The magical land of Xanth is in peril in this follow-up to Board Stiff by New York Timesâbestselling author Piers Anthony.  âIt occurs to me that you folk are no ordinary group,â the troll said.  âWe're on a special mission to eliminate the last of the anti-pun virus. We are a bit unusual.â  Astrid Basilisk-Cockatrice is the daughter of anonymous parents who whiled away a dull minute by generating her on a warm compost pile, then went their own deadly ways, never to see her or each other again. She found herself a soul, but her gaze is fatal and her touch is toxic. Thatâs not so strange in the Land of Xanth, where everyone has a unique magical talent, and charms, curses, and enchanted puzzles lie around every corner.  Now, Astrid and her companions are finishing the cleanup of a virus that ravaged the puns of Xanth, and new Quests are already popping up. For instance, Astrid is attempting to fulfill her mission in life, if only she can figure out what that is. And then thereâs the missing Question from the Good Magicianâs Book of Answers. Not to mention the small matter of a Demon Wager regarding the impending destruction of Xanth. But itâs nothing Astrid and her motley crew of lovely maidens and strapping men canât handle . . . they hope.  Piers Anthony delivers another tale set in the bestselling world of Xanth, filled with magic, surprises, adventure, and a few puns. Hereâs what the author has to say about his new book: âFive Portraits is a kind of sequel to Board Stiff in that it picks up where the other leaves off, with the same characters. Apart from that, itâs one of my favorites within the series. Thereâs something about Astrid Basilisk that appeals to me: a very pretty girl whose very glance is deadly, yet sheâs a nice person whose selfless effort to save five difficult children from future Xanth is thoroughly worthy. I also like the theme of the power of unlikely friendship. Not just Xanth, but Mundania, too, would be better if there were more such friendships.â