Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

Rating: 4 Stars

They weren't kidding when they said that the Apocalypse has never been funnier.

One hell of a ride, Good Omens combines a fresh concept with superb wit. As a person who has a weakness for intelligent, witty prose, I was elated by the use of satirical footnotes. Even the list of characters before the book begins was hilarious. The humor is incredibly witty and snarky- a brand of humor that I have become partial to in my young adult life. The style, while teetering near the edge of sassy, is also, I find, distinctly British. And I’m not just talking about the accents of the various characters or that the story physically takes place in England; it’s the slight vocabulary used in dialogues, character description, and their actions. Since I am slightly less familiar with British writing, it took a bit for me to get in the groove- but it is because of this difference that made the book more suspenseful and unexpected for me. Even though the characters could feel a bit distant and disjointed at times, they were still fascinating to read.

In terms of prose, the book is written well. It has a good flow that I became accustomed to and kept the plot moving fairly well. However, there were times where I felt that the characters were a little blank. At moments, characters seemed to act more like objects or vehicles to move the plot forward. Besides the two main protagonists, Crowley and Aziraphale, sometimes everyone else seemed more like walking archetypes. That being said, I can understand that in many ways many of them were supposed to be satirical in nature. Even so, it still felt like they were just an inch from hitting their mark.

What really made this work stand out from amongst others was the amusing commentary and, of course, the brilliant interpretation of the Apocalypse. Just the preface itself was phenomenal. However, while the initial idea and beginning was very strong, the climax and subsequent ending felt a little rash and lackluster.

One aspect that also deserves mentioning is the ingenious portrayal of heaven, hell, and the Four Horsemen. Not only does the book subtly suggest what the afterlife and a preordained destiny might mean, but it also makes you reevaluate what 'good' and 'bad' really comes down to. This, above all else, is why I think it deserves four stars. Very few books can create a new, creative plot with entertaining protagonists and witty humor all accompanied by larger, insightful themes.

Lastly, it is impossible to walk away from the book without feeling inspired by the teamwork of these two brilliant authors. Their cooperation, friendship, work ethic, and enthusiasm is remarkable and should be revered by all aspiring author duos. Had I remembered where I left my hat, I'd tip it to them. I'll definitely be dipping my toes into both of their other works in the future.