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Summary: This is one weird strange book
Review: Of all the books I have ever read, this one is number #1 in terms of strangeness and weirdness. Right off the scale.
Its hard to put into words, so go read it. Then you'll understand.
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Summary: One of Anthony's best.
Review: The Incarnations of Immortality is one of Piers Anthony's best series. He's associated so much with the widely read, widely popular Xanth -- but this book, and the 6 following it, are highly superior.First of all, the main character is a bit different from Piers' norm. Almost all male Anthony leads are the same -- naive, oversexed, and only redeemable by the virtue of having a high sense of integrity. Zane, Pale Horse's hero, isn't quite like that. He is, actually damned in the eyes of God. He killed his mother...something Bink or Dor or Darius or any other Anthony hero wouldn't consider. He's suicidal -- not uncommon in the author's works, but uncommon at this level in males. He even acts like an adult. He's more interesting than any of Anthony's other males, and I actually -liked- him. This book itself deals with death, Heaven and Hell, and God and Satan. The setting is the near future, with magic complementing technology. People fly around on magic carpets, advertised on billboards in big cities. Zane is a young man down on his luck, who is about to become the next Incarnation of Death -- the Grim Reaper, who flies around his pale horse to collect the souls of the recently deceased. This novel deals with more complex ideas than normal -- it is not fluff. It shows God as inactive, and Satan actively campaigning for the cause of Hell. It questions how souls should be decided, for placement in Heaven and Hell. And it shows death as -not- being evil. This is a book you'll read quickly, and not forget. Very much recommended.
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Summary: He's Death on Downers
Review: Zahn only THINKS he has problems, sure he is broke and he has no where to live but if all else fails he can always kill himself right? Well even that goes aye when he accidentally kills death. Ok this time Zahn's got real problems and he is drawn into a conspiracy involving God, Satan, Chronos, Mars and others. Overall-While it does have some theological plot holes big enough to drive a freaking truck threw I still like this book recommend it to all.
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Summary: Very Interesting
Review: The novel, On a Pale Horse, is a fantasy by one of the masters of the field, Poul Anderson. It is the first in the intriguing "Incarnations of Immortality" series, which explores the ramifications of a world where things like Time, Fate, War, and the subject of this book, Death, were personified.
This story takes place in the same fictional universe as some of Mr. Anderson's other novels. In it, Magic and Science are coexistent and codependent. This makes not only for a more interesting plot, but also a fascinating setting.
Zane, the main character of this novel, has atrocious luck, and when something inside him guides him into the enchanted gem shop, this is graphically illustrated. When he holds the Deathstone, it shows him that his demise is but a few hours away. When he picks up the Lovestone, however, it shows him that his true love is just as close.
Zane makes a deal. The shopkeeper may have the one true love Zane was supposed to have, in exchange for a Wealthstone rumored to bring its namesake. In short, the woman Zane was supposed to meet and fall in love with is rich beyond his wildest dreams, and the Wealthestone brings wealth, but in the form of occasional bits of lost pocket change.
At home, Zane finds himself committing suicide when the door swings open and in strides Death incarnate. Zane has just enough composure to swing the gun around towards Death and pull the trigger. This is a mistake, as Zane soon learns, for the person who kills death gets to be his successor, with all of the position's responsibilities.
Just as he is starting to get used to his job and try to change some of the rules for the better, he discovers that he is at the center of a conspiracy created by the other incarnations. This conspiracy will pit him against a force as great as any incarnation. It will force him to choose between his newfound love, and the well being of the Universe.
Mr. Anderson's use of imagery is exemplary, and the plot, although complex at first gaze, becomes much simpler as you read. Although sensory language is rather lacking, the descriptions of the way Zane's world works more than make up for this. I found that this book had a completely unexpected ending, and the tone was surprisingly upbeat for the subject matter.
This novel is an excellent read, and will pull you into its clutches as soon as you start the first page. This is another excellent fantasy from Poul Anderson, and I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
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Summary: The first of 7 books you gotta read
Review: In high school, I read this book because the cutest guy in our class was reading it. Now, I don't know where that guy is, but I own all 7 books in the Incarnations series. This book, besides being a necessary foundation for the rest, is a terrific story. The book follows Zane, an ordinary man who has made some bad choices, as he makes a choice that will change his whole life (and death) and then is faced with other difficult choices -at least one that can change all of history. Like all Mr. Anthony's books, this is well written and draws you in. If you are looking for a good series to keep your interest, I recommend the Incarnations of Immortality, and please, start with this one. This series is best read in order.
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Summary: Piers Anthony is just FABULOUS!
Review: I found Piers Anthony by mistake in the library one day and was instantly HOOKED! It took me a while to bring myself to read the Incantations series because they werent XANTH books, but once I got started .... boyohboy! What a brilliant series. The first book was so intriguing I just couldnt stop. The way the whole plot was put together really gave me a new outlook on life! Each book can luckily be read on its own, but it really is a great idea to read them all - not only because they are all good stories, but the plot within the plot is a nice twist! Go Piers!!!
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Summary: This book was satisfying.
Review: I found this book etertaining and enjoyable. The main character is an ordinary man who discovers inordinary abilities and strenths in himself after he dies. Assuming the office of death Zane (our character) draws on his new found strength of character to defy Satan and save the world from hell. Five stars!
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Summary: My favorite series of books!
Review: I read this series of Piers Anthony books (Incarnations of Immortality, starting with "On a Pale Horse") for the first time years ago and they all remain my favorite books. It is science fiction/fantasy writing at it's best. Some of themes introduced in these books have stayed with me and become a part of how I see the world today and the future. These are easy reading books, hard to put down. You'd like them if you enjoy stories full of imagination.
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Summary: The Death of Death
Review: I must say this is my favorite book. Every thing about it is excuisite, even the line in the back is ironic and funny (The Man That Murdered Death). I also enjoyed how easy to follow it was and how almost everything sticks to the plot unlike Bearing an Hour-Glass wich had a pointless, irrelivant chapter (B.E.M.).
However, I must say I particullarley enjoyed the new spin on death and the way the universe is run. :)
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Summary: One of the best books ever written
Review: On a Pale Horse is, without a doubt, one of the greatest books ever written. 'Nuff said.
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