Sandman Slim

Sandman Slim, Book 1

By: Richard Kadrey

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

When he was 19, James Stark was considered to be one of the greatest natural magicians, a reputation that got him demon-snatched and sent downtown - to Hell - where he survived as a gladiator, a sideshow freak entertaining Satan's fallen angels.

That was 11 years ago. Now, the hitman who goes only by Stark has escaped and is back in L.A. Armed with a fortune-telling coin, a black bone knife, and an infernal key, Stark is determined to destroy the magic circle - led by the conniving and powerful Mason Faim - that stole his life.

Though nearly everything has changed, one constant remains: his friend Vidocq, a 200-year-old Frenchman who has been keeping vigil for the young magician's return. But when Stark's first stop saddles him with an abusive talking head that belongs to the first of the circle, a sleazy video store owner named Kasabian, Stark discovers that the road to absolution and revenge is much longer than he counted on, and both Heaven and Hell have their own ideas for his future.

©2009 Richard Kadrey (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

absolutely the best

Nothing remotely bad to say about this series. I love anything Kadrey is a part of. Phenomenal writer, and creates an absolute masterpiece of a Universe. I also adore the narration. Tis a work of art to say the least! I've binged thus series numerous times!

Somewhat painful

In the beginning, there was a thin veil of noir. It burned off quickly and once it was gone, I found myself mentally checking to verify that I wasn't listening to a YA novel.

Part of the problem is the narrators voice, which is high and reedy and a bit irritating. The "hero" (who ultimately, and in a totally nonsensical way, comes to be known as Sandman Slim, but that is another issue...) is supposed to be a big tough guy seasoned by 11 years as a gladiator in hell. Yet he is written with the personality of a 19 year old, his age when he went to hell. It seems as if the author really couldn't decide whether he wanted his dually-named hero to be a teenager or a gritty tough guy. He ends up with a mish-mash of the two that he rationalizes with an assumption that a 19-year old would not mature after 11 years of torture in hell. It's confusing.

My other criticism is for the author's apparent lack of geographical knowledge of Los Angeles. This was really distracting. I can excuse the re-working of certain neighborhoods to suit the grittyness of the story but Beverly Hills is not, and never has been, anywhere near Laurel Canyon. And to travel in any way other than through Sandman Slim's magic doors between Beverly Hills, Laurel Canyon, and Hollywood would take most of the day. One way.

The upshot is an unevenly written book that tries for noir but does not succeed and gets caught somewhere between a comic book and Preston and Childs novel.

My New Favorite Badass Character

A guy wakes up in a Los Angeles cemetery. He’s on fire. He beats out the flames and mugs another guy for cash and a jacket. He’s just come back from Hell. Can you be more badass than that? Meet James Stark, also known in Heaven and Hell as Sandman Slim.

Demon-snatched at 19 and taken “Downtown” (Hell), Stark spends 11 years fighting in Hell’s arena and being abused by Hellions and Lucifer’s army before he finds a way to escape. Now he’s 30 and he’s back in L.A. on a quest for revenge.

This first person narrative has us in Stark’s head as he encounters old and new friends, and seeks out the enemies that sent him Downtown and killed his beloved Alice.

Kadrey’s L.A. is vivid, and Stark’s view of it is at the same time loving and cynical. His smirking, smart-assy quips and observations define the character and set a dark tone for the story. Stark is dark! He’s in a similar milieu as Harry Dresden, but he is far darker.

What can you expect from a guy who spent a decade in Hell? A lot of action and mayhem in colorful settings, from Lucifer’s penthouse suite to a punk tiki bar in L.A. called the Bamboo House of Dolls. If that’s not the best name ever for a bar, I don’t know what is.

If you ever wished that Dresden were a little darker, or if you ever wished that Atticus O’Sullivan were meaner, well here he is in Sandman Slim.

MacLeod Andrews’ growl perfectly embodies Stark’s character. He sounds like a guy who's been smoking Maledictions and drinking Aqua Regia for years.

A great series.

What made the experience of listening to Sandman Slim the most enjoyable?

The combination of great author and narrarator. The author brings a punk sensibility to the urban fantasy genre.

What did you like best about this story?

The fast paced story and humor. Also, you can tell the author is a real cyberpunk fan as this story has elements of that genre throughout.

Which character – as performed by MacLeod Andrews – was your favorite?

Casabian is the best character. He brings a lot of humor and attitude to the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Go ahead and get the whole series all the books are great. macLeod Andrews does a stellar job with the voice acting as well.

What a great surprise

I usually don't start reading a trilogy from an author I'm don't know. However I got this when it was being offered on sale and the reviews were very good. After I finished this one I knew I was hooked the Narrator MacLeod Andrews Made this book come alive. After finishing this book I got the next two in the series, and all I can say it it only got better. Start with Sandman Slim and then go on to book two and three. You won't be disappointed. So much action and twists and turns. It all ended much to quickly for me. I don't know if Richard Kadrey is planing to write any more either Sandman or other novels, I think he is a wonderful writer and knows how to keep people interested in his story. .

Dark world

This book might have gotten another star if it had a little less unnecessary narration and a little less rage. You can understand why Stark might have a lot of anger after what he's been through, but it could be toned down a tad. There's magic, demons, fallen angels, angels and other inhabitants of this world. Stark comes back after 11 years from "downtown" (Hell) and goes after the people that put him there. There's a lot of violence and gore. You wonder sometimes who the good guys are.

The narrator did a fine job of portraying Stark and okay on the other characters.

Since I have the next several books in this series it will be interesting to see how the story develops.

Nasal Drawl Ruins Audiobook

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator.

What other book might you compare Sandman Slim to and why?

Neil Gaiman meets monster hunter with poor humor.

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator has this nasal drawl that ruined the book for me. It reminds me of the worst kind of Youtube vloggers droning on and on.

Did Sandman Slim inspire you to do anything?

Claw me ears out.

Any additional comments?

The audiobook is ruined by the narrator and the story is not good enough to but the book.

An interesting tale with horrible world building.

the narration was great, but the story itself could use work. the pacing was too fast.

Awesome!

If you could sum up Sandman Slim in three words, what would they be?

Great new spin!

What did you like best about this story?

I love how the hero came from Hell. He is flawed, probably more than the rest of us but still saves the world. It has all the supernatural elements you could want, but a new spin on everything.

Which scene was your favorite?

The making if Vidoc!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not moved per say but made me laugh out loud? Plenty!

Any additional comments?

This is a great book/series. The language is rough and the hero even rougher, but maybe sometimes that's what you need to save the world!

Kill em All let the Devil sort them out!

What did you love best about Sandman Slim?

Story was great, I cant pick just one thing.

What did you like best about this story?

Why and how he came back. The things he brought back with him to get the job done.

What about MacLeod Andrews’s performance did you like?

He is great at conveying emotion.