What can I say? I will, unto eternity, be a Piers Anthony fan.When I was ten to eleven, I saw the book "Night Mare" at the library. I tried to read it twice but it was too much for me. That third time? I was up until seven in the morning reading it and I was hooked, despite the fact that I read them totally out of order.Ever since, Xanth novels have had a spot in my "auto-buy" category and I've read... four series of his and assorted other books. I love his site about digital publishers. He is the only person I ever sent a fan letter to and he wrote back. I still have it!Grumpy ogre that he is, he obviously appreciates his fans. Just look at "Letters to Jenny" and "Through the Ice."So... even though Xanth novels are incredibly formulaic, and just crammed with awful puns, I love them anyway. In fact, I love the formula. I know that everyone who deserves to be happy will be. If not this book, they'll come back! I get to see old characters I loved come back again.Though "Pet Peeve" did strike me as a bit more mature in some of its topics and humor than previous stories, but it could just be because I read my last one a while ago. But it didn't matter. Reading a Xanth novel is like spending time with an old friend I haven't seen in a while.So, I liked it a lot. And I'll like the next one a lot. In fact, I'm already reading it, because after going about the wilds of new books, it's nice to be somewhere familiar.
Anthony is always ready to entertain with ridiculous puns and endearing heroes. Goody Goblin is one of his finest - an outcast of his kind for being far too polite - with a quest that only he could complete - placing the peevish pet who loves a good insult.I really enjoy Anthony's style - his plots are always loosely woven, allowing us to see through the fabric of the tale and in to Xanth proper. This wonderful tale gives us access to new puns and old friends, such as Che Centaur, Magician Trent, twins Dawn and Eve, and many more. Xanth novels are the perfect way to escape reality, even if it's just for a few pages, and enjoy a grand adventure of comedy and the occasional panty-freak-out.Recommended only for those in on the Adult Conspiracy.
What do You think about Pet Peeve (2006)?
Since for better or worse, I'm addicted to Piers Anthony's Xanth series I think this book is good. It is not as good as the first three or even the first thirteen for that matter. If you have been following the Xanth series since the beginning as I have, you know that Piers has a formula (he even states this in his author's notes). So it's not hard to predict the story. But, I keep reading them. I think it's like a car crash or a burning building. I love puns and I think I'm looking to see what puns---some horrible, some clever, many of them sent in by fans---he puts in each book.
—Oliver
