Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Amazon Prime includes:
Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.
Amazon Prime members enjoy:- Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
- Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
- Instant streaming of thousands of movies and TV episodes with Prime Video
- A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
- Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
- Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access
Important: Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.
Buy new:
$8.99$8.99
FREE delivery: Friday, Feb 2 on orders over $35.00 shipped by Amazon.
Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com
Buy used: $7.23
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
On a Pale Horse (Incarnations of Immortality, Bk. 1) Mass Market Paperback – September 12, 1986
Purchase options and add-ons
Shooting Death was a mistake, as Zane soon discovered. For the man who killed the Incarnation of Death was immediately forced to assume the vacant position! Thereafter, he must speed over the world, riding his pale horse, and ending the lives of others.
Zane was forced to accept his unwelcome task, despite the rules that seemed woefully unfair. But then he found himself being drawn into an evil plot of Satan. Already the prince of Evil was forging a trap in which Zane must act to destroy Luna, the woman he loved.
He could see only one possible way to defeat the Father of Lies. It was unthinkable—but he had no other solution!
- Print length336 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherDel Rey
- Publication dateSeptember 12, 1986
- Dimensions4.13 x 0.86 x 6.86 inches
- ISBN-100345338588
- ISBN-13978-0345338587
- Lexile measure780L
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together

Similar items that may ship from close to you
Editorial Reviews
From the Inside Flap
The first novel of the INCARNATIONS OF IMMORATLITY series.
From the Back Cover
The first novel of the INCARNATIONS OF IMMORATLITY series.
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Zane shook his head, experiencing a chill. “I don’t want that one!”
The man smiled, an obviously perfunctory and practiced expression reserved for wavering marks. He was well dressed, but somewhat sallow, in the manner of those who remained in the shade too long. “You misunderstand, sir. This fine gem does not bring you death. It does the opposite.”
Zane was hardly reassured. “Then why call it—?”
“The Deathstone.” Again that annoyingly patronizing shaping of the face, as the proprietor eased the ignorant concern of the balky customer. “It merely advises the wearer of the proximity of termination, by darkening. The speed and intensity of the change notifies you of the potential circumstance of your demise—in plenty of time for you to avoid it.”
“But isn’t that paradox?” Zane had seen such stones advertised, usually at prohibitive prices, but discounted the claims as marketing hyperbole. “A prophecy isn’t valid, if—”
“No paradox,” the proprietor said with professional certainty. “Merely adequate warning. You could hardly obtain a better service, sir. After all, what is more precious than life?”
“That presumes a person’s life is worth living,” Zane said sourly. He was a young man of no particular stature or distinction of feature, with acne scars that neither medication nor spot-spell had been able to eradicate entirely. His hair was dishwater brown and somewhat unkempt, and his teeth were unfashionably irregular. He was obviously a depressive type. “So it darkens, and you change your course, and you don’t die. You figure the warning saved you. But it could be a random turning of the stone. Color-spells are a dime a dozen. No way to prove the prophecy was valid. On the other hand, if it fails to darken, and you die, how can you complain? You’ll be dead!” He scratched distractedly at a scar. “If it’s wrong, how do you get a refund?”
“You don’t believe?” the proprietor asked, frowning expertly. Apart from his complexion, he was a moderately handsome man of early middle age whose hair was enchanted to carry a permanent chestnut wave. “I run a respectable shop. I assure you, all my spell stones are genuine.”
“According to the Apocalypse, Death rides a pale horse,” Zane said, warming to his melancholy. He evidently had some education in this area. “I question whether an inanimate object, a chunk of colored corundum, can stay that dread horseman so simply. Given the uncertainties of the situation, such a stone is of no practical use to the owner. He can only test it by seeing it turn, then refusing to change his course. If it is a valid prophecy, he is doomed. If it is not, he has been cheated. It’s a no-win game. I have played enough of that type.”
“I will provide you a demonstration,” the proprietor said, perceiving a morbid streak that could make this customer vulnerable to an aggressive and properly slanted sales pitch. “Skepticism is healthy, sir, and you are obviously too intelligent to be deceived by defective merchandise. The value of the stone can be proved.”
Zane shrugged, affecting indifference. “A free demonstration? Can it be worth more than I pay for it?”
The proprietor smiled more genuinely, knowing that his fish, despite evasive maneuverings, was halfway hooked. Truly uninterested persons did not linger to argue cases. He took the stone from the magically theft-proofed glass display case and proffered it.
Zane smiled quirkily and accepted the ring, putting it on the tip of his thumb. “Unless there’s some immediate and obvious threat for the stone to point out—”
Then he was silent, for already the ring was turning. The bright red deepened to dark red, and then to opaque.
Zane’s mind began to numb around the edges. Death—he had a deep guilt there. He looked at his left arm, feeling a spot of blood burning into the skin. He pictured the face of his mother as she died. How could he ever exonerate that memory?
“Death—within hours, suddenly!” the proprietor said, aghast. “The stone is absolutely black! I’ve never seen it turn so fast!”
Zane shook off his private specter. No, he could not afford to believe in this! “If I am to die within hours, I’ll have no need of this stone.”
“But you do need it, sir!” the proprietor insisted. “With the Deathstone you can change your fate. Hold it and decide on a new course, and if the color returns, you know it’s right. You can save your life! But you have to have this fine magical ruby to guide you. To steer you away from death. Otherwise you will surely perish before the day is out. That warning is emphatic!”
Zane hesitated. The Deathstone was an impressive item now. It had, as it were, not minced words. But he had been thinking about death while holding the stone, and that could have made the color turn. Emotion-indicator spells were simple and cheap, hardly deserving the name of magic. There could be many things like that to give false readings. Still—
“How much?” he asked
“How much is life worth?” the propietor asked in return, with a certain predatory gleam in his eyes.
“About two cents, if this stone is right,” Zane said grimly. Yet his heart was beating with nervous power.
“Two cents—per minute,” the proprietor said, going into the closing spiel. “But this phenomenal and beautiful stone is available presently at a discount of fifty percent. I will sell it to you for a mere one cent per minute, including principal, interest, servicing, insurance—”
“How much per month?” Zane demanded, seeing himself getting reeled in.
The proprietor brought out a pocket calculator and punched buttons dexterously. “Four hundred and thirty-two dollars.”
Zane stiffened. He had anticipated a high price, but this was impossible. A family could buy a good house for a similar figure!
“How long?”
“Only fifteen years or less.”
“Or less?”
“In case the gem should miscarry, the insurance will pay off the balance owing, of course.”
“Of course,” Zane agreed with a wry quirk of his mouth. A miscarriage meant death, which meant a bum enchantment. They planned to collect their money regardless of the effectiveness of the Deathstone in protecting its owner. He performed a quick mental calculation and concluded he was being charged a little over seventy-five thousand in total. About two-thirds of that would be interest and other peripherals; still, it was a lot of money. A great lot! More, probably, than his life was worth. Literally.
“He handed back the ruby. Its color returned rapidly as the proprietor took it. In moments its special, deep shade of red glowed beautifully in the lighting of the shop. A ruby was indeed a lovely gemstone, even when it wasn’t magic.
“What else?” Zane asked. He was shaken, but still wanted to find something that would help him.
“Love,” the proprietor said immediately, bringing out a cloudy blue sapphire mounted on another gold ring.
Zane looked at the stone. “Love, as in romance? A woman? Marriage?”
“Or whatever.” The proprietor’s smile was not quite as warm as it had been, perhaps because of the misstep on the prior stone. He did not enjoy seeing fish slip the hook. This gem was probably less expensive, meaning a smaller profit. “This fine stone brightens at the prospect of romance of any kind. Sapphire, as you know, is chemically the same stone as ruby; both are corundum, but because the colors of sapphire are not as rare as those of ruby, the value is less. This is therefore a bargain. It will tune in to your romance; all you have to do is follow its signal until you score.”
“Zane remained skeptical. “You can’t find romance by zeroing in as if it’s a target! There are social aspects, complex nuances of compatibility—”
“The Lovestone takes account of all that, sir. It orients on the right one, taking all factors into consideration. Left to your own devices, you are very likely to make a mistake, and suffer an unfortunate liaison, perhaps one that will become a grief to you. With this stone, that will never happen.”
“But there could be many excellent combinations,” Zane protested. “Many right women. How can a mere gem select among them?”
“Circumstances alter cases, sir. Some women are ideal for any man, with qualities of beauty, talent, and loyalty that make them highly desirable regardless of the variations in the males. But most of them are already married, as these qualities are readily perceived by the boy next door, lucky fellow. Others may be destined for some devaluing development, like a disfiguring illness or serious problems among their relatives. The Lovestone knows; it orients on the most suitable, most reliable, most available individual. It is unerring. Simply turn it to obtain the brightest glow and follow where it leads. You will not be disappointed.” He held forth the blue sapphire. “One demonstration trial, sir.”
“I don’t know. If it’s like the last one—”
“This is romance! How can you lose?”
Product details
- Publisher : Del Rey (September 12, 1986)
- Language : English
- Mass Market Paperback : 336 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0345338588
- ISBN-13 : 978-0345338587
- Lexile measure : 780L
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 4.13 x 0.86 x 6.86 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #66,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,641 in Science Fiction Adventures
- #2,992 in Fantasy Action & Adventure
- #4,201 in Epic Fantasy (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
Important information
To report an issue with this product or seller, click here.
About the author

Piers 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 of readers 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 best-selling works. Piers Anthony lives in Inverness, Florida.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonReviews with images
-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
If graveyards, sickness and old age don't scare you, and assuming you are old and experienced enough, why would they, you must read the Author's Note at the end -- after you finish this book, before you even start reading it, or somewhere in the middle.
My experience is the middle option. I am saving this book for a tasty vacation. But, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the note at the end. Who can tell what made me start there? But, having finished reading it in one breath -- ok, who is scared of an hyperbole? -- I can tell you that it's a gem and a very valuable one as opposed to the cheap ones from North Carolina the note mentions.
If you want to write a book, any book, even a PhD thesis, the note tells you the one thing you must do. All other paths are to be entered at your financial and emotional peril.
Piers also comes clean on his year of personal problems. Having read many of his books, Xanth and especially my favorite GeoOdyssey, I would put him up with the most transparent of authors. Hermann Hesse anyone? All of his demons as well as better angels are out of the deepest recesses of his soul.
I posit that's the main reason I come back to books written by Piers as well as any other author worth their pen, or keyboard, or speech dictation tool.
It's like I am reading a treatise of my own psyche, the universal one that connects us all, as Jung pointed out with his phrase: the collective (kind of) unconscious. It's coming out. Let it. That's how we will come out of this black or white, racist, worse, discriminatory nightmare where we project out of our minds all that we don't understand and therefore we hate, and can't help but see it in others. We blame instead of feel obviously guilty.
There is another, a better way: know that we all do wrong when we don't know any better. It is time, now, we get to know ourselves and move towards more understanding and acceptance, let alone tolerance.
To praise this novel, Anthony clearly knows his literature and philosophy; his use of it in versatile feats of imagination automatically propel this book past other "apocalyptic," "sci-fi," or even "spectulative fiction" works in many respects. Unfortunately, this is also his undoing: by spending so much time wallowing in the dense waters of philosophy, he all but neglected plotline, character growth, character relatability, character VARIATION, and indeed every other part of this life that draws us to stories. The plot is an increasingly thin guise for a brief textbook in philosophy. Here are some examples:
- Nature and War and the Deathsteed and Satan and a dying client (and indeed everyone else) all have the same vocabulary, the same diction, the same focus/interest in philosophy, etc. There is literally nothing to differentiate them aside from VERY brief physical descriptions. WHAT they say might be an interesting philosophical and/or theological conversation, but trust me, you won't be coming away saying "Oh, I thought the Deathsteed had a very unique view on death vs Chronos." The characters are differentiated only by what topic they happen to discuss. Which leads me to....
- When you have such a wealth of characters to draw from as Anthony has, WHY OH WHY would you flatten them to mere transparent conduits of ideas? Why make Luna unrelateable except as "oh, not a ditzy beautiful flower," Zane as "arrogant, brooding, and emotionally mathematical," and God as "hoisted by his own petard and not much caring about it"?! Why, Anthony, have you flattened such an intriguing world as a spiritual pantheon-amalgamation of Greco-Roman, Early Church, Magic, and Science into a vehicle for PHILOSOPHIZING?! Any one of those has furnished countless stories; by combining them, you have the entire frickin' library as your playground. You gave me a world I wanted to explore, play in, discover, etc, and instead you got bogged down in the toys and contraptions relevant only to this character AS HE NEEDED THEM, and dismissed all origin-related, world-fleshing exposition in favor of personifying his own pet ideas (aka, "the 4th matchstick type of thinking")?
- Laborious pacing of plot: for instance, Zane was told this while riding the Deathsteed away from an encroaching demon of Hell that, rather than fight the demon, Zane COULD resign his office. All of this "run, run, the demons are coming!" tension was deflated by what became a 2-3 paragraph discourse on whether immortal incarnations could resign the office. Not only does this directly undo all of the emotional empathy I'd been STRIVING to create with Zane (The whole "I was forced into this, but having no other choice, I must do it" mentality), but I had "forgotten" that a demon of hell could be frightening by the time all was said and done.
- NONE of the provocative plotline arguments one could select inherently within any one of these Origins Packages (the multifaceted struggle of good vs evil, co-functionality of good and evil, independence from the Parent-God, the possible reversal of Heaven as good and Hell as bad, the (lack of) interest of the Immortals/Gods in their own creations, evolution/science, MAGIC?!?!?!?) were discussed and explained. Instead, a completely new plot - woefully overdeveloped in some areas and barely skeletalized in others - was synthesized and Anthony was forced to paint himself into a corner by revealing/creating key "Deus-ex-machina/get out of Hell free" devices at strategic moments in order to force the plotline how he wanted it to go.
In conclusion: one cannot be passionate about something to which one is indifferent. Clearly, I'm not indifferent. This book had such GREAT potential as a new composite world, and Anthony clearly can elevate works above a simplistic action-adventure genre. So, huge points for that. But, to whom much is given, much is expected: he created a universe too grand and nuanced to be encompassed by his goal: to have a metaphoric, conceptual, tea-and-scones discussion on the role of death in our lives.
To quote one of my favorite Creative Writing Teachers: "What can you do in the fantasy world that you can't do in reality? If you need the fantasy world to write a good story, then you clearly can't write a story about real things, which means that you can't write a good story at all. First learn to make things gripping and powerful out of what you know, THEN tell me about dragons and fairies and sh*t. Until then, you're just a weak writer."
Those words pierced me then, and they are lamentably applicable for this novel.
Top reviews from other countries
This is probably the greatest black comedy novel ever written about the Grim Reaper, it is a lot of fun which is also just as intelligent, if you love mythology, philosophy, psychology, or are just a free spirit by nature with an open mind and an open heart then you will understand a lot of the hidden meanings contained within Piers Anthony's stories. I have bought many books about the Grim Reaper and this was the best.
If you love Terry Pratchett's Discworld series especially Mort, Reaper Man, Soul Music then you will love Piers Anthony and On A Pale Horse.










