On a Pale Horse: Incarnations of Immortality, Book One by Piers Anthony
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Summary
No science fiction collection is complete without On a Pale Horse. In this, the first novel of the best-selling Incarnations of Immortality series, Piers Anthony combines a deeply moving examination of the meaning of life and death with a gripping story of romance and loyalty all set in a world of magic and technical wizardry.
I ain't one to judge Piers Anthony, but when it comes to the audio version, stuff can go down. But not this time, man. This story was bang on, with a killer cast and a reader who totally brought the characters to life. You can't go amiss with a classic like this, no doubt.
The world that the author created in this book was absolutely incredible, but I must say that his writing style was a bit painful to endure. It was quite a challenge for me to make it through this particular audiobook.
This series is absolutely fantastic, and the author truly delivers. George Guidell (hope I spelled that right) does an incredible job as the narrator and truly brings the series to life. This is definitely a book that deserves a spot in your collection. I'm really looking forward to the Xanth series, as I believe it's even better.
Did you enjoy 'On a Pale Horse: Incarnations of Immortality, Book One' by Piers Anthony, and would you consider reading another book written by him or narrated by George Guidall?
This book takes a regular person and reveals their extraordinary capabilities in a spectacular manner. I absolutely adored it! It offers a captivating perspective on the duality of good and evil that exists within each of us, making it a truly enjoyable read.
I got this book mainly for my boyfriend. I've already read the whole series multiple times, but he had never heard of Piers Anthony before.
For me, it's like reconnecting with an old buddy, but what I've really enjoyed is discussing it with my boyfriend as he dives into the series.
He feels the same way I do (at least for now) that this is hands down the best book in the series so far.
The concept of Death as a profession is captivating in itself. It pulls you in and makes you ponder how you would handle the predicaments the character encounters.
I'm not usually into fantasy, but I couldn't resist trying out Piers Anthony's 'On a Pale Horse' since it was on sale and he's been in the game for a few decades. What caught me off guard was the alternate 20th century setting that closely resembles our own, except that magic and science coexist, Satan and God are in competition for souls, and ghosts and demons are everywhere. And get this, the main character isn't Death itself, but someone who holds the title of "the office of Death."
Now, let's talk about the good stuff. The suspenseful plot is cleverly crafted and moves at a rapid pace. Plus, there are little sparks of humor and hidden meanings throughout that prevent the story from getting too dark. Even though there were moments when I was tempted to give up because this isn't my usual cup of tea, Anthony's engaging writing style kept me hooked until the end.
On the downside, the story started feeling gloomier and more over-the-top as it approached the climax, and I couldn't help but feel relieved when it finally concluded. However, that might just be a personal preference and my limited exposure to fantasy. Out of respect for die-hard fantasy fans and the esteemed Piers Anthony, I'll give it four stars primarily because I really enjoyed the way he spun the tale.
In 'On a Pale Horse: Incarnations of Immortality, Book One', Zane finds himself in an unexpected position when he accidentally shoots the grim reaper, becoming Death himself. Now responsible for collecting the souls of those who have an equal balance of good and evil, Zane embarks on a mission to change Death's image while confronting his own personal struggles.
I had high hopes for this intriguing concept by Piers Anthony, but unfortunately, 'On a Pale Horse' turned out to be mostly illogical, unoriginal, and, worst of all, dull. The main issue lies in its identity crisis, as it attempts to be a comedy, a love story, and a deep philosophical work, but fails to succeed in any of these aspects. The humor, consisting of puns, allusions, and light dark comedy, is the typical style found in Piers Anthony's works. While some moments elicited laughter, such as Mortis the pale horse responding with a "neigh" to negative questions, most of the jokes and dialogue came across as juvenile and cheesy.
There were a few amusing elements that stood out, like Death living in a funeral home-like house and engaging with fan mail, Satan using his publicity budget for Hellathons and billboard advertising, or the calculation of a soul's balance of good and evil similar to income tax. Additionally, the interaction between Satan and a female Irish fishmonger provided some entertainment. However, overall, the humor and dialogue failed to impress me, and this is one of the reasons I generally avoid Piers Anthony's works.
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