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Paved With Good Intentions
Exiled on Earth, naive angel Gabriel and amoral demon Lucifer, in the human guise of "Gabe Horn" and "Lou Cypher", form an unlikely partnership as private investigators in Las Vegas. Their adventures take them across the seven heavenly realms, into the nine levels of Hell, through the dream realm of the Dreamscape, and even through time to Camelot. Along the way, the pair encounter a wickedly funny assortment of angels, demons, witches, warlocks, vampires, and other supernatural creatures.
Darrell has devised some of the most imaginative characters in contemporary fantasy, including an intriguing array of protagonists (Miss Twitch, a Salem witch; Emma, a British schoolgirl and witch in training, and Morgan Summers, a Dreamwalker) and antagonists (sadistic witch-hunter Nathaniel Thornhill, a golem, a Paiute Shaman, the corporate vampires of Nosferatu, Inc., trampires, gangsters, and demons). Some of the vampires include Sharon - she's Jewish, crosses don't bother her; Pandora - trouble follows her like a shadow; Claude - he's too claustrophobic to use a coffin; and Artemus - a 10-year-old boy who's been a vampire for 457 years. But the real stars are the ultimate odd couple, Gabriel and Lucifer, whose comedic banter and improbable escapades will amuse and thrill readers and leave them asking for more.
Paved With Good Intentions is written in a style that differs from most books you may have read. As episodic fiction, each chapter is a complete story but the chapters build upon one another, composing a larger story. There are also Interludes - brief tales that serve to flesh out minor characters, or fill in gaps or backstory as a prelude to an event about to occur. Some readers find the episodic fiction format somewhat atypical and nonlinear, but later are pleasantly surprised when everything that at first appeared disjointed is pulled together, as the novel draws to a close.
The book's central theme is the nature of good and evil and whether one can overcome one's nature. Lucifer, like all demons, is hedonistic. Coming from Hell, a harsh environment filled with squalor and suffering, he makes the most out of any chance he gets for pleasure, such as gambling (on soul futures) and drinking (Merlin Ale). Gabriel, like all angels, is naïve, coming from an environment of perfection, where there is no struggle or suffering, and looks down on Lucifer's hedonism as vices. Lucifer is a semi-tragic figure, seeking happiness which is almost within reach before being snatched from his grasp. His quest is to become more human and to overcome his demonic nature. But as Lucifer is moving toward something, conversely Gabriel is moving away from something, encountering a crisis of faith. That's the larger story. The Halos & Horns saga continues in And A Child Shall Lead Them .
Darrell has devised some of the most imaginative characters in contemporary fantasy, including an intriguing array of protagonists (Miss Twitch, a Salem witch; Emma, a British schoolgirl and witch in training, and Morgan Summers, a Dreamwalker) and antagonists (sadistic witch-hunter Nathaniel Thornhill, a golem, a Paiute Shaman, the corporate vampires of Nosferatu, Inc., trampires, gangsters, and demons). Some of the vampires include Sharon - she's Jewish, crosses don't bother her; Pandora - trouble follows her like a shadow; Claude - he's too claustrophobic to use a coffin; and Artemus - a 10-year-old boy who's been a vampire for 457 years. But the real stars are the ultimate odd couple, Gabriel and Lucifer, whose comedic banter and improbable escapades will amuse and thrill readers and leave them asking for more.
Paved With Good Intentions is written in a style that differs from most books you may have read. As episodic fiction, each chapter is a complete story but the chapters build upon one another, composing a larger story. There are also Interludes - brief tales that serve to flesh out minor characters, or fill in gaps or backstory as a prelude to an event about to occur. Some readers find the episodic fiction format somewhat atypical and nonlinear, but later are pleasantly surprised when everything that at first appeared disjointed is pulled together, as the novel draws to a close.
The book's central theme is the nature of good and evil and whether one can overcome one's nature. Lucifer, like all demons, is hedonistic. Coming from Hell, a harsh environment filled with squalor and suffering, he makes the most out of any chance he gets for pleasure, such as gambling (on soul futures) and drinking (Merlin Ale). Gabriel, like all angels, is naïve, coming from an environment of perfection, where there is no struggle or suffering, and looks down on Lucifer's hedonism as vices. Lucifer is a semi-tragic figure, seeking happiness which is almost within reach before being snatched from his grasp. His quest is to become more human and to overcome his demonic nature. But as Lucifer is moving toward something, conversely Gabriel is moving away from something, encountering a crisis of faith. That's the larger story. The Halos & Horns saga continues in And A Child Shall Lead Them .
332 pages, Perfect Paperback
First published January 15, 2010
12 people want to read
About the author
Keith B. Darrell
60 books68 followersKeith B. Darrell is a prolific American writer of short stories, novels, nonfiction books, and newspaper and magazine articles.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 24, 2020
Piuttosto divertente, anche se palesemente simile, come coppia e alcune volte come situazioni, ad Aziraphale e Crowley di Good Omens. Però Good Omens è scritto meglio.
Qui sembra di leggere un copione di una serie tv, vari episodi che sono solo lontanamente collegati tra loro.
Diciamo che l'idea di base non è male, anche se non è originale, e andava di sicuro sviluppata meglio.
Qui sembra di leggere un copione di una serie tv, vari episodi che sono solo lontanamente collegati tra loro.
Diciamo che l'idea di base non è male, anche se non è originale, e andava di sicuro sviluppata meglio.
April 20, 2012
This book was different than most books out on the Market. Not because of content but because of writing style. It's written in almost TV like 'episodes' that carried the story through the book. This replaced the use of the normal 'chapters'. Anything different than normal takes a bit of getting used to and it was stylistically a big change, for me, to get used to. It was like reading a play or script.
From the start I had trouble getting into the book. Beyond the above 'episodes' there was, within the opening few pages, a character flaw that had me have trouble believing this make believe story. The 'naive' angel Gabriel was how he was described in the summary on the back of the book. This 'naive' angel has sex within the first episode. It troubled me. Here's this angel that is supposed to be on Earth representing God against the Devil in this test.. and this angel within his first day there.. the first test thrown at him is having sex. Surely Gabriel knew better!
After getting through that first bit of trouble the book did start to get better about 120/130 pages in. Gabriel and Lucifer join together and become PI's in Vegas. I loved the name change for Lucifer. Lou Cypher had me laughing out loud. Their journey together being PI's was comical and entertaining. The cast of characters grows to include everything from Angels and Devils to Witches, Warlocks, Vampires and Gangsters.
By the end of the book I did enjoy it and was even pondering purchasing the second book in this series. I did not end up doing so. I wasn't sure that I enjoyed it enough to do so. It wasn't a book that kept me up at night or even one that made me want to read it whenever I could. It was entertaining but it didn't grab me enough and I decided that I would not be following the Halo & Horns series.
If you are into a light read that has moments of pure comedy, check this one out.
Melissa
Reviewer for
From the start I had trouble getting into the book. Beyond the above 'episodes' there was, within the opening few pages, a character flaw that had me have trouble believing this make believe story. The 'naive' angel Gabriel was how he was described in the summary on the back of the book. This 'naive' angel has sex within the first episode. It troubled me. Here's this angel that is supposed to be on Earth representing God against the Devil in this test.. and this angel within his first day there.. the first test thrown at him is having sex. Surely Gabriel knew better!
After getting through that first bit of trouble the book did start to get better about 120/130 pages in. Gabriel and Lucifer join together and become PI's in Vegas. I loved the name change for Lucifer. Lou Cypher had me laughing out loud. Their journey together being PI's was comical and entertaining. The cast of characters grows to include everything from Angels and Devils to Witches, Warlocks, Vampires and Gangsters.
By the end of the book I did enjoy it and was even pondering purchasing the second book in this series. I did not end up doing so. I wasn't sure that I enjoyed it enough to do so. It wasn't a book that kept me up at night or even one that made me want to read it whenever I could. It was entertaining but it didn't grab me enough and I decided that I would not be following the Halo & Horns series.
If you are into a light read that has moments of pure comedy, check this one out.
Melissa
Reviewer for
April 17, 2011
When I first read that this book involved the story of an angel, Gabriel or Gabe Horn, and demon, Lucifer or Lou Cypher, in Las Vegas, I thought "no way." Then I began reading and thought "okay this might work." Keith Darrell has provided a tongue-in-cheek, humorous read about this angel-demon duo in Paved with Good Intentions. They are both sent to earth to fulfill a mission and fail. Rather than dealing with the possible repercussions of their failure by returning to Heaven and Hell, they decide to stay on earth and head to Vegas.
I laughed while reading about the exploits of this dynamic duo. Their sexcapades result in Cory Evian and Violet Adams, a few others, being expelled from their dormitory, Eden Hall. Yes, that's Adams and Evian being expelled from Eden. This is the action that causes Gabe and Lou's decision to stay on earth and relocate to Vegas. While in Vegas their exploits continue, but this time Gabe and Lou are playing at being private investigators. They meet shamans, dreamwalkers, vampires and trampires, witches - Morgana le Fay and Samantha Twitch, and warlocks - Perry Hotter, Merlin and Mordred.
I can appreciate any novel that makes me laugh and this made me laugh. Even better, Mr. Darrell evoked the desire to want to learn more about the characters and cheer them on during their exploits. The story slowed a few times with all of the action and subplots going on but it usually picked up again after a few pages. I may not be sure of how to classify this in terms of genre but I can definitely say I liked it.
(I received this book for free from the author for review purposes.)
I laughed while reading about the exploits of this dynamic duo. Their sexcapades result in Cory Evian and Violet Adams, a few others, being expelled from their dormitory, Eden Hall. Yes, that's Adams and Evian being expelled from Eden. This is the action that causes Gabe and Lou's decision to stay on earth and relocate to Vegas. While in Vegas their exploits continue, but this time Gabe and Lou are playing at being private investigators. They meet shamans, dreamwalkers, vampires and trampires, witches - Morgana le Fay and Samantha Twitch, and warlocks - Perry Hotter, Merlin and Mordred.
I can appreciate any novel that makes me laugh and this made me laugh. Even better, Mr. Darrell evoked the desire to want to learn more about the characters and cheer them on during their exploits. The story slowed a few times with all of the action and subplots going on but it usually picked up again after a few pages. I may not be sure of how to classify this in terms of genre but I can definitely say I liked it.
(I received this book for free from the author for review purposes.)
September 19, 2016
I received this book free from the author to read and leave an honest review. Now this was a humorous book. Gabe (angel) and Lou (demon) are sent to earth with a mission that they fail. They decide to stay on earth, move to Las Vegas, and become private investigators. This book is so different with these two working together and helping each other out, you have to think about the humor in just that. These two meet all sorts of beings and there are many good stories going on throughout the book as they investigate. The writing was good, the stories were good, but the laughter was the best.
December 19, 2010
This book is cleverly written and I look forward to reading more.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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