Sandman Slim: A Novel
“An addictively satisfying, deeply amusing, dirty-ass masterpiece.”
—William Gibson
“A sharp-edged urban fantasy, drenched in blood and cynicism, tipping its hat to Sam Peckinpah, Raymond Chandler, and the anti-heroes of Hong Kong cinema….A bravura performance.”
—San Francisco Chronicle
“I couldn’t put it down.”
—Charlaine Harris
Sandman Slim has arrived—a wild and weird, edge-of-your-seat supernatural roller-coaster rider that propels author Richard Kadrey to the forefront of the fantasy, thriller, and a host of other literary genres. This spellbinding, utterly remarkable tale of a vengeful magician/hitman’s return from hell is part H.P. Lovecraft, part Christopher Moore, part Jim Butcher, and totally, unabashedly dark, twisted, and hilarious.
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Community Reviews
Okay, I took a chance on this story. I have a new Kindle and downloading has become a problem. (they should call the kindle crack for book lovers., instant gratification.) Back to the review. I liked this book. The lead is foul mouthed, vicious and deeply disturbed. He has a reason, he has spent 11 years in HELL. The plot is a fresh take on the revenge for my girlfriend and my torture storyline.
I liked the action, dialog and even the first person narrative. I also think the author did a good job of showing just how messed up his character was from the 11 years of torture and abuse. But the gallows humor was what kept this book form being depressing and trite.
One reviewer on amazon called this a Dirt Harry Dresden. I kind of agree and don't. I agree in that the author uses pop culture in his hero's humor, but even before Stark is sent to hell he is nothing like Harry Dresden. (Ok, they are both BAD ASSES and they do magic)The other thing I do agree is that if you love Harry you like Stark.
I liked the action, dialog and even the first person narrative. I also think the author did a good job of showing just how messed up his character was from the 11 years of torture and abuse. But the gallows humor was what kept this book form being depressing and trite.
One reviewer on amazon called this a Dirt Harry Dresden. I kind of agree and don't. I agree in that the author uses pop culture in his hero's humor, but even before Stark is sent to hell he is nothing like Harry Dresden. (Ok, they are both BAD ASSES and they do magic)The other thing I do agree is that if you love Harry you like Stark.
Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey
I went right from 'The Dirty Streets of Heaven' by Tad Williams in to this book.
Pretty much finished the last page of that one, and started in on this one within
the hour. In addition to that I'm watching Lost Girl, I let about 50 episodes build
up, and i've been watching them on a pretty regular basis now. So it's like I'm
swimming in Supernatual Noire.
To review some Supernatural Noire we've seen so far....
I think Hellboy is supernatural noire. And I love Hellboy... a lot.
The Dresden Files are definitely supernatural noire, and as far as books go, they
still do it the best. Top of the pile.
Lost Girl is a supernatural noire television show, out of Canada, that plays on the
Sci Fi Channel (I refuse to spell that channel the other way). I like to think of it
as the show that the Dresden Files should have been, but failed to be. I like to
think that Jim Butcher watches Lost Girl and thinks "damn, why couldn't they have
turned my books into television like this". 'The Dirty Streets of Heaven' was in this
genre/micro niche, as well. It wasn't as good as the Dresden Files, but it wasn't far
behind.
This book, Sandman Slim, is in the genre as well. But it's another half step down.
Richard Kadrey gets all the peices right, and it was still an enjoyable read, I'll be
picking up the next book in the series, but somehow it didn't come together as
smoothly and it should have.
Having read this and 'The Dirty Streets of Heaven' this close together, I can't help
but draw comparisons. Williams really seems to have sunk his teeth into the general,
while Kadre seems to be following a recipe.
The two main characters are parallels too. I avoid spoilers, so I won't go into
detail. But as the stories progress the main characters have more and more in
common. But again, Williams Bobby Dollar, the angel on assignment, feels a little
more fleshed out than Stark, the only living man in Hell. In both cases the authors
go out of their way to make sure that you know the main character is an asshole.
They have secondary characters repeatedly say "Stark, you're an asshole". But I
kept finding myself going "why is he an asshole again"? It felt forced.
Over all, if you've read the Dresden Files and Dirty Streets of Heaven and liked
them, then I'd recommend this book. If you're curious about the genre, pick up Jim
Butchers 'Storm Front' first. If you don't think you're going to have an interest
in the supernatural noire, or haven't liked Jim Butcher books, I'd say pass on this
one.
I went right from 'The Dirty Streets of Heaven' by Tad Williams in to this book.
Pretty much finished the last page of that one, and started in on this one within
the hour. In addition to that I'm watching Lost Girl, I let about 50 episodes build
up, and i've been watching them on a pretty regular basis now. So it's like I'm
swimming in Supernatual Noire.
To review some Supernatural Noire we've seen so far....
I think Hellboy is supernatural noire. And I love Hellboy... a lot.
The Dresden Files are definitely supernatural noire, and as far as books go, they
still do it the best. Top of the pile.
Lost Girl is a supernatural noire television show, out of Canada, that plays on the
Sci Fi Channel (I refuse to spell that channel the other way). I like to think of it
as the show that the Dresden Files should have been, but failed to be. I like to
think that Jim Butcher watches Lost Girl and thinks "damn, why couldn't they have
turned my books into television like this". 'The Dirty Streets of Heaven' was in this
genre/micro niche, as well. It wasn't as good as the Dresden Files, but it wasn't far
behind.
This book, Sandman Slim, is in the genre as well. But it's another half step down.
Richard Kadrey gets all the peices right, and it was still an enjoyable read, I'll be
picking up the next book in the series, but somehow it didn't come together as
smoothly and it should have.
Having read this and 'The Dirty Streets of Heaven' this close together, I can't help
but draw comparisons. Williams really seems to have sunk his teeth into the general,
while Kadre seems to be following a recipe.
The two main characters are parallels too. I avoid spoilers, so I won't go into
detail. But as the stories progress the main characters have more and more in
common. But again, Williams Bobby Dollar, the angel on assignment, feels a little
more fleshed out than Stark, the only living man in Hell. In both cases the authors
go out of their way to make sure that you know the main character is an asshole.
They have secondary characters repeatedly say "Stark, you're an asshole". But I
kept finding myself going "why is he an asshole again"? It felt forced.
Over all, if you've read the Dresden Files and Dirty Streets of Heaven and liked
them, then I'd recommend this book. If you're curious about the genre, pick up Jim
Butchers 'Storm Front' first. If you don't think you're going to have an interest
in the supernatural noire, or haven't liked Jim Butcher books, I'd say pass on this
one.