In Review: With A Tangled Skein by Piers Anthony

Released 9/12/85            280 pages

Format: Hardcover

ISBN 978-0345318848

The third book, in the incarnation of immortalities series, further connects the incarnations together. This time is the story of Niobe, who eventually takes up the position of Fate. Around the time of World War I, the 20ish Niobe is married off to a younger boy, Cedric. She finds love with her young husband, and even bears his child. But that love cannot last. Satan has other plans, and when Cedric learns of those plans, he takes Niobe’s place, and with a vow of revenge in her heart she takes up the position of Fate.

Satan continues to be the enemy, first as he tries to have Niobe killed, and again as he plots against Luna with his political agenda. And although Satan claims to not want a wife who is not evil, we do meet his future wife, Orb, who just happens to be Niobe’s daughter, just as Luna is granddaughter.

While the last book, time was a little hard to follow, Fate is much easier. Piers Anthony uses the readers knowledge of fate and greatly enhances it. Fate has three main jobs, and three people who do it, and Niobe gets a chance to do two of those jobs, but not at the same time. And the fact that once her job is complete she returns back to regular human life enhances the story, and makes for great plotting.

The pacing in this one is excellent, drawing together the incarnations, showing that they’re not just one happy little family, but instead on very dysfunctional family, but family just the same. An excellent read.