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    Sandman Slim
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    Sandman Slim
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    Sandman Slim
    Ebook358 pages6 hours

    Sandman Slim

    By Richard Kadrey

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    Supernatural fantasy has a new antihero in Sandman Slim, star of this gripping, gritty new series by Richard Kadrey

    Life sucks and then you die. Or, if you’re James Stark, you spend eleven years in Hell as a hitman before finally escaping, only to land back in the hell-on-earth that is Los Angeles.

    Now Stark’s back, and ready for revenge. And absolution, and maybe even love. But when his first stop saddles him with an abusive talking head, Stark discovers that the road to absolution and revenge is much longer than you’d expect, and both Heaven and Hell have their own ideas for his future.

    Resurrection sucks. Saving the world is worse.

    Darkly twisted, irreverent, and completely hilarious, Sandman Slim is the breakthrough novel by an acclaimed author.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins UK
    Release dateJun 7, 2012
    ISBN9780007445998
    Author

    Richard Kadrey

    New York Times bestselling author Richard Kadrey has published nine novels, including Sandman Slim, Kill the Dead, Aloha from Hell, Devil Said Bang, Kill City Blues, The Getaway God, Killing Pretty, Butcher Bird, and Metrophage. He has been immortalized as an action figure and his short story “Goodbye Houston Street, Goodbye,” was nominated for a British Science Fiction Association Award. A freelance writer and photographer, he lives in San Francisco, California.

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    Reviews for Sandman Slim

    4/5

    113 ratings94 reviews

    What did you think?

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    • 4/5
      Fast, fun read.
    • 2/5
      Too much cursing.
    • 4/5
      3.5 stars for a well-written and engaging book that only suffers because I'm not a huge fan of anti-heroes. The "tempered-by-Hell/motivated by revenge" Stark is a hard character for me to want to have in my head for too long. Still a great read but not a character I'll probably revisit.
    • 4/5
      Stark was sent to Hell by a fellow magician who didn’t like him. In Hell, he became a demon general’s pet human and assassin, and it enabled him to crawl up to Earth seeking revenge. And that’s just the first few pages—heavy on the hard-boiled LA vibe, plus angels and demons and some other things that were created when God screwed up. Enjoyably over the top.
    • 4/5
      Whoa, this was dark. And also fun. It's got that whole "I don't give a fuck" attitude emanating off of it in droves, and you know what? I actually kinda liked that.I've read more urban fantasy in the recent months than I have in years. I like the genre; I admit it's grown on me. But sometimes, I just need an urban fantasy fix that doesn't involve any messy paranormal romances with werewolves, vampires, or faeries, you know what I mean? Sandman Slim was the perfect break from that, with its gritty story about demons and fallen angels and a main character who, like in most urban fantasy books starring a male protagonist, is hilarious and always armed with a treasure trove of pop culture references and creative metaphors.Stark is also so angsty and full of rage that I'm actually kind of worried if I'd be able to take it if he remains this curmudgeon-y for the rest of the series. I am still picking up the next book though, no doubt about it.
    • 5/5
      A damn good read. Stark (imagine a mix of John Constantine and Harry Dresden, and a total badass)comes back to the world after spending 11 years in Hell as a pit fighter and assassin. He has a little chip on his should regarding those that sent him there and killed his girl.Writing is excellent, dialogue is fantastic and snappy. I adored this book. Very dark, loved it!
    • 5/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Anti-hero Stark, aka Sandman Slim, escapes Hell and comes back to Earth to exact revenge on the people that sent him there 11 years ago. There is lots of killing, drinking, blasphemy, and magic that is used in the hunt for Mason and his crew; and you cheer Stark on during every minute of it.Opening Sentence: I wake up on a pile of smoldering garbage and leaves in the old Hollywood Forever cemetery behind the Paramount Studio lot on Melrose, though these last details don’t come to me until later.The Review:There’s a new power in the town of Lost Angels, straight from Hell and out for revenge: James Stark aka Sandman Slim. A man with loose morals and dangerous moves, Stark is the bogeyman of the monsters. His purpose back on Earth is to make the people who sent him Downtown 11 years ago pay with their lives and he will use every weapon at his disposal. Armed with magic, both Sub Rosa and Hellion, and his near-indestructible body, Stark is about to open a can of whoop-a$$ that Los Angeles may or may not be able to withstand.Just like the villains in the show The Middleman, Stark’s purpose is elegant in its simplicity. He escaped for the sole purpose of dealing out revenge, not just from his lost 11 years spent Downtown but for the death of his old girlfriend, Alice. Unfortunately, he has no idea how to get it done. His time away has left him in a similar situation as ex-convicts; he must readjust to normal life. Of course, Stark’s world is a little bit more supernatural than the average ex-con’s, but the same principle applies. He must make money in order to eat and shelter himself while still funding his war. What kind of job can a guy get when the only thing he’s really good at is killing?Stark’s past is slowly revealed throughout the story. He is not the type of man to wallow in the past but his memories remain strong. They are the driving force that makes him the seemingly unstoppable man he is. All of the bad things that have happened to him do not break him down, but build him up even stronger than before, both metaphorically and physically. Each battle wound he receives gives him immunity from the same attack the next time. This also parallels his adaptability to extreme situations. I suppose that anyone that can not only survive in Hell, but thrive, has to have an indomitable will.Stark’s style is as unique as he is. As he describes himself in the book, he is “…steel-toed boots in a ballet-slipper world.” His character plows his way through everything without thought of subtlety, both with words and deeds. He cares not for others opinion; including Hellions, humans, and angels alike. Stark is the perfect anti-hero that has readers everywhere cheering him on.If you have not had the chance to start this series, I strongly urge you to do so. Sandman Slim is a must on any TBR list. Kadrey has opened the door into a dark new world that will leave you willing to sell your soul for the next installment.Notable Scene:“For eleven years, I’ve been worked over and abused in ways you can’t imagine by things you don’t want to know about. I’ve killed every kind of vile, black-souled, dead-eyed monster nightmare that ever made you piss your pj’s and cry for mommy in the middle of the night. I kill monsters and, if I wanted, I could say a word and burn you to powder from the inside out. I can tear any human you ever met to wet rags with my bare hands. Give me one reason why I could possibly need you?”She looks straight up at me, not blinking. No fear in her eyes.“Because, you might me the Tasmanian Devil and the Angel of Death all rolled into one, but you don’t even know how to get a phone.”I hate to admit it, but she had a point.Sandman Slim Series:1. Sandman Slim2. Kill the Dead3. Aloha from Hell3.5 Devil in the Dollhouse4. Devil Said BangFTC Advisory: HarperCollins graciously provided a copy of Sandman Slim. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. The only payment received came in the form of hugs and kisses from my little boys.
    • 3/5
      James Stark has just spent 11 years in Hell, double crossed by his old magic circle he is back and out for revenge. But it’s not going to be that simple, heaven wants him to do as he is told, his old friends want him dead and hell.. well hell might just want him back.Short review:Solid urban fantasy that deeply annoyed reviewer, because reviewer is too jaded.Long review:This is a solid urban fantasy set in a fun world of magic, Christian mythology with some cool monsters along the way. Various groups and bad guys add complexity and keep the action-packed plot fresh. You will be familiar with the characters: anti-hero PI, megalomaniac nemesis, bad ass uptight angel, wiser older friend etc.. but that's no bad thing. The plot is a bit uneven and needs some tightening up, a few parts seem sadly unexplored and characters disappear but it's a series and I can see promise. On the whole if you really enjoy the genre and want some fun you might enjoy it.However I am not one of these people and need to rant so... Ok admittedly I was expecting something edgier, something like a character out of a Richard Stark novel. I wanted a character that when they say he has been brutalised in hell, it actually shows that. I don't care if it ends with them cuddling kittens by the end I need to see it and just killing bad guys and being ambivalent towards heaven/hell means he got off lightly. So I am a bit miffed, but you know does he also have to be an idiot? He is no way funny enough to make it up for watching him wandering around feeling a bit violent and sulking whilst falling into things and getting lucky. I got fed up with the familiarity rather than embracing it and needed some meat rather than lightness.Also whilst I am picking holes can we just kick that misogyny habit into the long grass and move on? No? Perhaps just stretch to pass the Bechdel test? No? oh well at least don’t try to riff off Raymond Chandler lines. Oh. Not for me. I am the type of person who got bored pretty quickly by Jim Butcher's Dresden series. Give me Mike Careys' edgy Castor or The Price by Joseph Garraty any day. Still I feel better for writing this review, whether this is a recommendation, that’s up to you.
    • 5/5
      Urban fantasies tend to be dark. Some are darker than others, steeping their protagonists in complicated morality, twisted mythology, and a heavy dose of horror. This is one of those books. I was reminded of Rob Thurman's Cal Leandros series (which I read to book 8 or so) but I found Sandman Slim to more relatable, as twisted and cruel as he can be at times. Being dropped into hell for 11 years does something to a man.Other technical elements also set the book apart: present tense viewpoint, and a lack of chapters. There are plenty of scene breaks, but the absence of clear stopping points is an interesting psychological device. Not that the book needs it, either--it's a fast read, with plenty of twists and surprises.
    • 5/5
      The monsters are real. And believing in Hell wasn't a problem, because Stark has the honor of being the first real live human to survive the experience. He's back, and he has a score to settle with the circle that sent him Downtown. Dripping with sarcasm - and often blood - Stark is a scarred shell wrapped around a heart of gold with a penchant for car theft and dead girlfriend issues. Must. Read. More.
    • 4/5
      Kadrey's got a great voice, a good ear for dialogue, and a messed-up head. A great amalgam of crime and supernatural fiction.
    • 5/5
      Wow! I loved this book! It was a page turner, I couldn't put it down. James Stark is like Harry Dresden on steroids! I just loved how raw it was. The only thing I didn't like was that it wasn't separated into chapters, it was just one long story. Still loved it though!
    • 4/5
      One of the stranger books I've ever read but I am finding myself oddly fond of it. This is the "antihero" at it's finest and I can't wait to keep reading.
    • 2/5
      When I first started the book, I disapproved of the main character, James Stark, but I couldn't help liking him. He way way far to the left of the antihero meter. After escaping Hell, emerging from a graveyard, and patting down clothes still smouldering with hellfire, his first action is to mug a guy for his wallet, jacket, and sunglasses (he left him his carkeys and credit cards). He's bitter, vengeful, and unapologetically so--but he's so phegmatic and wry that I found it hard not to like him.
      Then the story started deviating from my expectations. Stark has come back to earth to hunt down the people who sent him down under. We all know how this plot goes. He's supposed to come back, form relationships, start realizing that there is something bigger than himself going on, and slowly, become a human rather than a monster. Not Stark. The only reason he can even take the position of antiheroic protagonist is that the villains are apparently worse than him. He is hateful to people who risk everything for him, vicious to his enemies, and rude to just about everyone.
      For a while, I had trouble putting the book down. Then we start meeting the angels, who are as obnoxious as the demons, hear the world mythology, and learn that there is a struggle between heaven, hell, and the Kissi (not pronounced the way it sounds). If the afterlives are totally unmysterious and there's no good left in the world, what's the point? Why not just let it all burn? Why worry if people die if it's the same everywhere?
      This is not my kind of protagonist. I like them flawed, but good deep down. Stark is an asshole. He might be entertaining, but he is inhumanly detached. The same goes for the book's morality--I need a book to acknowledge that the world at least HAS a moral center; I'm not sure the author thinks this. I don't think Stark's analyzed anything hard enough to even ask the question. It's all just mindless violence and rage, "justified" by being against "monsters". The book leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
    • 4/5
      I really couldn't decided whether I wanted to give this a 3 or 4. Since it kept my attention throughout, I bumped it up. I really enjoyed it but... this is just not my thing, noir, dark, antihero, with a splash of snarky humor. I think I just need a little less anger, and dark. Still I ended up liking Stark (Sandman Slim) and hoping that he at least got some sort of chill pill. You're waiting for something to make him feel vindicated and the opposite happens. Yet... hmm... I liked the characters and the premise and the story. It has that angels and hell thing going and I couldn't help think of the movie Dogma. I never knew what was coming and it always held my interest. The fights were over quickly so I wasn't plowing through those (one of my complaints). It had me laughing out loud at totally inappropriate things. I even liked the ending. So... I guess I bump it up for the laughs and that I didn't ever feel like I wanted to quit the story. Still I am not going to jump up and run for the next book. Actually I doubt that I will ever read it, not unless my taste go over to the dark side.
    • 3/5
      I really enjoyed this while I was reading, but looking back I can't pinpoint why I really liked it. The story wasn't terribly original, the characters weren't all that likable, and the premise had a lot of plot holes. However, I did enjoy it and I'm going to read the next one. Go figure.
    • 2/5
      If you like Felix Castor, Dresden Files or Hellblazer, you'll love Sandman Slim. He's a little more cynical and seems to our of far too many close calls but essentially the same noir, detective, urban fantasy.
    • 5/5
      Dark, haunting, and funny as hell. You know that you should not like Sandman Slim but at some point you find yourself cheering and saying Hell, yes! as Stark inflicts pain on another one of the hoarde aligned against him. It's hard-boiled science fiction at its best.
    • 4/5
      My friend phoebe recommended this to me on friday as there was a .99 special for the ebook on amazon. I don't think I even got around to reading the synopsis, sorta just decided that since it was a recommendation and so cheap, why not. Especially after someone said Dresden (I have heard awesome things about the series, and loved the tv show)

      I think this was my first urban fantasy novel. I found I couldn't put it down. I was 50% done before 24 hours was up. I finished the rest of the book today.

      It had a lot of the god/heaven-hell mythology tied into it. Angels, Demons, Other things. I'm not really sure what to say about that, but I thought it was put together to form a good book. Even the minor characters seemed to enough depth to pull you in and like them (or hate them).

      I've already picked up the next book and will get to it asap.
    • 5/5
      Sandman Slim fits into that small slice of urban fantasy not completely populated with ass-kicking girls in revealing clothing... it's still dark and grisly, populated with all sorts of monsters, and lots of ass-kicking but Sandman Slim makes a wonderful addition to the pages of the genre.Jimmy Stark doesn't seem to fit in. He didn't fit in as a youngster, always showing them up the other magicians in the circle. He certainly didn't fit into Hell, where he was the only human to ever find their way Downtown, spending eleven years as a gladiator and demonic assassin. Now back on earth, he's stronger, faster, and all but invulnerable to death.... and he's got a hit list that just might destroy the world. Pissing off angels, humans, and all variety of nasty creatures, Stark must decide who he is, and what is worth fighting for.The story is well worth reading. It flows well... and while it's predictable, it's very entertaining. It's a book where you can easily get lost in the pages
    • 4/5
      While I did have moments where things didn't flow as well as maybe I might like but overall this was an excellent read. James Stark is back, he's been to hell and back, literally and now he's out for revenge. He's going to find the other people from his magical circle and determine why he was exiled to hell and why they killed his girlfriend. He's learned a skill or two in hell and picked up a souvenir or too as well.He's not a pleasant man, but he's a good friend to people and wants them to be safe and he desperately wants revenge, helping to stop the apocalypse is a good side-effect if he can wrangle it.Kick ass and interesting I liked the read.
    • 4/5
      This was a fairly fun yarn about a human who escapes from Hell to take revenge on those who sent him there and killed his girlfriend. There's a lot of magic stuff and religious stuff involved. My main complaint is it feels pretty derivative. The main character seems like the kind of snarky anti-hero we've seen so many times before, the kind who wisecracks before, during, and after he slaughters the bad guys and is about as complex as a paper clip. Still it's OK for light reading.
    • 4/5
      A young man who can do real magic, is sent down to hell by the members of his circle. He survives (alive) for 10 years and figures out a way to escape. His arrival back on Earth is focused on revenge - on those who sent him to hell, and murdered his girlfriend. I found the book a bit hard to get into at first, but once I got over the whole, 'god' 'the devil' 'hell' 'angel' and 'heaven' thing, I found it intriguing. Especially once the worlds began to coalesce and you saw that those words, while common, are used for quite different things than you assume.Fast paced, noir, brutal at times, the main character is hard to like. But he grows and evolves and more importantly grows up.I'll certainly be continuing this series.
    • 4/5
      It's a guy who escaped from Hell with the intention of killing everyone who put him there. Simple as that. There's no reluctant hero, no romance, no quest, no internal struggle, no touchy-feely. Just a guy who's going to kill you all. The best part is that the novel delivers what it promises, but then it delivers more. So much more.
    • 5/5
      people that enjoy jim butcher the dresden files will love this series. The main character is what I would refer to as an anti hero
    • 4/5
      This first book in the series was the high point for me. I read all five before writing any reviews. I like noir and I like the supernatural. This series combines them with a quality I haven't felt since Charlie Huston's Joe Pitt series. The goodness of this series is uneven, to the point I did not really like the fifth book.The series starts off with a bang, a hum-dinger of a fast-pitch and I ate it up. There are a crap-ton of flaws but I enjoyed this book enough to rate it above average. Some of the phrases Stark comes up with are pure awesome-sauce, put together by a wordsmith with an eye for humor.
    • 4/5
      Yes it did take me several years to read this book. Not because it isn't a great book, but because I was reading it on my iPhone kindle ap, which I didn't care for. Then I got a real kindle a few days ago, and ripped through the second half.

      Sandman Slim is a different breed of urban fantasy. It's in your face, who cares, I'm doing what I want and I don't care how you feel storytelling. I love the main character. He's crass, funny, and holds nothing back.

      I have already listened to book 3 on audio, since it's the only one my library had. I will definitely be looking to pick up the others.
    • 4/5
      I picked this book up on a whim at the library; the title caught my eye. I started it without any expectations. I found it to be an excellent read.

      The first line smacked me right in the attention, and dragged me into the rest of the book. Like the main character, the plot hit hard and hit often, maintaining a breakneck pace throughout. The whole thing drips with cynicism and sarcasm with a healthy side of dark humor.

      The elements of this book shouldn't work together. If I outlined this novel, you'd probably laugh. Somehow, Mr. Kadrey manages to not only pull it all together, but make it perfectly reasonable. As the cosmology flies past, it makes perfect sense.

      The characterization is much of what makes this book work. There are no placeholder or cardboard-cut-out characters. Everyone's a real person, even if you don't see everyone's story. You have a good idea of what the main character is like on the first page. Like a quick-sketch artist, the author only needs a few lines to show someone to you.

      If Terry Pratchett, D. H. Lawrence, and Dorothy Parker had a love child, and that child knew far more about the back-streets of LA than could legally be admitted, Sandman Slim could be that love child.
    • 3/5
      3 stars, but could have been so much more.

      Okay, so this was a mash-up of urban fantasy, LA-style noir, gothic punk, with angelic/demonic tendencies, along with the potential to be a great story that didn't quite get there.

      As a 19-year old young man, James Stark was part of a gang heavily involved in magic -- real magic, the kind that can get you killed and sent to Hell. Which is exactly what happened to Stark. Sent to hell for 11 years, where he was used by his demonic tormentors in a gladiator-like arena. He has now escaped, and made his way back to LA for revenge against his former gang.

      That's the set up, and like I said, the potential is great. I'm not sure what happened along the way, but it failed to live up to that potential. The characters were okay, maybe flat and cliche, the plot was good, if a bit overused, and the "surprise" ending was anything but surprising, being broadcast loud and clear from about the halfway point.

      Even still, I'll keep reading/listening to the series for now, in hopes that it will improve.
    • 4/5
      This book was good. A nice addition to the urban paranormal field. It had a few areas that I thought were not handled as well as I would have liked. Sometimes I felt that it tried to hard to be funny. A few dings here and there keeping it from a five but I will read the next one.