Lex Trent Versus the Gods [Paperback]

Lex Trent versus the Gods marks the YA debut of young British author Alex Bell, and her third published novel, all told. Informed in large part by her time as a law student, the first of what promises to be a hugely entertaining series centered around the titular farmhand-turned-adventurer manages to pull off an incredible feat indeed: believe it or not, it makes both the legal profession and the ditchwater-dull systems which underpin it... fun!

Initially, Lex isn't an easy character to sympathise with. As smug and self-satisfied as they come, he's done some truly awful things in his short life - abandoning his once-beloved grandfather to a terrible wasting disease Bell calls the soulless wake foremost among them - and if indeed he feels any remorse over his actions, he isn't quick to show it. Since escaping the pressures of his troubled family two years before the start of the story, in fact, Lex has made quite a name for himself as The Shadowman, a prolific conman and thief.

Of course, cheaters never prosper - or do they? In any event, Lex's luck finally runs out when a museum robbery goes woefully wrong and he's taken into custody by the police. When the opportunity presents itself, however, and it doesn't take long, he easily escapes the long arm of the law - and just like that, Lex on the run once again. By all rights, it seems he has something more substantial than luck on his side... and in Bell's well-wrought fantasy world, where Gods walk among men and the Globe has been split neatly into two halves joined by a great axle of ladders, he does.

Lex Trent versus the Gods has, at its heart, a series of three trials that Lex finds himself competing in; much, I might add, to his own excitement. With a harassed lawyer by the name of Mr. Schmidt as his unlikely assistant, Lex is hand-picked by the Goddess of Fortune herself to play a dangerous game the deities of the Lands Beneath have conceived, the better to entertain themselves... or else be turned into a life-sized chess-piece likeness of himself. At the end of the day, there's really no question that Lex will play the game for Lady Luck. The only question is whether or not he'll survive it.

Bell's first novel for young adults speeds along like an enchanter's ship with a high, warm wind behind its sails. She keeps the pace brisk by ensuring that her characters rarely linger for long in any one place, though glimpses of the myriad locations Lex and his companions flit in and out of over the course of Lex Trent versus the Gods will leave readers hungering for another opportunity to see the wonderful world Bell has created for her anti-hero to exploit.

There's action in abundance, intrigue to keep you guessing and surprises around every corner; there's wisdom, humour and character everywhere - and there is, latterly, a darker aspect to Lex's adventures, brought to light in several narrative digressions which explain his reasons for abandoning his family. But don't keep your little ones away from Bell's fantastic YA debut on that basis: she treats the thread concerned with the soulless wake with a gentle touch that never threatens to overbear on the more jovial remainder of her novel. In the end, there's something here for every reader to enjoy, be they young, old, or somewhere in the decades of limbo between those two states.

Lex Trent versus the Gods sets an admirably high standard for all-ages fantasy. Fast-paced and full of wit and insight, Alex Bell's first YA effort makes the dullest things fun and sets the scene for another adventure that I can only hope is the equal of this cracking yarn.

I first heard about Lex Trent Versus the Gods from The Speculative Scotsman. Niall posted an interview with the author Alex Bell and a review of the book on his blog and I was immediately sold. You might wonder why it took me so long to finally get to the book then, as book two, Lex Trent: Fighting with Fire was released earlier this month? Ah, well, it's the old 'Have you seen the size of my wish list?' argument, that and the fact that I get easily distracted by all the other shiny new books everyone blogs about. But when I got to spend my December loot on books, I knew that I wanted to get Lex Trent Versus the Gods, especially as the next book was so close. I'm sorry I waited so long. I could have discovered the awfully awesome Lex Trent over a year ago!

So why is Lex Trent awfully awesome? Because as protagonists go, Lex is really not the nicest of people; he's smug, selfish, unprincipled and as arrogant as they come. But he's also smart, cocky and criminally funny. It would be easy to take Lex's personality too far and make him impossible to like, but Ms Bell manages to keep him just on this side of likeable. In fact, when we find out some of his history, some of his less likeable traits and actions become a little more understandable, even if it doesn't excuse them. Much of this is related to his grandfather's suffering of the Soulless Wake. I found the concept of the Soulless Wake very interesting, as it's a parallel to the real world Alzheimer's disease. As my grandmother suffered from Alzheimer's in her final years, it's something that has touched me in real life and as such I found Lex and Lucius' experience of it all the more poignant. The way Ms Bell dribbles out Lex's back story, especially with regards to his grandfather, is really well done, serving to illuminate some of Lex's past actions and making him very human.

Lex is supported by a mixed cast of characters, some of whom are more fleshed out than others. My favourites were Lucius and Mr Schmidt. Lucius, because he isn't quite the milk sop he's made out to be and Mr Schmidt, because in my head he looked and sounded like John Cleese. I don't know why, but it worked for me! I had more of a problem with Lady Luck though. I know luck is proverbially flighty, but even taking that into account, she made me roll my eyes on more than one occasion and she was easily my least favourite prominent supporting character.

A strong point, in my opinion, was the mythology of the story. I love the almost Grecian involvedness of the Gods of Lex's world, the strange relationship between enchanters and crones, the position of kings and the concept of the Games. The combination of Gods and Games might conjure up visions of Olympic games and proper athletes, but the Games of this world are more akin to running the gauntlet than running the mile. In fact, the part of the book dealing with the first round of the games felt much like an old-fashioned sword and sorcery quest. The games are at once tests of bravery and cleverness and I loved every moment of them. I can't wait to see what tasks Lex might have to accomplish in any future games he participates in.

Lex Trent Versus the Gods is a mad romp of a tale, both hilarious and deeply touching in places. I love that Lex is an almost unrepentant scoundrel who doesn't really plan on mending his ways, but who also has regrets and knows it. The book is a YA title, but will captivate adults as well. The second book about Lex came out last month and I know this time I won't wait a year before getting my hands on a copy and devouring it!

Adrenaline junkie, thief, liar, cheat, lawyer's apprentice. You name it, Lex Trent can either be described as it or avoid being called it.

A fascination to the gods and goddesses of his world, Lex will be forced to join one of their games. These games frequently result in deaths, particularly for its losers, and the gods never play fair. The winner, however, receives boundless rewards.

Lex is fine with the games and even the outcome - until his estranged, goodie-goodie brother gets pulled into the games by a rival god. Will Lex find a way to outwit the gods, save his brother, and still win the games?

An action-packed adventure that would appeal to PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS fans. Although Lex is not exactly a beloved character, the author keeps true to his personality and occupation all the way through the book. The plot is well-written, and the story is unique.

Readers who like mythology, adventure, action, and fantasy will enjoy reading LEX TRENT VERSUS THE GODS.

Reviewed by: Kira M