Pet Peeve (Xanth) 
asked by spiderman on November 29, 2006 1:29 PM
A relentless horde of renegade robots has plunged the fate of Xanth in dire peril. All that stands between the enchanted land and destruction is a most unlikely hero, a moody, mild-mannered Goblin named Goody, who must summon all of his courage and determination to overcome this abominable army of automatons.Brimming with heart-stopping adventure and heart-warming delight, overflowing with wicked wit and wanton wordplay, Pet Peeve is Piers Anthony in rare form, an exceptional new chapter in the continuing chronicles of Xanth.
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I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but beyond the puns in the Xanth books lie really good stories. The puns are, of course, outrageous. You either love them or think they're hopelessly stupid.
If you think bad puns are just juvenile, don't even bother with this (or any) Xanth novel. If you love the puns, don't forget that there's a story too.
Goody Goblin is on a mission with his bodyguard Hannah Barbarian (see what I meant about the puns?) to find a home for the Pet Peeve. In Mundania, this would be considered an foul-mouthed parrot. The Peeve certainly lives up to it's name, insulting everyone in sight, and making it almost impossible to find a home for it. Along the way, Goody and Hannah get to understand and like each other. Of course, they both find love along the way too, not to mention saving Xanth in the process.
As another reviewer said, this novel isn't quite the innocent book like previous ones. Lots of groping and kissing. Nothing explicit, of course, but it's not handled as subtly as usual. It seemed more...grown up? I liked the change.
If you've never read a Xanth novel before, pick this one up. You'll either love it or think it's totally inane. It's one of those things in life that you have to at least try once.
If you think bad puns are just juvenile, don't even bother with this (or any) Xanth novel. If you love the puns, don't forget that there's a story too.
Goody Goblin is on a mission with his bodyguard Hannah Barbarian (see what I meant about the puns?) to find a home for the Pet Peeve. In Mundania, this would be considered an foul-mouthed parrot. The Peeve certainly lives up to it's name, insulting everyone in sight, and making it almost impossible to find a home for it. Along the way, Goody and Hannah get to understand and like each other. Of course, they both find love along the way too, not to mention saving Xanth in the process.
As another reviewer said, this novel isn't quite the innocent book like previous ones. Lots of groping and kissing. Nothing explicit, of course, but it's not handled as subtly as usual. It seemed more...grown up? I liked the change.
If you've never read a Xanth novel before, pick this one up. You'll either love it or think it's totally inane. It's one of those things in life that you have to at least try once.
reviewed by redapple on November 29, 2006 4:56 PM
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well,ive got to say,the newest xanth installment has it all.adventure,puns(of course),a lot of traveleing,and of course panties and kissing and the like.haha.but its real good.im not done,i lack about a 100 pages or so.i got it yesterday at the local library and am almost done.i of course will wait until its out in paperback before i buy it.i have 20 of the 29 xanth books as of now.and am looking forward to continuing the series and my collection.i strongly recommend it to any fantasy fan,light or serious.if your new to xanth you will still enjoy it id say.id also recommend reading the sword of shannara trilogy by terry brooks or tolkien of course,ra salvatore,i could go on.
reviewed by dignified1 on November 29, 2006 7:16 PM
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I am kinda torn on what I think of Piers Anthony's newest Xanth book.
On the one hand I am pleased that this book has more of the spirit of the earlier books in the Xanth series. Maybe I am alone in my viewpoint, but I have felt that the last two or three books have seemed somewhat forced (sort of like Mr. Anthony is running out of ideas after so many Xanth books but is continuing to churn out a book a year). This one, I am happy to say, did not seem that way. The plot was great, the characters were funny and fresh, and the puns were.... the same as usual *grin*.
On the other hand, this book seems to have taking more of an "adult" feel to it. This seems to be becoming more and more prevelent in the later Xanth books (however the "Adult Conspiracy" has always been part of Xanth), and Pet Peeve pushes it a bit further than any of the earlier Xanth books have. I guess Mr. Anthony can do whatever he wishes to with his series, but it isn't the reason I have been a fan of the series since the tale of Bink in "A Spell for Chameleon".
I very much enjoyed the book (more so than the recient Xanth books, but not as much as the origional 10 or so) and read it almost straight through, but found myself skimming over the sections about all the kissing, feeling, etc.
Bottom line is I guess it is hard to argue with a book series that has seen 29 installments, with many of those being on Best Seller lists. If you are a fan of Xanth, you will most probably like Pet Peeve. If you are new to Xanth, Pet Peeve is a good one to start on (as you don't need much, if any, knowledge of earlier books in the series) but I would recomend reading the first three Xanth books before Pet Peeve (as I just think those three are hands down better).
On the one hand I am pleased that this book has more of the spirit of the earlier books in the Xanth series. Maybe I am alone in my viewpoint, but I have felt that the last two or three books have seemed somewhat forced (sort of like Mr. Anthony is running out of ideas after so many Xanth books but is continuing to churn out a book a year). This one, I am happy to say, did not seem that way. The plot was great, the characters were funny and fresh, and the puns were.... the same as usual *grin*.
On the other hand, this book seems to have taking more of an "adult" feel to it. This seems to be becoming more and more prevelent in the later Xanth books (however the "Adult Conspiracy" has always been part of Xanth), and Pet Peeve pushes it a bit further than any of the earlier Xanth books have. I guess Mr. Anthony can do whatever he wishes to with his series, but it isn't the reason I have been a fan of the series since the tale of Bink in "A Spell for Chameleon".
I very much enjoyed the book (more so than the recient Xanth books, but not as much as the origional 10 or so) and read it almost straight through, but found myself skimming over the sections about all the kissing, feeling, etc.
Bottom line is I guess it is hard to argue with a book series that has seen 29 installments, with many of those being on Best Seller lists. If you are a fan of Xanth, you will most probably like Pet Peeve. If you are new to Xanth, Pet Peeve is a good one to start on (as you don't need much, if any, knowledge of earlier books in the series) but I would recomend reading the first three Xanth books before Pet Peeve (as I just think those three are hands down better).
reviewed by success06 on November 29, 2006 7:27 PM
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When the cursed to be polite and act nice Goody Goblin asked the Good Magician Humfrey to help him get rid of the "Finger", the mage simply takes the objectionable object away. However, being a goody, the Goblin feels he owes Humfrey. She is willing to oblige the Good Magician when he assigns her to deliver the parody.
Goody Goblin and his assigned bodyguard the warrior Hannah Barbarian set off on a joint quest to locate a "suitable home" for the hostile foul-mouthed Pet Peeve. The foul fowl is a nasty creature that insults everyone and anything that has the misfortune of being nearby. That would not be so bad to the monster's current carriers except that Pet Peeve exactly imitates the voice of the dummy carrying it. Thus the insulted hold Goody responsible and when that upset individual is a fire exhaling dragon one tend to feel the heat.
Whereas Sue Grafton has reached R, Xanth is into the alphabet for the second time with PET PEEVE being the twenty-ninth fantasy parody. The story line contains the usual assortment of puns, adventures and more puns. This time the parody comes from the skills of the Don Rickles of birds as readers will appreciate the insults using the voice of the poor soul (that is if a goblin has a soul) stuck toting it so that anyone else in the area will think the carrier insulted them. Fans of the long running series will appreciate the latest lighthearted Xanthian quest that answers "what is ultimate reality?"
Harriet Klausner
Goody Goblin and his assigned bodyguard the warrior Hannah Barbarian set off on a joint quest to locate a "suitable home" for the hostile foul-mouthed Pet Peeve. The foul fowl is a nasty creature that insults everyone and anything that has the misfortune of being nearby. That would not be so bad to the monster's current carriers except that Pet Peeve exactly imitates the voice of the dummy carrying it. Thus the insulted hold Goody responsible and when that upset individual is a fire exhaling dragon one tend to feel the heat.
Whereas Sue Grafton has reached R, Xanth is into the alphabet for the second time with PET PEEVE being the twenty-ninth fantasy parody. The story line contains the usual assortment of puns, adventures and more puns. This time the parody comes from the skills of the Don Rickles of birds as readers will appreciate the insults using the voice of the poor soul (that is if a goblin has a soul) stuck toting it so that anyone else in the area will think the carrier insulted them. Fans of the long running series will appreciate the latest lighthearted Xanthian quest that answers "what is ultimate reality?"
Harriet Klausner
reviewed by glenn11 on November 29, 2006 7:29 PM