Piers Anthony's novel "The Source of Magic" is an enchanting and captivating addition to his Xanth series. Published in 1979, it follows the story of Bink and his quest to uncover the source of the magic that keeps the land of Xanth alive. In this novel, Anthony weaves a tale filled with humor, adventure, and magical creatures. The story begins with Bink, a young man who possesses no discernible magic in a land where magic is everything. Bink is faced with the threat of banishment unless he can discover and harness his power. As Bink embarks on his journey, he encounters a variety of challenges and peculiar characters.
Then when Humfrey and Crombie turned against him, all seemed lost. But Bink’s ingenuity and luck prevailed, and he reached his goal.
The brain coral, who has been opposing Bink s quest all along, uses Grundy to conjure Humfrey and Crombie from their bottle, forcing them to do its bidding. After she coaxed and cajoled me into swallowing my medicine, she handed me this book, I thought you might like to read this, one of the characters is named Trent.
As Bink embarks on his journey, he encounters a variety of challenges and peculiar characters. Along the way, he meets Chameleon, a shape-shifting woman who becomes his loyal companion. Together, they face dangerous creatures, treacherous landscapes, and insurmountable obstacles.
Source of Magic
As a ruler of a country steeped in enchantment, King Trent was naturally curious about the source of its magic. It made sense to order Bink, the only one of his subjects immune to supernatural harm, to undertake a quest to discover the wellspring of Xanth’s uniqueness.
From the beginning, Bink and his companions, Chester the centaur and Crombie, the soldier transformed into a griffin, were harried by an unseen enemy determined to thwart them. Even the power of Good Magician Humfrey, together with Bink’s protective talent, scarcely saved their lives.
Then when Humfrey and Crombie turned against him, all seemed lost. But Bink’s ingenuity and luck prevailed, and he reached his goal.
The King’s orders had been carried out . . .
But the King had not expected Bink’s next act—to destroy utterly the magic of Xanth!
About Source of Magic
A quest for the source of power threatened to doom the land of Xanth
As a ruler of a country steeped in enchantment, King Trent was naturally curious about the source of its magic. It made sense to order Bink, the only one of his subjects immune to supernatural harm, to undertake a quest to discover the wellspring of Xanth’s uniqueness.
From the beginning, Bink and his companions, Chester the centaur and Crombie, the soldier transformed into a griffin, were harried by an unseen enemy determined to thwart them. Even the power of Good Magician Humfrey, together with Bink’s protective talent, scarcely saved their lives.
Then when Humfrey and Crombie turned against him, all seemed lost. But Bink’s ingenuity and luck prevailed, and he reached his goal.
The King’s orders had been carried out . . .
But the King had not expected Bink’s next act—to destroy utterly the magic of Xanth!
Should my mom have introduced me to his books at such a young age? Heck neither she or I knew what I was reading until much later. And after a time, I just realized that it was all just too repetitive. Even the author admitted it was simply a cash cow for the publishers (by book nine I think).
Throughout the narrative, Anthony explores themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the power of perseverance. Bink's quest to find the source of magic becomes a metaphorical exploration of finding one's true self and embracing one's uniqueness. "The Source of Magic" not only showcases Anthony's mastery of storytelling but also his ability to create a vivid and imaginative world. The land of Xanth is an enchanting place, filled with magical objects, talking animals, and fantastic landscapes. Readers are transported to a realm where anything is possible, and the boundaries of reality are endlessly stretched. Furthermore, Anthony's witty and lighthearted writing style adds to the enjoyment of the story. He infuses the narrative with clever wordplay, puns, and tongue-in-cheek humor. This injection of levity serves to balance the darker and more intense moments of the plot, creating a delightful reading experience. In conclusion, Piers Anthony's "The Source of Magic" is a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure. It is a delightful exploration of self-discovery, friendship, and the limitless potential of the human spirit. Anthony's imaginative world-building, captivating characters, and witty writing make this novel an absolute joy to read..
Reviews for "Magic and Technology: Contrasting Elements in Piers Anthomy's "The Source of Magic"
1. Emily - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Piers Anthony: The Source of Magic". The story felt disjointed and confusing, with characters and plotlines that never seemed to connect. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me feeling detached from the setting. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it hard for me to stay engaged with the story. Overall, I was left underwhelmed and wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2. John - 1 star
"Piers Anthony: The Source of Magic" was a complete letdown. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their journey or motivations. The plot was also predictable and lacked any real suspense or surprises. I found myself skimming through most of the book, not really invested in what was happening. The writing felt amateurish and the dialogue was cringe-worthy at times. I wouldn't waste my time with this book.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I really struggled to get through "Piers Anthony: The Source of Magic". The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story meandered without a clear focus. The humor also fell flat for me, with jokes that often felt forced and out of place. The world-building had potential, but it was overshadowed by the lackluster storytelling. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious read and wouldn't recommend it to others.