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103rd out of 186 books
—
54 voters
Heaven Cent (Xanth #11)
In the mind of Xanth's precious shapeshifting Prince Dolph, the perfect way to see the world is to search for the missing sorcerer, Humfrey. Setting off with his faithful companion, Marrow, an enchanted skeleton, Dolph will penetrate an island of illusion, escape a goblin kingdom, outwit a husband-hungry mermaid, save Marrow from bone-starved harpies, and find romance with...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
May 15th 2000
by Tor Fantasy
(first published 1988)
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The Good Magician is still missing, and Ivy's younger brother Dolph decides it's his turn to go on a silly quest. He's pretty young, though, so the King and Queen assign him a skeleton companion. Both Dolph and the skeleton--Marrow Bones--can shapeshift; Dolph can turn into animals, and Marrow can turn into any arrangement of his bones once he's kicked. (Weird.)
So off they go on their quest, but of course something else happens and Dolph has to save women. (That's what they're for!) First he sav...more
So off they go on their quest, but of course something else happens and Dolph has to save women. (That's what they're for!) First he sav...more
It is funny that as I read over the comments of other people when they post the book as being read on Goodreads it is interesting to see what they have to say. A lot of them are suggesting that these later books where the first that they read, and there is obviously the extensive use of puns in the books. I never really found the puns hugely funny, and it was something that I put up with in the books.
I noticed as I read one of the reviews of this book that Anthony had borrowed from a lot of cl...more
I noticed as I read one of the reviews of this book that Anthony had borrowed from a lot of cl...more
After a long period away from the Xanth series, I came across Heaven Cent and couldn’t remember reading it. I hadn’t and I had evidently missed several episodes since the last one I consumed. If puns are the lowest form of humor, the Xanth books are the lowest form of fantasy. I don’t happen to believe that. I believe these pun-filled stories are like ice cream and candy—delightful in moderation, sickening in over-indulgence. Today, as I read Heaven Cent, I still groaned at the familiar puns lik...more
Heaven Cent is the 11th book of the Xanth series and one of those that I liked the least when I read them (back in the 6th grade). It has a few flaws:
- The protagonist's talent is much too powerful and he is never really in danger. This destroys any real suspense. Ultimately, it is a bit of a Superman problem where Kryptonite (reverse wood) needs to be introduced and appear randomly in order to create and danger at all.
- The protagonist has no real investment in the quest (he was just bored, rea...more
- The protagonist's talent is much too powerful and he is never really in danger. This destroys any real suspense. Ultimately, it is a bit of a Superman problem where Kryptonite (reverse wood) needs to be introduced and appear randomly in order to create and danger at all.
- The protagonist has no real investment in the quest (he was just bored, rea...more
As an introduction to Piers Anthony works, "Heaven Cent" offers quite a delightful foray into Xanth as well as a glimpse of its populace, from the creatures of the gourd who create dreams (e.g. the skeletons who abhor flesh, the nightmares who carry bad dreams, and the formidable White Stallion), the domain of the merpeople, dragons and all manners of winged beings, and an assortment of other creatures commonly found in fantasy literature.
The story itself, that of a young royal shapeshifter nam...more
The story itself, that of a young royal shapeshifter nam...more
Mar 31, 2008
Werner
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of the Xanth series, and of humorous fantasy in general
Shelves:
books-i-own,
fantasy
I first encountered the Xanth series years ago with Dragon on a Pedastal, which I read out loud to my wife. We both liked it, which encouraged us later to read more of the series (so, as the number of Xanth titles in my "Read" shelf indicates, there are apt to eventually be quite a few Xanth book reviews on this page!).
Anthony is a profoundly morally-grounded writer; his main characters are all fundamentally decent persons who want to do the right thing, and his plots tend to feature various lar...more
Anthony is a profoundly morally-grounded writer; his main characters are all fundamentally decent persons who want to do the right thing, and his plots tend to feature various lar...more
SUMMARY:
In the mind of Xanth's precious shapeshifting Prince Dolph, the perfect was to see the world is to search for the missing sorcerer, Humfrey. Setting off with his faithfuls companion, Marrow, an enchanted skeleton, Dolph will penetrate an island of illusion, escape a goblin kingdom, outwit a husband-hungry mermaid, save marrow from bone-starved harpies, and find romance with a slinky snake princess--all on his way to discovering a magic coin with all the answers!
In the mind of Xanth's precious shapeshifting Prince Dolph, the perfect was to see the world is to search for the missing sorcerer, Humfrey. Setting off with his faithfuls companion, Marrow, an enchanted skeleton, Dolph will penetrate an island of illusion, escape a goblin kingdom, outwit a husband-hungry mermaid, save marrow from bone-starved harpies, and find romance with a slinky snake princess--all on his way to discovering a magic coin with all the answers!
enjoyable quick read. I enjoyed reading a story about Dolph and Ivy as children. I have read other books in the Xanth series which have a lot more puns than this one. I missed the puns and found the puns in this one forced. The story itself was interesting, but only gets three stars as the other Xanth adventures had more action and adventure. It was hard to believe the romantic elements of this tale with the main character being only 9.
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.
Another quest and find love tale from Anthony. Luckily, he makes his characters somewhat interesting and one is able to enjoy different details and plot elements from book to book. This one is the start of a trilogy so approaches that plot machine from a slightly different angle. Poor Dolph, future King of Xanth, has all the female characters throw themselves at him. Life must be tough...
This was by far the best novel of the xanth series! This story was so captivating, successfully made me fall in love with these characters and feel their heartbreak unlike any other of Anthony's books. I encourage all to read this an revisit their boyhood.
One of my first reads by this author, kinda creepy in a petafile way. This may have been the book that turned me off of the author, but I am thinking about revisiting some of his other series...
Piers, Piers, Piers. You are such a guilty pleasure.
I love the Xanth books because you do what you do so well. No mindless exposition and no dreary descriptions. The 'only' thing you give us is a clearly-defined 'save the princess' and a set of obstacles that the hero needs to negotiate. Oh, and a mountain of puns and creative animals / plants.
I could use this to describe almost all your books - they're cookie cutter, but my god are they addictive. I'm not sure if I were to re-read them now they...more
I love the Xanth books because you do what you do so well. No mindless exposition and no dreary descriptions. The 'only' thing you give us is a clearly-defined 'save the princess' and a set of obstacles that the hero needs to negotiate. Oh, and a mountain of puns and creative animals / plants.
I could use this to describe almost all your books - they're cookie cutter, but my god are they addictive. I'm not sure if I were to re-read them now they...more
I've read several books that came after this one, and always wondered how Dolph came to be betrothed to two people. Now I know!
This is one I have read a few times, every couple of years. Highly imaginative and funny, I really enjoyed it.
Please see my review of A Spell for Chameleon
One of the better books in the series. Now why is the next installment not available as an ebook?
I love the Xanth Series. I find his play on words so fun and refreshing.
It's a Xanth book, what can I say. They're always a great, light, punny read :)
I love the idea of the Xanth stories. My husband started reading them since he has a bit of time between graduation and law school and I was cuddled up next to him and read a page or two. I love the puns and the twists. I enjoy the characters and the connections. The Adult Conspiracy gets a little old as does a nine-year-old's obsession with legs. I also got a bit tired of naked women trying to seduce him. Other than that, though, it was a fun story. I could see myself retelling it to my kids as...more
Just way cute, interesting ideas, and fun stories.
I don't remember the outcome of the double betrothal, but this book made laugh and brought me tears. Piers Anthony's ability to weave a complicated story in under 500 pages is legendary. I am looking forward to completing the series again. On to the next!
By far the best Xanth book in the series yet!
Another Xanth told by a new character.
Jul 27, 2011
Mary Arkless
added it
I love Piers Anthony's books.
Kind of Blah.
Sep 26, 2012
Howard
added it
14
Young adult 10-15
Read on a train.
Grade C. Book Z11.
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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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“Be what you are; it is better that way.
--Dolph”
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--Dolph”
