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Available
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Publication
Graphia Books (2012), Edition: 1, 258 pages
Description
A lifetime of being bullied has left fifteen-year-old Billy angry and frightened, but when he is tricked into becoming Pestilence, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, with the power to inflict diseases, he travels through time and memory to find Death in hopes of escaping his fate.
User reviews
LibraryThing member BookAddictDiary
I've had these series on the sides of my personal reading radar for a while. I haven't really had the opportunity to dive into it before, so when I had the chance to read Loss, the third book in the series, I thought it was time to go for a ride. The good thing about these books is that you don't
Loss introduces Billy Ballard, a young boy who is constantly bullied at school, and seems to have little else in his life to live for. Things seem like they can't get any worse for Billy when he meets Death (yes, the actual Death) and finds out that he is Pestilence, the White Rider of the Apocalypse. Billy, of course, uses his new-found powers to take revenge on those who hurt before, until he unleashes an outbreak of meningitis. Realizing his mistake, its up to Billy to save the world.
Having not read the previous novels, I was mostly able to understand what was going on here, though the lack of exposition for some of the other riders, Death and the entire riders of the apocalypse made some things just a little hazy. Despite this, I still found myself enjoying this book. The pacing is insane -I was constantly flipping pages to see what came next, and Billy is a highly sympathetic and understandable character that's easy for readers to relate to.
Fans of the previous books will probably enjoy this one as well -and I suggest that newcomers start at the beginning to get the full picture. Though I would have liked to have seen a little more depth in the plot, Loss is a solid read with great action and an honest plot.
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really need to read them all in order since each book focuses on a different character's story and how they become one of the riders of the apocalypse. (Though I was a little lost when some of the other horsemen -er, women, er...people -came in. The author assumes that most readers know who these characters are, so there isn't much back story or explanation given about how they are.)Loss introduces Billy Ballard, a young boy who is constantly bullied at school, and seems to have little else in his life to live for. Things seem like they can't get any worse for Billy when he meets Death (yes, the actual Death) and finds out that he is Pestilence, the White Rider of the Apocalypse. Billy, of course, uses his new-found powers to take revenge on those who hurt before, until he unleashes an outbreak of meningitis. Realizing his mistake, its up to Billy to save the world.
Having not read the previous novels, I was mostly able to understand what was going on here, though the lack of exposition for some of the other riders, Death and the entire riders of the apocalypse made some things just a little hazy. Despite this, I still found myself enjoying this book. The pacing is insane -I was constantly flipping pages to see what came next, and Billy is a highly sympathetic and understandable character that's easy for readers to relate to.
Fans of the previous books will probably enjoy this one as well -and I suggest that newcomers start at the beginning to get the full picture. Though I would have liked to have seen a little more depth in the plot, Loss is a solid read with great action and an honest plot.
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LibraryThing member krau0098
This is the third book in the Riders of the Apocalypse series and it tells the story of Pestilence. I got an advanced reading copy of this book to review through the Amazon Vine program. It was a bit different than the previous two books, but still a good addition to the series.
Billy has it pretty
Unlike previous books in this series Billy doesn't have a self-mutilating disorder (like anorexia or cutting) but he does have anxiety problems. His life seems to be about loss; lost opportunities, a lost father, his grandfather's loss of health, and Billy's loss of indepedence in trying to take care of his grandfather. His life is also filled with disease of sorts: his crippling anxiety and his grandfather's debilitating disease. All this ties him to Pestilence. Through Billy we learn Pestilence's story and it is one rife with loss and disease as well.
Billy must figure out why Pestilence has gone mad and try to get Pestilence to resume his duties. For not only can Pestilence spread disease but he is the Conqueror of all illness as well. If Billy can't figure out how to get Pestilence to take up his duties the whole world may be facing the Apocalypse.
As with all of these books Death is my favorite character; he is funny and is something different from all the other Riders. Billy was also a very good character and my heart went out to him. He situation really sucked and I really feel for any kid whose been bullied that bad. I wasn't quite as engaged with Billy as with the characters in the previous book, possibly because he was a boy and I couldn't relate to the bullying thing, but he was well done and I think he will ring true for a lot of YA readers out there.
As with all previous books in this series a portion of the book sales goes to a cause, in this case the fight against Alzheimer's. Kessler also talks about resources where bullied kids can find support in the Afterward.
Overall a solid addition to this series. This is different from previous books in that it is more about Pestilence's problems than Billy's; but the two characters have issues that tie them together nicely. There is a lot of symbolism in this book and a lot to think about. I love reading about the Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the troubling teens who become/help them. I can't wait to see what is next in this series. Highly recommend to YA fans.
Billy has it pretty
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rough. He is constantly beat up at school, he is forced to take care of his grandpa who has Alzheimer's, and he just can't seem to get a break. That is until Death gives him Pestilence's Bow. As Billy starts to take revenge on his bullying classmates, he realizes that what he is doing is wrong. There is a bigger problem here and if Billy can't help to reign Pestilence in, then whole world may be destroyed by a horrible plague.Unlike previous books in this series Billy doesn't have a self-mutilating disorder (like anorexia or cutting) but he does have anxiety problems. His life seems to be about loss; lost opportunities, a lost father, his grandfather's loss of health, and Billy's loss of indepedence in trying to take care of his grandfather. His life is also filled with disease of sorts: his crippling anxiety and his grandfather's debilitating disease. All this ties him to Pestilence. Through Billy we learn Pestilence's story and it is one rife with loss and disease as well.
Billy must figure out why Pestilence has gone mad and try to get Pestilence to resume his duties. For not only can Pestilence spread disease but he is the Conqueror of all illness as well. If Billy can't figure out how to get Pestilence to take up his duties the whole world may be facing the Apocalypse.
As with all of these books Death is my favorite character; he is funny and is something different from all the other Riders. Billy was also a very good character and my heart went out to him. He situation really sucked and I really feel for any kid whose been bullied that bad. I wasn't quite as engaged with Billy as with the characters in the previous book, possibly because he was a boy and I couldn't relate to the bullying thing, but he was well done and I think he will ring true for a lot of YA readers out there.
As with all previous books in this series a portion of the book sales goes to a cause, in this case the fight against Alzheimer's. Kessler also talks about resources where bullied kids can find support in the Afterward.
Overall a solid addition to this series. This is different from previous books in that it is more about Pestilence's problems than Billy's; but the two characters have issues that tie them together nicely. There is a lot of symbolism in this book and a lot to think about. I love reading about the Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the troubling teens who become/help them. I can't wait to see what is next in this series. Highly recommend to YA fans.
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LibraryThing member dulcibelle
This continues to be a fantastic series. I loved Billy and felt so sorry for his situation - and was furious at the inattention of the adults around him. His growth in this book feels quite realistic (well, as realistic as fantasy can be). The whole series (Hunger and Rage are the other two titles)
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is highly recommended. I can't wait for the next book! Show Less
LibraryThing member titania86
Billy Ballard is bullied daily. He hates his life because of the bullies and because he has to take care of his grandfather who has Alzheimer's. His mother is constantly working and tired, so the responsibility often falls on him. Then, everything changes when Death tells Billy he must take up the
I really liked this novel. Billy is a normal teen who is tormented every single day. I'm sure everyone reading it has at least one memory of being bullied or are currently being bullied. It's frustrating to know that many kids are in the same position as him and many teachers stand by and let the bullying happen. His mother puts a lot of responsibility on him to take care of his grandfather who has Alzheimer's. He doesn't want to bring people to his house and he doesn't have much time to enjoy being a teen. The Alzheimer's makes his beloved grandfather into a stranger to him who can become belligerent or even violent. They can no longer share memories and his grandfather is essentially not the same person that Billy grew up with. The realistic portrayal of his life is the triumph of this book. I just wanted to give Billy a hug and tell him that his life won't be that way forever.
The other thing I really loved about this book was Pestilence. Billy goes into his consciousness to get him to wake up and do his job and views his memories and experiences. His history is inspired by a mix of myth and folklore and I totally nerded out while reading. Both the King Midas tale and the story of Robin Hood were retold and mixed together in a dynamic and interesting way. It was unexpected and it made the story much more memorable and enjoyable.
Loss is a wonderful mix of harsh reality and myths and legends. I had no idea it was part of a series, which may shed more light on some of the minor characters. I would definitely read the rest of the series and eagerly await for more books from Jackie Morse Kessler.
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white cloak and become Pestilence. He doesn't want to, but the Bow that unleashes disease follows him. He accidentally lashes out at his tormenters, spreading meningitis at his school. He is horrified that he would stoop to that level and basically become a bully as well. He begs Death for a way out. Pestilence is still alive, but comatose. He must awaken Pestilence to take up his job again or be doomed to do the job instead.I really liked this novel. Billy is a normal teen who is tormented every single day. I'm sure everyone reading it has at least one memory of being bullied or are currently being bullied. It's frustrating to know that many kids are in the same position as him and many teachers stand by and let the bullying happen. His mother puts a lot of responsibility on him to take care of his grandfather who has Alzheimer's. He doesn't want to bring people to his house and he doesn't have much time to enjoy being a teen. The Alzheimer's makes his beloved grandfather into a stranger to him who can become belligerent or even violent. They can no longer share memories and his grandfather is essentially not the same person that Billy grew up with. The realistic portrayal of his life is the triumph of this book. I just wanted to give Billy a hug and tell him that his life won't be that way forever.
The other thing I really loved about this book was Pestilence. Billy goes into his consciousness to get him to wake up and do his job and views his memories and experiences. His history is inspired by a mix of myth and folklore and I totally nerded out while reading. Both the King Midas tale and the story of Robin Hood were retold and mixed together in a dynamic and interesting way. It was unexpected and it made the story much more memorable and enjoyable.
Loss is a wonderful mix of harsh reality and myths and legends. I had no idea it was part of a series, which may shed more light on some of the minor characters. I would definitely read the rest of the series and eagerly await for more books from Jackie Morse Kessler.
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LibraryThing member theWallflower
Jackie: this series is not your confessional. It is not your soapbox or your diary. It is a book, meant to inform and entertain. You introduced a great concept with "Hunger", but gave up decent exploration of the topic for superficial YA thrills. Then you screwed up with "Rage". You screwed up with
Her author's notes say the book went through twenty-two drafts before it was finished. Well, gee, I wonder why. Maybe because you put in so much junk that had nothing to do with the central concept? Pestilence. One of the four horsemen. Responsible for plague, sickness, poisons, germs. Dominion over disease. Do you want to tell me what that has to do with school bullies and Robin Hood? (At least the other books had a tangential theme: Famine to eating disorders, War to self-harm.) It's like Kessler is writing some other story, other than the one presented to her.
(And maybe you shouldn't be advertising your failures in your own book. How many times do movies with multiple directors, multiple drafts, multiple production companies, become lauded bestsellers? They have a term for that: development hell.)
The story is all over the place and none of it has to do with the protagonist. There are more words dedicated to the backstory of the deuteragonist than the main one. And nothing is resolved in the end -- he's still got bullies. He's going to get beat up the next day.
This series has lost such potential. I'm frustrated because there are some great themes she could be working with. But what does pestilence have to do with self-esteem? What do unrequited school crushes have to do with being assigned as a harbinger of the end-times? You've got a character who's got the power to make anyone sick. It's a hero's journey. A call to adventure. And what does the author do? Watch some guy in a coma be Robin Hood and King Midas.
It's like "The Dark Knight Rises". Don't shove the wrong story into the wrong milieu.
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this one. And (now that I have "time-sink fallacy" to finish the series) I know you'll screw the pooch with the last. I know it.Her author's notes say the book went through twenty-two drafts before it was finished. Well, gee, I wonder why. Maybe because you put in so much junk that had nothing to do with the central concept? Pestilence. One of the four horsemen. Responsible for plague, sickness, poisons, germs. Dominion over disease. Do you want to tell me what that has to do with school bullies and Robin Hood? (At least the other books had a tangential theme: Famine to eating disorders, War to self-harm.) It's like Kessler is writing some other story, other than the one presented to her.
(And maybe you shouldn't be advertising your failures in your own book. How many times do movies with multiple directors, multiple drafts, multiple production companies, become lauded bestsellers? They have a term for that: development hell.)
The story is all over the place and none of it has to do with the protagonist. There are more words dedicated to the backstory of the deuteragonist than the main one. And nothing is resolved in the end -- he's still got bullies. He's going to get beat up the next day.
This series has lost such potential. I'm frustrated because there are some great themes she could be working with. But what does pestilence have to do with self-esteem? What do unrequited school crushes have to do with being assigned as a harbinger of the end-times? You've got a character who's got the power to make anyone sick. It's a hero's journey. A call to adventure. And what does the author do? Watch some guy in a coma be Robin Hood and King Midas.
It's like "The Dark Knight Rises". Don't shove the wrong story into the wrong milieu.
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LibraryThing member Great_East_Road
See my review of this book, and many more, at Tales from the Great East Road.
Life for fifteen year old Billy Ballard is not easy. He's the kid who everyone picks on, the one who the teachers either overlook or "make an example" of. He doesn't even get a break at home, living with his single mother
Then Death visits Billy. He wants Billy to stand in as Pestilence, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, as the original White Rider has gone missing. Billy agrees, thinking this could be his chance to get back at his tormentors, and takes the Bow which allows him to strike disease. But when he accidentally causes an outbreak of meningitis, Billy realises he can't handle this kind of power, and must hunt out the previous White Rider, who is hiding in the memories of his long, strange life. After years of causing death and disease, the White Rider has become insane, and plans on an outbreak more terrifying than any the earth has seen before...
Loss is another excellent book in the Riders of the Apocalypse series, which deals with teenagers struggling with different problems who then become one of the riders, and their experiences with their new powers and responsibilities. Though all part of a series, each book can be read as a stand alone, and nothing is lost by reading them out of order. This book's protagonist, Billy, is a very sympathetic character. Watching his life of abuse and pain is moving, especially if you (like myself) have experienced bullying in the past. Even if you haven't, the frustration, anger, and self loathing that Billy feels is written in a clear and very convincing way, and I found myself desperately hoping for a scene where Billy stands up and finally gets his own back. Though this doesn't actually happen in Loss, the battles Billy does win, over his own self doubt and outlook on life, are much more important. This is not a book about revenge, it's about accepting yourself no matter what others think - which can often be harder than getting your own back.
The world building in this book is fascinating and well researched, the story of King Mita tying in very well with the Riders' biblical tale. The character Death and the other horsemen are all entertaining and it is a very good thing they all get their own books, as you cannot help but want to know more about them all. There is also a very funny and cute scene from the point of view of the White Horse, who is excited to have not one but two riders now. Death himself is an amazing character, and though he doesn't get as much focus in this book as I would have liked, this is not his story (thankfully, Death's story is the next and final book in this series Breath).
Billy's story is one of struggles and triumphs, both over other people and yourself. It's moving and very satisfying, and I can't recommend it enough.
4.5 stars.
Life for fifteen year old Billy Ballard is not easy. He's the kid who everyone picks on, the one who the teachers either overlook or "make an example" of. He doesn't even get a break at home, living with his single mother
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who's always working to make ends meet, and his Alzheimer’s suffering grandfather, who can sometimes be worse than the school bullies. If it wasn't for his friend, Marianne, he'd probably go mad - though never working up the courage to ask her out might drive him to madness anyway.Then Death visits Billy. He wants Billy to stand in as Pestilence, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, as the original White Rider has gone missing. Billy agrees, thinking this could be his chance to get back at his tormentors, and takes the Bow which allows him to strike disease. But when he accidentally causes an outbreak of meningitis, Billy realises he can't handle this kind of power, and must hunt out the previous White Rider, who is hiding in the memories of his long, strange life. After years of causing death and disease, the White Rider has become insane, and plans on an outbreak more terrifying than any the earth has seen before...
Loss is another excellent book in the Riders of the Apocalypse series, which deals with teenagers struggling with different problems who then become one of the riders, and their experiences with their new powers and responsibilities. Though all part of a series, each book can be read as a stand alone, and nothing is lost by reading them out of order. This book's protagonist, Billy, is a very sympathetic character. Watching his life of abuse and pain is moving, especially if you (like myself) have experienced bullying in the past. Even if you haven't, the frustration, anger, and self loathing that Billy feels is written in a clear and very convincing way, and I found myself desperately hoping for a scene where Billy stands up and finally gets his own back. Though this doesn't actually happen in Loss, the battles Billy does win, over his own self doubt and outlook on life, are much more important. This is not a book about revenge, it's about accepting yourself no matter what others think - which can often be harder than getting your own back.
The world building in this book is fascinating and well researched, the story of King Mita tying in very well with the Riders' biblical tale. The character Death and the other horsemen are all entertaining and it is a very good thing they all get their own books, as you cannot help but want to know more about them all. There is also a very funny and cute scene from the point of view of the White Horse, who is excited to have not one but two riders now. Death himself is an amazing character, and though he doesn't get as much focus in this book as I would have liked, this is not his story (thankfully, Death's story is the next and final book in this series Breath).
Billy's story is one of struggles and triumphs, both over other people and yourself. It's moving and very satisfying, and I can't recommend it enough.
4.5 stars.
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Language
Original language
English
Physical description
272 p.; 5.5 inches
ISBN
0547712154 / 9780547712154
Local notes
Fifteen-year-old Billy Ballard is the kid that everyone picks on. But things changedrastically when Death tells Billy he must stand in as Pestilence, the White Rider ofthe Apocalypse. Now armed with a Bow that allows him to strike with disease froma distance, Billy lashes out at his tormentors...and accidentally causes an outbreak ofmeningitis. Horrified by his actions, Billy begs Death to take back the Bow.
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