What if death, time, fate, war, nature, evil and good were not mere concepts but offices held by actual people, like any other occupation? In this first book in Anthony’s Incarnations of Immortality series, a young man, Zane, is despondent over the abysmal state of his life and the poor choices he’s made, and decides to kill himself. Just as he’s about to pull the trigger, however, he sees the image of Death enter the room, having come for him. Instinctively, Zane shoots the intruder instead, discovering afterward that Death is an office, and that he who kills Death becomes Death. The story follows Zane as he begins to learn the ropes, collecting the souls of those who are destined to die. His new job is always interesting, if not always easy, and he receives help and advice from Mortis, Death’s pale horse. I initially enjoyed this series in high school and just recently decided to give them another try to see how well they hold up 15 years later. The premise is just as fascinating today, but the writing feels a little stiff, especially dialogue.

posted Mar 5, 2007 at 5:50PM

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