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rkmelcher's review against another edition
3.0
Not the best of the series (so far). Seemed to drag a lot in the middle or last third before a fairly quick ending.
danielv64's review against another edition
4.0
Another solid entry into the Sandman Slim series, the best anti hero I have ever found.
nickcarravay's review against another edition
4.0
I am always a fan of Sandman Slim. In fact I like it so much, that I don't let myself read too many of the series in a row, to prolong the pleasure of being in this rough and ragged world.
This installment was nice. The pace was a little all over the place and the climax felt...smudged. There were very few clear lines about the completion of this particular story arc. It felt a lot like a set up for something else to come, in the next book. Maybe this book gets wrapped up there too.
I do like the cliff-hanger and the fact that certain old wounds finally got closed.
The atmosphere is always great and I appreciate good femme fatales and this one is rife with them (and not all of them are dames).
There may have been too many mentions of holding "his Gladius", which I know is not meant as a phallic reference, but every time I read that, that's all I could think of. (Perhaps the problems is not the text, but the reader).
I will not be reading the next one anytime soon, because I like to drag these out, but I look forward to my next visit to Hell.
This installment was nice. The pace was a little all over the place and the climax felt...smudged. There were very few clear lines about the completion of this particular story arc. It felt a lot like a set up for something else to come, in the next book. Maybe this book gets wrapped up there too.
I do like the cliff-hanger and the fact that certain old wounds finally got closed.
The atmosphere is always great and I appreciate good femme fatales and this one is rife with them (and not all of them are dames).
There may have been too many mentions of holding "his Gladius", which I know is not meant as a phallic reference, but every time I read that, that's all I could think of. (Perhaps the problems is not the text, but the reader).
I will not be reading the next one anytime soon, because I like to drag these out, but I look forward to my next visit to Hell.
chloefrizzle's review against another edition
4.0
Charming and entertainingly gritty, as always. These books know how to shake up the plot and status quo.
My full video review with detailed thoughts is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbfLbkX41lk
My full video review with detailed thoughts is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbfLbkX41lk
rick_k's review against another edition
4.0
Absurd but fun, Kadrey must be an interesting guy to have drinks with. I enjoy these books, but mostly because of attitude and audacity than for great writing or character development. The universe of Sandman Slim is a unique and creative take on the mythologies we know and have grown up with. I enjoy the world building here as he reveals the framework of reality and politics of the greater realms. Plot-wise it feels like we are hanging on by our fingernails, and it feels like Richard Kadrey is white knuckled right beside us. It is hard to blame him for all the deus ex machina when gods are literally active participants in the plot lines. There are other head scratching moments, such as . But, this isn't the type of series that you chart and map, and debate minutia. It is meant to be a fun ride, and in that regard it succeeds.
Spoiler
when Sandman Slim is separated into his mortal and angel selves, the mortal version manifests a gladius in front of the legions of hellhagbard_celine's review against another edition
3.0
This continues to do all of the things I want urban fantasy to do.
claire_loves_books's review against another edition
3.0
I Aloha from Hell more confusing than the previous two, Stark's trip through hell in particular was really triply, jumping from one place to the next and the scenery of hell is like a twisted nightmare and while it's probably what Kadrey was going for when he's describing Hell it was quite confusing to actually read. I also missed Starks friends, so much of the Story is set in Hell where it's just Stark against the world. He also clearly had some sort of plan going on but it's not really explained until right at the end, it doesn't matter massively- I just enjoy reading about Stark anyway but it added to the general overall confusion.
I liked the Candy/Stark/Alice relationship- showing that you can truly care for more than one person but in different ways, Stark does feel something for Alice but it's more like a memory of love- they both loved each other 11 years ago and while they still care for each other neither is the same person as before, he'd still sacrifice a lot for her but they'll never have the same relationship again. Somehow Kadrey has managed to have multiple meaningful relationships and yet avoid the dreaded love triangle.
I really liked the ending and I definitely interested where Stark will go from here.
I liked the Candy/Stark/Alice relationship- showing that you can truly care for more than one person but in different ways, Stark does feel something for Alice but it's more like a memory of love- they both loved each other 11 years ago and while they still care for each other neither is the same person as before, he'd still sacrifice a lot for her but they'll never have the same relationship again. Somehow Kadrey has managed to have multiple meaningful relationships and yet avoid the dreaded love triangle.
I really liked the ending and I definitely interested where Stark will go from here.
fouroffivewits's review against another edition
I don't know how I feel about the ending.
sdscattergood's review against another edition
3.0
Our main character finally gets to quit pining for his long dead love, and some additional growth in terms of responsibilities, not just to himself, but the world at large.