Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Endgame

by Andy Secombe



      Andy Secombe continues to delight with his genuinely funny comic fantasies, first there was Limbo, then Limbo II and The Last House in the Galaxy (all reviewed on this site) and now he is back for a fourth time. It all starts when God launches his new creation (humans) at a cocktail party and recently fallen angel Lucifer gate crashes it. Eager for a piece of the action and a chance to get back in favor, Lucifer wagers that without any interference from him or God the humans will destroy their shiny new planet. Fast forward a few thousand years and Martin Gray, an Exeter dentist is about to end it all. But Archangel Gabriel is waiting in the wings (couldn’t resist that pun) and enlists his help to ensure that the earth isn’t destroyed in a few days’ time... by a computer game?

It’s a simpler plot that some of this earlier work, and hardly terribly original - but who cares when it works so well? As before, there is plenty of wit about the vicissitudes of modern life, united with an exciting plot and some topical humor about the state the world is currently in. The style of humor and storyline is more akin to Tom Holt than Terry Pratchett, being our world with fantastic elements rather than the other way around, but this is not an imitation; Secombe is his own man. Too much comic writing relies on the humor alone, but there is a story in here as well, which makes all the difference. The book is just about the right length too, although if you are totally ignorant of computer games (where have you been hiding?) then some passages might have you scratching your head in bewilderment. Great fun.

The Book

Tor UK (Macmillan UK)
Tor (US)
15 September 2006
Trade Paperback
1405053585
Fantasy - Devon, UK, Heaven & Hell
More at Amazon.com US || UK
Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Rachel A Hyde
Reviewed 2006
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© 2006 MyShelf.com