Book Review: SANDMAN SLIM by Richard Kadrey

Published: 2009, Harper VoyagerFormat: Audiobook, read by MacLeod Andrews
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy

After returning to the world after eleven years in hell, James Stark is back for revenge on the group of magicians that put him there, a group he used to belong to. But Stark has made a name for himself in hell while fighting the in Hellion’s Arena, and now on the surface, he’s earning a new nickname, Sandman Slim, as he tracks down his nemesis and those aligned with him. But even Sandman Slim’s hitman skills are no match for the new shadowy evil his enemy has joined forces with. Readers will enjoy Stark’s sarcastic, irreverent humor, along with his rag-tag group of friends he collects along the way. The characters in Sandman Slim are only developed enough the tell the story, but the convincing world-building and intense (often violent) action will drive readers back to Sandman Slim’s adventures through the rest of the series. MacLeod Andrews' narration of the text was strong and well-balanced. His voice was suited to the dark humor, and he even lent a note of vulnerability into Stark’s character. Sandman Slim is a solid start to a thrilling, action-packed, dark fantasy series and is perfect for readers who like their heroes flawed and their stories gritty.

-Amy