{"product_id":"five-portraits-paperback","title":"Five Portraits - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003ePiers Anthony\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe magical land of Xanth is in peril in this follow-up to\u003ci\u003e Board Stiff \u003c\/i\u003eby \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e-bestselling author Piers Anthony.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"It occurs to me that you folk are no ordinary group,\" the troll said.\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"We're on a special mission to eliminate the last of the anti-pun virus. We are a bit unusual.\"\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e 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: \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"\u003ci\u003eFive Portraits\u003c\/i\u003e is a kind of sequel to \u003ci\u003eBoard Stiff\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\"\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePiers Anthony\u003c\/b\u003e has written dozens of bestselling science fiction and fantasy novels. Perhaps best known for his long-running Xanth series, many of which are \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestsellers, he has also had great success with the Incarnations of Immortality series and the Cluster series, as well as \u003ci\u003eBio of a Space Tyrant \u003c\/i\u003eand others. Much more information about Piers Anthony can be found at www.HiPiers.com.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 282\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.7 x 8.9 x 5.9 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e October 21, 2014\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42700931039295,"sku":"9781624672729","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0105\/8226\/1823\/files\/54026c3797c7ed52e288cb42892b5789.webp?v=1765018698","url":"https:\/\/dhl-adrianne.myshopify.com\/products\/five-portraits-paperback","provider":"BBB","version":"1.0","type":"link"}