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Premise: There is supposed to be a considerable separation between Xanth and Mundania, but somehow the boundaries are leaking. Tangle trees have been showing up in the back yards of some readers, and ogres have assumed positions as Phys-Ed instructors in some schools. Anyone who doesn't believe in magic must reckon with the rainbow, which shows up only at a distance and retreats if anyone walks toward it. If one person stands still and another walks, the rainbow remains in place for the one and retreats for the other -- simultaneously. It is one-sided, like a one-way path, invisible from the other side. That is obviously magic. But overall, there is not a lot of magic in Mundania, which is what makes it so dull.

So how can ordinary folks get to Xanth? This, too, is one-sided: it is easy for Xanthians to come here from there, but it is almost impossible to go there from here. Only when there is a fluke, and a bunch of Mundanians pass through, usually without meaning to. In the past such passages have led to a lot of trouble in Xanth, however, so they are not encouraged, and anyone who does know how to get from here to there keeps his mouth shut.

Nevertheless, there is hope. It is now possible to visit Xanth in a game -- and here is the game. If your faith is strong, and you have good imagination, and a certain hidden talent for magic, you can do it. Just honor the instructions that follow, and you will get there. This is actually somewhat safer than the direct route would be, because dragons find innocent Mundanes very tasty and you probably wouldn't last long. So be thankful for what you are offered. -- Piers Anthony

• Contents: 1 playing board, 162 playing cards, 15 dice, 6 pawns, 12 chits, rulebook, sorting tray.
• For 2 to 6 players ages 12 to adult.