seaclauss's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hawkeyegonzalez's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
After taking a short break, it's time to dive back into the world of Sandman Slim.
This book is sort of a tale of two stories. The first half is very slow paced and filled with Stark wandering around looking for the Qomrama Om Ya. For such a short book, it's still pretty tough to get through this part. The second half, however, is Stark and his crew investigating the titular Kill City, and this part is very fast-paced and action-packed.
All the usual characters from the previous books (that are still alive) appear here along with the addition of a couple new ones, although none are very memorable. Like any Sandman Slim book, there are a few deaths that happen, including one big one that I'm a little conflicted about. On one hand, I'm shocked that Kadrey that the gumption to kill the character, but on the other hand, I'm left a little confused and unsatisfied by how that story ended.
Overall, this book is a 2-star for the first half, but the breakneck pace of the second half bumped it up to a 3. I plan on continuing to read this series, because I want to find out how the overarching story ends, but the next books really need to start making progress towards that end.
This book is sort of a tale of two stories. The first half is very slow paced and filled with Stark wandering around looking for the Qomrama Om Ya. For such a short book, it's still pretty tough to get through this part. The second half, however, is Stark and his crew investigating the titular Kill City, and this part is very fast-paced and action-packed.
All the usual characters from the previous books (that are still alive) appear here along with the addition of a couple new ones, although none are very memorable. Like any Sandman Slim book, there are a few deaths that happen, including one big one that I'm a little conflicted about. On one hand, I'm shocked that Kadrey that the gumption to kill the character, but on the other hand, I'm left a little confused and unsatisfied by how that story ended.
Overall, this book is a 2-star for the first half, but the breakneck pace of the second half bumped it up to a 3. I plan on continuing to read this series, because I want to find out how the overarching story ends, but the next books really need to start making progress towards that end.
htb2050's review against another edition
3.0
It was good but it left a lot lacking in plot and humour.
chrisshorb's review against another edition
3.0
This whole series, man... I like that it takes place in Los Angeles. Having lived there for 12 years, it's fun to hear about places I know. That said, a lot of stuff happens in not-real places - for example in this novel there's apparently a huge seaside mall in Santa Monica that isn't the Third Street Promenade and the Santa Monica Pier. Fiction.
The plots are ok, although something about them leaves me a bit flat. There's always a twist which doesn't quite land for me.
It is fun to be inside the head of James Stark aka Sandman Slim the protagonist. He's cynical and damaged, but also has a heart of gold for those who map to his idea of values.
I keep reading this series - especially because I know it has an ending after 12 volumes. So I'm looking forward to see how it ends. It definitely has an escalating storyline around the elder gods (not Lovecraft's, a different set) who were around before our current god somehow allegedly tricked them out of this creation. I'm thinking this will continue to be the focus.
The one thing that gets me, and it's the same as all urban fantasy - world-shattering events that focus on the protagonist's city. Dresden's Chicago, Stark's Los Angeles. If they know someone as badass as Stark/Sandman Slim lives in Los Angeles - wouldn't you go to ANY OTHER CITY to do your thing to take over the world? Hmmmm?
The plots are ok, although something about them leaves me a bit flat. There's always a twist which doesn't quite land for me.
It is fun to be inside the head of James Stark aka Sandman Slim the protagonist. He's cynical and damaged, but also has a heart of gold for those who map to his idea of values.
I keep reading this series - especially because I know it has an ending after 12 volumes. So I'm looking forward to see how it ends. It definitely has an escalating storyline around the elder gods (not Lovecraft's, a different set) who were around before our current god somehow allegedly tricked them out of this creation. I'm thinking this will continue to be the focus.
The one thing that gets me, and it's the same as all urban fantasy - world-shattering events that focus on the protagonist's city. Dresden's Chicago, Stark's Los Angeles. If they know someone as badass as Stark/Sandman Slim lives in Los Angeles - wouldn't you go to ANY OTHER CITY to do your thing to take over the world? Hmmmm?
michael_gallipo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
atomicwizard's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
netgyrl's review against another edition
4.0
I love me some Sandman Slim. My only complaint is this book was too short.
pbanditp's review against another edition
4.0
Another Sandman Slim novel and another fun story. I’m not sure if Kadrey has invented all this religious mythology or if it is due to extensive research of old texts. Whatever it is, it works. It’s not overly done and boring, it is just stated as fact and references a dead translation.
Blood, death, demons, and torture. It all adds up to a fun read
Blood, death, demons, and torture. It all adds up to a fun read
grandgranini's review against another edition
2.0
Diverting enough but the returns are diminishing. It is probably time to wrap this series up.
chloefrizzle's review against another edition
4.0
The introspective character moments are my favorite. This is the slow building of an anti-hero into a kind of actual hero.