The Dirty Streets of Heaven by Tad Williams
I found this book after reading an article by George R R Martin, who recommended this author as the best fantasy writer he had come across. I had to try it for myself.
This is the first in a trilogy – not set in a fictional world – but on Earth. The main characters are angels and demons and the war is between heave and hell. Bobby Dollar is an Advocate; when someone dies it is his job to argue the case for the dead person’s soul to ensure it gets into Heaven. He’s an angel, but not a very good one. He doesn’t follow the rules and frequently gets in trouble.
Bobby uncovers a dangerous conspiracy – the Third Way, an alternative to Heave and he realises he’s in serious danger.
This is a lot of fun – lots of sex, action, wise cracking angel heroes and I really enjoyed it.
Trap Door by Dreda Say Mitchell
Trap Door is about Rachel, a young woman in serious debt. She’s on the verge of being homeless and desperately needs a job. When she’s offered a position at a successful company its almost too good to be true. Things in her new job gradually become more sinister but she’s trapped – she needs that pay check.
Then one day she sees a funeral programme for an old friend – someone she thought had died 10 years ago. She starts to investigate and begins to uncover the terrible truth about her past, her family and the people she works for.
I liked the main character and felt her desperation caused by her debt and the situation she was in, but the plot was a little far fetched at times. Saying that I did enjoy it and it was entertaining – sometimes you have to let the little things go.
Pixie Chronicles 