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.
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"Loved this book! So glad I read it! I found out awhile ago that it was the inspiration for one of my favorite tv shows of all time, Dead Like Me, I could definitely see the connection. Not the exact same story, but the relation was obvious. It also seemed to have aspects of another show I loved, Reaper. Both shows that were cancelled far to early! I enjoyed this book so much I caught myself slowing my reading pace at the end because I didn't want the story to stop."
— Gina (4 out of 5 stars)
" So...this is the first I've ever heard of Piers Anthony even though he's written reams, and I'll surely be reading more of him. The idea of mortals taking up jobs as Incarnations of concepts has huge appeal for me for some reason. Although the present world was more in the background, the juxtaposition of science and magic was great. The book was light and entertaining, with a lot of wisdom thrown in too. Loved it! "
— Debs, 2/14/2014" it was interesting. After reading Perdido Street Station the story seemed simpler in style and plot. But the plot was interesting and a quick read. I would read more books in this series. "
— Victoria, 2/9/2014" I have no idea how I would feel about this book at age 31, but at approx. age 13, it was the best thing since sliced bread. I remember seeing it out on a display table in the public library and picking it up and not knowing what it was. I devoured that book. "
— craige, 1/28/2014" This is one of my favourite books from my teen years, and the series it belongs to is as well. I loved Anthony's interpretation of Death, in this case, as a bureaucratic office filled by a series of essentially 'public servants'. "
— Joss, 1/28/2014" Slow and dense, but really creative. I liked the story, but couldn't seem to care much about the characters. The world building was terrific, and his creativityis amazing "
— Pandora, 1/17/2014" Interesting book on the adventures of a man who has to take over deaths duties after he actually kills death. "
— William, 1/17/2014" I've read and re-read this several times and it's still works for me. Probably the most memorable of all the ones in the series next to "For The Love of Evil". I wonder if anyone/fan has written Luna's point of view. "
— Deb, 1/16/2014" First (and best) of a fantastic series. Read them all "
— Greg, 12/12/2013" I read this book over twenty years ago and it is still fresh in my mind. This was the catalyst that got me hooked on Piers Anthony. Unfortunately, his other books were not as riveting as Horse. "
— Matt, 12/10/2013" An amusing take on death. "
— Alice, 12/6/2013" death with a soul...a heart...and morals... "
— Mr, 12/5/2013" This was a lot better when I was a young teenager the first time I read it and before I realized what sexism is. Still, interesting concept and a fun leave your brain at home experience. I'm still going to try to muddle through the rest of the series despite being disappointed in my memory of these. "
— Brandee, 12/2/2013" This was the first of the "Incarnations of Immortality" books that I read, and my favorite. I would read this book again if I could borrow it from the library or pick it up from a free box or a Really, Really Free Market. "
— Needleroozer, 12/2/2013" Some pretty interesting ideas in the way this alternate universe where magic is the fifth fundamental force. Focusing on death, this series starts strongly, but starts to falter pretty rapidly in books two through five. "
— Erik, 11/20/2013" Just the kind of story a miserable teen needed. "
— Blue, 11/4/2013" i loved this whole series of books, piers anthony has the most imaginative mind..... "
— Stacey, 10/19/2013" These books come in a series of five and I am currently reading the second. "
— R., 7/30/2013" Piers. Oh, Piers. "
— Cynthia, 6/29/2013" This was a fun novel. A number of other books and tv shows have used this idea (a person becoming death/the grim reaper). Its a fun idea and I enjoyed the book, though I never read any of the sequels. "
— Brian, 6/27/2013" Pretty damn good. I love Piers Anthony. Set in a modern fantasy in a somewhat dystopian society, yet there is still a great deal of beauty in it. "
— Pan, 6/7/2013" One of the best series out there. Totally different than his Xanth novels, Piers Anthony hit it out of the park with these. "
— Samara, 11/2/2012" Read it for the first time in high school and loved the whole series. One of the few books I've read over and over again. "
— Jenny, 8/1/2012" This was a great/fun series. Loved it. "
— Tim, 5/20/2012" Brilliant as is the whole series. "
— Dave, 12/14/2011" Such a clever series, but I was also a teenager when I read these so take it with a grain of salt. "
— Natasha, 12/3/2011" He has such a funny wit! "
— Katie, 11/20/2011" Best story about death and dying I've read. It puts you in a very different perspective. You will not think about the afterlife the same way again. "
— Kevin, 7/10/2011" The Incarnations was Anthony's best series. I loved the uniqueness of his concept. "
— Julia, 6/19/2011" Fancifully fun and thought-provoking ideas, unfortunately communicated via incredibly silly prose. Devoured, enjoyed, smirked and remarked upon. Next. "
— Irene, 6/14/2011" Good Piers Anthony...Reminiscent of Hiero's Journey "
— Stewart, 5/19/2011" Death is a job. Love it. Very creative! Mr. Anthony is easy to ready. "
— F., 5/14/2011" One of my favorite fantasy series of all time. Loved every single book! "
— Triskeles, 5/6/2011" This series overall is really good and this is one of my favorites, the second series of books I ever really read, Piers Anthony and the Xanth series were my first loves. "
— Brendan, 4/25/2011" I've read and reread the entire Incarnations of Immortality series multiple times. This is probably the most amazing work of religious fiction I have ever read and has directly influenced both the way I look at my beliefs, and how I write. "
— Matthew, 4/7/2011" I enjoy the entire 7 books series of Incarnations of Immortality. I've read this one several times (: "
— Janin, 4/2/2011" Good book, both different and humorous... and a little repetitive. A book on the office of Death. I'll read more in the series. "
— Edward, 4/1/2011" I've read and re-read this several times and it's still works for me. Probably the most memorable of all the ones in the series next to "For The Love of Evil". I wonder if anyone/fan has written Luna's point of view. "
— Deb, 4/1/2011" When I was in middle-school (mid '80s), Incarnations of Immortality was my favorite series. My friends and I read every Piers Anthony book in the library, and I think On a Pale Horse was my fave. "
— Tamara, 3/19/2011" Slow and dense, but really creative. I liked the story, but couldn't seem to care much about the characters. The world building was terrific, and his creativityis amazing "
— Pandora, 3/16/2011" Read it for the first time in high school and loved the whole series. One of the few books I've read over and over again. "
— Jenny, 3/15/2011" This is the first book of my all time favorite series of books. I first read this series in high school and still have the original books. pretty hammered after three readings. I have been fascinated with the character of the grim reaper (Thanatos) ever since. "
— Jerry, 3/9/2011" Pretty good book that I read in high school. It is surprising how many things I actually remembered from this book during the second read-through. "
— Marcus, 3/6/2011Piers Anthony is one of the world’s most popular fantasy
authors and a New York Times
bestseller twenty-one times over. His Xanth novels have been read and loved by
millions around the world, and he daily receives hundreds of letters from his
devoted fans. In addition to the Xanth series, Anthony is the author of many
other bestselling works. He lives in Inverness, Florida.
George Guidall, winner of more than eighty AudioFile Earphones Awards, has won three of the prestigious Audie Award for Excellence in Audiobook Narration. In 2014 the Audio Publishers Association presented him with the Special Achievement Award for lifetime achievement/ During his thirty-year recording career he has recorded over 1,700 audiobooks, won multiple awards, been a mentor to many narrators, and shown by example the potential of fine storytelling. His forty-year acting career includes starring roles on Broadway, an Obie Award for best performance off Broadway, and frequent television appearances.