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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The second best book I've read, July 25, 1999
This review is from: With a Tangled Skein (Incarnations of Immortality, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)
Recently my friend (who's review is also here I think) lent me his copy of "On a Pale Horse," the first book in this series. I loved it and immediately read the next two books. But Skein was just amazing. Anthony was original once again, taking the three famous mythologic Aspects of Fate- Clotho, the spinner; Lachesis, the weaver; and Lachesis, the cutter of threads- and giving them distinct roles, duties, and powers. This book took place over a long period of time and managed to do so smoothly, for I felt as if Niobe had actually experienced 80-something years and developed from a stubborn young woman to a wize old one. There were a few aspects (pardon the pun) I was unsatisfied with, namely the fact that it wasn't made clear enough that the man who fills the office of Chronos who she interacts with first in the novel is not Norton from the last book in the series; her encounters with him seem almost exactly the same as the ones in the that novel. I was able to know this was not the case because I did the math, and in order for that to be Norton, Luna would have to be born while her father was only four years old. Later in the novel it was made more evident, but it still leads to misunderstanding. Whatever the case, its still an excellent book, second only to "Inherit the Wind." Satan's maze was creative, despite being slightly tedious, and it expanded well on the life of the mysterious Magician Kaftan of the first novel in the series. I particularly like that this book was full of many smaller incidents that made the larger story, much like in the first book- a quality which was lacking in the second. Now I've begun the fourth book. I've heard wonderful things about book six and I can't wait to get to it. This series is an excellent choice for anyone who likes creative another-way-of-looking-at-things type books whith lots of characters and secrets. Before closing, you might note that the branches of the family tree in Skein are awfully close... its as close as it can get to incest without actually being it. Enjoy this book and the rest of the series!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
With the exception of the ending. . ., October 19, 2001
This review is from: With a Tangled Skein (Incarnations of Immortality, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)
. . .this is a much stronger effort in the "Incarnations of Immortality" series than "Bearing an Hourglass". While the first volume of this series involved Death, and the second Time, this volume turns to Fate -- in all three of her traditional aspects. Like the previous volume, the stage is set rather well in the opening chapters. Unlike the previous volume, the novel continues well! Of particular note: the relationship of the three women who share the single body of Fate; the recognized voluntary "temporariness" of their several assignments; the role that Fate has to play with relation to Free-Will (a concept Anthony seems to accept); and (on a rather humorous note) the visit of Fate and Nature to a temporary "hell" constructed for the sole purpose of convincing humanity that hell is, after all, a pretty nifty place. (The women were not fooled!) The greatest weakness? The final battle between Fate and Satan. Totally unconvincing, even for fantasy. Nevertheless, like "On a Pale Horse", this novel should be read by seminary students to give them fresh perspectives on the difficult questions which people ask in times of crisis. An outstanding read.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The IOI series just got really good!!!, April 28, 2004
This review is from: With a Tangled Skein (Incarnations of Immortality, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)
I loved the first book, wasn't too wild about the second one, but could not put this third book down. It was WONDERFUL, a great addition to the Incarnations of Immortality series. It is nice to see the big story really start to develop. I had started loosing hope on the second book (I would suggest skipping it) but am really committed to the story now that I've finished the third one. Niobe is a character and her life is a real joy to read. It is great to see how her hand in the great game that Satan has bestowed upon the Incarnations. The story never lets up and never gets boring. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
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