Geis Of The Gargoyle: Piers Anthony

Book XVIII of Xanth: Way down upon the Swan Knee River is the home of a steadfast gargoyle called Gary, who is in for some exciting times when Good Magician Humfrey sends him off on a year of service in exchange for modifying his geis - the duty that only he can perform. Gary's temporary task is that of tutor to a surprising little girl called Surprise, aided by the powerful Sorceress Iris, rejuvenated to a seductive 23...Turned into a human to make his new duties possible, Gary begins to wonder if he may have taken on too much. Quite apart from missing his wings and having to walk on his hind legs (the trick is to trot at all times) he also has to cope with Demoness Mentia and her rather perverse sense of humour - as well as Iris's all-too-alluring habits. But it's his own quest that leads them all into the city they call Stone Hinge in the realm of Madness, a perilous region where everything is its opposite and magic is even stronger than it is in the rest of Xanth. As the citizens of Xanth are transformed and the illusions become first deceptive and then downright dangerous, steadfast Gary Gargoyle is the unexpected hero of the day. Cover art by Mike Posen.