Skaters, Trekkies & Cool Dudes – two reviews

Last friday, March 30th, my mother picked me up from school as usual and told me that she had bought a book for me that day. Well, as all self respecting 15 year old teenagers will understand, I was mortified. Mum buying me a book! I had this terrible vision of Narnia or Harry Potter being given to me over the tea table that evening, my older brother never letting me forget that mum still thinks I'm 12. But was I wrong! Oh how wrong I was.

The book was 'Skaters Trekkies & Cool Dudes, a very, very funny fantasy novel, which had me laughing from page one, and crying with joy by page 231.It's a brilliant book with amazing characters, and a plot which left me begging for more. In fact I laughed so much that my brother is now reading it, just to see what all the fuss is about.

Bring on book two Derek Lawrence, I can't wait.

Reviewer: Chris Saws

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In the Middle Ages Skaters, Trekkies & Cool Dudes would have gotten Derek Lawrence burned at the stake. Fortunately we live in more enlightened times and people are now free to enjoy such stories (both reading and writing them).

God and the Devil are missing, presumed… well no-one knows – they have disappeared and there are committees running things, they are not happy and want them found.

When I started reading this it reminded me strongly of the opening of Garth Ennis’s comic book series Preacher. This perception took a 90 degree turn when it was revealed that God had a penchant for dressing up as Captain James T. Kirk (personally I think Captain Picard would be a better choice but it is only a minor quibble and anyway His ways are mysterious) – no prizes for guessing which Trek character the Devil is.

This book is a mad, fun read – Derek Lawrence has a way with a phrase (I could tell that he had fun writing the dialogue) that appeals to my sense of humour. The story has an even flow and makes sense even at the craziest times. Fortunately it is the first book of three (The Divine Cock Up trilogy) with the second title due out later this year.

ST&CD will appeal to older teens and adults who enjoy sci-fi and theology tied together with lashings of wild humour and general weirdness.

Rating: 7/10

Reviewer: Matthew Imrie