Reviews

Devil Said Bang by Richard Kadrey

willrefuge's review against another edition

3.0

Richard Kadrey's description of hell, in the post-first Sandman Slim books is a little strange. I mean, really weird. Only comparatively though. It's like earth, with guns and cars and death and finances and stores and phones and more, but with terms like 'double-dead' and hellhounds and... after a little it begins to lose me. I'm not questioning his vision or calling it stupid (uh, exactly), I just can't picture it. So the first hundred or so pages of this one was a bit of bland reading for me. I mean that not as in boring, but more like teens listening to their parents nag them. In one ear and out the other. Some information was retained, maybe, but only the very basic principles, or broadest plot points. Once we get back up to earth I hope the pace will level out a bit--but hey, who knows? This could be the one that kills the dinosaurs.

Or not. The real question is three or four? I'm not sure. But we'll go with 3/5 for now.

It was good, the end at least (and I don't just mean 'when it ended'). But there were confusing parts, even a few where the plot wandered aimlessly while the author went on a bender. Or maybe these were the only times he wrote sober. Either way, I guess it all worked out. Thee book is finished, I'll read the next one or two or six. As much as it galls me, I got through this one quick enough that it couldn't've been THAT bad. So I guess it's a winner.

Keep up the good work, old man. Just ditch the angel. Using her to tie everything together is just getting sad.

sevaspeto's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Every one of these Sandman Slim books feels like a hard-boiled Homecoming. I love Kadrey's voice, I love the subject matter, the tone, the humour, the theological and mythological inspiration, and the fantastic, violent batsh*t insanity that he sprinkles throughout the pages. If you've already read the first 3, then you should know what to expect by now, so what are you reading reviews for? If you had a similar distaste for 3.5, samesies! But have no fear, this one is more fleshed out, and while still at Stark's characteristic breakneck pace, you as the reader don't feel like you're perpetually out of step with everything that's happening. You get the same characters you know and love, some new supernatural mythos thrown at you, some cool new extradimensional toys, and enough pulpy dialogue to make Tarantino green with envy. If you liked the first three, you'll dig this one too =0)

klparmley's review against another edition

3.0

I love this series. I love these characters. I will probably read all the books ever written about James Stark.

They are light reading.

Continuing with food metaphors, these are a tomato sandwich in the summer time. Absolutely delicious at the moment.

stevo's review

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

spitzig's review against another edition

3.0

Sandman Slim has an interesting type of magic. Hell/demon magic.

Characters are decent. The main character is a huge stereotype. "Bad boy with a heart of gold." Loves his girlfriend, and is nice to her. Doesn't like authority or rules.

lomedae's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

nuttkayc's review against another edition

4.0

Always a good read.

tobinlopes's review against another edition

3.0

I have been a fan of this series since the first book. They are fast-paced plot driven dark action fantasy. But this one, the fourth in the series, was disappointing. The adrenalin didn't start pumping until 200 pages in and it took me a long time to get there. He started in Hell and there wasn't a clear reason for why it took so long for him to get out.

I am on board for another but I do fear that the plots were too big in the first three and the juices have run out on Kadrey. I really hope not because Stark is a great character.

I gave it 6.5/10 on my personal scale.

-tpl

rkmelcher's review against another edition

3.0

Started slow, picked up after about 100 to 150 pages, once he got out of Hell. Things there just kind of coasted along without seemingly much plot development. And I missed Candy, Vidocq, and the others. Picked up in the second half and last third quite a bit. Will probably continue on to book #5. But maybe after a short break to read something else for a bit.

chloefrizzle's review against another edition

4.0

Worrying about how to bureaucratically manage Hell and if your girlfriend will like your new monster arm is exactly the kind of drama I'm here for.

My full video review with detailed thoughts is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbfLbkX41lk