A Spell for Chameleon

A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony, 344 pages

A Spell for Chameleon is the first novel in the Xanth series. The series was started back in 1977 and continues today with over 35 books.

I can remember reading this book over ten years ago because I saw my dad reading this series. I found the cover image with the manticore intriguing and read it. I only made it to the third or fourth book back then before I gave up on the series and had ignored it since. While I am not sure what made me go pick up the book again I’m glad I did.

Not only is the story interesting but there is enough humor and word play that makes it funny as well. The story follows a character named Bink as he tries to find out if he has any magical talent. A magical talent is needed to stay in Xanth, and Bink is down to his last year to discover his or face expulsion.

If you enjoy a good sci-fi novel you should check out this book and others by Anthony.

The Pillars of The Earth, Ken Follett

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, 973 pages

      I have spent a considerable portion of this last month obsessively getting through this epic novel- I picked it up because I watched the mini- series awhile ago and remembered it as being a show that I binge watched as well. (thank you, Netflix.) I thought the book was great, considering that Follett gives us a medieval story centered around the construction of a cathedral.  He effortlessly weaves in descriptions of the construction, design, and architecture of European cathedrals with the drama of his protagonists.  His cast of characters begins with Tom Builder, a master builder who is struggling to find steady work, who dreams of designing a cathedral of his own someday.  From there the reader is introduced to a group of people (and a couple of  tremendous villains,)  who live in a world that can only be described as alien to the contemporary person today.  The Pillars of the Earth read like Game of Thrones without the magic, which was fairly refreshing for me- Follett gave me a glimpse of what life might have been like for people of several different classes, and what the world was like when there was no such thing as a secular society.  The power struggles between the English monarchs and the church trickle down to many of the characters, who must deal with the consequences in creative ways if they wish to continue building their cathedral.  Entertaining. I have already put the sequel, A World Without End, on hold.