Rating: 
Summary: Fantasy transformed into believable reality.
Review: This is the start of Anthony's best series ever. In this, the first in the series of 7 Incarnation of Immortality books, Anthony once again tranports the reader into his realm of understanding.
His concept on death is not only plausable, but believable. Unlike other authors which may ATTEMPT to entertain the reader, Anthony once again DELIVERS with his enthusiastic and well defined narratives.
It's not only a must read for Anthony fans, but a must see for all readers, both fiction and non.
Rating:
Summary: This book is an excellent sci-fi/fantasy mix.
Review: This book (and the accompanying series) are the best I have
ever read. The way the plots intertwine as you read from the
beginning of the series, "The Pale Horse", to the end, are remarkable. All are enjoyable, and do not necessarily need
to be read in order (I did not do so by accident), but this is the
first book and a good place to start.
Rating:
Summary: The book takes on a wonderful journey of metaphors.
Review: The balance between good and evil wrestled in the Incarnations Series of Piers Anthony's books provides an understanding of the way we sometimes look at life and immortality. This particular book invites the reader to step into the shoes of the Grimm Reaper himself. And towards the end of this journey you will feel compelled to show compassion towards this character. What I found most enjoyable about this series is the way it exposed me to a new perspective of reality
Rating:
Summary: A gloriouse mix of magic and science
Review: Imagine this... A man takes a trip on a flying carpet to a little shop in the city selling amulets. Along the way he sees all sorts of billboards, many of them advertising the wonders of Hell itself. Cars drive on the roads below, airplanes fill the sky. And all around him are the signs of not only science, but magic as well.In the first book of the Incarnations of Immortality Piers Anthony does a wonderful job of mixing magic, science, and a fair dose of mayhem as he weaves mystery, adventure and romance together. He also gives an interesting twist to the old myths of Death, Fate, Satan, and other deities... One of my favorites.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid Fantasy/Sci Fi - Very original.
Review: I'm not a big Piers Anthony fan, but have read a few books in his "Mode" and "Xanth" series.
This book scores some points for originality.
The protagonist, Zane, is a two-time loser. He's frittered away his life, love, and fortune, and has reached the end of his downward spiral. Zane decides to end it all, but instead of becoming Dead, he becomes Death. Whoops.
I was surprised that the story featured several laugh out loud moments, as well as some touching ones. Some of Zane/Death's interventions on behalf of the dying were just plain silly. On the other hand, some of Death's interactions with his clients made salient points about our society's obession with maintaining a person's life, while ignoring the QUALITY of that life.
Overall, the author has produced a book that is fun and thought-provoking. Nice job!
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece of Science-Fantasy
Review: I assign a five star review for the type of book that takes a hold of me and demands that I not put it down until the story has concluded. On a Pale Horse was this type of story.
The story begins on an alternate earth where magic and science cooexist. As you read you'll also discover that Earth's past hasn't changed a great deal from what we know of it, Magic not being rediscovered and refined apparently until early in the 20th century. So, while alien, the reader is still able to relate to the world in most aspects.
The lead character of Zane/Death is one which I found myself very much involved with. He, in time, becomes the type of character that almost anyone can identify with. As Zane matures into the office of Death, one becomes more and more drawn to his character and concerned for his character. The rest of the characters, including Luna, the eventual love interest of Zane, are treated as little more than window dressing. They exist in this particular story only to drive the plot. I see Luna as only half fleshed, but the reader comes to care for her because we realize that Zane cares for her, and we the readers have become quite fond of Zane.
The climax is amazing as Death takes on the Incarnation of Evil and in the process risks the lives of his fellow lesser Incarnations (Time, Fate, War, Earth) and his love Luna as well as the future of the entire world.
The story also delves into the nature of death as a necessary aspect of life. Without death would life not lose its value, it's purpose? Religion is discussed/debated as well, although the depth of such discussions aren't great. It provides intersting perspectives on such issues as sin and original sin, although they will probably anger the dogmatic.
Rating:
Summary: One of Anthony's BEST!
Review: As a big fan of Piers Anthony's Xanth series, I have to admit, "On a Pale Horse" was not what I figured it would be (that is, full of jokes and puns), but I wasn't disappointed. The book follows a regular joe who just 'happens' to accidentally "kill" death... so he's stuck taking over the job. It's incredibly interesting to follow, with fresh ideas on what Death might be, and a look at why it's actually an important an necessary thing in life.
I've read this book several more times and enjoyed it just as much on each re-read. Though I'm a huge fan of "Xanth", this book has become one of my favorites by Anthony. I probably never would have just picked it up myself, but my sister's recommendation wasn't wrong! If you're looking for a really fresh and unusual but fun read this could be it. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully written and thought provoking
Review: In ON A PALE HORSE, Piers Anthony brings to life a fascinating world kept running by the five Incarnations (Death, Time, Fate, War, and Nature) and the two Eternals (Good and Evil, otherwise known as God and Satan). Magic and science coexist, Purgatory is the bureacracy of life, and ghosts sometimes walk the streets with the living.
ON A PALE HORSE is the first of the 7 books in the Incarnations of Immortality series and focuses on the Incarnation of Death. Down on his luck and ready to end his life, Zane instead ends up shooting death. The Incarnation of Fate then appears to congratulate Zane: he is now the next Death! As the story continues, Zane learns to manage his new job, while at the same time pondering questions of life, death, justice, and love.
One of the most interesting things to me about ON A PALE HORSE is Anthony's approach to personifying something such as death. In Anthony's world, the person playing the role of death does not stay the same through eternity, but rather changes hands as each Death stops being careful and allows himself to be killed by his sucessor. This is much different from the common idea which is that even as the Grim Reaper death simply IS, without any human characteristics. Furthermore, because of his human qualities, Death is able to make conscious decisions about whether or not it is right for him to take a soul from someone who has apparently died out of turn. The question of whether or not it is fair for someone to die before their time is truly up is one of the biggest themes throughout the story.
Also interesting are the ideas presented about what sin is and what is fair judgement of a soul's sin. To me the impressive thing is that while dealing with traditionally theological ideas, ON A PALE HORSE never does sound like a religious piece of writing. Instead it is more philosophical than anything else, though not with the density of more traditional philosophical writings.
The writing is superb, as is the plot structure. The story flows constantly and consistently, and it is organized so well that nothing is mentioned without reason. I highly recommend this book and can hardly believe that it took me 18+ years to find out about. Because of the maturity of some of the ideas, ON A PALE HORSE is probably best for those 14 and older.
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Summary: A great series!
Review: This is the first book of the Incarnations of Immortality. You can read all of the other reviews for plot summaries etc.
The great thing about this book is that it has it all! Action, adventure, romance, humor, and thought proviking puzzles and theories.
This is my second favoriate book in the series followed behind Fate's book "With a Tangled Skein"... but Fate's story wouldn't be nearly as interesting if you hadn't already grown to love the characters that are first presented in "On a Pale Horse"
Rating:
Summary: One of if not my favorite
Review: While it's been awhile since i read this book i seen it in my book store and couldn't help it this is one of my favorites if not my favorite book of all time the whole incarnation of immortality series is awesome, but this is the best book followed closely by the book for love of evil, it grips you so hard you'll have a hard time putting it down, so leave yourself a day or 2 of free time before you start.
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