On a Pale Horse – Review
About thirty years ago, a friend lent me a novel. It was about a regular guy who ends up killing the Grim Reaper and in turn becomes employed as the new Death. I was hooked and went on to read most of the rest of the series.
On a Pale Horse is a novel written by the great science fiction author Piers Anthony. It is the first instalment of a series of novels all revolving around the same theme.
There are two things to know about the world Anthony creates. It is one that is technological but also includes a generous supply of magic. It is also a world where concepts such as Death, Fate, Time, War, Nature, and so on are roles played by humans who are equipped with magical tools.
This first novel centres on Death. A guy down on his luck suddenly finds himself in one of the most important roles in the world. Death does not take every soul but those which are close to balance between good and evil or have some other special circumstance.
Throughout the story, Death must come to terms with what it means to end the life of others, especially how it fits with his own past. Through his journey he also finds love, although there is a major obstacle to being with the woman he loves.
It is such a neat world that Anthony creates, one that blends elements of Greek mythology as well as the Bible. I will say as a pastor, that the idea of afterlife being determined by good vs evil in our soul or Satan ruling a kingdom in hell where he torments wicked souls is not biblical.
The story is great and it one of the most thought provoking works of science fiction. Anthony begins a larger story that draws on so many elements. If you like science fiction with nice dose of magic and a bit of philosophy, I recommend On a Pale Horse.
