Aleks' Domain

It’s time for another book review! I actually finished this one about a month back, so this review is a little late. However, putting the tardiness aside, I still remember this book because it was just that good. Even though this was Ferrari’s first book, I wouldn’t have been able to tell. He spins a tale the likes of which I’ve never seen before. I really hope I see more of his works in the future. Just like with all my reviews, I don’t promise a spoiler-free review, but I’ll certainly try.

I’ll be honest. I don’t know how I bought this book. I mean, for starters, I haven’t even heard of the author before. It would have been different had someone recommended him to me, but no. I just bought it on a whim. I guess it just looked cool. Probably one of the best cover’s I’ve seen on a book. It’s important to note that the author actually designed the cover too. The mini picture up there really doesn’t do it justice.

But anyways, now when I think about it, I know exactly why I bought this book. The story interested me. God and Lucifer make a bet, the same bet they’ve made in the past. However, this time, creation – you, me and everything else – hang in the balance. Interesting for two reasons, and probably more. Firstly, I always wanted to hear a conversation between God and Lucifer. Secondly, you actually get to see them go at it. Yeah, yeah, I know you can read the bible for that kind of stuff, but this is much more interesting than that 2000 page sleeping pill.

The story starts off with a little boy. And damn, is he full of energy! He kind of reminded me of me. He was all over the place. He never stayed in one place for too long. He climbed trees, pretended he was a knight (something I still do), ran all over the place and had a big grin on his face at all times. It almost made me wish I was a child again. But where we differ is that this boy had an enemy. And not just any enemy! Think about all the kinds of enemies you can have. It couldn’t compare to this boy’s enemy. He, had the devil himself breathing down his neck at all times.

And he did nothing to deserve it! It’s only because God had faith in this boy that he would win the bet for him. Before I go on, I should mention that this boy’s name is Joby. It’s a biblical allusion to the story of Job in the bible. No other apparent connections other than the name. Also, that the bet God and Lucifer had was that God was to choose a candidate, and if Lucifer could make that candidate do something really evil, he would win. Well, Lucifer is given 40 years to do just that.

Needless to say, Joby’s entire journey is very entertaining. The characters are colourful, and God and Lucifer are witty. The angels are awesome too, as are hell’s little helpers. It almost made me wish I wasn’t an atheist, because if God really was this witty, then I would convert like that, just so I can have a conversation with him. The story is just so clever in the way it handles our cosmological friends. But there is a different reason this is in fantasy. Sure, it deals with God, but king Arthur is in it too! You’re probably giving me a “huh?” Well, I don’t want to ruin anything, so I won’t say anything. But it’s quite amazing as to how Arthur, God, Lancelot, Joby, Joby’s friends, angels and normal townsfolk come to together. I love the unity. And I love this book!