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97th out of 200 books
—
331 voters
For Love of Evil (Incarnations of Immortality #6)
The Man Who Would Be Satan
Parry was a gifted musician and an apprentice in the arts of White Magic. But his life of sweet promise went disastrously awry following the sudden, violent death of his beloved Jolie.
Led down the twisted path of wickedness and depravity by Lilah the harlot demoness, Parry thrived - first as a sorcerer, then as a monk, and finally as a feared inq...more
Parry was a gifted musician and an apprentice in the arts of White Magic. But his life of sweet promise went disastrously awry following the sudden, violent death of his beloved Jolie.
Led down the twisted path of wickedness and depravity by Lilah the harlot demoness, Parry thrived - first as a sorcerer, then as a monk, and finally as a feared inq...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
February 1st 1990
by Harper Voyager
(first published 1986)
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Oct 04, 2007
Penny Tan
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This is my favorite book of the entire series. It is actually dangerous because it actually makes a lot of sense and will most likely make the reader see Satan in a different light. Personally, I like this angle very much. A good wizard, becomes a priest, rises in the clergy, is seduced by a succubus, and in his doting age assumes the role of the Lord of Evil and turns it into a rehabilitation center. In other words, a good man doing a necessary function to maintain the balance.[return][return]I...more
The Incarnations of Immortality series shows us a world were magic and technology have developed together and deities like Death, Time, Fates, War, Mother Earth, Evil, Good, and Night are supernatural "offices" held by humans for a length of time.
For Love of Evil is the 6th book of The Incarnations of Immortality series and in this book we are introduced to the aspect of Evil. Parry is the adopted son of a Wizard. Parry is a musician and adept sorcerer of white magic when his father instructs h...more
For Love of Evil is the 6th book of The Incarnations of Immortality series and in this book we are introduced to the aspect of Evil. Parry is the adopted son of a Wizard. Parry is a musician and adept sorcerer of white magic when his father instructs h...more
This is the sixth book of the series and the main character of this book is the incarnation of evil, or Satan. The book follows the same lines as the previous books in the series in that the first part of the book deals with the mortal life of the main character before he becomes the incarnation, and it also looks at the events of the other books from the eyes of this particular incarnation. However, with Satan, he being the antagonist of all the other books, obviously has a significant role in...more
I was excited to pick up this book, to finally learn of how Satan--Incarnation of Evil--told his story (especially considering how Green Mother ended!). I am not sure I got what I expected, but I got an excellent tale.
Here is the tale of a man who had the love of his life taken from him by a powerful sorcerer working for the devil. This starts him on a new life in hiding--and he joins a church to eradicate evil. Seems an unlikely candidate for Evil, right? It was, until Lucifer sends a demoness...more
Here is the tale of a man who had the love of his life taken from him by a powerful sorcerer working for the devil. This starts him on a new life in hiding--and he joins a church to eradicate evil. Seems an unlikely candidate for Evil, right? It was, until Lucifer sends a demoness...more
This is yet another series I decided to revisit as it appears the author has added another installment to the Incarnations of Immortality. It seems I may have read parts of this novel, but not all of it. And I know I had not yet picked up the 7th installment, And Eternity. But, as I saw Mr. Anthony published an 8th installment, Under a Velvet Cloak, I felt I must reread from the 6th on so as to regain my bearings on this interesting world. The story was interesting and fun to read. This book is...more
Out of all the books I've read of this series, For Love of Evil has always been my favorite. The questions he poses as Satan, and the way he runs things, really follows after my own heart on how things should be done. The punishment should fit the crime and those dirtied by sins not of their own doing shouldn't be punished to begin with. The rules of what makes someone good enough to go to 'heaven' are warped and really should be thought about. We won't even get into the emotional struggle that...more
Mr. Anthony always did a great job with the preceding Incarnations as the philosophical questions, suggestions, and revelations of Death, Time, Fate, War, and Nature. A few books were better than others, but ALL of the books were at least 4 stars, and were all excellent reads.
I was blown away by this sixth volume of Incarnations of Immortality and the development of Satan's character. It's a fantstic read, exploring good and evil and tackling some hard questions. The revelation that God simply w...more
I was blown away by this sixth volume of Incarnations of Immortality and the development of Satan's character. It's a fantstic read, exploring good and evil and tackling some hard questions. The revelation that God simply w...more
This is probably my favorite book in the series for the topics it tackles, the humanization of the office of "evil", and its necessary place in the scheme of things. I was curious and hopeful that Anthony would handle this one well -- after all, Death and War are no small subjects to humanize and make sense of, yet by the end of books 1 and 4, both achieved a certain place of understanding in the worldview that made you go "You know, it really could be this way..." I felt some of the same with t...more
The concept is so cool, and the way he writes it so painful and juvenile...but this one really was the greatest one in the series. I mean, it's about replacing the devil, how could it not be? So I give it extra points.
Yeah, four stars. I don’t care. I dig it. Anthony makes a fairly complex character with his sorcerer-monk-Satan character, Parry. Mixing in a millenia's worth of history in the battle between Good and Evil, the motivations and machinations of the Incarnation of Evil are layered in a way to tie it in to the previous five books. Anthony does an admirable job making a cohesive story which can span several hundred years. Plus, his take on the role of morality for the iconic sin-seller is unique and...more
Wasn't my favorite of the series, mainly because Perry's corruption wasn't very convincing and because it seemed a bit rushed in places. I mean, the other books covered no more than a generation or two, and this one covers at least 800 years, so I guess it's no wonder it seemed rushed. Also, Orb's suddenly deciding she does love Perry was not convincing. I suppose this is because the reader is supposed to have read "Being a Green Mother" first, but it was still not good.
Those are my complaints....more
Those are my complaints....more
The Incarnations of Immortality books are pretty silly stuff really (in my opinion - naturally; you might well love them!). The bits at the ends of the books where the author writes how he wrote the books are more interesting and make me more sympathetic towards the series. Why did I read them then? Well, someone lent them to me and I'm just that combination of 'too polite to say no' and 'willing to try something different' to go for it.
I enjoyed the ones with a make protagonist more than those...more
I enjoyed the ones with a make protagonist more than those...more
I love science fiction and fantasy. I find many other genres too predictable. I have to say Piers Anthony is one of my favorite authors. (No relation)
This and all of the other books i've read from Piers have been very very entertaining. The man has an incredible imagination.
I'm not adding specific reviews because it would take at least a month. I've simpply read too many.
The stars will have to suffice. If you enjoy sci-fi and or fantasy, you have to Give Piers a try. I have not been disappoint...more
This and all of the other books i've read from Piers have been very very entertaining. The man has an incredible imagination.
I'm not adding specific reviews because it would take at least a month. I've simpply read too many.
The stars will have to suffice. If you enjoy sci-fi and or fantasy, you have to Give Piers a try. I have not been disappoint...more
I had nearly given up on this series after being thoroughly disappointed with Being a Green Mother. However, Piers Anthony salvages this train wreck with the sixth book, For Love of Evil. Parry, a sorcerer turned clergyman, spends his life in pursuit of foiling Lucifer only to find himself in a position to be corrupted by that which he is attempting to abate. Moments before Parry's death he is given the opportunity to assume the role of "Satan". Parry, now Satan, spends centuries running hell an...more
Originally, the Incarnations of Immortality series was meant to end at Being a Green Mother when Satan is finally defeated by his love for Orb. This was an ending that I found very dramatic, even if in a corny way. After reading that, I thought it was an excellent conclusion. But it wasn’t the end. Piers Anthony continued his series with two more books detailing the most important offices: Good and Evil. Thus, For Love of Evil and And Eternity were born.
For Love of Evil is one of the best books...more
For Love of Evil is one of the best books...more
There was a fashion in the late 80s for fantasy authors, especially those published by Lester Del Ray, to write novels that recapped the series up til that point from the perspective of a different character. These days I find it a cynically commercial practice at best, but I was a total sucker for them when I was a kid. Rereading For Love of Evil, I find... I kind of still am.
The first two thirds of the book is original material about Parry, a 13th century sorcerer who does the Pygmalion thing...more
The first two thirds of the book is original material about Parry, a 13th century sorcerer who does the Pygmalion thing...more
This was the best book in the Incarnations of Immortality Series. Though I am generally put off by books that try to humanize God and the Devil, Piers Anthony did it so well it can be forgiven. The paradox that a soul should be condemned for a sin that was only committed because the soul was condemned draws attention to the one of the most excruciating theologic issues in Christianity. That is: How can a person commit a sin if the commission of that sin is part of God's plan and an expression of...more
Just the fact that Piers Anthony is able to make a fairly convincing argument for an incarnation of evil is pretty amazing. It is a difficult topic, but he does it surprisingly well. My major complaint is that the story line seems a bit awkward at times, which he seems to try to cover by blaming it on the fact that men are slaves to sex. Hmmm, not convinced. Having said that, there is a fair bit of sex in this one, so it probably is not a great choice for younger fantasy readers.
1ST EDITION (AMERICAN) BOOK 6 IN INCARNATIONS OF IMMORTALITY SERIES; OTHER VOLUMES: 1 : ON A PALE HORSE 2 : BEARING AN HOURGLASS 3 : WITH A TANGLED SKEIN 4 : WIELDING A RED SWORD 5 : BEING A GREEN MOTHER 7 : AND ETERNITY
This book in particular stands out as the best of the Incarnations of Immortality series. It explores the role of Satan as the personification of evil, and his role in the greater plot of the Incarnations series.
Much of the plot from the series becomes more clear in this book, and the true genius of the interplay between the various Incarnations begins to be exposed.
Also, like most of the characters in the series, the portrayal of Satan is fresh and unique. It is interesting to explore this pers...more
Much of the plot from the series becomes more clear in this book, and the true genius of the interplay between the various Incarnations begins to be exposed.
Also, like most of the characters in the series, the portrayal of Satan is fresh and unique. It is interesting to explore this pers...more
While we're on the subject of fate and pre-destination and God and everything, thanks to A Prayer for Owen Meany, I'll throw this book into consideration. The whole Incarnations of Immortality series deals with all of those things, but this volume is one of the best (along with On A Pale Horse). Kind of takes the opposite side of things, obviously, but in the end even the Devil can be seen as an "instrument of God" ... or at least good.
This is the book that ate the cat that created the evil that chased the mouse that made me love Piers Anthony's writing that lived in the house that jack built.
The main character is so understandibly self-absorbed, smart, witty, and changes so very much from the young man he starts out as, you can see the character development just oozing out of this book, just running out from beneath the cover! I love it! One of my favorite books!
The main character is so understandibly self-absorbed, smart, witty, and changes so very much from the young man he starts out as, you can see the character development just oozing out of this book, just running out from beneath the cover! I love it! One of my favorite books!
This book is amazing. Piers Anthony combines modern day science, and actual historical events, with magic, seamlessly creating a fantasy where the two intertwine and coexist. The story follows Parry, a white wizard, turned monk, turned Incarnation of Evil; Namely, Satan. It tells of his attempts to reform Hell, and is eloquent and ingenious, with a good storyline to keep the reader's attention.
Definitely read it. It's worth it.
Definitely read it. It's worth it.
The first time I read this, my friend lent me his copy. The cover was torn, the pages were stained and falling out, and the book was nearly impossible to read. Even so, this book entranced me and pulled me deeper and deeper into Perry's transition from pure good to "conventional" evil. This is my absolute favorite of the Incarnations of Immortality, and now my once-new copy would probably evaporate in a half-strong breeze.
I'm going to make this short. If you havent read the Incarnations series but want to know what happends, read this book. I gave it a good rating because I like the concept of a carring Devil. But this book basicly recaps the whole series. If you have read the series, scim this book. The first 150 pages or so gives you a good understanding of Satins (or Natasha) motives. Its a great book and can be read apart from the series.
Entertaining, though perhaps not as much as earlier novels in the Incarnations series. That may be because I was a teenager when I read through the first five novels, and my tastes have changed since then. It may also be because there was an antagonist in each of the earlier novels, while the perspective change in For Love of Evil makes a disinterested God the antagonist; the other Incarnations opposing Satan in his absence. I don't object as much to the fictional theology, as to the absence of...more
Strangely, this was the best book in the series. It did cover new events, but mostly it was a retelling of the first five books; this would seem like a disastrous idea, but it was really a stroke of genius. For Love of Evil> is told from the Devil's point of view, and Anthony did an amazing job. Of course, to really enjoy this book, you'll have to read the rest of the series.
This is the book that ended my reading of Piers Anthony. The story is classic Anthony. But what was he trying to say? Its been a while since I read the book but what I came away with was "If Evil isn't really evil and Good isn't really good, if there is no truth. what's the point in anything?" Very depressing musings. No thanks.
Everyone I met who has read this series has a favorite, and it is without fail the first one they read. I read the fifth (Being a Green Mother) first, and it is my favorite. The first five can be read in any order, with intriguing plots interwoven through the entire set, but the sixth and seventh are best left for the end.
Funny and thoughtful by turns, this series tackles questions in everything from legends to religion, as seen by beings that have been there through the centuries--sort of. The faces may change, but the positions do not...and niether do the responsibilities.
I think that this one is the best of the series. After five books of seeing the issue from one side, the reader suddenly gets to see it from the other, and the change in views is startling. This is not a book for a reader who is not willing to...more
I think that this one is the best of the series. After five books of seeing the issue from one side, the reader suddenly gets to see it from the other, and the change in views is startling. This is not a book for a reader who is not willing to...more
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Though he spent the first four years of his life in England, Piers never returned to live in his country of birth after moving to Spain and immigrated to America at age six. After graduating with a B.A. from Goddard College, he married one of his fellow students and and spent fifteen years in an assortment of professions before he began writing fiction full-time.
Piers is a self-proclaimed environm...more
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Piers is a self-proclaimed environm...more
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Dec 14, 2011 11:34pm