A Spell For Chameleon By Piers Anthony

Essay, Research Paper

A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony uses easy vocabulary words and is simple to read. The story line consists of surprises around every corner. It opens your mind to the imagination and is almost never predictable.

Xanth was the enchanted land where magic ruled. Every citizen had a special that spell only he could cast. That is, except for Bink of North Village. He was sure that he possessed no magic, and knew that if he didn’t find some soon, he would be exiled. According to the Good Magician Humpfrey’s demon, the all-knowing creature under his control, said that Bink was as powerful as the King or even the Evil Magician Trent. Unfortunately, no one could determine his form of magic. Meanwhile, Bink was in despair. If he didn’t find his magic soon, he would be forced to leave the land of Xanth.

The King of Xanth at the time was a nimble, old, and ignorant man who could command the weather. He did not like the Good Magician Humpfrey. And so when Bink got a note from Humpfrey, that said he had magic, and took it to the King, he did not accept it. The king banished him from Xanth to the outside lands of Mundania. Mundania was the land of no magic, almost like our world today.

When Bink steps outside the force field protecting Xanth, he is captured by the Evil Magician Trent. The Evil Magician Trent puts Bink and Chameleon (she was trying to find a cure for her magic) in a small underground prison. He tells them about his plan which is to send in his Mundanian Army into Xanth. Trent’s plan sounds like a good one but Bink doesn’t trust him. He doesn’t Trust Trent because he has a past record of being mean and evil.

Bink and Chameleon escape, and try to sabotage Trent’s only weapon against the force field. They find the weapon on a ship and are surrounded. They go into a rowboat and try to escape. But then there is a underwater whirlpool that forces Trent, Bink, and Chameleon down into the water near the force field.

When they wake they find themselves in Xanth. They help each other get through the enchanted forest. Also on their way to Bink’s hometown, they help the neighboring creatures fight off a deadly swarm of wiggles. Wiggles are these worm-like creatures that eat though anything and everything. The wiggles were squashed or bitten and lost the battle. They continue on their way but Bink still thinks that Trent is evil. Bink asks Trent for a duel and Trent accepts. During the duel, Bink finds out that his magic talent is not being able to be hurt by magic. Bink was about to be killed when Chameleon jumps into the way of the blade. She is dying, and so Trent feels sorry and sends Bink for help. Bink finds Humpfrey at his castle. The Magician Humpfrey sends the great council. The council decides that Trent is not evil anymore. And since they need a new king appoint Trent with the title King of Xanth.

I would recommend this book to anyone that likes fantasy books. The book had its high and low points. I think that the book should have more descriptions. Mostly, the book keeps the reader interested because it mixes reality and fiction into a interesting novel.