Six Crystal Princesses

Book excerpt: In this heroic Xanth adventure from the New York Times–bestselling author, there’s no time like the present to free six plucky princesses from the past. Young Vinia is enjoying her life with her boyfriend, Prince Ion. They complement each other perfectly: her telekinesis helps him walk, and his ambiance abolishes all allergens, allowing her to breathe freely. But Ion and his twin, Hilda, are bored with their easy royal lives and are restless for an adventure . . . While telling the story of how their parents met, the twins remember their mother was once captured by a dragon and frozen in crystal along with a half dozen other strong-willed princesses. She managed to escape, but the six other maidens continue to be held captive—which gives Vinia, Ion, Hilda, and Hilda’s caprine-crossbreed boyfriend the perfect excuse to embark on a quest. But first they must get the approval of their parents—and the Good Magician. Since Vinia is the protagonist in this story (though she’s much more comfortable as a background character), it’s up to her complete the Magician’s challenges. And then comes their greatest test: to free the princesses from their patriarchal prison, frozen in place by the Dragon with the Girl Tattoo . . . Praise for Piers Anthony “Piers Anthony is one of those authors who can perform magic with the ordinary. . . . [He] is a craftsman.” —A Reader’s Guide to Science Fiction “Anthony’s unflagging sparkle, verve and wordplay spin everyday trials of Mundane life into storytelling gold.” —Publishers Weekly