Emma feels her life isn't worth continuing and that she's achieved all she'll ever achieve. She decides to off herself by falling from the top of a high building. She's left a goodbye message for her roommate and friend, Mark. While trying to save her from this decision, he accidentally knocks them both off to their seeming death. Just before they are about to hit the ground, Death rides in and scoops them up. However, there is a hitch! Both of their hourglasses still technically contain some sand, which means they are now stuck between life and death.

I really enjoyed this book. It hit at a time when I needed to read something humorous, even if it is death. I loved the author's sense of humour that flowed through their writing. The characters are funny, and there is good banter between them which makes this an easy weekend read. Sometimes you just need to read something that makes you giggle.

I love the Discworld novels and have read them many times over, however, recommending this novel for fans of Terry Pratchett feels a little on the nose. This novel feels like the author was cramming in jokes and trying to almost mimic Terry Pratchett’s style but, for me, it wasn’t successful. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an easy read and scratches an itch but, rather than make me shout from the hills, it makes me want to go back and start the Discworld series again. C’est la vie.

When I saw in the synopsis that this book had that satirical humor that Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy had, I instantly wanted to read this. I was so happy to be given an ARC (Thank you!).

The beginning was great and I think the ending really sold the entire concept. Some parts in the middle get a little muddled. I liked how Time was represented in the book because it was even hard to figure it out throughout the entire book how long they had be "dead" and how that was just a reference to the whole Time is just a human invention. One thing I wished that had been flushed out a little more was the characterization with the romance subplot of this book. I felt like the ending was a bit rushed and that although you saw they had a great friendship, you didn't get to see the budding romance aspect as well. It felt like it was kind of just plopped into the story to make a certain audience interested. I think the two were a great match, they were humorous and I think they really made this book but that one aspect just needed a little more attention. The overall characterization was amazing and I love the talk of Money controlling the world as a plot point.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys books like Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or someone who has a morbid sense of humor.

This was a light hearted comic version of death and the other horseman of the apocalypse.

I was expecting a different kind of humor, but this was still an enjoyable story

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC.

The Fifth Horseman has wit, charm, and entertainment all wrapped up with just the right level of dark humour. It's engaging enough not to drag but slow enough to let you enjoy the characters as they navigate this strange new situation they find themselves in.

Emma and Mark engage in some funny banter, and at times Death feels like a tired professor watching his students rip up the syllabus and submit a dance piece for thier final essay. It's a fun relationship that also knows when to throw the punch about the fragility and temporary state of living. Death, the reality, is terrifying for many, and Jon Smith doesn't shy away from that, but instead lets it thread this story together.

The Horsemen were fun and also depressing in the way they really exposed some of the horrors we often think of but fail to realize the shadows they cast, like just how severe starvation and disease are in the world and the boasting of the Horsemen feels like a jab at the system rather than a mockery of the situation which I appreciated.

I found this overall lighthearted and upbeat with quick humour that didn't overstay its welcome. A little over the top at times, but in the way that gave me sitcom vibes in the good way. Mark has some lines I was less fond of towards Emma which felt a bit tired and old but I also feel Emma was assertive in her boundaries with him.

I think the comparison to Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman is always a gamble. I didn't find as much delight in Death which I think is primarily a Me issue, as Death in Pratchett's books holds such a dear place in pop culture. But the presence of both authors is felt in this story without being overwhelming.

Overall this was a fun ride and I think offers an easy read.

While I did like The Fifth Horseman it sadly wasn't as good as I hoped.
With the publishers saying it was perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman I expected it to be really good but it was just kinda mediocre.
It was fun so I would recommend it but don't set your expectations high like I did.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

After reading the blurb I did expect a story similar to Terry Pratchett's books. So I must admit I am a bit disappointed. It might be only me, but I did not find this novel as fun as I had hoped for. However, it might be really enjoyable for other readers.

Alternately comic and thoughtful, The Fifth Horseman tells the story of a dysfunctional afterlife into which two flat mates stumble after a suicide attempt and misguided rescue. Not quite alive and not quite dead, the two must help Death and the other horsemen make sense of the changing world on Earth. There are a couple of spots where the pace slows, but overall it’s an enjoyable read.

There were comic moments but overall this was more of a lighthearted fantasy dealing with death.

The pacing was slow at tines but It was a pleasant read and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest review.

As a 'comic fantasy', which I'm interpreting as light-hearted surreal stuff, this book more or less earns that label. The existentialist themes come with the territory of exploring death and the afterlife, which I enjoyed. The lighter, fluffier aspects of the book such as the gentleness of Mark and Emma's friendship and the mundane moments between the Four Horsemen balance out the heavier elements, such as the aforementioned existentialism and death (including suicide).

The story does take its time building up to the 'End Times'; it doesn't really mention it until the last third of the novel. Had the book not interluded its Emma-and-Mark chapters with passages focusing on a notable character, I would've forgotten what the novel was building towards (without looking at the synopsis). Once I pieced together the clues hinting at what the Fifth Horseman represented, I barked a laugh. The novel plays with a common idiom to an exaggeratedly cheesy but entertaining effect.

Overall, it's a nice read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Balkon Media for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

This was not as funny as I had hoped, more cute. It was a quick fast and fun read and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

This kind of made me feel like this was BBC show. It was cute and insightful. I am glad I am read it especially with some of the thoughts on death. I wouldn't pin it as a comic fantasy. I would pin it as thoughtful fantasy. I didn't feel like there was much comedy. Overall, I enjoyed the book.

It did lie heavily on some tropes that I will not reveal.

-Copy given through netgalley-