On a Pale Horse (Incarnations of Immortality, Bk. 1)

This series is a must read. Read it in the mid 80's and its still as good now as it was then.

Very cute. Who knew that death cared?

This is a very fun book! Don't let the title scare you. There is much fun to be had here! Zane is cheated by a proprietor who sells him "The Wealthstone". Much like a Metal Detector, it only brings small change. Things go wrong when Zane decides to commit suicide. We soon find that a magician is behind it all and that it is all in the cause of the magicians daughter. Meet...more

This is a very fun book! Don't let the title scare you. There is much fun to be had here! Zane is cheated by a proprietor who sells him "The Wealthstone". Much like a Metal Detector, it only brings small change. Things go wrong when Zane decides to commit suicide. We soon find that a magician is behind it all and that it is all in the cause of the magicians daughter. Meet the other incarnations and even Satan himself! You won't forget this one!   hide

What would you do if you were hired to do death's job?

What if death, time, fate, war, nature, evil and good were not mere concepts but offices held by actual people, like any other occupation? In this first book in Anthony’s Incarnations of Immortality series, a young man, Zane, is despondent over the abysmal state of his life and the poor choices he’s made, and decides to kill himself. Just as he’s about to pull the trigger,...more

What if death, time, fate, war, nature, evil and good were not mere concepts but offices held by actual people, like any other occupation? In this first book in Anthony’s Incarnations of Immortality series, a young man, Zane, is despondent over the abysmal state of his life and the poor choices he’s made, and decides to kill himself. Just as he’s about to pull the trigger, however, he sees the image of Death enter the room, having come for him. Instinctively, Zane shoots the intruder instead, discovering afterward that Death is an office, and that he who kills Death becomes Death. The story follows Zane as he begins to learn the ropes, collecting the souls of those who are destined to die. His new job is always interesting, if not always easy, and he receives help and advice from Mortis, Death’s pale horse. I initially enjoyed this series in high school and just recently decided to give them another try to see how well they hold up 15 years later. The overall premise is just as fascinating today, but the writing feels a little stiff, especially dialogue.   hide

This book is fictitious but has elements of real-life issues in it, i.e. euthanasia, suicide, and the "right to die". I have real respect for the out-right but non-biased approach of Piers Anthony on these tough subjects, while also keeping the story light and full of fantasy! In my top 5 favorite books of all time!

Fell in love with this book instantly! I found it such an easy read and so encompassing that I bought the rest of the series, which held up to the first book by having different perspectives from different aspects/people's point of view. Very intriguing and quite alot I could readily identify with!

Like most other's, I read Piers Anthony when I was younger. I happened across his series "Incarnations Of Immortality" first, and just so happened to pick up book one, "On A Pale Horse." I really enjoyed it right from the start. It was so different from anything else I had ever read. I couldn't wait to read book two, and so on... When I finally came to the...more

Like most other's, I read Piers Anthony when I was younger. I happened across his series "Incarnations Of Immortality" first, and just so happened to pick up book one, "On A Pale Horse." I really enjoyed it right from the start. It was so different from anything else I had ever read. I couldn't wait to read book two, and so on... When I finally came to the final book in the series, I didn't want it to end. With hindsight, I know that Piers Anthony's books opened my mind to new ideas and helped me to see things outside of the box. The "what if?" factor fueled my imagination. However, I honestly don't know what I would think or feel about his writings if I were to read them for the first time today. I suppose there is a time and a place for everything, and it was meant for me to read them when I did. My mind was opened and I would never again be satisfied with thinking inside the box. I grew up, and so did my interests, but fundamentally, my mind and spirit still crave the extraordinary. For that, I can, at least in part, thank Piers Anthony. I would highly recommend his works for teenagers and young adults. AwareOne - Steven R.W.   hide

It's too bad after this one the series is a steady decline into mediocrity, but Anthony was never that great of a writer anyway. The man is far too enamored of puns and preteen girls.