Monday 20 January 2014

Clovenhoof - Book Review


Clovenhoof
by Heide Goody & Iain Grant

ebook

What is it about:
Charged with gross incompetence, Satan is fired from his job as Prince of Hell and exiled to that most terrible of places: English suburbia. Forced to live as a human under the name of Jeremy Clovenhoof, the dark lord not only has to contend with the fact that no one recognises him or gives him the credit he deserves but also has to put up with the bookish wargamer next door and the voracious man-eater upstairs.

Heaven, Hell and the city of Birmingham collide in a story that features murder, heavy metal, cannibalism, armed robbers, devious old ladies, Satanists who live with their mums, gentlemen of limited stature, dead vicars, petty archangels, flamethrowers, sex dolls, a blood-soaked school assembly and way too much alcohol.


What did I think of it:
This is a really fun read.

The idea of Satan having to live as a human intrigued me, and I must say Goody and Grant did a great job in showing the world as seen through the eyes of Satan. Simple things like shopping, Christmas songs, and going out for a drink were painted in a whole new (and funny) light.

The things Satan/Clovenhoof does were both funny and a little frustrating. You can see things going wrong, and at times I both had to laugh and cringe at his antics and his views on the world. But however outrageous his actions were, I couldn't help rooting for him and hoping he would either win back Hell, or manage to fit in on earth. Because even though some things he does were insensitive and catastrophic: Clovenhoof is a likeable character.

Next to Clovenhoof trying to fit in on earth (and not doing to brilliantly at that) there's some other things going on as well, and I had to keep reading to see where this story would lead. The ending was satisfying, but also leaves room for a very promising sequel.

All in all this is a fun and very enjoyable read. I might pick up more books by Goody and Grant in the future.

Why should you read it:
It's a very funny and entertaining read.


Buy it from Amazon

2 comments:

Aurian said...

It sure sounds like a fun read. Glad you enjoyed it Sullivan.

Melissa (My World...in words and pages) said...

Oh this does sound like a hoot to read. New one to me. :) Thank you.