On a Pale Horse (Incarnations of Immortality Book 1)

The author is incapable, unfortunately, of writing believable characters. Regardless of ho the character in question is, they have one voice - his own.

The plot, in broad strokes, should be interesting. It deals with a mythos rarely touched upon. Unfortunately the heavy handed use of deus ex machina to extract the character from every situation leads to distress without gravity, conflict absent of risk.

Ultimately I'm not sure who the target audience is for this book. Surely anyone who reads regularly will have difficulty with the lack of subtlety in the writing. Regardless, I was not the target audience. If you have taste, read at your own risk.

I recently purchased "ON A PALE HORSE - Incarnations of Immortality" and I enjoyed reading this book tremendously. I love purchasing from the store because the store is reliable and quick! Upon ordering, you will receive your book(s) almost instantly. This is a huge convenience for me. Who could ask for anything more?

This has its rough spots, presumably because it's the first in its series. However, the plot is incredibly interesting as a departure from the author's other works. The forces of the universe, embodied as immortal beings? Fascinating stuff.

Piers Anthony is a master with words. The eloquence of the story and way that everything wraps together is masterful and shows dedication to the craft. Events with seemingly no significance can come back around in unexpected ways. You'll never stop thinking as you read.

I've read this book before and forgotten just how engaging it could be. The characters draw you in and steal your attention as cleverly as a magician. It's easy for one to see the parallel lines between our reality and the world of the Incarnations.

I read this book on recommendation, and many fans seem to have been impressed by the story. While it was certainly well written, the repeated logic did not persuade me to see things from the author's point of view. I became increasingly frustrated by the repetitive rhetoric. What started as an engaging and creative fantasy devolved onto a series of philosophical opinions, ones which I do not entirely prescribe to. My personal experiences with the elderly cannot be reasoned away by a few generalized, stereotypical arguments. Each person's case is so individually unique, that a narrow-minded perspective cannot hope to persevere here.

Ironically, I agree with main character's opinion on speeches of self-justification solely benefiting the speaker. Only I felt even more cheated, because as a reader I was not given an opportunity to participate. Many who are handicapped by their age (young or old) suffer more from neglect and loneliness, than from their inability to be independent. But they don't seem to be worth society's time. Let's stick-em all somewhere where they won't get in our way, while we do the important things in life!

Mr. Anthony is right to point out how technology will be able to keep more and more severely handicapped people alive in the future, but he falsely assumes that all or most such patients would rather just call it quits. I have spent a lot of time with the elderly and have discovered that many actually want to live, but suffer from guilt. They don't want to be a burden on their families physically, emotionally of financially. But what are we living for if not to help others? This selfish nuclear family structure and artificial age segregation is the real problem. Who wants to die in a facility or hospital either naturally or unplugged? Love lies in the sacrifice of inconveniencing our lives so that we can be there for others. Each person is unique, and if we stop to think about it, we can come up with more unique and personalized solutions that are both dignified and humane. No quick and easy shortcuts here. Maybe if we rejected some things and simplified our lives...

Yes, I get it compassion, but, again, the author's definition was very constricted. Similarly, the concept of love was touched on, but I couldn't really feel it. I hungered for it, but it never really materialized to my satisfaction. Sacrifice but often misguided or not well thought out. It was frustrating.

As a theist, I was also bothered by the fact that the protagonist, although quick to learn that rules and preconceptions are not to be trusted, never bothers to converse with God. He doesn't hesitate to reach out to the Devil and the other supernaturals. Why is that I wonder? Out of all the regulations, and parameters he chooses to successfully break or circumvent, the main character unquestionably accepts that God will never bother to listen or interfere. I suppose it's just a personal point of view. Unfortunately that, along with the generalization of what handicapped elderly truly desire, ultimately ruined the story for me.

As I plowed through the book, the plot brought to mind the two volumes following "The Golden Compass": beautiful story turned bitter.

One star for sophisticated prose
One star for creativity
One star for a complete story which I was able to finish, although not recommend to anyone.

A friend from work suggested this book vehemently to me (and we work at Walmart, how's that for some stereotype dispelling?)

I finally gave in and downloaded it, to make my friend happy.

Imagine my thrill at finding a new book series to obsess over and enjoy. This book is intelligent, funny, thought provoking and fun.

5 of 5 will recommend and strongly as my friend did