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Centaur Aisle
(Xanth #4)
by
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.
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Paperback, 304 pages
Published
June 23rd 1997
by Del Rey
(first published December 1981)
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Start your review of Centaur Aisle (Xanth, #4)
This book started out really slow! But in the end I loved it, and can't wait to read the 5th. I really don't know why people say these books are so sexist because (view spoiler) and also what Dor thought of at that time (and I quote) (view spoiler) there is also the
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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
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
I'm working my way through the Xanth series and finding it quite enjoyable. There's a bit of nostalgia – these were the gateway books that led me into a life of loving fantasy novels, and I still read them with quite a bit of fondness. Reading it as an old man and as a much more seasoned reader than I was when I first read these books as a teenager (that long ago? really?), I might under some circumstances be forced to critique these books as somewhat ham-handed and contrived – one of the reason
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As per most stories in the magical land of Xanth, this book was weeeiiird. I don't remember my reaction to the first three books in the series, but I'd say this was my least favourite so far. There were a lot of good story points and the humour was pretty chuckle worthy every now and then, but more so than usual Anthony's penchant to make comments about women (and in this case underage women) is preeetty creepy. I don't need to be reminded how hot a 16 year olds legs are once or twice a chapters
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I first encountered Xanth about 30 years ago and Piers Anthony has remained a firm favourite ever since. When things in life are crap I can just pick up a Xanth novel and jump straight in to a world peopled by hybrids with puns galore and lose myself in the magic.
In Centaur Aisle we follow Bink & Chameleon's son Dor as he sets out with princess Irene, Chet Centaur, Ogre Smash and Grundy Golem to rescue King Trent & Queen Iris who get stuck in Mundania after a trade mission goes wrong.
It has all ...more
In Centaur Aisle we follow Bink & Chameleon's son Dor as he sets out with princess Irene, Chet Centaur, Ogre Smash and Grundy Golem to rescue King Trent & Queen Iris who get stuck in Mundania after a trade mission goes wrong.
It has all ...more
I must disclose that I really enjoy the Xanth series. I love relaxing with some brain candy during the weekend, simply enjoying the story. So I rated the book 4 stars, when if possible, I would have given it 3 1/2 stars.
This is the fourth book in the Xanth Series. Dor is now 16, and King Trent has him running the kingdom while he has gone to Mundania to try to meet with a country to establish a trading partner. It was supposed to last only a week. Then it becomes longer and longer, and King Tren ...more
This is the fourth book in the Xanth Series. Dor is now 16, and King Trent has him running the kingdom while he has gone to Mundania to try to meet with a country to establish a trading partner. It was supposed to last only a week. Then it becomes longer and longer, and King Tren ...more
Jan 26, 2013
Barbi Faye (The Book Fae)
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
all, fantasy readers
Recommended to Barbi Faye (The Book Fae) by:
Piers Anthony
This is the fourth book in the excellent and awesome Xanth fantasy series. We join Dor who is now sixteen years old, & King Trent has asked him to watch the realm while he has travelled to Mundania, ahem Earth, to establish a trading partner. King Trent and Queen Iris have mysteriously disappeared. They have not returned to Xanth and they were only to have gone for a week. More time passes, what is Dor to do? Go on a punnish magical adventure; this is Xanth, people!
Aided ably by his friends Chet ...more
Aided ably by his friends Chet ...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
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Another really fun adventure in Xanth. Dor is the second generation to be chronicled and this is his second adventure. King Trent is raising Dor in the palace to give him training in how to be a monarch. However, this got interrupted when King Trent went on a week's visit to Mundania and never came back. Dor and several companions including the king's daugher, Irene, set out to find the King and rescue him. The puns flow quickly in this romp. As does love. This isn't great literature I suppose,
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This was a pretty good entry in the Xanth series, because it included aspects of Mundania (the real world), which is always pretty entertaining. The author had an interesting take on how everyday people would react to encountering magic, and while powerful it didn't become an unstoppable trump card, which I liked. Intelligence and cunning were still necessary for success. The relationship between Dor and Irene was cute, and made me smile. Overall, a pretty lighthearted and fun read.
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Classic Xanth Fair.
I had forgotten that this was another "It's a trilogy" book that got expanded like the Incarnations of Immortality or The Wheel of Time. But I like this one much better than Castle Roogna. It came SO close to just acknowledging Irene as a Magician. She's so flexible. It's a good time though. An excellent jaunt through mundania and a touch of Xanth as well. ...more
I had forgotten that this was another "It's a trilogy" book that got expanded like the Incarnations of Immortality or The Wheel of Time. But I like this one much better than Castle Roogna. It came SO close to just acknowledging Irene as a Magician. She's so flexible. It's a good time though. An excellent jaunt through mundania and a touch of Xanth as well. ...more
Aug 13, 2018
Data
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
everything_but,
at-the-library-red
The puns go on and on and on and on. It's not so punny any more.
...more
I read the first two Xanth books back when I was a kid and thought them pure delight. Unfortunately, they do not hold up to the less forgiving scrutiny of an adult and this Xanth novel is particularly bad in that respect. One of the best things about the Harry Potter books is that they prove YA books do not have to be written stupidly. The amount of stupidity in this book is boggling.
Centaur Aisle begins with the main character, Dor, age 16 reading and writing like an 8 year old. Granted this i ...more
Centaur Aisle begins with the main character, Dor, age 16 reading and writing like an 8 year old. Granted this i ...more
4 Stars
Centaur Isle is the fourth book in the the Xanth series by Piers Anthony. Dor has been left in charge of the kingdom while the king is away for a short while, but after a few weeks and the king hasn't returned, what will Dor do?
The Xanth Series is quite a really long series that has spanned many decades. I remember reading the first few books back in the very early 1980’s and was totally captivated by the epic fantasy that unfolded before my eyes. I collected all the books as each new one ...more
Centaur Isle is the fourth book in the the Xanth series by Piers Anthony. Dor has been left in charge of the kingdom while the king is away for a short while, but after a few weeks and the king hasn't returned, what will Dor do?
The Xanth Series is quite a really long series that has spanned many decades. I remember reading the first few books back in the very early 1980’s and was totally captivated by the epic fantasy that unfolded before my eyes. I collected all the books as each new one ...more
Four books deep into the Xanth series yet if this book was my introduction to this universe, I probably wouldn't pursue it further. I didn't enjoy the journey near as much as the previous story (Dor's introduction.)
Piers puts his puns in first, story in second. The travel required for the main plot was exhausting to mentally endure. Sure, its fantasy but oh my, what a stretch of convenience within characters. Nothing was dangerous or in fear of failing, just that in a world of magic, this was t ...more
Piers puts his puns in first, story in second. The travel required for the main plot was exhausting to mentally endure. Sure, its fantasy but oh my, what a stretch of convenience within characters. Nothing was dangerous or in fear of failing, just that in a world of magic, this was t ...more
Quote from the acknowledgements: "May those who feel Xanth is sexist have pleasure in this novel, where Mundania is shown to be worse." Fortunately, this aspect of the book is redeemed somewhat by the positive development of Irene's character, and the story itself is not bad, although some parts seem to me to be drawn out quite unnecessarily. I was just somewhat puzzled by the place at which the book stopped - I would have liked to find out how King Trent and the others got back to Mundania and
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Piers Anthony is always fun! I like the puns and the plays on words, and the little goofy tricks that help get his characters through their troubles. The way magic works in Xanth seems to be fairly unique view and I think the world is the better for it. It's lighthearted and fun while still being more of an adult book, which seems to be a rare thing.
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Park you brain at the Dor and enjoy another clever and enjoyable adventure in fantasy and wordplay with Centaur Aisle. Dor and Irene provide a fun romantic plot line of preeminently adorable proportions. Grundy and Smash provide levity and fun every step of the way. Every inch the fantasy escape that I love.
First book finished of 2020! Also, the first book that I’ve finished in a LONG time! Yay!
Overall, I found this to be my favourite of the Xanth books so far. The wordplay that Piers Anthony used is quite humorous throughout. I don’t think that any of these books in the series will ever get 4 or 5 stars from me, but it was pretty good nonetheless.
Overall, I found this to be my favourite of the Xanth books so far. The wordplay that Piers Anthony used is quite humorous throughout. I don’t think that any of these books in the series will ever get 4 or 5 stars from me, but it was pretty good nonetheless.
It’s not as punny as I would have liked it to be, but it’s still clever. I enjoy the adventures and try to ignore the blatant sexism of the late 70s. It grows tiresome; but at least the female lead is witty, adventurous, strong willed, determined, and intelligent.
Great books with humor
I am glad to read Xanth series. My sister got me to reads these stories and I still do it in her memory.
Great books. Would love to see as a bundle in ebooks
I am glad to read Xanth series. My sister got me to reads these stories and I still do it in her memory.
Great books. Would love to see as a bundle in ebooks
A great part of the Xanth story as Anthony travels across Xanth and into Mundania, the expansion of Dor and Iris as characters, and a very good supporting cast.
As always a pleasure
I have read this series a hundred times. Phenomenal. I can always looked Piers Anthony for a story that just takes me away
I have read this series a hundred times. Phenomenal. I can always looked Piers Anthony for a story that just takes me away
Quirky and sexist. But not a bad read.
This was as far as I got with Xanth. The stories are solid and fun, but as they continued I lost interest.
good and only getting better
classic
Apr 01, 2020
Amir Roth
added it
Still going strong in book #4.
Read the whole series but this one's my favorite
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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
Piers is a self-proclaimed environm ...more
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Happy Women's History Month! One of the undisputedly good things about modern scholarship is that women’s history is finally getting its due....
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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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“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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