Clovenhoof is a darkly comic novel based around a simple premise: Satan is fired from Hell and must spend his forced retirement in Birmingham suburbia. What follows are the tales of Satan's efforts to assimilate with 21st century suburban living. He has to make friends, find a job, get a girlfriend and host a dinner-party, all under the watchful eye of his probation officer, Archangel Michael.
The writing is superbly funny and would appeal to those with a Terry Pratchett-esque sense of humour. Its characters are sharply-observed and recognisable, whilst society itself is given a good-natured teasing through the satirical looking glass.
Clovenhoof himself is a triumph: cynical, devilish but completely bewildered by his new domestic situation. Equally, the supporting ensemble are just as memorable and you will warm to the central trio after the first opening chapters.
The characters of Heaven and Hell are well-researched and brilliantly portrayed, displaying both knowledge and comical inversion of their historical counterpoints. Joan of Arc is particularly well-written and will hopefully reoccur in the hoped-for sequels.
The novel is perfect for a commute. The story arcs are gradual and therefore the novel can be just as rewarding if read as a collection of short stories. Each chapter is a standalone adventure and this episodic structure makes for very digestible, light reading.
Clovenhoof is a devilishly good read (pun intended) and a superb debut novel by its two writers. It is the perfect example of what can be achieved through successful collaborative writing and I hope to read more of Clovenhoof's adventures soon.
Clovenhoof is available for Kindle for just £2.99.
The writing is superbly funny and would appeal to those with a Terry Pratchett-esque sense of humour. Its characters are sharply-observed and recognisable, whilst society itself is given a good-natured teasing through the satirical looking glass.
Clovenhoof himself is a triumph: cynical, devilish but completely bewildered by his new domestic situation. Equally, the supporting ensemble are just as memorable and you will warm to the central trio after the first opening chapters.
The characters of Heaven and Hell are well-researched and brilliantly portrayed, displaying both knowledge and comical inversion of their historical counterpoints. Joan of Arc is particularly well-written and will hopefully reoccur in the hoped-for sequels.
The novel is perfect for a commute. The story arcs are gradual and therefore the novel can be just as rewarding if read as a collection of short stories. Each chapter is a standalone adventure and this episodic structure makes for very digestible, light reading.
Clovenhoof is a devilishly good read (pun intended) and a superb debut novel by its two writers. It is the perfect example of what can be achieved through successful collaborative writing and I hope to read more of Clovenhoof's adventures soon.
Clovenhoof is available for Kindle for just £2.99.