The Perdition Score: A Sandman Slim Novel

A treat for Sandman Slim fans. I'm ready for the next book. I never get tired of reading about him. This book is full of sarcasm, smart-ass remarks, wisecracks, mayhem, twists, turns, blood and guts, death, treachery, poison, corn mazes, angels and bad guys. See, great reading. Seriously, it's a lot of fun and Sandman is just so tough and bad, you have to love him. Candy does her Jade thing and and a lot of bad guys bite the dust. Still, it's never really over. Cliff hanger ending. I have one complaint about the author...he doesn't write fast enough.

To me the experience is like reading Harry Potter for adults. What do I make of these two words- 'ghost abuse' ??? U tell me. ❤️ And there is a lot of Southern California in the book which makes it....well, more 'relatable'? 'Real'? Or somewhere in between?

This was an excellent continuation of the Sandman Slim series. I felt like this book was more in keeping with earlier books in the series. It does start a bit slow, but once it finds its stride the book was very hard to put down.

This book did a great job of starting a newish storyline for Stark. I feel like the last few books have kind of been a bit wandering and transitional. Stark does spend some time whining and bitching in the beginning of this book, but he does hit his stride again as the story continues.

I loved the mystery behind black milk. I also enjoyed Stark’s working relationship with Abbott. Stark and Candy continue to have an awesome relationship.

The plot around Wormwood was really fleshed out in this book and dealt with nicely. The ending was very well done and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next Sandman Slim book.

Overall this was a wonderful addition to the Sandman Slim series. I was happy to see our gritty butt-kicking Stark make a return to the story. I liked the new plot around Wormwood and continue to enjoy all the sassiness, grittiness, and action in this series. Kadrey has a very distinctive writing style and it’s one I enjoy a lot. I would recommend this whole series to those who enjoy gritty and action-packed urban fantasy.

This is a review of the audible. Macleod Andrews in a brilliant narrator of the Sandman Slims - I love this series, just absolutely love them. Start with number one - Sandman Slim - if you are new to these, and I envy you if you are, you will get all the backstory necessary. These are fast paced, strangely peopled and in parts - really laugh out loud funny. Worth calling someone and reading out funny bits to them. This is another really good addition to the series, the pace keeps moving and although I do not understand the end, I will be waiting with a fistful of dollars for the next one.

As James Stark says “I'm steel-toed boots in a ballet-slipper world.” and I love this one “If I learned anything Downtown (Hell), it’s this: the only real difference between an enemy and a friend is the day of the week.”

What a relief. Back to the top-notch writing Kadrey puts into the Sandman Slim books. The Everything Box was clearly less polished and obviously less "loved" by Kadrey than this series: Perhaps he had it lying in a desk drawer and the publisher convinced him to hand it over. But here's the real f'shizzle: All the humor, all the horror, all the badassery of Sandman Slim. Plot-wise this isn't the absolute best book of the series, nor worst (if this series can be said to have a worst), but it's still entertaining as hell. The amazing thing is that it still mostly feels fresh, and this is like book 8 or 9 or something. Maybe the series will run out of steam soon, but with this book it hasn't yet.

This is a great addition to the Sandman Slim series, with all the regulars, Vidocq, Allegra, Candy (Chihiro), Carlos, Kasabian and even Mustang Sally makes an appearance. Stark is a great favourite of mine and I love how he is evolving, trying to cope with his internal conflict, yet not losing essence of what makes him the complex, ass-kicking character he’s always been. His relationship with Candy is great, they’re perfect together, and Stark’s attitude to his friends has mellowed.

Richard Kadrey’s writing is as wonderfully dark, crazy and gritty as ever and I enjoyed the glimpse into Vidocq’s past and how it affects the present. After the totally unexpected ending I can’t wait to see where the story goes next. MacLeod Andrews’ narration of this series, the personality and voices he gives the characters, is amazing and so enjoyable to listen to, although I imagine it must play havoc with the vocal chords.

Big fan of Sandman Slim to the point it pains me to write such a low rated review, but the fact of the matter is this book has a very gaping problem (note: I've consumed the series via audiobooks, so please excuse any misspellings): Stark has his black blade in this sequel (as does Candy have hers) even though he previously gave his black blade away to the gray people in the previous book. This is made even more a problem when they encounter the grays again and it's treated as though Stark is a "welsher" who never have Aaron anything (despite the fact that the previous book had him giving up his black blade and the grays being satisfied with it). That the black blade (that shouldn't be in his possession) gets used so much, and that a bone of contention with the grays (which doesn't exist) is made a pivotal point makes for a very clearly glaring problem with this installment and earns itself such a low rating.

A real testament to Kadrey's talent, The Perdition Score has more moving parts than The Big Sleep, yet they all tie together beautifully in the last 10 or so pages. I've loved seeing Stark grow and change since his eventful return to the LA, never moreso than in this book. In fact, everyone (perhaps with the exception of Vidocq) has done some growing up. From Carlos' unwillingness to cover for Stark, to Candy's honesty about what she wants, everyone has to deal with their truths, no matter how difficult, and it's great to see that a book that can be mature can also be FUN AS HELL.

One of the real delights of this series is getting to see people as they are through Stark's eyes. He might be a miserable son of a bitch, but he knows people, whether it's his boss, Abbot, the soul of Wild Bill Hickock or a half-crazy berserker angel, it's always a treat to see character as Stark sees them. Now bring on the next book!

The Sandman Slim novels are pretty much the gritty, supernatural noir stories LA deserves. They show the city and its inhabitants for the weird and beautiful things they all are. Stark continues to please in Perdition Score as the awful regularity of a nine-to-five life presses down on him (as it does on so many people in this city). The angels, the trips to hell, the various immortals and zombie hunters and other creatures in his life... they're just more flavor, whether we're in the real LA or its hellish reflection.

Without giving anything away... I'm dying to see what happens next.

The Perdition Score is a long, but easy read. No one is every who they claim to be and heaven seems to be the only place people can't just walk in and out of. Despite the weirdness, it really is a good story.

This is book seven of the Sandman Slim novels and sadly it is the first one I have read. I am amazed how many good series escape my notice. This is the story of a half angel who goes to hell and back to better the world.

Jim Stark, never Jimmy, is Sandman Slim and there was minimal back story to give a hint as to how he is a half angel or how he was Lucifer and many more references to his past with out a clue as to their origins.

Candy is a Jade, whatever that is and is Stark's love.

This is a strange mix of hoodoo magic, hellion stuff and guns and ammo. The good guys are not so good and the bad guys are worse.

I enjoyed the book but would have enjoyed it more with a detailed back story. I guess I need to dig the previous six books out and find out how Stark became who and what he is.

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Kadrey never fails to deliver. This is one of the best series I've seen. My husband LOVES these books. I score big Best Wife points when I can get his hands on a new Richard Kadrey book. This one is definitely worth the read.

I've missed Sandman Slim. The story was fast paced and fun as ever with all the trademark darkness and grit the novels are known for. The story was engaging and kept me interested. The villain's plan was cringe-inducing, but creative in all the ways I expect from Kadrey. There wasn't a ton of action regarding it, more mystery, but Stark's development as a character was the heart of the story. We also got a look into Vidoqc's past, which I'd been hoping for. And call me a softie, but I really loved the moments between Stark and Candy. Great characters returned and crossed path in this latest addition, and the only complaint I had was the ending. It's not the first time a Sandman Slim novel has ended on a tangent, but this one really threw me. Still, the novels are exciting and fun enough that I'll be waiting for the next one! ... I really hope there's a next one.