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chally's review against another edition
4.0
The underlying premise of this series is that concepts such as Death, Time, Nature, Fate and War each have an immortal incarnation: a mortal man or woman who takes on the role for a given period of time, and whose job is to take care of all worldly matters pertaining to that concept.
The first story introduced Death to us. Bearing an Hourglass is the second book, and as might be guessed from the title it’s about Time. Norton is an ordinary man who agrees to take on the role of Time after a series of misfortunes and disappointments in his mortal life – specifically, the loss of the woman he loved.
As Chronos, he is obliged to live his life backwards, which makes interaction with other people confusing and difficult. This is merely one of a number of mind-bending ideas set forth in this story. Mr Anthony’s grasp of complicated time-based paradoxes is considerably better than mine, I admit, but I enjoyed the challenge of keeping the convoluted plot straight as Chronos does increasingly weird things with the flow of time.
Learning his new job is difficult for Norton, as might be expected, but this is further complicated by the activities of Satan, the Incarnation of Evil. Norton may be brand new on the job, but he’s launched into the thick of things right away as Satan tries to use Norton’s inexperience for his own ends. This portrayal of Satan wasn’t that original, I suppose: he’s a sharp-suited, urbane, smooth-talking businessman. But I didn’t mind that; he was fun to read about, and his plots are suitably fiendish.
Which brings me to an interesting point about this series. Satan’s latest plot relates back to the tricks he was pulling in book one (On a Pale Horse). Having previously read that book I could see some of it coming; if I hadn’t it would have been a different experience, as most of it would have been a surprise. Knowing what Satan was trying to pull somewhat earlier than Norton didn’t at all ruin the experience though; it was interesting, and a clever way to connect the two books.
I had mixed feelings about Norton himself. He is a bloke with a one-track-mind. Even after he loses the one woman he sincerely loved, he’s so easily distracted by an attractive female (of which there is always a very ready supply). He lets go of the aforesaid former love rather easily in the end, and this supposedly driving motivation just fades away. He came across as a rather flimsy hero, then, whose love isn’t worth much.
All told though, this was an enjoyable read. The first book was more fantasy than science fiction; this one was more science fiction than fantasy. I’m looking forward to the third book: I’m sure there are some more surprises in store.
The first story introduced Death to us. Bearing an Hourglass is the second book, and as might be guessed from the title it’s about Time. Norton is an ordinary man who agrees to take on the role of Time after a series of misfortunes and disappointments in his mortal life – specifically, the loss of the woman he loved.
As Chronos, he is obliged to live his life backwards, which makes interaction with other people confusing and difficult. This is merely one of a number of mind-bending ideas set forth in this story. Mr Anthony’s grasp of complicated time-based paradoxes is considerably better than mine, I admit, but I enjoyed the challenge of keeping the convoluted plot straight as Chronos does increasingly weird things with the flow of time.
Learning his new job is difficult for Norton, as might be expected, but this is further complicated by the activities of Satan, the Incarnation of Evil. Norton may be brand new on the job, but he’s launched into the thick of things right away as Satan tries to use Norton’s inexperience for his own ends. This portrayal of Satan wasn’t that original, I suppose: he’s a sharp-suited, urbane, smooth-talking businessman. But I didn’t mind that; he was fun to read about, and his plots are suitably fiendish.
Which brings me to an interesting point about this series. Satan’s latest plot relates back to the tricks he was pulling in book one (On a Pale Horse). Having previously read that book I could see some of it coming; if I hadn’t it would have been a different experience, as most of it would have been a surprise. Knowing what Satan was trying to pull somewhat earlier than Norton didn’t at all ruin the experience though; it was interesting, and a clever way to connect the two books.
I had mixed feelings about Norton himself. He is a bloke with a one-track-mind. Even after he loses the one woman he sincerely loved, he’s so easily distracted by an attractive female (of which there is always a very ready supply). He lets go of the aforesaid former love rather easily in the end, and this supposedly driving motivation just fades away. He came across as a rather flimsy hero, then, whose love isn’t worth much.
All told though, this was an enjoyable read. The first book was more fantasy than science fiction; this one was more science fiction than fantasy. I’m looking forward to the third book: I’m sure there are some more surprises in store.
jbellew's review against another edition
As with all Piers Anthony books this was a fun read. I can't give it five stars as this Incarnation was not my favorite. Norton is a good guy and I like him but sometimes he can be played easily. And I couldn't get his voice right in my head. Also, some of the action was just boring. But nonetheless it is always fun to read Anthony's books.
aprilleigh's review against another edition
4.0
This book, in my opinion, wasn't quite a good as the first volume, [b:On a Pale Horse|1397370|On a Pale Horse (Incarnations of Immortality, #1)|Piers Anthony|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451993580l/1397370._SY75_.jpg|900764]. To be fair, the topic of time is a fairly sticky one and the author dealt with it beautifully, but the overall story felt limited and flat. I really loved the character development in the first book, and I have fond memories of the entire series, but this book just didn't stand up as well to my memory of the last time I read through these.
Norton is a likable character, but you get the feeling that he's just a dead end as far as the overarching story is concerned. However, it's been a long time since I read through the entire series and he may be redeemed in the later volumes about the other Incarnations. The character of Orlene was mediocre, and perhaps she was intended to be, but the interaction with Clotho supports my thought that my initial enjoyment of Chronos' character many years ago was due to his development in later volumes.
Norton is a likable character, but you get the feeling that he's just a dead end as far as the overarching story is concerned. However, it's been a long time since I read through the entire series and he may be redeemed in the later volumes about the other Incarnations. The character of Orlene was mediocre, and perhaps she was intended to be, but the interaction with Clotho supports my thought that my initial enjoyment of Chronos' character many years ago was due to his development in later volumes.
avoraciousreader68's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
*Book source ~ Home library
One day when Norton is out camping he meets a ghost, Gawain. Gawain is from a noble family with a long lineage, but he died slaying a dragon (well, he thought it was a dragon) before he could marry and father an heir. So his parents arranged a ghost marriage for him and he’s wandering the Earth looking for a suitable man to get his wife pregnant. It is this meeting that changes Norton’s life in a really big way though he doesn’t know it yet.
Book 2 in one of my favorite series is actually my least favorite book because of the Time thing. When Norton becomes Chronos he starts living his life backwards. This is the part where I get lost and no matter how many different times it’s explained by various people throughout the book, I still don’t get it or precisely how the hourglass works. I didn’t get it the other times I read it and I had hoped, now that I’m older, I might understand it, but nope. Ah, well. Except for that fact, I did enjoy the story. I love Norton/Chronos. He’s a great character and so well-detailed he feels like a real person. Sning is my next favorite character. I’d love to have a ring like him!
When Satan’s plan is foiled by Death in Book 1, he tries his shenanigans with the new Chronos. Chronos shouldn’t have been so gullible, but who isn't a bit unsure in a new job? And being Chronos was way more than just any ol’ job. Whew! Anyway, despite the whole Time and paradox thing I once again enjoyed Norton’s story very much.
*Book source ~ Home library
One day when Norton is out camping he meets a ghost, Gawain. Gawain is from a noble family with a long lineage, but he died slaying a dragon (well, he thought it was a dragon) before he could marry and father an heir. So his parents arranged a ghost marriage for him and he’s wandering the Earth looking for a suitable man to get his wife pregnant. It is this meeting that changes Norton’s life in a really big way though he doesn’t know it yet.
Book 2 in one of my favorite series is actually my least favorite book because of the Time thing. When Norton becomes Chronos he starts living his life backwards. This is the part where I get lost and no matter how many different times it’s explained by various people throughout the book, I still don’t get it or precisely how the hourglass works. I didn’t get it the other times I read it and I had hoped, now that I’m older, I might understand it, but nope. Ah, well. Except for that fact, I did enjoy the story. I love Norton/Chronos. He’s a great character and so well-detailed he feels like a real person. Sning is my next favorite character. I’d love to have a ring like him!
When Satan’s plan is foiled by Death in Book 1, he tries his shenanigans with the new Chronos. Chronos shouldn’t have been so gullible, but who isn't a bit unsure in a new job? And being Chronos was way more than just any ol’ job. Whew! Anyway, despite the whole Time and paradox thing I once again enjoyed Norton’s story very much.
ginadapooh's review against another edition
4.0
It is extremely rare that I like the second book in a series better than the first, but I think this book qualifies. I don't normally like when a book goes on a tangent with a different story, but loved it in this book. This book was chocked full of contradictions for me. It's definitely a case where I am glad that I read with out a lot of forethought, if I had known these things I probably wouldn't have read this book. Which would have been a travesty. I didn't have a lot of time to read this week, and yet I would sneak in a few pages whenever I could. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.
thevultureeye's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kdreidsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
There is one reason this book got a four star review from me. Because it was so hard to follow On A Pale Horse. The story of Death was so good that it was simply a hard book to give a sequel of equal luster. I did love this book as well, though. I was able to love the character of Kronos, the build-up of the bigger-picture-story is phenomenal. I can't wait to read the rest of this series. There are some parts where it breaches into some intense reading - quantum physics and time theory. Still, I loved it, and I would absolutely recommend it!
karammalkon's review against another edition
1.0
I have never written any review before, but this book deserves one because it's the worst book I've ever read so far, and I loved the one before in the series.
This book doesn't add anything to the whole series, it's a filler, that's all, it feels like Anthony had to write this just because he needed a story for each incarnation.
Also I have to add that this book is very, very misogynistic, the only traits that the women in this novel are given are large warm bosoms and lovely looks (even though some of them are old) which in the writer's opinion makes them less beautiful. The main character basically wants to have sex with every woman he meets and he's not even subtle about it.
I think this book can and should be skipped while reading this series.
This book doesn't add anything to the whole series, it's a filler, that's all, it feels like Anthony had to write this just because he needed a story for each incarnation.
Also I have to add that this book is very, very misogynistic, the only traits that the women in this novel are given are large warm bosoms and lovely looks (even though some of them are old) which in the writer's opinion makes them less beautiful. The main character basically wants to have sex with every woman he meets and he's not even subtle about it.
I think this book can and should be skipped while reading this series.
katekat's review against another edition
4.0
I have always enjoyed Piers Anthony's books but I had never read this series. As a whole I quite enjoyed this series of books. I found the characters and story to be clever and interesting. It sort of reminded me of a more adult version of a Rick Riordan series of books.
journeymouse's review against another edition
3.0
As with the earlier book in the series: not as good as I remembered. But I will finish my re-read!
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