9) On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony



Shooting Death was a mistake.

Yes, the main character, Zane, accidentally kills the Grim Reaper (with a gun too!) leading to a vacant position. Thus Zane assumes the open position as the Incarnation of Death. This is one of the funniest, yet thoughtful novels I have read in a long time. The author's wit continues throughout, although there are a number profound moments. He brings up an interesting concept of the Afterlife based on traditional Christian principles (though I'm not sure in what religious discipline Purgatory belongs too, having never been a formal part of any religion) and immortal Incarnations of concepts like Fate, War, and Nature. The world is intriguing and something that I have been seeking in my books: a meld of science fiction and fantasy. And - that's exactly what the setting is, a nice clash of science and magic. The results are interesting, to say the least. ^^

The read is absolutely entertaining - I hardly wanted to place the book down (and I didn't, really :D) and has another sort of main character whom I never expected to like but ended up fully doing so.

I give my wholehearted recommendation!

-Lila