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Piers Anthony

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Five Portraits (Xanth Book 39) Kindle Edition

by Piers Anthony (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.5 384 ratings

Book 34 of 42: Xanth

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The magical land of Xanth is in peril in this follow-up to Board Stiff by New York Times–bestselling author Piers Anthony.

“It occurs to me that you folk are no ordinary group,” the troll said.

“We're on a special mission to eliminate the last of the anti-pun virus. We are a bit unusual.”

Astrid Basilisk-Cockatrice is the daughter of anonymous parents who whiled away a dull minute by generating her on a warm compost pile, then went their own deadly ways, never to see her or each other again. She found herself a soul, but her gaze is fatal and her touch is toxic. That’s not so strange in the Land of Xanth, where everyone has a unique magical talent, and charms, curses, and enchanted puzzles lie around every corner.

Now, Astrid and her companions are finishing the cleanup of a virus that ravaged the puns of Xanth, and new Quests are already popping up. For instance, Astrid is attempting to fulfill her mission in life, if only she can figure out what that is. And then there’s the missing Question from the Good Magician’s Book of Answers. Not to mention the small matter of a Demon Wager regarding the impending destruction of Xanth. But it’s nothing Astrid and her motley crew of lovely maidens and strapping men can’t handle . . . they hope.

Piers Anthony delivers another tale set in the bestselling world of Xanth, filled with magic, surprises, adventure, and a few puns. Here’s what the author has to say about his new book:

“Five Portraits is a kind of sequel to Board Stiff in that it picks up where the other leaves off, with the same characters. Apart from that, it’s one of my favorites within the series. There’s something about Astrid Basilisk that appeals to me: a very pretty girl whose very glance is deadly, yet she’s a nice person whose selfless effort to save five difficult children from future Xanth is thoroughly worthy. I also like the theme of the power of unlikely friendship. Not just Xanth, but Mundania, too, would be better if there were more such friendships.”

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Piers Anthony is one of those authors who can perform magic with the ordinary. . . . [He] is a craftsman.” —A Reader’s Guide to Science Fiction

About the Author

Piers Anthony is one of the world’s most popular fantasy writers, and a New York Times–bestselling author 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 bestselling works. He lives in Inverness, Florida.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00MHAP20E
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy (October 21, 2014)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 21, 2014
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 4340 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 282 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #758,550 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #5,343 in Fairy Tale Fantasy (Kindle Store)
- #10,010 in Sword & Sorcery Fantasy eBooks
- #10,698 in Epic Fantasy (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.5 384 ratings

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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

4.5 out of 5

384 global ratings

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lildebbie

Five Portraits

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2017

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I have to say the title and the blurg on this book got me instantly! I was quite curious about how Piers Anthony was going to handle this one. I could NOT stop reading this book, as usual for his work! :) Then I thought back to the first time I read one of his books. I bought the 1st 3 together in an anthology. (My sister still has the book all these years later!) Anyway, I realized I've been reading his stories since middle school! Wednesday I turn 49! This has to be in my opinion one of his greats!!! I loved everything about this book, the subject matter and the new and old characters altogether! Maybe this is the time of year to write these stories Piers! You rocked it!! I'm behind a little, but I'm catching up, I already have the next book to read and there's no doubt in my mind I'll love it just as much as the others!

Piers, if you happen to read this, you are the writer you got me to read and leave my world for just a little while, or a long time when I needed it growing up! You gave me more imagination and a love for reading that continues to this day! Thank you for Zanth and giving me an escape, when I needed it in my life!

If you're new to Piers Anthony, I highly recommend his Zanth series to anyone and everyone! I love how he uses his fan base as a way for ideas and even better the puns on words which have kept me coming back all these year!

2 people found this helpful

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Keith Beasley-Topliffe

Love in many forms can change or even save the world (of Xanth).

Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2022

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Like all Xanth books, this one involves a quest that involves making friends and personal growth for the protagonist (and lots of puns). But here the growth is for pretty much all characters and the the stakes are as high as the survival of Xanth itself. The twists and turns are significant to individuals and overall plot alike. So important there's no room for long lists of pun credits or autobiographical notes.

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2017

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I discovered Xanth at 17 when I asked a co-worker why he was laughing so hard. He then told me about this marvelous land where puns abounded, magic was real, and an Adult Conspiracy still existed. Having been educated in Catholic schools, he was very reluctant to recommend it. Well, I did and I still am. I really enjoyed this but I do have two complaints. The first is unless you read BOARD STIFF first, it may be difficult to know what's going on. The characters are well established, in fact continuing their work from the previous book. The second is we definitely need a continuation, especially detailing what is going on with Santo and his new family.
A little less punny than normal, but at least we know it's because of the pun virus. So, Mr. Anthony, keep up the good and punny work.

4 people found this helpful

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Marje Wallace

this book will not disappoint!! Filled with new and old puns and ...

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2016

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If you are a Piers Anthony fan and a follower of the developments in the neighbor universe that is Xanth, this book will not disappoint!! Filled with new and old puns and play on words keep you on your toes and the twists and turns of the developing story and its characters draw you in to yet another adventure in the realm of Xanth. Thank you Mr. Anthony for all your contributions to our world of reading, I enjoy them and learn from or at least re-think my opinion on some subjects i thought long settled. I feel honored that you still contribute before you retire to the Brain Pool for a much deserved retirement and rejuvenation !!

2 people found this helpful

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Melvin S. Burckes

It is a good Xanth story worth reading.

Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2020

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This takes off from the story about cleaning up the Pun Virus. The waters of Xanth are being cleaned by a Gargoyle who takes a journey to try to help gargoyles clean up Xanth's water. In human form he and other characters battle an illusion making demon to find the master water philter for Xanth and correct a 30000 year old problem. Quite an adventure. A good read.

One person found this helpful

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Amanda M. Penn

below par for Xanth, but ...

Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2016

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I've loved the Xanth books since I read "A Spell for Chameleon" (back when it was in the hardcover first edition).

This one is a little below par for Anthony, but it can be that and still be better than at least 90% of the books that you read.

There is one problem with it. It has a continuity error with an earlier Xanth novel. I will not give the error in full, I just say go reread (or read for the first time) "Knot Gneiss". Pay attention to what happens to Wenda Charming nee Woodwife, especially towards the end of the book.

2 people found this helpful

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John G.

Xanth story

Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2020

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It had good plot and followed the last book of Xanth. It was a little slow at times and required some added storyline from previous books.

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PrincessMawtop

Please Be My Smelly Loved One

Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2017

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After being serious for 10 hours a day, I really need to unwind during my four hour commute. The questing citizens of Xanth make my commute possible and enhance my ability to concentrate at work. With respect to Five Portraits, reading about smelly creatures, hairy creatures, a talking board, a computer, demons, demonic clouds, and orphaned children, friendship, kindness, world ending disasters. ... oh my, what a perfect way to begin and end a day! I love you Pier's Anthony. Please don't ever stop writing about Xanth - You've been my literary guy since 1982.

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