Jessica, I agree with you. I got hooked on the
Xanth series during my senior year of high
school after being introduced to it by another
high school buddy. And I mean hooked. I read
through the entire series that existed at that
time in about a year, maybe 18 months.

I knew the books were shallow, but they were
fun to read. I was either not sophisticated
enough to recognize how badly Piers
portrayed his female characters, or I just
turned a blind eye to it because the books
were easy and enjoyable reads. Eventually I
read all the books he'd written up to that point,
and moved on to other, better literature.

Then the newest Xanth novel came out, and
as soon as it was in paperback, I went out and
bought it. I was in my junior year of college by
this point, and it had probably been well over a
year since I had read my last Xanth novel. I
enjoyed the book at first, but realized as I read
that I was becoming more and more
disgusted with it. I ended up throwing it down
the garbage chute, the remainder of it unread.

It took me long enough, but I finally saw the
light. Having read at least two of Mr. Anthony's
other series, I can honestly say that his style
isn't any different in his more "serious" fiction.

I know I'm probably ticking off all the Xanth
fans that post here by saying this, but I think it
needs to be said. Reading Xanth novels are
almost like taking "recreational" drugs. They're
fun, very addicting, and really bad for you.

Gri"of course in the end it's just another
opinion"shny