Tom Holt does like mucking about with mythology, though I think this might be his first crack at Christianity. God has finally decided he's had enough of the religion business and decides to sell all the kingdoms of the world to a corporate god, who have a much simpler "pay to sin" model. He wanders off with Jesus to explore the galaxy, leaving behind only Kevin, the second Son of the Lord, and Father Christmas.
I've been a fan of Holt for a very long time, but it had felt for a while that he was losing his edge. The books read like they were just being processed out of a machine. This one is a refreshing change, being full of the mad energy I remember from my youth. The characters are very well built, and aren't simply carriers for the plot. Santa Claus is especially good fun.
The plot is a good one as well, with an impressive combination of factions, that kept me reading this in more or less a single sitting. I'm still not sure how competent Satan really was.
And for the diehard Holt fans, yes there's still a hypercompetent woman with a useless man. Though at least it's a little toned down for once. It doesn't hurt the book. Give it a try.
Recommended.
Tagged: Book Fantasy Angels and demons Novel Print