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The Devil's Playbook
Angels exist. They are hidden among us, looking just like us, guiding and influencing our lives. They could be any one of the people you pass every day. Your neighbour, your hairdresser, or the homeless man on the corner; you will never know, and they work to keep it that way. But they are not alone, for demons also exist. Working in secret, they manipulate society in their own way, ever the counterpoint to the work of the angels. Bound by strict covenant, both sides have long refrained from revealing their true nature to humanity. Until now, that is. While sat in a coffee shop in London, Andy has just discovered the truth. He’s been approached by a rather talkative man who, not simply content with interrupting Andy’s thoughts, also just introduced himself… …he says he’s The Devil.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2016
5 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Le Sueur
1 book4 followersBorn and raised in a quiet village in Surrey, England, Anthony moved to the local town of Guildford in his twenties. Finding the lure of London too powerful to resist, however, he eventually moved on to the capital in his thirties.
He professes that it was to make the commute shorter, but in reality it was because he likes going out too much. Although he reports that going out in London is a very expensive hobby, he does argue that it counts as research for his novel.
He has previously turned his hand to blogging and webcomics, but now hopes that writing can become his ‘thing’.
The first draft of The Devil’s Playbook was gifted to friends and family as a Christmas present in 2015. Since then he has tended to go on a bit about the progress of re-writing and editing it.
He now wonders what he will have left to talk about.
He professes that it was to make the commute shorter, but in reality it was because he likes going out too much. Although he reports that going out in London is a very expensive hobby, he does argue that it counts as research for his novel.
He has previously turned his hand to blogging and webcomics, but now hopes that writing can become his ‘thing’.
The first draft of The Devil’s Playbook was gifted to friends and family as a Christmas present in 2015. Since then he has tended to go on a bit about the progress of re-writing and editing it.
He now wonders what he will have left to talk about.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 19, 2017
This is an urban fantasy set in modern day London. It is by turns funny and dark, revolving around the ancient conflict between angels and demons. Of late, the demons are winning, and the Devil is worried. He suspects something is wrong, but needs to provoke a reaction to prove it, so sets out to break the covenant that exists between the factions. He recruits Andy, a blogger, to write stories that technically break the rules in increasingly blatant ways. Can the Devil get a response from God, and will it be in time to combat the threat which is targeting both sides?
Says the demon on my shoulder… The Devil’s Playbook is very much a debut novel, and it has its flaws. The opening reads like someone sat down to do NaNoWriMo, had no idea how to start, and just wrote what they could see in front of them. Certain major plot points are discarded on characters that have only just been introduced and we have no attachment to. At times, the effort ground the novel in real London, wanders into the realms of a London guidebook and “places I know”.
But, the angel is quick to point out, there is a lot to recommend in this book. There are two main protagonists, the blogger, Andy, and the Devil. Both are likable and well written. The world that Andy is drawn into is interesting, and the demons he meets are a memorable bunch. The mythology Le Sueur builds is interesting, and in fact I would like to see it developed further.
Best of all, the true villain of the piece is terrifying and creepy. Throughout the book, we see short interludes of him working in the background against both the angels and the demons. These scenes are tense, well written, and on more than one occasion, more than a bit upsetting.
The Devil’s Playbook then, is not perfect by any means, and I found the early section before it found its feet a bit of a slog. But once you can get past that, it is well worth the effort, and if you like urban fantasy with interesting mythology and memorable characters, I recommend The Devil’s Playbook to you.
Says the demon on my shoulder… The Devil’s Playbook is very much a debut novel, and it has its flaws. The opening reads like someone sat down to do NaNoWriMo, had no idea how to start, and just wrote what they could see in front of them. Certain major plot points are discarded on characters that have only just been introduced and we have no attachment to. At times, the effort ground the novel in real London, wanders into the realms of a London guidebook and “places I know”.
But, the angel is quick to point out, there is a lot to recommend in this book. There are two main protagonists, the blogger, Andy, and the Devil. Both are likable and well written. The world that Andy is drawn into is interesting, and the demons he meets are a memorable bunch. The mythology Le Sueur builds is interesting, and in fact I would like to see it developed further.
Best of all, the true villain of the piece is terrifying and creepy. Throughout the book, we see short interludes of him working in the background against both the angels and the demons. These scenes are tense, well written, and on more than one occasion, more than a bit upsetting.
The Devil’s Playbook then, is not perfect by any means, and I found the early section before it found its feet a bit of a slog. But once you can get past that, it is well worth the effort, and if you like urban fantasy with interesting mythology and memorable characters, I recommend The Devil’s Playbook to you.
October 21, 2016
I really enjoyed this book! In fact, I would even go so far to say i loved it! Devouring it in a couple of sittings, then rereading it again shortly after! It's a great mix of everything I look for and appreciate in a novel. It's got humour, wit, a really fun set of characters (all of whom I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with!), but most of all, it's thought provoking. Encouraging the reader to ponder modern society, our views on 'progress' and what impacts these might have on the human spirit. The author's created an intriguing world and concept here, one i'd certainly be keen to revisit and learn more about going forward. It's a great read, so here's hoping we see more from him (and Luke!) in the future!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews