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chloefrizzle's review against another edition
2.0
I recommend stopping reading the series at book 10, and not bothering with the last 2 books.
At first I was thinking, "I don't understand why everyone hates Janet so much. They're great." Then I got to know Janet better and realized how manipulative and stupid they are. It was one of those rare characters that are so annoying that they drag down the entire book with them.
My full video review with detailed thoughts is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2XeH4F1G9A
At first I was thinking, "I don't understand why everyone hates Janet so much. They're great." Then I got to know Janet better and realized how manipulative and stupid they are. It was one of those rare characters that are so annoying that they drag down the entire book with them.
My full video review with detailed thoughts is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2XeH4F1G9A
git_r_read's review against another edition
3.0
I highly enjoyed the first three books in this series, but it's been a while since then so maybe that's why it took me a while to get into book 11. A lot seems to have gone on since and I think this is one series I shouldn't have skipped to this end. I think I should have been along for Sandman Slim's devolving and trying to get back to semi-human.
I took issue with watching him get involved with Janet who belongs to a thrill-seeker group. It's a brutal one, not just skydiving from cliffs or snorkling with sharks. This group is a bunch of wealthy bored oddballs with ties to a case Sandman is trying to solve. Ghosts have invaded a part of LA and tearing it apart. He's been tasked to solve the case and send them packing or someone else will and not tidily.
This one felt choppy and out of sorts. Again it might be the distance between the first books I read and this one. The space might be too big. Or it might be not as best written as others. It did get better towards the end. I still am fascinated by Sandman Slim and I will read the rest of the series.
I took issue with watching him get involved with Janet who belongs to a thrill-seeker group. It's a brutal one, not just skydiving from cliffs or snorkling with sharks. This group is a bunch of wealthy bored oddballs with ties to a case Sandman is trying to solve. Ghosts have invaded a part of LA and tearing it apart. He's been tasked to solve the case and send them packing or someone else will and not tidily.
This one felt choppy and out of sorts. Again it might be the distance between the first books I read and this one. The space might be too big. Or it might be not as best written as others. It did get better towards the end. I still am fascinated by Sandman Slim and I will read the rest of the series.
vulco1's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I love these, but it's not the best in the series. Solid entry though and I still love Stark.
cm2890's review against another edition
4.0
This book was enjoyable.
When I go into a Sandman Slim book, I don't expect a work of art - I expect an enjoyable time, which is what I got here. This did feel a bit off in places - but was fine, especially if the blurb on the dust jacket is to be believed and this is the penultimate Sandman Slim book - since this did feel like it was setting up for a Big Final Thing, given some of the events that happened in this book.
When I go into a Sandman Slim book, I don't expect a work of art - I expect an enjoyable time, which is what I got here. This did feel a bit off in places - but was fine, especially if the blurb on the dust jacket is to be believed and this is the penultimate Sandman Slim book - since this did feel like it was setting up for a Big Final Thing, given some of the events that happened in this book.
htb2050's review against another edition
1.0
Ruined the series lately it seems like this is not the same author who wrote all those previous books at all.
staticdisplay's review against another edition
4.0
there's a fun old timey mystery entangled in all the usual madness. like many others, I didn't care for Janet - no issue with the pronouns, but I find the romances in this series generally immature and not compelling; I think they would have been a more interesting character as introduced at the very beginning, able to help Stark host a house party with normal snacks and drinks but not able to understand so much of his life (and being similarly incomprehensible to him). that would have brought out a lot of the other issues this book explored, like taking medication for PTSD and anxiety, trying to be less impulsive and have a healthier self-concept, blee bloo. which I actually think is a pretty interesting turn for the character. the swerve into animal sacrifice was like... ok, cut this person loose dude. fortunately, there were so many other things going on in the story that were more fun to read. can't believe the series is ending, I've been reading it for almost 10 years! I'm Old.
jane_1975's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
jbelang85's review
3.0
Good but not the best in the series
Some SPOILERS AHEAD. I love this series and overall enjoyed the book. But I don't understand the character of Janet. A non-binary love interest for Stark. It was good seeing him move on. But Janet seems to be a reckless adrenaline junkie in a magical sense who just seems to be making dumb decisions and keeps telling Stark he should give her club a chance as they are looking to do things which he essentially can do in a blink of an eye. Why I get that they may want to learn it themself, why would they not think to ask him to teach them rather than those amateurs. And then why would he stay with them after she repeatedly makes such poor choices? Overall, good but given that he just met Janet, it seemed and odd choice.
Some SPOILERS AHEAD. I love this series and overall enjoyed the book. But I don't understand the character of Janet. A non-binary love interest for Stark. It was good seeing him move on. But Janet seems to be a reckless adrenaline junkie in a magical sense who just seems to be making dumb decisions and keeps telling Stark he should give her club a chance as they are looking to do things which he essentially can do in a blink of an eye. Why I get that they may want to learn it themself, why would they not think to ask him to teach them rather than those amateurs. And then why would he stay with them after she repeatedly makes such poor choices? Overall, good but given that he just met Janet, it seemed and odd choice.
stale_reviews's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
pbanditp's review against another edition
4.0
Sandman Slim, aka James Stark, is back. If you haven’t read the series yet, then you should go get the books and fix that. They are fun.
Stark was once a normal human. Now he is a half-angel, former ruler of hell, and all around badass antihero and he is here to save us mortals once again.
This time a horde of ghosts invades a section of LA known as Little Cairo and Stark is sent in to figure out what the hell is going on.
I enjoyed jumping back in with Stark and his group of misfits. He goes around pissing everyone off and causing general mayhem while trying to keep the dead and their spirits where they belong.
Stark was once a normal human. Now he is a half-angel, former ruler of hell, and all around badass antihero and he is here to save us mortals once again.
This time a horde of ghosts invades a section of LA known as Little Cairo and Stark is sent in to figure out what the hell is going on.
I enjoyed jumping back in with Stark and his group of misfits. He goes around pissing everyone off and causing general mayhem while trying to keep the dead and their spirits where they belong.