An Ungodly Child - Rachel Green

Harold Waterman is a perfectly normal, perfectly respectable Englishman with a modest junk emporium to his name. He is therefore rather surprised when the Angel of Pestilence walks into his shop one day and infects him with an incurable disease, giving him just months to live. He would be even more surprised to learn the facts about his true parentage, or exactly why a trio of meddling angels seem convinced that Harold is a potential candidate for the role of Antichrist and want him to trigger Armageddon.

It's a good job that Harold can (with the aid of a bit of careful research) summon the erudite demon Jasfoup to his side to help him work out just what the hell (literally) is happening. All Jasfoup requires in return is a nice cup of tea and maybe a biscuit.

Oh, and the head of a saint.

This is a charming and engaging first novel, featuring a sprawling cast of demons, angels, some who fall somewhere in between, vampires, ghosts and others. It is full of sly biblical allusions, groan worthy puns, a sword fight or two and plenty of inventive ideas. The plot may be a little tortuous in places, but the journey is an enjoyable one and it promises good things for more books in the sequence.

Two thumbs up!