I was fascinated by the Game and totally wish I could play it myself. I only have one niggling issue with the plot, but hopefully it will clear up later in the series.
Other than that, high marks. Really, very good. Can't wait to read the next one. Sep 28, Narilka rated it it was ok. Soon after escaping assassination on the highly technical, science-oriented planet of Proton, Stile finds himself in a world of sorcery and magic where another power seeks his destruction.
Unlike most genre books this one takes place in both sci-fi and fantasy worlds. Proton is the sci-fi half and Phaze is the fantasy half. It is the ultimate male fantasy story. Stile is a master Gamesman, expert at nearly every Game, th Soon after escaping assassination on the highly technical, science-oriented planet of Proton, Stile finds himself in a world of sorcery and magic where another power seeks his destruction.
Stile is a master Gamesman, expert at nearly every Game, the top ranked jockey on the planet and has quite a way with the ladies, human and inhuman alike. He is also blessed with a magic affinity on Phaze that he picks up in minutes. His only "flaw" is being short, which he internally monologues about and uses as his rationalization as why some people don't like him.
It's annoying. That being said, the worlds themselves are both interesting. I liked the concept of two worlds overlapping in space by alternate realities. The way the Game works and how the selection process is a huge part of the strategy was also a great concept. Stile's first attempt to ride a unicorn was priceless and one of the best parts of the book.
I'm not sure I would recommend this book to anyone. There were enough parts I found entertaining that I gave it 3 stars instead of 2. View all 4 comments. I'm gonna be real with you. It got worse. And usually, I'm not bothered by it - I'm a huge fan of Anthony, and the touches of it in all of his novels has never irritated me to the level that this book did. It's so bad, guys.
SO BAD. The "romance" - seriously, dude? A robot programmed to love you? The interactions between the MC and the robot are highly unrealistic and quite frankly were the most irritating things - and they made my eyes gloss over hardcore. I'll continue to read Piers Anthony, of course, but I definitely won't read any more of this series anymore.
Jun 22, Vincent Wood rated it liked it. Large number of people running around conducting their daily activities while wearing less clothing than might be seen at a European beach? Intimate scenes in which one of the participants is an anatomically correct robot?
Bestiality with a magical mythical creature? Yup, this must be a Piers Anthony novel. After all, he is the same author to have written a book named "The Color of Her Panties". Now I do not want to sound prudish. Well placed and well written sex scenes can Large number of people running around conducting their daily activities while wearing less clothing than might be seen at a European beach? Well placed and well written sex scenes can certainly enhance the quality of a book.
However, Piers Anthony seems to overdo it and make it ridiculous. Now that being said, this is an entertaining book. It combines a fantasy based world and a sci fi world and a character who can travel between them. He is on a grand adventure where he trying to solve his problems in both places.
While certainly no masterpiece, it was good enough that I am willing to check the next book in the series out. Feb 15, Maverick rated it did not like it. You know that feeling when you remember that you read a thing, and remember it fondly, but then you get that slow, creeping sensation that it isn't actually as good as you remember?
That is is, in fact, way worse than you remember? That's how I feel about this book. When I was in my early teens, I really enjoyed reading this. I'm now painfully aware of how outrageously sexist they are.
Jun 18, Jeni Clark rated it did not like it. My god. This book is brutally lame. Don't do it -- there are just some things you can't un-read. Feb 06, Chloe Stafford rated it it was amazing. Aug 07, Ron rated it liked it Shelves: maps , science-fiction , fantasy , ebook. The feedback is self-awareness. The whole game matrix concept rings false. An artificial construct, like quidditch, to pump up the protagonist.
Daily challenge games? After marathons? No incentive to read more of the series. Jan 04, Kat rated it did not like it Recommends it for: no one. Shelves: fiction-sci-fi-fantasy. This novel feels like it was written by a 13 year old boy who overcompensates for his social awkwardness and self-loathing with outward displays of machismo and misogyny.
The sexism in this book is disgusting. Is there redeeming value? Anthony can string words together with variety and an ease. However, the book had horrible pacing. Long parts drug on and on and on in tedium. Also, there were some glaring errors. For instance, the main character prides himself on cleverness, but then says that T This novel feels like it was written by a 13 year old boy who overcompensates for his social awkwardness and self-loathing with outward displays of machismo and misogyny.
For instance, the main character prides himself on cleverness, but then says that Tic Tac Toe is a game that two intelligent people will always come to draw on - when actually, the first player will ALWAYS win.
The plot? It might have redeemed some of the flaws except that most of the plot devices and the motivation for the main character were all based on the horribly misogynistic relationships the self-hating narcissist main character has. So can I power through the second and third installment of this series to resolve the overall plot? Probably not. I had a hard enough time finishing this one. View 2 comments. Jan 21, Ken Butters rated it it was amazing.
This was one of the first books I ever read by Piers Anthony. It led me to a slew of other books that I ended up enjoying a immensely. I found the main premise behind split infinity fascinating.
There exists two realities, One is a reality based on science, and the other is based on magic. Stiles, the main character is able cross over to the alternate Magical reality at will, because his other "self" in that reality was killed. Under normal circumstances, there is an alternate of each individual This was one of the first books I ever read by Piers Anthony. Under normal circumstances, there is an alternate of each individual in each reality Stiles is, in each world, the 'Best' or an adept, but it is really interesting to see how the character and first fumbles with his new-found magical powers, and learns how to become "adept" at using them.
Very clever idea for a continuing story line. Aug 10, Scot Parker rated it really liked it Shelves: favorites-fantasy. Piers Anthony startled me with this book, to be honest. I was not expecting a novel that blended futuristic science fiction with sword-and-sorcery fantasy to be so engaging, but Anthony pulled it off. I docked a star because the misogyny in the book was quite bothersome and the hero was too much a superman, but overall his characters are engaging and the plot and settings interesting.
There's nothing really groundbreaking in this book other than his juxtaposition of parallel worlds, one of which Piers Anthony startled me with this book, to be honest.
There's nothing really groundbreaking in this book other than his juxtaposition of parallel worlds, one of which provides the futuristic sci-fi setting and the other of which provides the fantasy setting, but Anthony writes soft sci-fi and sword-and-sorcery fantasy quite well and he adds just enough flourish to the tried and true tropes of these genres to make the book interesting.
May 25, Joan rated it liked it Shelves: animals , fiction , fantasy , read-in , adult-books , music. The book clearly owes a lot to the Xanth series in many of its premises. I suppose Anthony wanted another series that had slightly different premises than Xanth. Stile is being threatened by someone and escapes to another world where he becomes emotionally attached. He keeps going back and forth between the two world, trying to meet his various obligations.
Eventually he manages to solve the final and most tricky issue by the Alexander solution to the Gorgon's Knot I still think that it wasn't all that fair to Neysa but with everyone demanding extreme obedience to various oaths and obligations I suppose it was the best Anthony could do. He more or less wrote himself into a corner on this one. It occurs to me that we never found the person who was threatening Stile in the first world which I suppose doesn't matter since Stile left that world.
It was a loose end. The characters aren't as complex as in the Xanth series, which might be an unfair criticism since this is only the first book and a lot of world building had to take place.
The logical sorting out of various problems dragged some. This was a good book but Anthony can do better. Dec 27, Kearstyn rated it it was ok. Sometimes childhood favorites are better off staying fond memories. Still love the the worldbuilding, really hate the misogyny. Jun 12, Kim rated it really liked it. Read this as an adult at the recommendation of one of my best friends, loved it.
Still and always side-eye about Piers Anthony. Was delighted to recently read Slay by Brittney Moore, which I can unabashedly recommend as a gamer fantasy alternative. Shelves: sci-fi. I Read it because of the Cover 29 February I understand the saying 'don't judge a book by its cover' but the only reason I decided to read this book was because of its cover.
I suspect that the saying means that because if we don't like the cover then we shouldn't necessarily throw the book away, however I do not think it really applies when we like the cover and then want to read the book. Pretty sure, at least. My mind swirls with unanswered questions.
What year is it? I land solidly on two feet this time, ready and alert. Breathing hard. Judging from last time, about fifteen minutes. A swirl of wind rattles against the window. Not even a double beep. None of the sequences has any effect. A flash of frustration, and I rest my forehead against the pad. Think, Scout. My eyes drop to the scar on the back of my wrist, hating the chip right now. Each time I jump they see me disappear on the grid, and the exact moment of my return is visible as well.
Growing up without a chip I was just a nobody from nowhere, with no rights, no life. I hesitate, but the longer I think, the more sure I become. As long as the chip is in my wrist, I have no chance to get out. No way to reach Mum. Decision made. Pale light from the window makes it easy enough to see. My eyes adjust in seconds. Director Stan Ferguson. Forrest S. Paur screenplay. Top credits Director Stan Ferguson.
See more at IMDbPro. Photos 3. Add photo. Top cast Edit. Melora Slover A. Nelson as A. Nelson …. Devin Healey Joey as Joey. Redford Grandpa Frank as Grandpa Frank. Jodi Webb Ashlee as Ashlee. Jonathan Wilde Brandon as Brandon. Forging the Darksword. Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis. Decision at Doona. The Mirror of Her Dreams. Stephen R. Servant of the Empire. Feist and Janny Wurts. Magic Kingdom for Sale—Sold! Wizard at Large. Dragon Wing. Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.
Daughter of the Empire. The Anubis Gates. Heroes Die. Matthew Woodring Stover. The Sword of Shannara. Clash of Eagles. Children of Earth and Sky.
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