BOOK REVIEW + eBook GIVE AWAY - The Fifth Horseman by Jon Smith
Comedy/Fantasy/Mythical Realism/Fiction
Date Published: 02-07-2023
Publisher: Balkon Media
Internationally published bestselling author Jon Smith makes his adult debut with The Fifth Horseman, a modern comic fantasy that rides roughshod over established mythology and the rules of life… and death.
The Fifth Horseman is a darkly comic tale of two thirty-somethings caught between our world and the afterlife, who must embrace their role as reapers to prevent the End Times. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy meets Father Ted, perfect for fans of Ben Aaronovitch, Terry Pratchett, and Neil Gaiman.
Death is just a day job you can’t quit…
Emma and Mark had a bad day. The worst part of it was dying. But, according to Death, the Rider on the Pale Horse and first horseman of the apocalypse, things aren’t that simple. Turns out the sand in their hourglass is stuck in place. Somewhere between life and death, they’re put to work as Death’s assistants, reaping the souls of the living until it’s time for their final clock out…
To compound matters, despite their omnipotence, the four horsemen are facing an existential threat – one they’re ill-equipped and ill-prepared to combat.
Emma and Mark must reap like their afterlives depend on it, to help prevent the End Times – even if it means scuppering the one opportunity they have at being granted a second chance at life.
Filled with humour, romantic tension, and suspense, Jon Smith utilises a witty, lightly sarcastic ensemble of flawed but loveable characters. It will appeal to mainstream fantasy readers and hopeless romantics, as well as those who enjoy a good story and a good laugh.
This is my first comic fantasy. The plot piqued my curiosity
and I’m glad I picked this one up. The Fifth Horseman is a darkly comic tale of
two thirty-somethings caught between our world and the afterlife, who must
embrace their role as reapers to prevent the End Times.
Emma and Mark had a bad day. The worst part was dying but
things are quite so simple. The sand in their hourglasses is stuck in place.
Somewhere between life and death. They are put to work as Death’s assistants,
repeating the souls of the living until the final clock runs out.
This book is well written full of humor and an element of
sarcasm. The characters are well developed, though I would have liked to know
more about Veronique. Emma and Mark are likeable yet complex. Their dynamic
kept me in stiches. The author does a great job of building suspense while also
keeping the reader guessing. I did not see the final twist coming. The
descriptions were spot on, and the reaping chapters added a humorous level of
depth. Despite this book being about death, it reads easily.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
Overall Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
About the Author
Jon Smith is the bestselling author of 14 books for children, teens, and adults. His books have sold more than 500,000 copies and are published in seven languages.
In addition to writing books, Jon is an award-winning screenwriter and musical theatre lyricist and librettist with productions at the Birmingham Hippodrome, Belfast Waterfront and London’s Park & Waterloo East theatres.
Jon enjoyed a happy childhood—making daisy chains, holidays in the sun and an obsessive interest in all things fantasy. No brace, few spots and only one broken bone and one broken heart (not his). It all went swimmingly.
Father of four, he lives near Liverpool with his wife, Mrs. Smith, and their two school-age children. When he grows up he’d like to be a librarian.
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