Hair Power by Piers Anthony, reviewed by Ally
ABOUT THE BOOK
Terminal cancer patient, Quiti, walks into an abandoned building planning on taking her life. Instead, she encounters a telepathic ball of hair that insists it is an alien seeking to facilitate diplomatic communication on Earth. Quiti assumes it is all a hallucination conjured up by her brain tumor. Because of this assumption, when she saves the alien’s life and it insists on doing Quiti a favor in return, she only asks for her hair back. She soon discovers, however, that the creature’s gift extends much further than her new locks that can change color with a thought. As her powers grow and her deadly illness goes into remission, Quiti quickly realizes that there are those that would want to use her for her abilities and is forced to leave behind everything that she knew. Will this blessing curse her to a life on the run, or does the mysterious hairball have more in store for her?
Piers Anthony, critically acclaimed author of the New York Times bestselling Xanth series, brings together humor and adventure in this original story of loyalty, friendship, extraordinary powers, and hair.
MY REVIEW
3 out of 5 stars
This concept is quintessential Piers Anthony: quirky, original, and well executed. The story is inarguably well thought out, and he leads the readers along on an entertaining tale. The pacing is perfect, slowly drawing the reader in until he or she is hooked. At first, even the character is fairly compelling; she seems strong and logical. After all, our first encounter with her is on a journey to take her own life so as to die in her own way rather than submit to cancer’s pull.
Unfortunately, this protagonist, Quiti, eventually becomes the book’s largest downfall. She is way too obsessed with the idea of having a boyfriend, and her entire character comes down to her looks. After all, the catalyst of the whole plot is her decision to ask for her hair back because she is a bald cancer patient. It’s ultimately a moment where a woman finds her worth tied up completely with her looks, which is fairly cringe worthy in the context of modern feminism.
However, outside of a feminist lens, Hair Power remains an entertaining romp with the always-dependable Anthony.
DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Piers Anthony is one of the world's most popular fantasy authors, and a New York Times bestseller twenty-one times over. His Xanth novels have been read and loved by millions of readers around the world, and he daily receives hundreds of letters from his devoted fans. In addition to the Xanth series, Anthony is the author of many other best-selling works. Piers Anthony lives in Inverness, Florida.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Terminal cancer patient, Quiti, walks into an abandoned building planning on taking her life. Instead, she encounters a telepathic ball of hair that insists it is an alien seeking to facilitate diplomatic communication on Earth. Quiti assumes it is all a hallucination conjured up by her brain tumor. Because of this assumption, when she saves the alien’s life and it insists on doing Quiti a favor in return, she only asks for her hair back. She soon discovers, however, that the creature’s gift extends much further than her new locks that can change color with a thought. As her powers grow and her deadly illness goes into remission, Quiti quickly realizes that there are those that would want to use her for her abilities and is forced to leave behind everything that she knew. Will this blessing curse her to a life on the run, or does the mysterious hairball have more in store for her?
Piers Anthony, critically acclaimed author of the New York Times bestselling Xanth series, brings together humor and adventure in this original story of loyalty, friendship, extraordinary powers, and hair.
MY REVIEW
3 out of 5 stars
This concept is quintessential Piers Anthony: quirky, original, and well executed. The story is inarguably well thought out, and he leads the readers along on an entertaining tale. The pacing is perfect, slowly drawing the reader in until he or she is hooked. At first, even the character is fairly compelling; she seems strong and logical. After all, our first encounter with her is on a journey to take her own life so as to die in her own way rather than submit to cancer’s pull.
Unfortunately, this protagonist, Quiti, eventually becomes the book’s largest downfall. She is way too obsessed with the idea of having a boyfriend, and her entire character comes down to her looks. After all, the catalyst of the whole plot is her decision to ask for her hair back because she is a bald cancer patient. It’s ultimately a moment where a woman finds her worth tied up completely with her looks, which is fairly cringe worthy in the context of modern feminism.
However, outside of a feminist lens, Hair Power remains an entertaining romp with the always-dependable Anthony.
DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Piers Anthony is one of the world's most popular fantasy authors, and a New York Times bestseller twenty-one times over. His Xanth novels have been read and loved by millions of readers around the world, and he daily receives hundreds of letters from his devoted fans. In addition to the Xanth series, Anthony is the author of many other best-selling works. Piers Anthony lives in Inverness, Florida.
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