, and fall in love.
This is Dor's formula and we all came to love him in the previous bo...more
As a general rule, Xanth novels are about a protagonist who doesn't really fit in and has no idea what their purpose in life is or what group they would fit in with. That is, they are a normal young adult. They decide to go on a Quest and over the course of said Quest they discover who they are, where they belong, and fall in love.
This is Dor's formula and we all came to love him in the previous bo...more
This is the fourth book in the series and the second of Dor's adventures. With a group of friends (previous characters or children of previous characters) he sets off on a quest to find a danger threatening the land of Xanth.
The characters are interesting and the group works well together as a team. Every character is given something important to do, and each of them has an opportunity to demonstrate their own unique talents. I cannot recall any part of the book where a character might have bee...more
The characters are interesting and the group works well together as a team. Every character is given something important to do, and each of them has an opportunity to demonstrate their own unique talents. I cannot recall any part of the book where a character might have bee...more
I remember liking these when I was an early teen, so I picked this one up expecting to be amused.
Sadly, the humor is lacking, the characters are atomically thin, the excessive sexual references are off-putting, and there's way, way too much telling rather than showing. You know the stuff: "He was upset," rather than, "tears rolled down his face."
I don't think I'll be revisiting anymore childhood favorites by Piers Anthony.
Sadly, the humor is lacking, the characters are atomically thin, the excessive sexual references are off-putting, and there's way, way too much telling rather than showing. You know the stuff: "He was upset," rather than, "tears rolled down his face."
I don't think I'll be revisiting anymore childhood favorites by Piers Anthony.
It had been so long since I read this one, that I'd forgotten nearly everything, other than the barest outline. I really enjoyed how each person in the party was crucial to the success of the quest. The development of Dor and Irene's relationship was very nicely done.
As part of this book takes place in Mundania, and Mundania is a parallel to our own world, it makes me curious about how much of the history is based upon our own timeline. I wonder what I would find if I were to delve into the hist...more
As part of this book takes place in Mundania, and Mundania is a parallel to our own world, it makes me curious about how much of the history is based upon our own timeline. I wonder what I would find if I were to delve into the hist...more
My first Xanth book! I read it in 7th grade (12 years old). I loved how it was full of adventure and puns. It was a great introduction to Piers Anthony and a different writing style. It also sucked because the library didn't have any of the previous books in the series, so I couldn't find the backstory (in the dark ages before the internet), but that didn't stop me from enjoying it immensely.
This book is another of Dor's adventures, but this time he must face his task in the body that he was originally given. While he may not think that he is prepared for kingship, the role is coming up on him faster than he ever predicted. Now with one last effort Dor attempts to brave the dangerous land of Xanth in search of a way out, or maybe just the push he needs to lead the kingdom!
I really liked this book until the very end. Throughout the story Dor is gaining more confidence and realizing that he does have what it takes to be king. Then at the end when he is supposed to understand the situation with King Oary and act, his friends do it all for him as he is dumbfounded.
Other than that, the story was fun and the characters interacted very well.
Other than that, the story was fun and the characters interacted very well.
This is a good read and you can take this as the beginning of the love story of Dor and Irene. This shows him being smart enough to add a character that will allow them to use magic in mundania. I love the little puns, and although fighting scenes are a little dry with Anthony, the book is a good read, albeit a short one.
You have to take Xanth novels collectively because they're all very similar. Full of neat characters, puns and imagery, they all sort of mesh together in your head. One is not necessarily better than the other, they're all just...Xanth. They're all decent, nothing special, nothing groundbreaking. Good reads to pass the time.
The Xanth books were a hoot the first time through (many years ago). I attempted to reread them again recently, but they don't work for me now. It's probably not a maturity thing, because I still think Gilligan is funny! Hmmm. If you haven't read them yet, go for it. If you've read them once, remember them fondly.
I'm starting to get used to seeing the world through Dor's eyes. It's a more love view than the previous books, as Irene and Dor's relationship starts to heat up. Finally Dor has to come to accept that he will be king, and he learns the responsibilities that come with that.
Tons of puns, as always.
Tons of puns, as always.
In the 1980's I was a huge fantasy fan. It was like my own personal Golden Age! I loved Piers Anthony and Xanth and read about 10 of them, I think. Some were better than others of course -- and after Castle Roogna, this was not my favorite. In fact I cn't even remember what it was about!
Piers Anthony is actually quite a good author, and I would read his stuff still if it weren't for such as the occasional harpy that he throws in there. I mean, you don't see them or anything and he doesn't describe them in detail, but they are still naked on top and I just don't feel right reading a book with that imagery anymore—not that I entirely did then, either.
I like Anthony's ability to conjure a sense of the magic of the story. There really is a lot in his books. It's maybe not the most...more
I like Anthony's ability to conjure a sense of the magic of the story. There really is a lot in his books. It's maybe not the most...more
An enjoyable and sometimes slightly provocative entry into the Xanth series. Dor, Irene, Smash, and Grundy (and other characters) are fun to follow as they set out to rescue King Trent of Xanth in Mundania. I continue to be struck by how clever these novels are with the English language.
SUMMARY:
Dor agreed to act as King of Xanth so long as Trent was gone for a week. But the weeks passed and Trent did not return. Dor knew he had to rescue his king but with no magic powers, how could it be done...?
Dor agreed to act as King of Xanth so long as Trent was gone for a week. But the weeks passed and Trent did not return. Dor knew he had to rescue his king but with no magic powers, how could it be done...?
In this 4th installment of the "Magic of Xanth" series, Anthony tells the story of how Dor, after being crowned regent, must locate and rescue King Trent of Xanth in his absence.
In my opinion, this is the worst book in the series so far. Anthony makes it ABUNDANTLY clear his stance on cultural taboos like nudity and sexuality, even more-so than in the rest of the series. More pages are spent on 16-year-old Dor and 15-year-old Irene's innuendo-filled romancing and groping than on the rather unsa...more
In my opinion, this is the worst book in the series so far. Anthony makes it ABUNDANTLY clear his stance on cultural taboos like nudity and sexuality, even more-so than in the rest of the series. More pages are spent on 16-year-old Dor and 15-year-old Irene's innuendo-filled romancing and groping than on the rather unsa...more
The series is losing the charm that that made the first book so good. Part of the fun of all the puns was that it plays on words we use in the "real" world. It gets old quick watching Xanth inhabitants comment on the origin of those puns directly. I haven't lost complete faith in the series yet, but I hope it doesn't continue this downward trend. On to the next book!
I specifically remember being so wrapped up in this particular volume that I did not eat, sleep, drink, or visit the rest room for the entire day while I read it cover to cover.
I am currently re-reading the series. The last time I read it was back in high school. I am still enjoying them - I do love puns - but I think I enjoyed them more the first time around.
This book was great! It did have some things in it that were not overly appropriate, however, if the audience is thirteen or older, it would be fine.
Jan 11, 2012
Mike
added it
more Piers..if you enjoy his style of writing this is not a bad book...its not heavy nor boring but has plenty of chuckles and puns plus is lite reading
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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
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“Adults had the notion that juveniles needed to suffer. Only when they had suffered enough to wipe out most of their naturally joyous spirits and innocence were they staid enough to be considered mature. An adult was essentially a broken-down child.”
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8 people liked it
“Dor woke again as dawn came. The sun had somehow gotten around to the east, where the land was, and dried off so that it could shine again.”
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6 people liked it
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