Split Infinity

Apprentice Adept Series, Book 1

By: Piers Anthony

Narrated by: Traber Burns

Length: 13 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

On the technological, decadent world of Proton, someone was trying to destroy Stile, serf and master Gamesman. His only escape lay in Phaze, a world totally ruled by magic. Soon he learned that his alternate self had already been murdered, and that he was next. On Proton, his fate depended on winning the great Games. On Phaze, he must master magic to survive. And if he used any magic at all, his friends were determined to kill him at once!

Be sure to check out all of the titles in the Apprentice Adept Series.

©1987 Piers Anthony (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"To solve his own demise, Stiles must travel between the two realities, each abounding with the expected confusions and unexpected plot twists for which Anthony is famous. An artful blending of SF and fantasy clichés and situations, Split Infinity shows Piers Anthony at the top of his ingenious game(s)." (Amazon.com review)

Oh, Piers Anthony

I remembered reading this book in Jr High and not being able to put it down. The series is one of the best I've Revisiting it a decade or 3 later, it is still a fantastic story.

The reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is the authors fascination with playing to the sexual overdrive of the male adolescent mind. Tone it down a little Piers!

It's not enough to ruin the brilliant story but it is enough to cost a star.

The reader's performance was excellent.

Good, but dangerously dated

Probably fine when written, but now comes off incredibly misogynistic. Otherwise a nice fantasy/sci-fi romp.

Good Classic!

I enjoyed it a lot. It's showing its age, for sure, but it was nice to go back to an "old school" fantasy/scifi experience again!

Clever and fun

I’m a fan of Piers Anthony and this is a well done reading. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Love this series

I have read this series about 40 yrs ago. Nice to hear it on audible. The narrator was hard for me to listen to at first. It’s like his voice didn’t match what was happening. Towards the middle of the book got better. Can’t wait to listen to the 2nd book.

Old School Writing

This was my first fantasy novel as a kid. Without this novel I would never have become an avid reader.

The best of both worlds

SF can be tricky stuff, particularly when you start reaching for books that were printed more than a decade ago. Some books just age well, some just look like giant piles of stinking poo. Split Infinity, written more than 25 years ago, has aged well. The lumping together of Science Fiction and Fantasy can be frustrating to fans of one genre or the other, but this books manages to span the two genres.

We are introduced to Stile, who is a serf on the SF world of Proton. Due to a number of various issues he literally stumbles across to the Fantasy world of Phaze, where he uses the various skills he acquired on Proton, and a lucky dose of magic, to learn more about the world. Along the way we learn the back story of Stile, his training and history as well as more information about the Phaze. Stile is fantastically lucky with the ladies, he seems unable to enter situations where at least one woman doesn't become enamored with him. As well, Stiles also appears to be among the most powerful of Phaze, an Adept, with ready access to magic.

A great story as Stile meets unicorns, robots and werewolves and continues to "know thyself" as well as balance his life in both worlds.

An Entertaining Concept

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. The idea was creative and engaging.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Stiles, the underdog who succesfully overcomes adversity.

Any additional comments?

Piers goes a little wobbly toward the end of the series, but this first book was thoroughly entertaining.

Classic with contemporary application

Stile’s journey of self discovery puts him in conflict with societal norms from time immemorial. Gender, race, environment echo through this 1980 spellbinder.

blast from the past

Loved it. blast from the past I hate having to put it in 15 words