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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
brookhorse's review against another edition
5.0
This was an exciting addition to the Sandman Slim series! Kadrey always comes up with really interesting locations and world concepts, which is what I love about the series. I also enjoyed getting to see some of the characters interact with each other more, instead of just Stark. And I do love how Stark's character is developing. Can't wait to read the next book.
kayakalison's review against another edition
3.0
So this series is fun, plain and simple, it’s my poolside guilty pleasure. But sheesh...Kadrey really needs to insert more actual character development and dialogue in between action sequences. As it is, ANY conversation at all = obvious foreshadowing, especially when you have characters “suddenly” change their focus to obsess about some weird facet hitherto unmentioned...which tends to sour the adventure.
christopherward's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lotusblade's review against another edition
5.0
All your old favourites are back and it's another gritty ride through LA with our beloved anti-hero. Snuggle up and read this one with cheap whisky and a blankie.
_skvldi's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
charles__'s review against another edition
3.0
I've been reading all the "Sandman Slim" series as they come out. This is the 5th in the series. While not as 'fresh' as the earlier books in the series, it still manages to hold my interest.
Kadrey is a sly fellow. Originally a cyberpunk author, he 'saw which way the wind blow' and redirected his art to catch the urban fantasy wave. (It seems like all the cyberpunk readers have marched into the urban fantasy swamp with cyberpunk's demise.) The Sandman Slim series is twofer-- its a OTT action-anti-hero thriller and an arch ironic commentary on Cali (specifically Los Angles) hipsterism. You need to keep in mind that Kadrey himself is a San Francisco hipster. He has knack for knocking tropes. Things you'll take away from any Sandman Slim story are the: graphic gore and violence, new age noir badinage, amusing character descriptions, and music and movie recommendations.
Examples of music and film references in "Kill City Blues" include: Meiko Kaji's international music album "Zenkyokushu" (1972) and "Tombs of the Blind Dead" (1972) by Amando de Ossorio. Kaji's album which includes two tracks used in both of Tarantino's "Kill Bill" films is referenced as part of its choreography in a whupping dealt out by Slim. The film is a Spanish dungeon crawl, horror movie that ques-up the action for Slim's entry into "Kill City". Music references are usually delivered through the reoccurring 'Bamboo House of Dolls' Sandman Slim bar hangout's jukebox. ("Bamboo House of Dolls" itself a film reference.) Film references come through Slim's "Maximum Overdrive" video rental business or references to it.
The theme of "Tombs of the Blind Dead" summarizes "Kill City Blues". In this book Kadrey pumps some life back into the series's backstory in the first half of the book, then does a dungeon crawl through an urban fantasy-infused mega-mall. No real characters to the series are introduced, although all existing characters are refreshed. Personally, I'm disappointed the buddy-film relationship between Stark (AKA Sandman Slim) and Kasabian doesn't get more word count. Slim also is having less, well documented, athletic sex with his GF Candy. While not as good as "Kill the Dead" (Sandman Slim #2) its a readable addition to the series.
Finally, like most series, Sandman Slim is slowing down. The backstory has been progressively taking-up a larger portion of books. The stories are no longer as 'fresh' as they used to be. It has not *yet* reached my threshold for reiteration, but its looming.
"Kill City Blues" is a readable, although not the best addition to the series. It has all the elements of a "Sandman Slim" story that in the past have made the series a 'good read'. If I have a criticism, its that Sandman Slim series like a much loved vinyl record that is constantly played, is showing signs of wear.
Kadrey is a sly fellow. Originally a cyberpunk author, he 'saw which way the wind blow' and redirected his art to catch the urban fantasy wave. (It seems like all the cyberpunk readers have marched into the urban fantasy swamp with cyberpunk's demise.) The Sandman Slim series is twofer-- its a OTT action-anti-hero thriller and an arch ironic commentary on Cali (specifically Los Angles) hipsterism. You need to keep in mind that Kadrey himself is a San Francisco hipster. He has knack for knocking tropes. Things you'll take away from any Sandman Slim story are the: graphic gore and violence, new age noir badinage, amusing character descriptions, and music and movie recommendations.
Examples of music and film references in "Kill City Blues" include: Meiko Kaji's international music album "Zenkyokushu" (1972) and "Tombs of the Blind Dead" (1972) by Amando de Ossorio. Kaji's album which includes two tracks used in both of Tarantino's "Kill Bill" films is referenced as part of its choreography in a whupping dealt out by Slim. The film is a Spanish dungeon crawl, horror movie that ques-up the action for Slim's entry into "Kill City". Music references are usually delivered through the reoccurring 'Bamboo House of Dolls' Sandman Slim bar hangout's jukebox. ("Bamboo House of Dolls" itself a film reference.) Film references come through Slim's "Maximum Overdrive" video rental business or references to it.
The theme of "Tombs of the Blind Dead" summarizes "Kill City Blues". In this book Kadrey pumps some life back into the series's backstory in the first half of the book, then does a dungeon crawl through an urban fantasy-infused mega-mall. No real characters to the series are introduced, although all existing characters are refreshed. Personally, I'm disappointed the buddy-film relationship between Stark (AKA Sandman Slim) and Kasabian doesn't get more word count. Slim also is having less, well documented, athletic sex with his GF Candy. While not as good as "Kill the Dead" (Sandman Slim #2) its a readable addition to the series.
Finally, like most series, Sandman Slim is slowing down. The backstory has been progressively taking-up a larger portion of books. The stories are no longer as 'fresh' as they used to be. It has not *yet* reached my threshold for reiteration, but its looming.
"Kill City Blues" is a readable, although not the best addition to the series. It has all the elements of a "Sandman Slim" story that in the past have made the series a 'good read'. If I have a criticism, its that Sandman Slim series like a much loved vinyl record that is constantly played, is showing signs of wear.
jaepingsu's review against another edition
4.0
This starts off a lot slower than the previous books in the series and it took me a bit longer to get into this than the others. Still a lot of fun, especially when things get down to business. The cast of misfits is just as entertaining as always.
I really liked the idea behind Kill City! Plus, it's great to see Stark's character growing up. It feels like he's finally moved on from Alice and no longer using her death as an excuse for his actions. It was great to see Candy in action again.
I really liked the idea behind Kill City! Plus, it's great to see Stark's character growing up. It feels like he's finally moved on from Alice and no longer using her death as an excuse for his actions. It was great to see Candy in action again.
bookdragone's review against another edition
4.0
Hurrah for Stark, saving the day again .... or does he? Pretty much the whole cast are involved in this sequel, as Stark tries to track down the only weapon that can be used against the gods. Not the Mr Muninn and his brothers gods, but the original gods who it seems may be about to return and throw their toys out of the pram. Seriously enjoyable as always!
uncannyem's review against another edition
5.0
I wish I'd rest this series sooner!
They'd is my favorite installment so far.
They'd is my favorite installment so far.
missgloop's review against another edition
3.0
Continuing the trend began in Devil Said Bang and Aloha From Hell, Kadrey focuses on more worldbuilding and greater stakes. While at times I miss the scrappy Stark from the first 2 Sandman Slim volumes, the fascinating mythology and increasingly weird metaphysical questions posed by the later volumes are really worth sticking around for. In this volume, Stark goes hunting for the Qomrama Om Ya, aka "The 8 ball," a magical weapon stolen by Aelita that he needs to help destroy the old gods who were around before God-god came in and took things over. That's of course before God split into different pieces, one of whom is now the new Devil. Wacky stuff. From a theological perspective, I'm not really sure what Kadrey is aiming for with all this mixed discussion of gods and devils and the existence of a Hell that is completely unfair and unjust and a God that neither cares nor has the power to change. The books have always been cynical to varying degrees, but this notion that God exists, sees that things are screwed up but washes his hands of the problem just seems so... juvenile I guess. It is as if Kadrey himself is Lucifer, the petulant child, lashing out a God that is unfair in his judgements. And this is coming from me, an atheist. In these later volumes, the existence of the Angra, gods before God, I find to be entirely inconsistent with the rest of the traditional Christian mythology the books relied upon in the past. I find the Iron Druid series far more believable and fully realized in its insistence that all gods from every pantheon are real, than this whole "oh wait, there are other gods now" subplot. I will keep reading these books as long as Kadrey keeps writing them, because they are enjoyable, darkly comedic and violent fun. But I really can't say that I fundamentally "get" what Kadrey's aims are in terms of philosophy or what his endgame is.