Publishers Weekly
★ 07/20/2020
James Stark, aka Sandman Slim, is back in Los Angeles for the pitch-perfect penultimate adventure in Kadrey’s long-running urban fantasy series (after Hollywood Dead). Having recently returned from the dead, Stark is haunted by nightmares of his time in hell and struggles to navigate the world of the living. His old flame, Candy, has moved on, and Stark strikes up a new romantic connection with Janet, a nonbinary thrill-seeker who gets involved with a dangerous group of adventurers known as the Zero Lodge. Meanwhile, Thomas Abbot, the leader of the California Sub Rosa, orders Stark to eradicate a stubborn infestation of murderous ghosts in Little Cairo. In the process, Stark discovers a 40-year-old mystery involving a murdered actor whose story could bring an end to the ongoing war among the angels. The prose simmers with Kadrey’s characteristic blend of cynicism and absurdist humor, but the nuanced character development and exciting relationship-building make this feel like a brave new direction for the series. This addictive urban fantasy works in its own right—and sets things up for what promises to be one hell of a finale. Agent: Ginger Clark, Curtis Brown. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
"The prose simmers with Kadrey’s characteristic blend of cynicism and absurdist humor, but the nuanced character development and exciting relationship-building make this feel like a brave new direction for the series. This addictive urban fantasy works in its own right—and sets things up for what promises to be one hell of a finale. — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"As always, Slim’s humor and action are right at the forefront. Perfect for readers who like their urban fantasy just a little bit over the top, and those missing Jim Butcher's Dresden Files." — Booklist
“In the Sandman Slim novels the reader can feel the heat of L.A., smell the smog, taste the carnitas and tamales, and know the joy of finally sliding into the AC and onto that barstool at the end of a brutal, bloody hard day of searching, fighting, killing, and just plain old surviving.” — New York Journal of Books
“If this is escapism, it’s the most masochistic kind I can imagine.” — NPR Books
“I hope Kadrey keeps putting out Sandman Slim books for the next twenty years. They’re that much fun to read.” — Wired
"I loved where Kadrey started with this series, but I love where he's going even more." — Cory Doctorow
Cory Doctorow
"I loved where Kadrey started with this series, but I love where he's going even more."
New York Journal of Books
In the Sandman Slim novels the reader can feel the heat of L.A., smell the smog, taste the carnitas and tamales, and know the joy of finally sliding into the AC and onto that barstool at the end of a brutal, bloody hard day of searching, fighting, killing, and just plain old surviving.”
Wired
I hope Kadrey keeps putting out Sandman Slim books for the next twenty years. They’re that much fun to read.”
NPR Books
If this is escapism, it’s the most masochistic kind I can imagine.”
Booklist
"As always, Slim’s humor and action are right at the forefront. Perfect for readers who like their urban fantasy just a little bit over the top, and those missing Jim Butcher's Dresden Files."
Booklist
"As always, Slim’s humor and action are right at the forefront. Perfect for readers who like their urban fantasy just a little bit over the top, and those missing Jim Butcher's Dresden Files."
