Aloha from Hell

Each book in this series just got better and better. Always action packed and many twists and turns. Richard Kadrey knows how to spin a story and keep his reader entertained from the very start. MacLeod Andrews is the perfect narrator for this series. His voices and attitude were perfect. There were moments in this series that were really funny, if it weren't so brutal. This is a true trilogy If you like urban fantasy this is for you. True cutting edge. I hope Richard Kadrey will be writing more novels.

Stark isn't a nice guy. He isn't polite, he isn't considerate, he doesn't play by the rules. He is continually pissed off, he goes through a LOT of destroyed clothing, he hates almost everyone, and he loves to steal cars.

What's not to love?

The Sandman Slim books aren't perfect, but author Richard Kadrey has managed to create a great character in James Stark. Stark repeatedly refers to himself as a monster, and he is an efficient killing machine -- yet he is also intensely loyal to folks like his murdered lover and the few living people he trusts, and somehow he ends up saving the general populace (and the world) from various true monsters whether he really wants to or not. Kadrey can write surprisingly poetic prose -- a rough hewn sort of poetry, but still effective -- and that in combination with Stark's obnoxious attitude and frequently outrageous violence make for an engaging, humorous, and sometimes breath-taking good time.

Now, these books are not perfect. A lot of the fantasy elements are pretty off the wall to start with, and sometimes Kadrey really strains my ability to suspend disbelief. In particular in this book, at the climax he did something with the angel half of Stark that really had me waving the BS penalty flag (I won't spoil it here). Even so, the way he set up the climax and its aftermath promises to provide a lot of interesting conflict for the next book, so some good reading may come of it. And even given that this sort of believability problem does occur occasionally throughout the Sandman Slim books, they are still a lot of fun to read.

As to the narrator -- I was not all that fond of MacLeod Andrews when I listened to the first Sandman Slim book, but he has grown on me as the series progressed (and, probably, as he got more used to the role). In Aloha From Hell I think he does a fine job of voicing both the rough-edged Stark and most of the secondary characters. Occasionally some of the side characters sound too much alike, but that's a minor complaint.

Irrevent attitudes

Sandman Slim, very funny

Sandman Slim

Gone to hell for cigarettes

Very enjoyable, save for a favorite hike or car ride.

Filled with great one-liners and the ultra-violence we've all come to love from our favorite antihero, Sandman Slim, this one packs a wallop and take you back to where it all began. I'll f***ing miss this guy, though I hope I'll never meet him in the hereafter 'cause he would totally kick my ass!

OK, I love this series BUT this book didn't go where I expected. I was left with a distinct "Is this all there is to the fire?" feeling. Hoping Book four answers some questions, this one cut some corners. Just sayin'...

I love the Sandman Slim series - he's anything but PC and I love his sarcasism, wit and bloody response to the antagonists. MacLeod Andrews is the perfect voice for this book! He makes a some what laking story still very enjoyable again and again.

I waslooking for a new author, so based on the reviews of the book, i got Aloha from Hell.
I was pleasantly surprised and vastly entertained!

I particularly liked the "kick-ass" attitude of the characters, as well as the blurring of lines between good and evil (definitely refreshing!) and the moderate-to-fast pace of the dialogue.
Can't wait to get my hand on the next one in the series!

unfortunately, not everyone who strings together magic and PI is able to hold a candle to Harry Dresden. Please correct me if I am injustly prejudiced, in as far as I started on "Aloha from Hell", which is the third(?) of the series, and maybe I just lack the immersion that the first story captures you in. But really, I find it quite tedious. The narrator does his best, and he is very good. But for the rest, well, let me say, it seems to be something for the initiated only. If you like that kind of genre, as I do, you're far better off with Simon R.Green`s "Nightside", or you might like to check out Benjamin Jacka (don`t know if he`s on audibe yet). Have fun!

Insanely Hell-acious dudes!...this ain't your preacher writin' this Shiite. And this definitely is positively Not your mama's version of Lucifer's digs.

Every town has a Mustang Sally, and for Sandman Slim all it takes is a trip to one of the countless mini-marts where he stocks up on greasy burgers, chips, candy, donuts and smokes, of course...for Sally is not only the queen of the roadways, she is also Slim's ticket into hell...cost?...the road marts treats, and Slim bitin it on a messy James Dean head on...ouch!

With a name like Sandman Slim, and burdened with an angel inside him, a roommate he has decapitated and a monster as a lover,hmmm...yeah it is definitely Mr. Slim.

Hey! Go to Hell...you just might like it.

I loved the first two books in this series, however this one dosent measure up. Characters are two dimensional and what was sharp cynical wit in the first two books, comes off as belligerent ranting in this book.

The narration and performance is very good making this disappointment more tolerable.