This book series is about a land called “Xanth”. It is a land of magic, and every human, humanoid, or “Mundane” (from our world) creature is born with a magic talent. Some can use it right away, it takes a few years for some, and sometimes they never find it within the first twenty-five years of their life. Enter Bink, star of the first book, A Spell for Chameleon, who fits in the latter group. If he doesn’t find his talent soon, he will be exiled from Xanth, and sent to Mundania (Our world), and he will never be able to marry his lover, Sabrina. And so, he embarks on a journey to ask the Good Magician Humphrey, who knows everything worth knowing, what his talent is in exchange for a year’s service.

After the events in this book, the fun, pun-filled antics don’t stop. After Bink’s adventures are done and over with, his descendants take the reigns. Sometimes, it will even be about some other creature instead of Bink and his descendants.

Anyway, if the plot sounds way too stereotypical of a fantasy series, let me first say that that is just the first book. The next books aren’t like that at all. Piers Anthony isn’t a formula writer. One book could be about an ogre finding his purpose in life, and the next about a disgruntled horse! Also, the books never go in the direction you think they are going. And if you like puns, you are in luck! The world of Xanth is full of puns. If you don’t make a pun when you are in Xanth, you will surely step on one.

Also, you know of all the usual mythical creatures. Centaurs, dragons, the works. Well, yes, Xanth does have those. But it also has other beasts, such as the half-mermaid, half-human Gorgon, who turns people to stone, or the flowers, Tiger Lilies, which may bite your foot off if you pay no heed to their growling.

I got a bit carried away, but still, if you like pun-fantasy books, be sure to pick up this one!