Devil Said Bang: A Sandman Slim Novel Kindle Edition

After the events of "Aloha from Hell", James Stark - otherwise known as Sandman Slim, "the monster who kills monsters" - finds himself with a job he does not want. With Lucifer - now going by his original name, Samael - returning to Heaven, Stark is the new ruler of Hell.The natives aren't happy about it either, chafing under the leadership of a mortal, and Stark has no plans to stick around, but bad things are afoot in the realm of the damned, and he needs to stabilize his new domain before he can escape back to earth. When he finally does, he finds that things might actually be worse in the land of the living. Reality is slowly coming apart, a murderous ghost is killing members of Los Angeles' ruling supernatural class, and sinister elder gods appear to trying to reclaim the universe. Even more troubling, his girlfriend, Candy, is seeing someone else.Author Richard Kadrey maintains the headlong pace, strong storytelling, hardboiled attitude, violence, and black humor that make the Sandman Slim series such a blast to rread. Where Book 3, "Aloha from Hell" was just a bit overstuffed, Kadrey once again finds the right balance in "Devil Said Bang". Repercussions for past misdeeds seem to be coming home to roost for Stark - even the new Lucifer can't escape the sins of the past - and fans of Sandman Slim and his world are rewarded with characters that continue to evolve, and even a protagonist who reluctantly realizes he needs to be just a bit more choosy about the battles he fights. Not TOO choosy, but a little bit...

I am a huge fan of the Sandman Slim series thus far. Mr. Kadrey's Devil Said Bang falls a little short of my expectations of a Sandman Slim novel, as it seemed to do with everyone else. This time out James Stark, AKA Sandman Slim is the new prince of darkness and ruler of hell now that Lucifer has given up the sword and returned home to heaven. Now the slayer of demons, rogue angels and the undead is a bureaucrat. He is getting bored to death forced to go to asinine meetings, playing politics and make decisions about interior design. The only excitement he gets is the occasional assassination attempt. Bored with being the new Satan, James abruptly leaves hell for a worse place, L.A. He comes back to find his goody goody half missing and causing problems, a crazy ghost of a little girl killing the makers of reality and the elder gods looking to make a comeback. Along for the ride are James's part time girlfriend and vampire like Jade named Candy, Vidocq the alchemist, Kasabian the roommate and living severed human head and Carlos the bartender. Even Wild Bill Hickok makes an appearance. All in all, this is good but not the usual great. Even a slightly weak Sandman Slim novel beats a ton of books on its worst day. This book to me felt a little unfinished. I don't know if it was written this way because James Stark was himself incomplete with out his smarter, goody goody side. Plus listening to the monster killer whining about being bored about being the devil and complaining about things got a little old. Things picked back up into gear when Stark leaves hell behind for L.A. I still recommend this book to fans of the series and horror fans in general. I look forward to the next Sandman Slim novel as well.

Devil Said Bang starts with Stark filling in for Lucifer in Hell. I have to say this part was actually a little boring for me. Who would have thought? The story didn't really pick up until Stark made it back to L.A. and started investigating ghosts and Aelita.Aelita, Aelita, Aelita... that angel is just completely crazy. I'm guessing that the next book will focus on the confrontation between her and Stark, but we'll see. You never know what she has up her sleeve.I really liked the ghost plot, but am a little put off by the Old Gods plot. I liked the Father ever since he showed up in the series, and him having a dark power now was crazy. I hope he is able to hold on to himself and doesn't change because of what he has seen and done. As much as I love Candy, I was kind of annoyed by her back and forth in the beginning of the book. I was super annoyed with Allegra through most of the book. Poor Kasbian, I hope he gets a decent body soon. I loved the little surprise cameo by Brigette; hope we'll see her again!I liked the way this book wrapped up and I am looking forward to the next in the series.

I have really enjoyed the other Sandman Slim novels but this one has really tainted the series. Stark's appeal, for me, was his righteous anger mixed with his self destructive nature due to being so emotionally disfigured. It was great watching this broken yet powerful anti-hero cope with loss and a universe that had done him wrong. The problem is that his character has never evolved and, if anything, is more reckless and self loathing than before. It is becoming boring watching Slim push his luck with his absurd over the top hostility and anger issues and still survive. The angle with him having to take on the mantel of lord of hell would have been interesting if he had not been such an idiot and an ass. I never thought Stark really was a violent moron, he was just lashing out at a universe that has epically screwed him over. But now he is continuing the swirl down the pipes all on his own. It makes for a sad and uninteresting character instead of the damaged survivor that he used to be. I used to be rooting for Stark, now I am just waiting for his dumb decisions and self destructive tendencies to finally do him in, which might be the best for Stark. I am not looking for him to ever be well adjusted, but the series is turning into a one trick pony and I am not interested in reading the same character survive world ending events time after time. I give it a three but really feel it is a two, I might give another shot if there is another one but if it is the same old story then I will have to say goodbye. Good luck and Happy Reading.P.S. to the author. Glock makes a fine firearm and this is coming from a Colt and 1911 man. Its not just for flashy D-bags. lol

Devil Said Bang takes place exactly 100 days after the end of Aloha From Hell and once again Kadrey is at the top of the writing game. With great characters that continue to evolve, unbelievable twists and turns and a fabulous gripping storyline with the expected gory narrative, you will be gasping for the next instalment in the Sandman Slim series. The book starts with Stark settling in as the new Lucifer, but he doesn't have the Key to Thirteen Doors so he cannot escape Hell and head back to LA. when his underlings try to assassinate him, he managed to find a missing piece of Lucifer's armour that allows him to visualise himself out of Hell. This is just the opportunity he's been waiting for, do he decides to leave the operational running of Hell to Semyezah (the hellion general he saved from Tartarus) and hotfoots it back to LA only to discover everyone he cared about has moved on assuming he'd passed away. Furthermore, the very fabric of the universe is changing and ghosts, dream weavers and people are being killed by a murderous child ghost. Aelita once again makes an appearance and Stark is fighting to save himself and the universe from imploding. Fortunately, he gets to merge back with Saint James, has the Key to Thirteen Doors returned and also abdicates the Hellish thrown of Lucifer. What can possibly go wrong in the next book? I can't wait to read it.

Well I just can't get enough of Sandman Slim. Cynical, foul-mouthed, paranoid little Prince of Darkness that he is. One book rolls steadily into the other. I won't give any of the plot away, as it seems a shame to spoil it, but the series continues to go from strength to strength. If you've read the others, then you'll have to read this. If you haven't read the others, then what are you waiting for??? These are one of the few books that I pay full price for on my Kindle - I usually wait until they've reduced a little, but Kadrey just makes it impossible to wait any longer than the time it takes to download the next volume. Great stuff.

Another great read from Mr kadrey. Couldn't stop reading, plot again was original and numerous. Loved all the characters, both good and bad. Likened the ending again and will be reading the next book soon.

The premise of this episode is so ridiculous it's genius. Without spoiling, we find our hero starting the episode back in Hell and as before trying to get the hell outta there. Only this time there's a delicious twist. The violence gets even more extreme as the story unfolds but the dialogue just keeps getting funnier. I laughed a lot and was even forced to read out bits to annoyed OH, who wanted to know what all the fuss was about. As usual there's an apocalypse for LA almost upon them and it's up to Stark to stop it. This time he does get some help from an unlikely friend. I can't imagine where the next book would go since it's hard to imagine anything more outrageous than this one. Highly recommended.

The books are getting better and betterWith the old gods wanting to say 'remember us', the denizens of hell getting uppity, and killer ghost children it's a pretty strange and great ride.The ending is a bit of a squib but it perks up and a great Munnin bit.5 Stars as it rocks, its very easy to read, with ideas flowing freely and many ass kicking are had.Loving the various LA's too