Rating: 
Summary: All's fair in love and war. Right?
Review: Not really, as you will find out in this exciting novel by Piers Anthony. Mym has a rough life and a dominering father who thinks he knows best for his son. His father, instead of gaining Mym's respect and love, pushes him away and into the Office of War. War has a rough start and a hard time with the office requirements. War is bad, right? Not this War, HE is all together a really nice guy. If you have liked the series so far this book only adds to it. Peaceful reading.
Rating:
Summary: Does War Serve a Purpose?
Review: Piers Anthony, in his continuation of the "Incarnations of Immortality" series, tries to answer that question. Each book deals with an aspect of reality - death, time, fate, nature, war, evil, good - by having an ordinary person take, get stuck with, or slip into the job of being the Incarnation of that aspect of reality and having to run it.The series tackles many philosophical issues, while the writing is in a light, whimsical style and the setting is a world very much like our own, except that magic has the same status and commonality as science. "Wielding a Red Sword" is well-written, the characters are likeable, the plot is coherent, and it tackles one of the toughest topics in the series: war. Through various situations, the author tries to address the questions of what purposes does war serve, are any of those purposes valid under any conditions, and does any good come out of war ever? Again, we have good, fun, reading, that is also thought-provoking. The story has enough twists and turns to make it interesting, along with the underlying philosophical questions addressed.
Rating:
Summary: Does War Serve a Purpose?
Review: Piers Anthony, in his continuation of the "Incarnations of Immortality" series, tries to answer that question. Each book deals with an aspect of reality - death, time, fate, nature, war, evil, good - by having an ordinary person take, get stuck with, or slip into the job of being the Incarnation of that aspect of reality and having to run it. The series tackles many philosophical issues, while the writing is in a light, whimsical style and the setting is a world very much like our own, except that magic has the same status and commonality as science. "Wielding a Red Sword" is well-written, the characters are likeable, the plot is coherent, and it tackles one of the toughest topics in the series: war. Through various situations, the author tries to address the questions of what purposes does war serve, are any of those purposes valid under any conditions, and does any good come out of war ever? Again, we have good, fun, reading, that is also thought-provoking. The story has enough twists and turns to make it interesting, along with the underlying philosophical questions addressed.
Rating: 
Summary: While not my favorite, still a wonderful story
Review: The storyline in this book was very well written and had a very nice ending. The characters were strong and likeable. Overall I think the book was as good as possible for the main character, Mars, but not the best in the series in the least. I was never fully captivated by this novel. Many people like to question Piers' actual morals due to the content of some of his books. But I can't see it. Maybe I am blind or maybe I am just human and realize what most humans have on their mind most of the day. No matter how much they hold it back, lie about it or what not to seem proper in the eyes of the public it is still there. Piers doesn't hold it back what so ever. He tells it just like it is and I fully respect that. I am glad that he writes more about sexuality then he writes about cold blood killing. Notice that whenever someone is killed in his stories or if there is a war, Piers always shows the bad side of that war. He doesn't glorify violence like many like to do in the states now a days. Maybe with living in Europe I gained a few of their ways of thinking. Why down play a natural thing like sex as if it were evil, but glorify an evil thing like violence and war as if it were natural.
Rating:
Summary: While not my favorite, still a wonderful story
Review: The storyline in this book was very well written and had a very nice ending. The characters were strong and likeable. Overall I think the book was as good as possible for the main character, Mars, but not the best in the series in the least. I was never fully captivated by this novel. Many people like to question Piers' actual morals due to the content of some of his books. But I can't see it. Maybe I am blind or maybe I am just human and realize what most humans have on their mind most of the day. No matter how much they hold it back, lie about it or what not to seem proper in the eyes of the public it is still there. Piers doesn't hold it back what so ever. He tells it just like it is and I fully respect that. I am glad that he writes more about sexuality then he writes about cold blood killing. Notice that whenever someone is killed in his stories or if there is a war, Piers always shows the bad side of that war. He doesn't glorify violence like many like to do in the states now a days. Maybe with living in Europe I gained a few of their ways of thinking. Why down play a natural thing like sex as if it were evil, but glorify an evil thing like violence and war as if it were natural.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but only if you like the series.
Review: This book wasn't bad by any means, but it lacked the awesome plot themes of "On a Pale Horse" or the intrigue of "With a Tangled Skein." The story was mildly interesting, the office was rather boring, but the characters were (as usual) well developed and deep. If you like this volume, you'll love the rest of the series. Read it only if you are really interested in the series.
Rating:
Summary: One of Pier's best!
Review: This is one of pier's best works. It is fast moving, with a deep plot that helps to build the plot of the entire series. Action, love, and revenge are the topics covered, it is a hard book to put down once you pick it up. Meet the god of war: Mars, and his exploits in the world
Rating:
Summary: Anthony Writes Yet Another Fantastic Novel!
Review: This was quite a surprise. I wasn't too sure about reading a book that dealt with war, but it is in fact about peace! This, the 4th in the ongoing "Incarnations" series, deals with Mars, the Incarnation of War. In this book, Piers Anthony actually almost attempts to validate war, in a way, and does quite a convincing job! Again, Anthony humanizes the role of the Incarnation by showing the problems and personality behind the man who would be War. What I really love about all these books in this series is that we learn about the Incarnations as the Incarnations themselves are learning about them! Once again, beautiful work by Piers Anthony.
Rating:
Summary: Anthony Writes Yet Another Fantastic Novel!
Review: This was quite a surprise. I wasn't too sure about reading a book that dealt with war, but it is in fact about peace! This, the 4th in the ongoing "Incarnations" series, deals with Mars, the Incarnation of War. In this book, Piers Anthony actually almost attempts to validate war, in a way, and does quite a convincing job! Again, Anthony humanizes the role of the Incarnation by showing the problems and personality behind the man who would be War. What I really love about all these books in this series is that we learn about the Incarnations as the Incarnations themselves are learning about them! Once again, beautiful work by Piers Anthony.
|
