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270th out of 654 books
—
843 voters
Ogre, Ogre (Xanth #5)
Smash, himself, was part ogre. Although ogres were considered so stupid they coud hardly speak, and spent their time eating young girls, seven assorted females had suddenly turned to him for guidance and saftety? In Xanth, one visit to the Good Magician Humfrey worked wonders....
paperback, 307 pages
Published
June 23rd 1997
by Del Rey
(first published September 1982)
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There were a lot of peculiar half-breed creatures in Xanth, and Smash the half-ogre is one of these. (He's half ogre, half human.) Looking for a plot to keep himself busy apparently, Smash goes to the magician Humfrey (like most Xanth protagonists do to get a plot coupon), and he's told to go hang out with the ancestral ogres to seek what he wants. Oh, and he has to be the guard for a half-nymph (there's that "half" thing again). Her name is Tandy. She's described a lot. Surprised?
Ogres are supp...more
Ogres are supp...more
Another Anthony book where nothing really happens.
Smash the ogre is sent on a quest, with no real goal, other than to escort a girl who was raised underground where, as she gets older, a demon comes into her room nightly and tries to rape her. On this quest, they meet a few other women of various magical races. Smash must employ is ogre strength to save them on occasion. Along the way he learns that he really isn't just a dumb ogre, and-- of course-- the girl falls in love with him.
I must admit,...more
Smash the ogre is sent on a quest, with no real goal, other than to escort a girl who was raised underground where, as she gets older, a demon comes into her room nightly and tries to rape her. On this quest, they meet a few other women of various magical races. Smash must employ is ogre strength to save them on occasion. Along the way he learns that he really isn't just a dumb ogre, and-- of course-- the girl falls in love with him.
I must admit,...more
I first read this book when I was in 3rd grade, on loan from my neighbor Rolf Mueller. I remember thinking it a hoot, and though many years have passed since 3rd grade, I remembered the book fondly.
A few years back, while looking through a closing used book store, I found a paperback copy for $.50. I bought it, fully intending to read it again at some point. And, so I have done. And it was still a hoot.
It's a simple read, very punny, that tells the story of an ogre much more engaging than Shrek....more
A few years back, while looking through a closing used book store, I found a paperback copy for $.50. I bought it, fully intending to read it again at some point. And, so I have done. And it was still a hoot.
It's a simple read, very punny, that tells the story of an ogre much more engaging than Shrek....more
Dec 30, 2011
David Sarkies
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Tweens who liked the Harry Potter Books
Recommended to David by:
Stewart Wymer
Shelves:
fantasy
Well, I have just discovered that there are 35 Xanth books, but I believe that I only read twelve of them. Here I am up to number 5, so I guess that means that I have another 7 to go to finish my brief comments on the Xanth series, or at least as many that I have read. I guess they must have been popular since Anthony did churn out 35 of them, but then again this does fall into the category of pulp and are mass market paperbacks. I suspect that all he needs to do is come up with a basic plot, a...more
Anthony never disappoints with his quick and easy writing style, however this was the first time I've read a book of his in which I started skim reading portions. Fighting went on a couple of pages too long, puzzles took too long for the characters to come to (often outlandishly silly) conclusions, and there were simply occasions where the writing felt forced just to include clever puns (on which this series is essentially based). It's not that it was a bad read... the characters were a lot of f...more
Read this book when I was young along with other Pearce Anthony books, but he is always adding things about naked women and other sexual suggestive things that finally turned me off from reading anymore of his books.
This was the first book that I ever read by this author. I read it in my tweens and I loved it. I think it totally relates to the tween mind with the silliness... the exploration of fears... the hints into that yet unknown sexual world... The story is good and I love the usage of everyday phrases like "out of your gourd", made into a plausible different meaning in the story line. It taught me to explore language more. I didn't read much more of the series because I was introduced into his 'Robot...more
Smash is an Ogre who is also half human. He is going to Good Magician Humphrey's castle to ask him a question. However upon arrival the good magician tells him to travel with a girl named Tandy who is half human half nymph. Along the way they encounter the siren, goblins, a girl fairy named John, a fire oak nymph, dragons, griffins and the land of the gourd. Smash travels with all of them and fulfills all of their dreams.
My favorite part was when Smash was in the gourd and had to face thing th...more
My favorite part was when Smash was in the gourd and had to face thing th...more
One male and several attractive females. I can't help but think this either inspired or was inspired by the anime formula that follows the same. Maybe not, but it is surprisingly similar in theme and situations as those repeated again and again.
It's kind of the ultimate dream to read (or watch) the singular male protect the harem of females. The fact that he had a good heart (and a bad head) made it pretty cool. And wow, rape. First introduction to that and it was from these books. This may have...more
It's kind of the ultimate dream to read (or watch) the singular male protect the harem of females. The fact that he had a good heart (and a bad head) made it pretty cool. And wow, rape. First introduction to that and it was from these books. This may have...more
This is one of my favorite Xanth novels, as it is with the most unlikeliest of traveling partners, which includes, Fireoak a tree nymph, Goldy Goblin, Blythe Brassie, John the Fairy, The Siren, Chem Centaur and the main two the book is centered around Tandy and Smash.
Smash is an Ogre sent to watch over Tandy who has been getting untoward advances by a demon, and theirs is an unlikely love story, but one that makes for a great story as they travel through Xanth, plus it sets up the next book perf...more
Smash is an Ogre sent to watch over Tandy who has been getting untoward advances by a demon, and theirs is an unlikely love story, but one that makes for a great story as they travel through Xanth, plus it sets up the next book perf...more
I love science fiction and fantasy. I find many other genres too predictable. I have to say Piers Anthony is one of my favorite authors. (No relation)
This and all of the other books i've read from Piers have been very very entertaining. The man has an incredible imagination.
I'm not adding specific reviews because it would take at least a month. I've simpply read too many.
The stars will have to suffice. If you enjoy sci-fi and or fantasy, you have to Give Piers a try. I have not been disappoint...more
This and all of the other books i've read from Piers have been very very entertaining. The man has an incredible imagination.
I'm not adding specific reviews because it would take at least a month. I've simpply read too many.
The stars will have to suffice. If you enjoy sci-fi and or fantasy, you have to Give Piers a try. I have not been disappoint...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
This book is were Xanth finally grows a beard (to mention a trope). Although it certainly follows the Xanth formula (which I mentioned in my review of A Spell for Chameleon):
"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...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...more
Not bad. Pretty consistent with the rest of the series. I probably read this book too slowly, which made me think the middle was boring. But it certainly started and ended well. so far all the Xanth books have seemed to drag a bit in the middle, except probably the first two. but then again, i read the first two straight through rather quickly and books 3, 4 and 5 I spent several weeks just reading a page or two a day in the middle of the book before knocking out the last hundred pages within a...more
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This entire book was just "so so" until Chapter 13... at that point the book pulled things together in a very satisfying manner, and earned its 3.5 stars that I'll offer up.
Piers Anthony is dependable in certain ways. For the most part, his books are light fare - a little perverted in a weird and usually disgusting way, and a little bit humorous in descriptive minutiae.
And for most readers, that usually determines which ones stick with Piers Anthony, and which ones get turned away. For the most...more
Piers Anthony is dependable in certain ways. For the most part, his books are light fare - a little perverted in a weird and usually disgusting way, and a little bit humorous in descriptive minutiae.
And for most readers, that usually determines which ones stick with Piers Anthony, and which ones get turned away. For the most...more
As a woman, sometimes I shudder when I read Anthony’s female characters. I don’t know if he is sexist, or just awful at writing women. Sometimes writing the opposite sex can be hard. I read women author’s that really can’t handle writing men, hell sometimes they can’t write their own sex. The point is, I don’t know about Anthony’s deal is. He did seem to get better in Xanth as the series went on, but this is one of the first books so be ready for fully voluptuous but somewhat dimwitted and card...more
I'm writing one review for all the Xanth books I've read because the same can be said of all of them. For a brief period in 9th and 10th grade I LOVED these books. With a strange mania. Now... um, not so much. I've chosen to split the difference between the score I would have given these books then (OMG, 5 STARZ!!1!) and what I'd give them now (probably a 2 or 3). If you have a love for punning, "humorous" fantasy and mild bawdiness give them a try.
I discovered the Xanth series when this book came out. I went back and read the first four. I love them! I've recently introduced them to my son who doesn't enjoy reading, but really liked the first book. I've read the series at least four times. I (in my tiny circle) led a D&D campaign that I designed based on the Xanth books. It was the most fun I had as a DM!!
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.
SUMMARY:
Smash, himself, was part ogre. Although ogres were considered so stupid they coud hardly speak, and spent their time eating young girls, seven assorted females had suddenly turned to him for guidance and saftety? In Xanth, one visit to the Good Magician Humfrey worked wonders....
Smash, himself, was part ogre. Although ogres were considered so stupid they coud hardly speak, and spent their time eating young girls, seven assorted females had suddenly turned to him for guidance and saftety? In Xanth, one visit to the Good Magician Humfrey worked wonders....
This was Piers Anthony's best book in the Xanth series, and was actually kind of cute. Obviously Xanth is all very silly, but this made an almost heartwarming romance. I felt for the characters for once. It's probably the only Xanth novel I'd recommend anyone read.
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
This is my favourite of the series! The way he combines all the characters and pairs them off is fun. There aren't as many puns in this book as there are in later books in the series, but there are more than the few he placed in the first couple of books.
delightfully puntastic and light-hearted fantasy reading -- my first intro to Piers Anthony and the world of Xanth, and as such always to hold a soft spot in my heart, even though it's nowhere close to the best book in the series :)
This was one of the first full-sized books I read when I was young, and I read my copy until it fell apart. The world was engaging and I completely related to the main character's dilemma in finding himself and just where he belonged.
Most of the characters in this book were shallow things, easily forgotten. The main character was made so incredibly different than his appearance in Castle Roogna, that I no longer cared about him. Even Crombie, who is only referenced in this book, had his character changed.
The story was moderately entertaining, and was the only thing that kept me from quitting this one early.
The story was moderately entertaining, and was the only thing that kept me from quitting this one early.
Amazing book in the Xanth series. One of those few books that grips you until you're done with it. So delightful that you even hope that it never ends. Alas, it ends but leaves you truly satisfied.
AMAZING book! this ogre is probably, NO IS, the BEST ogre you will ever know! and all of the girl that traveled with him...well, they were strong, smart, and completely AWESOME!!!
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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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Apr 12, 2012 03:17am