Published: July 2009
Pages: 404
Series: Sandman Slim #1
Summary
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.
My thoughts
My local Waterstones guy recommended me this book when I mentioned I wanted to read more urban fantasy. I tried Jim Butcher but wasn’t a big fan and my only other series in this genre has been The Bone Season which I absolutely loved. He sold me on this book when he told me it was written like an old-school movie and that there is a scene with our anti-hero smoking a cigarette whilst God and Lucifer bicker over him. Sign me up.
With that in mind, this book is utterly ridiculous. It is the most serious un-serious story I’ve read which also makes its quite funny. I was chuckling throughout this story. It was an easy read filled with some great characters, revenge and plenty of violence.
“My head is full of monsters and I’m one of them.”
This is dark and noir which is the only way I can think of to describe this story. With such a wide range of characters you really can’t go wrong. We’ve got Lucifer and God, angels and hellions, an optimistic bar owner, an immortal madman with potions and a few other crackers which add to the chaotic dynamic. Ultimately though, this story revolves around Stark and if you had to spend 11 years surviving Hell, you’d definitely come back with a couple of screws loose. Stark has created soft spot in me and I am here for his journey of ruthless journey of revenge.
“So, you think Mason knows I’m back?”
“You just blew up his home. He might suspect something.”
Surprisingly, I really loved the writing of this. There is no structure and the whole story is told in first person (I have to admit I prefer a third person point of view). It’s written very simply but it’s written very, very well. It felt like I was catching up with a friend, very real and natural, I was on a hook thinking “How mad is this story going to get? Do I need to give my friend an intervention?”
The supporting cast were totally nuts, I loved it. Who needs an animal sidekick when you keep a talking decapitated head in a cupboard? They’re all rather mad even the angels and those on their side, the perfectly sane non-magic people, they may not have magic but they have plenty of guns.
Candy isn’t using the guns anymore. She’s back to teeth and claws, a meat grinder in tight jeans and Chuck Taylors.
Would I recommend?
Totally, this is a book I think many people will enjoy. It’s relatively short, faced-paced with some great characters. I’m not rushing out to pick up book two but its on my TBR for when the time is right.