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stevo's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
timinbc's review against another edition
3.0
Three, and I'm being generous. I am among the minority who think this series has jumped the shark. The whole book felt tired, as if Kadrey's losing interest himself.
For a while, Stark can't jump through shadows. Then he finds a solution. It felt as if Kadrey created a problem then realized it was tying his hands and needed a workaround.
Kasabian and Vidocq have become uninteresting. Julie's a sensible addition, and I like the idea that they are trying to make Stark a bit less of a loose cannon.
Most of all, though, I'm getting the feeling that Stark is never really challenged. We keep meeting new immensely powerful opponents, and of course Stark goes right at them, and of course he prevails with ease. Especially in one scene where.
OK, except once, but that one actually felt like a rerun of the big climax of one of the earlier books.
It might be time for RK to move on, and apply his writing genius to something new.
For a while, Stark can't jump through shadows. Then he finds a solution. It felt as if Kadrey created a problem then realized it was tying his hands and needed a workaround.
Kasabian and Vidocq have become uninteresting. Julie's a sensible addition, and I like the idea that they are trying to make Stark a bit less of a loose cannon.
Most of all, though, I'm getting the feeling that Stark is never really challenged. We keep meeting new immensely powerful opponents, and of course Stark goes right at them, and of course he prevails with ease. Especially in one scene where
Spoiler
he uncorks some Hellion hoodoo that makes you wonder why he needs to carry all the other stuff.OK, except once, but that one actually felt like a rerun of the big climax of one of the earlier books.
It might be time for RK to move on, and apply his writing genius to something new.
willrefuge's review against another edition
5.0
Hey, I knew I'd find one that I'd love!
It took to Book #7 but this is (in my opinion) Sandman Slim's best outing. Of course in this adventure he's forced to get about almost like normal folk, get a job like normal folk and deal with disappointment like everyone else in existence. Hell, he's almost me (except for the magic, anger issues and choice poisons) (also, possibly the nature of "cool").
Death shows up on Slim's doorstep as someone's done and killed him. Well, kinda. Anyway, Sandman and the gang have to keep the new Death from taking over and reinstate the old death before too many people, ironically, don't die. Plus, Stark needs to do it without superpowers and without alienating all of his friends and loved ones. Plus, it'd probably suck if Candy dumped him.
Slim's still coarse like turpentine and needle-tipped sandpaper. And he spews out more film references than a movie-based Trivial Pursuit knockoff. I still only got about half of them. But whatever.
It's really good, I can't wait for the next one to come out--except it already has and I'll get to it here shortly.
KILLING PRETTY
by Richard Kadrey
Sandman Slim, Book 7
‘ James Stark has met his share of demons and angels, on earth and beyond. Now, he’s come face to face with the one entity few care to meet: Death.
Someone has tried to kill Death—ripping the heart right out of him—or rather the body he’s inhabiting. Death needs Sandman Slim’s help: he believes anyone who can beat Lucifer and the old gods at their own game is the only one who can solve his murder.
Stark follows a sordid trail deep into LA’s subterranean world, from vampire-infested nightclubs to talent agencies specializing in mad ghosts, from Weimar Republic mystical societies to sleazy supernatural underground fight and sex clubs. Along the way he meets a mysterious girl—distinguished by a pair of graveyard eyes—as badass as Slim: she happens to be the only person who ever outwitted Death. But escaping her demise has had dire consequences for the rest of the world . . . and a few others.
For years, Slim has been fighting cosmic forces bent on destroying Heaven, Hell, and Earth. This time, the battle is right here on the gritty streets of the City of Angels, where a very clever, very ballsy killer lies in wait. ‘
James Stark is one of the most violent, insecure, unstable characters that I read. And I can’t get enough of him. Over the course of the last few years, Stark has been quietly saving the world, one day at a time. Unfortunately, in doing so, he’s also saving LA. So I’m kinda split. But… I guess on the whole, it’s still a good thing.
He drinks too much, smokes too much and steals things at an almost prestigious rate. His bloodlust seems almost unquenchable; made worse by the fact that he spent 11 years in the arenas of hell, getting wailed on by supernatural demons, damned souls and all manner of monster until either he or they couldn’t continue. In addition, he is a nephilim. Means “part-angel”. In practical terms, it means that Stark heals more rapidly than most normal humans, and is a lot harder to kill. He can also manifest a sweet, burning sword. Ever since he returned from hell, he’s been unhinged, violent… and the most effective savior of the planet in its history. But by KILLING PRETTY he’s got a real job, a (mostly) stable relationship and (having lost the ability to use the Room of Thirteen Doors—a trick that allowed him to jump in and out of shadows) he has to drive around town, waiting in traffic like any normal dude. In short, Slim’s gone native.
But what was shaping up to be the most tame Sandman Slim story in history, I found its most compelling.
Recently stripped of his most cool and interesting toys, Stark falls back quite nicely on his talent for magic, his handy black blade, plus a legion of friends whoooo mostly cover his ass once he’s done something stupid. He does manage to do a little shadow-walking in KILLING PRETTY, via a back-alley deal at a lovely and wholesome place nicknamed ‘Piss Alley’. And, minus the rage and the hellion hoodoo he slings around. But for the most part, he’s just a regular dude.
I like the fact that Stark powers through. When stripped of most of his toys he’s still able to manage enough to save the world (sorta) from destruction. In this book, rather than hellions and demons he deals mostly with humans. And while everything from the plot to the cast to the setting is dipped in the supernatural, everything keeps coming back to people. Just people. Through and through, James Stark has been a bit of a bastard. A jerk. I mean, I doubt I’d be friends with the dude. The people that he’s up against in KILLING PRETTY are undeniable bastards—even worse than him. But it shows the world as it is—or close enough—in multiple shades of grey. Dark, dark grey.
The arian plot even, is refreshing. Now I’m not gonna give away much more than that. I mean, that there are arians. Arians are typically bad, and this instance is no different. Usually with the supernatural plots arians mean Hitler, and Hitler’s dark experiments with ghosts and magic. Now, it’s not really that far off base—Mengela and his dark experiments, on par with Wolfenstein and the like—but it always traces back to Hitler or his regime. The arians Stark battles in KILLING PRETTY seem to be self-organizing. Doesn’t trace back to Hitler—exactly. Whatever, it’s refreshing.
I also like the fact that Stark is working towards something. Now, I’m not sure what exactly, I doubt that Stark himself even knows, but it’s affecting him in ways not even he understands. I mean, he still has the same violent tendencies but now… it’s like he has to go looking for it. Candy has changed—well, sorta—Stark on the other hand, he’s trying not to. After 11 years of the same old arena, his life is changing. He’s lost the Room of Thirteen Doors, he’s lost Alice, he’s lost friends, even his enemies are new. Stark is a creature of habit and lately, nothing’s the same.KILLING PRETTY isn’t exactly a rebirth for him, but it’s a change. Outside his comfort zone he continues to lash out, but he’s thinking more and killing less. Makes me wonder what the next two books (as they’re both out) will cover. Maybe he’ll start AA and get a gig preparing taxes.
Recommendations
Would I recommend this? Yes, yes I would. Definitely. For fans of Sandman Slim. Fans of Stark, like big fans, might not think that KILLING PRETTY is the best Sandman Slim book yet, but I doubt they’ll need a reason to read it. For fans of the Dresden Files, Alex Verus or the like, Sandman Slim is a must-read. Whether you start with KILLING PRETTY or work up to it, you should certainly try at least one book in the series. If you do start with this one, note: Stark isn’t always this tame. I’d recommend you start at the beginning, but hey—what do I know? It’s your life.
My Rating
4.5 / 5 stars
Not perfect, but pretty much as close as Stark’s gonna get. Best one yet—can’t wait to read number eight.
It took to Book #7 but this is (in my opinion) Sandman Slim's best outing. Of course in this adventure he's forced to get about almost like normal folk, get a job like normal folk and deal with disappointment like everyone else in existence. Hell, he's almost me (except for the magic, anger issues and choice poisons) (also, possibly the nature of "cool").
Death shows up on Slim's doorstep as someone's done and killed him. Well, kinda. Anyway, Sandman and the gang have to keep the new Death from taking over and reinstate the old death before too many people, ironically, don't die. Plus, Stark needs to do it without superpowers and without alienating all of his friends and loved ones. Plus, it'd probably suck if Candy dumped him.
Slim's still coarse like turpentine and needle-tipped sandpaper. And he spews out more film references than a movie-based Trivial Pursuit knockoff. I still only got about half of them. But whatever.
It's really good, I can't wait for the next one to come out--except it already has and I'll get to it here shortly.
KILLING PRETTY
by Richard Kadrey
Sandman Slim, Book 7
‘ James Stark has met his share of demons and angels, on earth and beyond. Now, he’s come face to face with the one entity few care to meet: Death.
Someone has tried to kill Death—ripping the heart right out of him—or rather the body he’s inhabiting. Death needs Sandman Slim’s help: he believes anyone who can beat Lucifer and the old gods at their own game is the only one who can solve his murder.
Stark follows a sordid trail deep into LA’s subterranean world, from vampire-infested nightclubs to talent agencies specializing in mad ghosts, from Weimar Republic mystical societies to sleazy supernatural underground fight and sex clubs. Along the way he meets a mysterious girl—distinguished by a pair of graveyard eyes—as badass as Slim: she happens to be the only person who ever outwitted Death. But escaping her demise has had dire consequences for the rest of the world . . . and a few others.
For years, Slim has been fighting cosmic forces bent on destroying Heaven, Hell, and Earth. This time, the battle is right here on the gritty streets of the City of Angels, where a very clever, very ballsy killer lies in wait. ‘
James Stark is one of the most violent, insecure, unstable characters that I read. And I can’t get enough of him. Over the course of the last few years, Stark has been quietly saving the world, one day at a time. Unfortunately, in doing so, he’s also saving LA. So I’m kinda split. But… I guess on the whole, it’s still a good thing.
He drinks too much, smokes too much and steals things at an almost prestigious rate. His bloodlust seems almost unquenchable; made worse by the fact that he spent 11 years in the arenas of hell, getting wailed on by supernatural demons, damned souls and all manner of monster until either he or they couldn’t continue. In addition, he is a nephilim. Means “part-angel”. In practical terms, it means that Stark heals more rapidly than most normal humans, and is a lot harder to kill. He can also manifest a sweet, burning sword. Ever since he returned from hell, he’s been unhinged, violent… and the most effective savior of the planet in its history. But by KILLING PRETTY he’s got a real job, a (mostly) stable relationship and (having lost the ability to use the Room of Thirteen Doors—a trick that allowed him to jump in and out of shadows) he has to drive around town, waiting in traffic like any normal dude. In short, Slim’s gone native.
But what was shaping up to be the most tame Sandman Slim story in history, I found its most compelling.
Recently stripped of his most cool and interesting toys, Stark falls back quite nicely on his talent for magic, his handy black blade, plus a legion of friends whoooo mostly cover his ass once he’s done something stupid. He does manage to do a little shadow-walking in KILLING PRETTY, via a back-alley deal at a lovely and wholesome place nicknamed ‘Piss Alley’. And, minus the rage and the hellion hoodoo he slings around. But for the most part, he’s just a regular dude.
I like the fact that Stark powers through. When stripped of most of his toys he’s still able to manage enough to save the world (sorta) from destruction. In this book, rather than hellions and demons he deals mostly with humans. And while everything from the plot to the cast to the setting is dipped in the supernatural, everything keeps coming back to people. Just people. Through and through, James Stark has been a bit of a bastard. A jerk. I mean, I doubt I’d be friends with the dude. The people that he’s up against in KILLING PRETTY are undeniable bastards—even worse than him. But it shows the world as it is—or close enough—in multiple shades of grey. Dark, dark grey.
The arian plot even, is refreshing. Now I’m not gonna give away much more than that. I mean, that there are arians. Arians are typically bad, and this instance is no different. Usually with the supernatural plots arians mean Hitler, and Hitler’s dark experiments with ghosts and magic. Now, it’s not really that far off base—Mengela and his dark experiments, on par with Wolfenstein and the like—but it always traces back to Hitler or his regime. The arians Stark battles in KILLING PRETTY seem to be self-organizing. Doesn’t trace back to Hitler—exactly. Whatever, it’s refreshing.
I also like the fact that Stark is working towards something. Now, I’m not sure what exactly, I doubt that Stark himself even knows, but it’s affecting him in ways not even he understands. I mean, he still has the same violent tendencies but now… it’s like he has to go looking for it. Candy has changed—well, sorta—Stark on the other hand, he’s trying not to. After 11 years of the same old arena, his life is changing. He’s lost the Room of Thirteen Doors, he’s lost Alice, he’s lost friends, even his enemies are new. Stark is a creature of habit and lately, nothing’s the same.KILLING PRETTY isn’t exactly a rebirth for him, but it’s a change. Outside his comfort zone he continues to lash out, but he’s thinking more and killing less. Makes me wonder what the next two books (as they’re both out) will cover. Maybe he’ll start AA and get a gig preparing taxes.
Recommendations
Would I recommend this? Yes, yes I would. Definitely. For fans of Sandman Slim. Fans of Stark, like big fans, might not think that KILLING PRETTY is the best Sandman Slim book yet, but I doubt they’ll need a reason to read it. For fans of the Dresden Files, Alex Verus or the like, Sandman Slim is a must-read. Whether you start with KILLING PRETTY or work up to it, you should certainly try at least one book in the series. If you do start with this one, note: Stark isn’t always this tame. I’d recommend you start at the beginning, but hey—what do I know? It’s your life.
My Rating
4.5 / 5 stars
Not perfect, but pretty much as close as Stark’s gonna get. Best one yet—can’t wait to read number eight.
slnewman89's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I could see how this would be adventurous and humorous to some, it just wasn't my cup of tea.
redeyesinferno's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
heylook's review against another edition
1.0
Bad. Terrible. Stupid. Tried to eat it in the hopes I would choke to death. Failed.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely love these books! Each one just gets better and better. Sure, the main character is an asshole and a murderer, but you can't help but love him! Snappy dialogue, monsters and mythology galore, a great story, and a harsh, realistic world. Gimme more!!
alexandrabree's review against another edition
1.0
So I have gotten up to the first quarter a few times and then got into the second half of the book. But I just can't get through this, I don't like Candy as a central character that much (kinda wish Kadrey had actually killed her)
Rehashing the high points of the first books is SO old, there is nothing going on with this book. Death is dead people are not dying was thrown into the mix and the end of the last book, and we are still at that point halfway through the first book.....
Might just jump this into the next book but unless things take a major turn I am done with this series
Rehashing the high points of the first books is SO old, there is nothing going on with this book. Death is dead people are not dying was thrown into the mix and the end of the last book, and we are still at that point halfway through the first book.....
Might just jump this into the next book but unless things take a major turn I am done with this series
as_in_crazy's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty standard Sandman Slim fare. Stark reminiscing about the Arena in Hell, while punching bad guys in the face, not because they're bad guys but because they looked at him funny. Though he's kinda mopey for a guy that just saved the world a few times over. Probably because he nerfed himself big time at the end of the last book. Or it's because Stark's trying to hold down a regular 9-5 as a detective for Julie and their first big case is to figure out who tried to kill Death. As in "Angel of..." Its really kind of depressing. Also included are necromancers, Nazis, vampires, bum fights, snuff shows, drunken antics, and Death learning what it feels like to be human. Not a high point in the series.
tobinlopes's review against another edition
4.0
another fun installment if the series that seems to set up at least one more book.