Many of the library’s patrons are fans of long-running series of books. Nora Roberts writes a murder mystery series that have titles all ending in “in Death.” Lillian Jackson Braun was known for her “Cat Who” mysteries while John Sandford’s “Prey” series has over 20 titles, plus a few crossovers into a related series. Although the library may not have every title in a series, inter-library loan is always available for a person working through a particular author’s title list.
A lesser known series author, Piers Anthony has been writing fantasy novels set in the magical land of Xanth. Now it his thirty-sixth book, Mr. Anthony brings us back to the fabled land, which just happens to be shaped exactly like the state of Florida. Only a few pages in, readers can tell the author is as committed to transporting the reader into a new setting as he is to making the next pun.
The title of this story is Luck of the Draw and follows a retired aging widower Bryce. Told he probably has one or two years left, Bryce starts cleaning out his possessions and finds a mysterious box with the power to transport him to Xanth. Once there he is put into the body of a young hero, tasked with saving a princess from certain death. His weapons are not a sword, but a pen (the pen is, after all mightier!) and a pad of paper. Anything that Bryce draws comes to life, hence the book’s title Luck of the Draw. I told you this book was full of puns!
Our hero Bryce has the tools to save the day, but whether he wants to win the princess and save the day is another issue entirely. Although in a series, this book can be read alone. The library has a few other titles in the Xanth series, and can get the rest easily though inter-library loan for you.
You can get the book reviewed here and more great titles to watch, read, listen to, or play with at the Port Library at 1718 N. Hersey in Beloit, on the North Campus. This is director Rachel Malay, saying “Thanks for checking us out!”
Luck of the Draw by Piers Anthony
ISBN: 9870765331359, 350 pages.
Adult Science Fiction