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willrefuge's review against another edition
4.0
7 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/09/21/hollywood-dead-by-richard-kadrey-review/
James Stark is back uptown. In the land of the living. Or, at least some different form of hell—also known as LA.
After striking a deal to work for his sworn enemies, Wormwood has brought him back to life in order to do a very specific job, one he’s perfect for! Only… Stark has no idea what it is.
But so long as he’s been brought back to life, Stark doesn’t care. Only… he’s not exactly alive—not yet. Wormwood has a necromancer on retainer, ready to bring Stark fully back once he’s completed their job. And yet, their price may not be worth the reward. For Stark’s friends have moved on. LA has moved on. The world hasn’t stopped turning. And working for his enemies… leaves a sour taste in Stark’s mouth (actually, as a half-corpse, James can’t really taste much of anything at all—but you get it). He half-expects to snap and kill them all.
Odds are, Wormwood suspects the same thing.
—
That’s how you know someone really likes you. Anyone can give you chocolate and flowers, but when they’ll disembowel someone for you? That’s true love.
—
To be honest, I’m a little surprised I came back to Sandman Slim at all. Yeah, I have a copy of Book #11, but after the trainwreck that was the Kill Society (and feel free to disagree with me here)—I was pretty sure the series had hit an all-time low. But, like a cockroach to shit, back I am, and against my better judgment.
And, you know, Hollywood Dead ain’t bad.
It’s not the best installment in the series—that honor still goes to Killing Pretty—but compared to the two previous? Ehhh, it’s not bad. I think that’s because we aren’t in Hell anymore. This is my first review of Slim in a while, so you might not know, but I hate Kadrey’s depiction of Hell. I mean, it’s beyond hate. I LOATHE it. And both of the previous two (as well as several in the series preceding them) are set at least partly in the underworld. But as we’re now firmly topside… well, this isn’t an issue.
It’s a decent story, one with plenty of violence and swearing and the occasional obscure movie reference. The world needs saving and people need killing and Stark is… changing a bit, actually. He’s not as predetermined to kill everyone first, even though he still threatens to all the damn time. It’s almost as if Sandman Slim’s gone soft. Which might just be the twist the series needed, if I’m honest. Plus, now that he’s back there’s a lot of relationship tension to navigate, what with his ex and her new girlfriend of over a year. It’s all the cringe-y cringe that high school romance always has except with undead semi-immortals filling half the roles. So… imagine Twilight. It’s all the romantic tension of Twilight, but with the plot of a Sandman Slim novel. So yeah, it doesn’t sound amazing, but it does sound interesting, eh?
It was only after finishing this that I found out that the series ends after Book 12. So… ten down, two to go? It’s been a bumpy ride thus far, but I feel like I might as well see it out now. Next up we have Ballistic Kiss, Book #11 of the series. Fingers crossed we stay out of the underworld for this one.
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/09/21/hollywood-dead-by-richard-kadrey-review/
James Stark is back uptown. In the land of the living. Or, at least some different form of hell—also known as LA.
After striking a deal to work for his sworn enemies, Wormwood has brought him back to life in order to do a very specific job, one he’s perfect for! Only… Stark has no idea what it is.
But so long as he’s been brought back to life, Stark doesn’t care. Only… he’s not exactly alive—not yet. Wormwood has a necromancer on retainer, ready to bring Stark fully back once he’s completed their job. And yet, their price may not be worth the reward. For Stark’s friends have moved on. LA has moved on. The world hasn’t stopped turning. And working for his enemies… leaves a sour taste in Stark’s mouth (actually, as a half-corpse, James can’t really taste much of anything at all—but you get it). He half-expects to snap and kill them all.
Odds are, Wormwood suspects the same thing.
—
That’s how you know someone really likes you. Anyone can give you chocolate and flowers, but when they’ll disembowel someone for you? That’s true love.
—
To be honest, I’m a little surprised I came back to Sandman Slim at all. Yeah, I have a copy of Book #11, but after the trainwreck that was the Kill Society (and feel free to disagree with me here)—I was pretty sure the series had hit an all-time low. But, like a cockroach to shit, back I am, and against my better judgment.
And, you know, Hollywood Dead ain’t bad.
It’s not the best installment in the series—that honor still goes to Killing Pretty—but compared to the two previous? Ehhh, it’s not bad. I think that’s because we aren’t in Hell anymore. This is my first review of Slim in a while, so you might not know, but I hate Kadrey’s depiction of Hell. I mean, it’s beyond hate. I LOATHE it. And both of the previous two (as well as several in the series preceding them) are set at least partly in the underworld. But as we’re now firmly topside… well, this isn’t an issue.
It’s a decent story, one with plenty of violence and swearing and the occasional obscure movie reference. The world needs saving and people need killing and Stark is… changing a bit, actually. He’s not as predetermined to kill everyone first, even though he still threatens to all the damn time. It’s almost as if Sandman Slim’s gone soft. Which might just be the twist the series needed, if I’m honest. Plus, now that he’s back there’s a lot of relationship tension to navigate, what with his ex and her new girlfriend of over a year. It’s all the cringe-y cringe that high school romance always has except with undead semi-immortals filling half the roles. So… imagine Twilight. It’s all the romantic tension of Twilight, but with the plot of a Sandman Slim novel. So yeah, it doesn’t sound amazing, but it does sound interesting, eh?
It was only after finishing this that I found out that the series ends after Book 12. So… ten down, two to go? It’s been a bumpy ride thus far, but I feel like I might as well see it out now. Next up we have Ballistic Kiss, Book #11 of the series. Fingers crossed we stay out of the underworld for this one.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Gah, I'd missed this series so much! Number ten in this gritty, dark humoured urban fantasy was packed full of the things I've always loved about it, and other things that I didn't expect, but were definitely welcome!
While the story was packed with conspiracy, action, and betrayal, there was also a surprising amount of heart in it. Though I love nothing more than watching Stark bring the pain to the bad guys (and gals), I was surprised that many of my favourite parts came from Stark's emotional turmoil. Being back from the dead (again) after a year has definitely taken its toll on his relationships and psyche and left him questioning whether or not it was worth being alive again if his loved ones were better off without him. This led to some dark moments, but if you've read all the books by now and aren't used to dark moments... you've clearly been reading a different series.
The many characters were both old and familiar, yet a year definitely changed them all, though Stark went through the most development. I don't know how many more books will be in this series, if any more, but I would love to see more of Stark and his friends. Knowing him, trouble is just around the corner!
While the story was packed with conspiracy, action, and betrayal, there was also a surprising amount of heart in it. Though I love nothing more than watching Stark bring the pain to the bad guys (and gals), I was surprised that many of my favourite parts came from Stark's emotional turmoil. Being back from the dead (again) after a year has definitely taken its toll on his relationships and psyche and left him questioning whether or not it was worth being alive again if his loved ones were better off without him. This led to some dark moments, but if you've read all the books by now and aren't used to dark moments... you've clearly been reading a different series.
The many characters were both old and familiar, yet a year definitely changed them all, though Stark went through the most development. I don't know how many more books will be in this series, if any more, but I would love to see more of Stark and his friends. Knowing him, trouble is just around the corner!
nihane's review against another edition
5.0
It’s a new James Stark we get to meet in this one. One who is afraid of dying and second chances, but in the end, we get a glimmer of a changed man. Hopefully for the better. This is probably the best Sandman Slim has been and I see it getting better and better.
ogreart's review
4.0
I has been a while since I read the last Sandman Slim book, but after a little mental catching up on my part, I was able to jump right back in on the action. And there was action galore! I love that Stark just keeps going until he figures out the answers and dishes out the paybacks. There was some interesting character growth. I enjoyed that, too. Stark is becoming less of an archetype and more of a person.
rkmelcher's review against another edition
4.0
Glad to have all the other characters back after the previous book. Back to the usual, great format. And Donut Universe. I want an apple fritter.
danielv64's review against another edition
5.0
Probably the best book in the series, the emotional impact of Stark and Candy's reunion was heartbreaking but still hopeful. Read them all!
philibin's review against another edition
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
I don't know how he does it, but these books not only continue to deliver, but they continue to get better.
I don't know how he does it, but these books not only continue to deliver, but they continue to get better.
montes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chloefrizzle's review against another edition
4.0
Antihero version of It's A Wonderful Life, where the world actually might be better off without you. Clever, and funny, and tragic.
The next two book in the series are lame, and I recommend stopping with this one.
The next two book in the series are lame, and I recommend stopping with this one.
aquaphase's review against another edition
5.0
James Stark can seriously not catch a break. Good ol’ Sandman Slim is freshly back from Hell thanks to making a deal with Wormwood, but — because it’s Wormwood — there’s a catch. Stark has to do some errands for the horrible organization and he only gets brought back at half-strength to do them. Typical Wormwood.
There is some serious shit brewing that Stark has to try to either diffuse or destroy, and he’s got a super limited timeline to do so. Naturally everything goes haywire and Stark — who is trying to lie low since he’s been dead for a year — has to go back to enlist some help from some old friends.
The Sandman Slim novels are just good damn fun to read, and they are always very inventive. Mr. Kadrey has a proven record of building some seriously screwed up situations to get Stark in, and some very creative solutions as to how Stark gets out of them. Stark’s LA is exactly the type of gritty hell-hole it needs to be, and the wide range of creatures, magicks, weirdos, groupies and goons makes for the perfect melange of fantasy noir.
Yes, a ten (actually twelve) book series is very daunting to approach, but I highly suggest devouring these as soon as you can. This has been one of my favorite series for a decade and I recommend it to everyone.
There is some serious shit brewing that Stark has to try to either diffuse or destroy, and he’s got a super limited timeline to do so. Naturally everything goes haywire and Stark — who is trying to lie low since he’s been dead for a year — has to go back to enlist some help from some old friends.
The Sandman Slim novels are just good damn fun to read, and they are always very inventive. Mr. Kadrey has a proven record of building some seriously screwed up situations to get Stark in, and some very creative solutions as to how Stark gets out of them. Stark’s LA is exactly the type of gritty hell-hole it needs to be, and the wide range of creatures, magicks, weirdos, groupies and goons makes for the perfect melange of fantasy noir.
Yes, a ten (actually twelve) book series is very daunting to approach, but I highly suggest devouring these as soon as you can. This has been one of my favorite series for a decade and I recommend it to everyone.