Devil Said Bang

Sandman Slim, Book 4

By: Richard Kadrey

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

What do you do after you’ve escaped Hell, gone back, uncovered the true nature of God, and then managed to become the new Lucifer?

Well, if you’re James Stark, you have to figure out how to run Hell while also trying to get back out of it... again. Plus there’s the small matter of surviving. Because everyone in Heaven, Hell, and in between wants to be the fastest gun in the universe, and the best way to do so is to take down Lucifer, a.k.a. James Stark.

And it’s not like being in L.A. is any better — a serial-killer ghost is running wild and Stark’s angelic alter ego is hiding among the lost days of time with a secret cabal who can rewrite reality. Starting to care for people and life again is a real bitch for a stone-cold killer.

©2012 Richard Kadrey (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Still amusing but more contrived

This installment in the series still has a lot of what made the first book engaging, in its style, irreverence, and brutality but it has slid pretty far down the hill as far as the quality of writing. The plot is riddled with irrational actions and unconvincing twists that just aren't believable, even in the fantasy universe. Characters repeatedly display incredible power when they're using it to impress but then fail to use it in a fight for their life. Stark continues to walk into every trap imaginable without a thought in his pretty little head and ends up helpless before his enemies, not because of a fiendishly clever and devious deception on the villain's part but because Stark's an idiot. This makes it very difficult to respect the protagonist. There is also some completely ludicrous business with "dreamers" that makes absolutely no sense and frustrated me significantly.

That said, there are interesting developments. His new job as Lucifer is pretty amusing and kicks up a lot of awkward situations. The morality of God, Samael, and everyone else continues to fall further into the gray territory. Stark himself does some pretty nasty stuff but it's always warranted and I still consider him to be a decent fellow in a series of bad situations. Most of the previous books' characters reappear in this one and see about as much limelight as usual. It's Stark's show but, as always, he's just stumbling down the road laid out by his enemies and coming through by blind luck and the help of his friends.

The narrator was fantastic, as always. He really makes Stark's character come alive with the gruff tone and devil-may-care (pun intended) attitude.

I only rate this one as average quality but I'll continue on to the 5th book because I enjoy the universe and I'm interested in seeing if he gets God's job next :p

best series

listening to it for my fifth time it doesn't get old. we need more writers like this.

excellent continuation to an awesome story!

excellent continuation to an awesome story. if you got this far you will love to keep reading it.

Great book series

This book was awesome! The narrator puts you there with every page. I really love this series, can’t get enough!

Sandman Slim just keeps getting better!!

Any additional comments?

I love sandman slim! MacLeod Andrews has got to be one of the best narrators Ive ever heard. The different voices that he gives to each character amazes me. I think I am in love with him!!
Richard Kadrey what can I say. His writting just keeps getting better. Book 4 is probably my favourite of the Sandman Slim stories. Its a bit darker (if possible) than the rest.
Top job and a 5 star read!!

Losing a little steam

While a fun and interesting continuation of the Sandman Slim story, book 4 feels like it missed a real opportunity to explore the inner workings of Hell and seems to have lost some of the magic captured in books 1-3. We do get to discover the true nature of God, which turns out to be very interesting. Worth the listen if you're a fan of the series as all Sandman Slim stories tie together in one manner or another.

I love Candi

Candi might be my favorite character in any book she is every bit of interesting hot and sexy badass and freaky I just want to see her let loose and see the hardcore Jade side of her

Out with the old Satan in with the New.

What made the experience of listening to Devil Said Bang the most enjoyable?

The narrator had the snide and world weary voice to pull off Sandman's voice.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the fact that Sandman seems more willing to take advice. His great grandfather gives him some much needed, which comes down to choose your battles. So Sandman chooces all of column A and all of Collumn B.

What about MacLeod Andrews’s performance did you like?

His voice reached through the earbuds enfusing Sandman's voice with the weariness of a man who is stuck in a dead end job he didn't want. A long walk behind him, and still many miles to go. He also really had down the blistering coldness of his voice when Sandman was at his most dangerous.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Keep your kids at home, this isn't Daddy and Grand Daddies hero.

Any additional comments?

Recently Sandman Slim has been left in charge of "Downtown" as the new Satan. Being seen by the fallen Angels (now demons) as the Monkey in charge hasn't left him many friends. His Angelic half is off causing problems back in LA, The Demon hordes want to put the monkey in his place and if it wasn't for the final gift of the Previous Satan (The Magic Armour) he would be dead several times over.

That isn't at the top of Sandman's mind though. He made a promise to girl... Three days in Hell and he would be back. So as the clock strikes three months he is pretty sure he will be returning to an angry girlfriend and what ever else his "Goody Goody version of himself has been up to."... So Stabilize Hell, track down an arrant half Angel with delusions of adequacy and check in on all the other people who have undoubtedly taken advantage of Sandman Slim's absence.

No rest for the wicked, and as always the reward for a job well done is always more work. Sandman cuts a bloody sloth through both the underworld and LA to remind people that he carries (His weak pistol, his Flaming Sword and a boot he has no problem breaking off in the backsides of those who stand in his way.) Oh, did we mention all the wicked cool Satan powers he inherited? Well, time to say good bye to some backstabbing hell spawn and see about fixing what ever has gone wrong in LA. I mean, let's face it. It's LA!!! SOMETHING must have gone wrong.

As always the book is gritty, and bloody. Sandman takes advice from his great grandfather to choose his battles more carefully. As usual he chooses all of column A and B! Hell, a nephelim has to also keep himself entertained while he kicks ascii and takes names!

This isn't the best in the series, but it reads well if you are caught up on the series. The story doesn't pull punches and there appears to be, as expected no current happy ending for our Dark Assassin Hero.(less)

Always good

this entire series should be made into a film franchise. it's non-stop excitement. similar to Constantine, but better (IMO.)

More please!

I love this book!
The character development is awesome and the story rocks!
The voice actor is perfect for the roll!
On to Kill City Blues, again!!!