The Xanth Novels, Books 41–43

Book excerpt: Three entries from the New York Times–bestselling epic fantasy series that’s full of rip-roaring humor and nonstop adventure. Ghost Writer in the Sky Tartan and Tara, two Ordinary People from Mundania, travel through a portal to Xanth, a magical realm where they are met with a plea for help. Two princesses need them to stop the Night Colt and his ghost writer from causing chaos in their kingdom. Tartan and Tara don’t hesitate to join the quest to save Xanth from the ultimate pun-tastrophe. Together with their new friends, they embark on a journey full of magic and romance—and, of course, puns—that will lead them to a long-lost prince, a beautiful dragoness, the goddess Isis, and a demon named Ted . . . Fire Sail Lydell, a shy, naïve man of twenty-one, and world-weary grandmother Grania cross paths when they beseech the Good Magician to add some excitement to the dull lives. The Good Magician promises to fulfill their hearts’ desires on the condition they pilot a fireboat to its new proprietors, whoever—and wherever—they are. With an obnoxious bird and a robot dogfish for shipmates, the two sail off on a pun-tastic quest and far-flung fantasy adventure . . . Jest Right Jess is cursed to have no one take her seriously. When she meets the very handsome showman Magnus, he promises to fake taking her seriously—if she joins his traveling show. The Good Magician will let them use his flying Fire Boat to tour the realm if they complete a quest he can’t remember. As Jess and Magnus try to unravel the mystery, they discover their true mission: to save Xanth from a big bird with a bone to peck . . . These books are the forty-first, forty-second, and forty-third books in the Xanth series respectively, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.