Unlike the pedestrian Stormtrack, this second offering in the "Harlan Ellison Discovery Series" is actually worthy of the title.
Cover's debut novel is a stylistic cross-breed of Ellison and Vonnegut, and as such both predates and bests Douglas Adams in creating a comic, literary fantasy. The story centers on the misadventures of a trio of godlike men who have taken it upon themselves to liven up the universe by reacquainting superbeings with the concept of depression. Along the way, there are more cultural and historical references than anyone (except Harlan, of course) could possibly catch.
The book is marred only by a silly and unsatisfying ending; like many writers early in the development of their craft, Cover seems compelled to give readers a punch line rather than a simple finis. Nonetheless, Autumn Angels is a worthy read.
