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Piers Anthony
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The Willing Spirit Kindle Edition

by Piers Anthony (Author), Alfred Tella (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 15 ratings
Spirituality, fantasy, and mythology merge in this “lighthearted, agreeably diverting yarn, duly respectful of India’s cultures and customs” (Kirkus Reviews).

Hari, a remarkably well-set-up young lad, has spent his entire life in a small village with his pious widowed mother, and the purity of his soul is largely uncorrupted by worldly sophistication. But now, poised on the brink of manhood, he feels himself moved by strange new urgings—urgings that will lead him far from the quiet life he has known. Though these strings are unfamiliar to him, virtuous Hari recognizes them for what they are: a hunger for spiritual enlightenment. As so many have before, he sets his feet upon the pilgrim’s path, becoming a wanderer in search of true wisdom. 

But who can know the ways of the gods, or foretell the twists of fortune?

Unbeknownst to Hari, his quest has become the subject of wager between two immortals: Mohini, a pulchritudinous Apsara and the vilely demonic Ravana, who lusts after her. Mohini and Ravana are at an impasse. Both are weary of arguing with each other—but while Mohini’s idea of a happy outcome is to have Ravana go away and leave her alone, Ravana’s ideas run along other lines entirely. They settle upon a contest and a wager, with the loser bound to do the winner’s bidding. Verily, the sages have written that there is a seeker born every minute, but Hari’s journey of discovery is fated to be stranger—and far livelier—than most.
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  1. Print length
    287 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy
  4. Publication date
    July 1, 2014
  5. File size
    4.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bestselling fantasist Anthony (Yon Ill Wind) collaborates with the lesser-known Tella (Sundered Soul, 1990) to cook up a tale of light eroticism and occult adventure inspired by mythic Indian tales including the Ramayana. Mohini, the beautiful goddess of love, and the god Ravana, ugly and cruel and lustful, gamble over the fate of a human named Hari. If Hari, with Mohini's help, can seduce (or be seduced by) seven women before Ravana can get him killed, Mohini will win a century of peace from Ravana; if not, she'll owe the dark god "a century of erotic frenzy." Despite Ravana's best efforts, Hari's life rarely seems to be at serious risk, with the ensuing story emphasizing the human's romantic adventures and misadventures with lovers, including a servant girl, a she-demon, a man-hating priestess of Kali and an invisible ghost. Finally, political plots are uncovered, and Hari, rescued from Ravana's last trap, marries the only partner suitable after such escapades. This smooth confection provides spirited entertainment for adults and just enough sexual detail to interest Anthony's large adolescent readership.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The goddess Mohini wants romance and peace, while the male god Ravana wants sex and violence. To stop his incessant sexual advances, Mohini proposes a game. Hari is their unwitting human pawn. If Mohini can seduce Hari with seven different women before Ravana's mortal men kill Hari, she wins a century of peace. If not, she succumbs to Ravana's erotic frenzy. Hari travels from his village to discover himself while the gods tweak those around him to provide sensual temptation, pleasure, and danger. An unusual plot, skillfully rendered. Recommended for fantasy collections.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00KLOY1QO
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy (July 1, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 1, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 287 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 15 ratings

About the author

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Piers Anthony

Piers Anthony

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Piers Anthony is one of the world's most popular fantasy authors, and a New York Times bestseller twenty-one times over. His Xanth novels have been read and loved by millions of readers around the world, and he daily receives hundreds of letters from his devoted fans.In addition to the Xanth series, Anthony is the author of many other best-selling works. Piers Anthony lives in Inverness, Florida.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
15 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • john milligan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
    Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I love Piers' books and this is a collabortion that he gives even more so that you will see how great he is
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  • RJV Engineer
    4.0 out of 5 stars A different culture revealed
    Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I had very little knowledge of East Indian culture and mythology. Thoroughly delightful. Nice and naughty in the right places.
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  • Joshua Koppel
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Hindu Fantasy
    Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2004
    THE WILLING SPIRIT by Piers Anthony and Alfred Tella is a very refreshing novel. Written mostly by Tella with only a small involvement by Anthony this is a tale straight out of Hindu mythology. Two spirits, one female and pulchritudinous and the other male, crude and violent, form a wager as to the effectiveness of their methods. They will each have seven chances to cause a chosen mortal's seduction or destruction. The target is a young Brahmin who has decided to take a journey of discovery.
    During the Brahmin's travels he becomes involved with nobles, the Rajah, powerful religious figures and many other interesting and colorful people. Needless to say he is still alive at the end when he returns to his home village.
    I do not pretend to be an expert on Hindu mythology and beliefs but the story seemed consistent and well researched. The only flaw I found involved a pair of conjoined twins who were not identical (while possibly lifted from some Hindu tale it is scientifically impossible). With the usual assortment of Arthurian and Medieval European fantasies stocking the shelves THE WILLING SPIRIT bings the same fresh approach that BRIDGE OF BIRDS did last decade. While I hope I don't have to wait another decade for something similar, this one is well worth seeking out.
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  • Marisol Ramos
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful adventure in the land of India
    Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2000
    The Wlling Spirit is a must read novel for those in love with mythology, India, playful deities and honest but sometimes naive males:-)This first novel of Alfred Tella in collaboration with Piers Anthony was great. Full of details about Indian religions and beliefs, it opened a window to a wonderful world full of colors and smells. The idea of a wager between a horrible demon and beautiful deity is not new, but in this novel it is innovative and fun to read. If you want a fun reading, with colorful characters and places, this is the book to read.
    Enjoy! I know that I already did :-)
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Nep Eman
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good but forgetful of it's destiny
    Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2003
    I like a good build up, but, hate a bad end up. Didn't like the end trick of all the tricks most.
    Nic
    One person found this helpful
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