Whew! What a ride on this one!
Kadrey unleashed some major forces in this latest Sandman Slim saga (when you involve so many deities, that is the right word). As usual, once the storyline starts moving, it pretty much never lets up until the end, with a shocker twist after the battle between God(s?), Stark, Samuel versus the Angra. OK. The story really just took a deep breath for the first 5 pages. So make sure there is minimal chance of interruptions when you get about half way thru.
I thought this book was better than the last one, but it could be all the loose plotlines that got tied up by the end. Although I still don't understand why the Old Gods created the "8-Ball" in the first place. Many of the past characters - at leaat those still alive or walking (guess who is St. Nick, the serial killer?) - make their appearances in the 5 or so days of this book, giving Stark plenty of chances to practice his snark and oneliners. So I had to stop and RoFL a few times.
One of the pleasant surprises was the Shonin character. I saw a documentary on these self-preserving (literally) monks a few years ago. I never thought an author would find a way to USE them in a modern storyline. But Kadrey did so, and with ascerbic humor and insults from the 400-year old Shonin.
So, why only 4-stars?
I want to hold something back for the next book in the series - someone murdered Death!
--
Kuzu
Kadrey unleashed some major forces in this latest Sandman Slim saga (when you involve so many deities, that is the right word). As usual, once the storyline starts moving, it pretty much never lets up until the end, with a shocker twist after the battle between God(s?), Stark, Samuel versus the Angra. OK. The story really just took a deep breath for the first 5 pages. So make sure there is minimal chance of interruptions when you get about half way thru.
I thought this book was better than the last one, but it could be all the loose plotlines that got tied up by the end. Although I still don't understand why the Old Gods created the "8-Ball" in the first place. Many of the past characters - at leaat those still alive or walking (guess who is St. Nick, the serial killer?) - make their appearances in the 5 or so days of this book, giving Stark plenty of chances to practice his snark and oneliners. So I had to stop and RoFL a few times.
One of the pleasant surprises was the Shonin character. I saw a documentary on these self-preserving (literally) monks a few years ago. I never thought an author would find a way to USE them in a modern storyline. But Kadrey did so, and with ascerbic humor and insults from the 400-year old Shonin.
So, why only 4-stars?
I want to hold something back for the next book in the series - someone murdered Death!
--
Kuzu
I got an eGalley of this book from Edelweiss for review. I have been a huge fan of all of the Sandman Slim books, although I will say the last couple had slowed down a bit in pace. This book did not disappoint, it picked up pace and resolved a major storyline that had been dragging on for some time.
This book mainly deals with Stark aka Sandman Slim as he works to prevent the Angra Om Ya (the Old Gods) from entering this realm and destroying Earth. In addition to that there is a new serial killer in town who likes to reduce people to their separate parts and Stark is trying to help the Golden Vigil track down that killer as well. There is also a side story about Candy getting very sick and we learn a lot more about her Jade nature.
As with all the books in this series this is a very very adult book. There is a lot of over-the-top violence and gore and swearing and any other thing you can think of that might be offensive.
Stark is still as snarky and offensive as ever. He is the pin-up boy for anti-heroes. Despite all his rough edges he is doing his best for mankind and the world he lives in...he just does it his way. He has actually obtained some balance and happiness in his life and it was fun to see that. Thats not to say that Stark as mellowed, he just seems a bit happier with things.
As with previous books this book has a very dark somewhat noir vibe to it and is darkly humorous. There are lots of one-liners and references to obscure movies (some of which I got, some of which I didnt).
The Golden Vigil features throughout the book. Stark works with them quite a bit. We also run into a lot of different Angra Om Ya gods and their rather crazy worshippers.
Overall I loved this book, it ties up the Angra Om Ya storyline nicely and leads into the next chapter of Stark's life. I always really enjoy these books and hope that the series continues. I would recommend this whole series to fans of gritty and violent urban fantasy. Its been a very creative, action packed, and well done series that I enjoy reading a lot.
This book mainly deals with Stark aka Sandman Slim as he works to prevent the Angra Om Ya (the Old Gods) from entering this realm and destroying Earth. In addition to that there is a new serial killer in town who likes to reduce people to their separate parts and Stark is trying to help the Golden Vigil track down that killer as well. There is also a side story about Candy getting very sick and we learn a lot more about her Jade nature.
As with all the books in this series this is a very very adult book. There is a lot of over-the-top violence and gore and swearing and any other thing you can think of that might be offensive.
Stark is still as snarky and offensive as ever. He is the pin-up boy for anti-heroes. Despite all his rough edges he is doing his best for mankind and the world he lives in...he just does it his way. He has actually obtained some balance and happiness in his life and it was fun to see that. Thats not to say that Stark as mellowed, he just seems a bit happier with things.
As with previous books this book has a very dark somewhat noir vibe to it and is darkly humorous. There are lots of one-liners and references to obscure movies (some of which I got, some of which I didnt).
The Golden Vigil features throughout the book. Stark works with them quite a bit. We also run into a lot of different Angra Om Ya gods and their rather crazy worshippers.
Overall I loved this book, it ties up the Angra Om Ya storyline nicely and leads into the next chapter of Stark's life. I always really enjoy these books and hope that the series continues. I would recommend this whole series to fans of gritty and violent urban fantasy. Its been a very creative, action packed, and well done series that I enjoy reading a lot.
