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dark_lyn's review against another edition
No female characters have been introduced yet and the female representation is already icky. Seemed promising otherwise but I'm out. 😬
badseedgirl's review against another edition
4.0
I first read this series when I was in college (the first time), so that would have been in the early 90's say around 93-97, or so, and I absorbed this series reading all 5 books our library had. I remember the series seemed to be of less quality as I went along, but I must have enjoyed them because I read all the books I had access to at the time. Someone recently suggested I read them, and to be perfectly frank I had forgotten I had already read the series until this person brought up the name. I thought "This is the perfect novel for the Worlds Without End "Read it again. Sam" challenge. I have been burned by some of the novels I have reread. Why is our memories of novels so much better than the actual novels themselves so often?
I'm happy to report that this novel at least, has stood the test of time for me. I just loved the idea of the Incarnations being an office instead of a person. Each new office holder brings their own beliefs and morals to the party. This book is of course about The office of Death. At the beginning of the novel the office of Death is taken over by Zane, an unambitious young man who in a moment of youthful self-centeredness decides to kill himself, but at the last minute, when Death has literally come to collect his soul, Zane changes his mind and shoots Death, and thus becomes the new death. Think "The Santa Claus" but with a gun instead of a ladder.
Zane begins to learn his job with the help of his trusty Steed/Car Mortis, and through this we are introduced to the other Incarnations; Fate, Time, War, Nature, and Satan. God does not actually make an appearance, but he is much discussed.
I enjoyed almost the entire novel. There was this weird section about the different types of thinking using match sticks that seemed awkward and poorly written, slowing down the novel at a bad moment, but I just skimmed over that section and was none the worst for it.
I think I will eventually read the rest of the series and maybe try to get the last two books in the set. I never read these novels about Satan and God, maybe it is time finished the series.
I'm happy to report that this novel at least, has stood the test of time for me. I just loved the idea of the Incarnations being an office instead of a person. Each new office holder brings their own beliefs and morals to the party. This book is of course about The office of Death. At the beginning of the novel the office of Death is taken over by Zane, an unambitious young man who in a moment of youthful self-centeredness decides to kill himself, but at the last minute, when Death has literally come to collect his soul, Zane changes his mind and shoots Death, and thus becomes the new death. Think "The Santa Claus" but with a gun instead of a ladder.
Zane begins to learn his job with the help of his trusty Steed/Car Mortis, and through this we are introduced to the other Incarnations; Fate, Time, War, Nature, and Satan. God does not actually make an appearance, but he is much discussed.
I enjoyed almost the entire novel. There was this weird section about the different types of thinking using match sticks that seemed awkward and poorly written, slowing down the novel at a bad moment, but I just skimmed over that section and was none the worst for it.
I think I will eventually read the rest of the series and maybe try to get the last two books in the set. I never read these novels about Satan and God, maybe it is time finished the series.
olityr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I feel like this book is everything Neil Gaiman could be if he didn't go so gross about everything.
I'm very excited to continue the series, and possibly branch out to other books by Piers Anthony.
Favorite quote:
I'm very excited to continue the series, and possibly branch out to other books by Piers Anthony.
Favorite quote:
- “Decent folk had to let indecent folk do their thing; that was the paradox of decency.”
celtic_oracle's review against another edition
3.0
Mixed feelings on this one. The concept is great, and I did enjoy listening to it, but it can't escape feeling dated. In particular, the way some of the female characters were described or referenced bothered me, as did a couple of negative references to homosexuality which were definitely of the time, but feel uncomfortable now.
Those small items aside, this is a solid read - and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Those small items aside, this is a solid read - and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
dondashall's review against another edition
1.0
The 1-star is there only because I can't rate it a zero. Oh my goodness this is one of the worst books & biggest letdown in ages. Some truly AWFUL sexism that makes you go - WTF? And then go throw up - constantly. And beyond that the pretty cool premise gets totally ruined by the obvious fixation of Christian theology. I could go on and on, but you get the point. Truly a terrible book and wasted potential. Leave it alone.
lyellboi's review against another edition
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dereksilva's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0