by Jesus Ibarra
Details on how to win a copy of this book at the end of the review.
Sandman Slim, James Stark, returns in Kill City Blues, the fifth book in the Sandman Slim series. Having survived being the ruler of hell, Stark is back in LA looking for the weapon he lost that has the power to kill gods. Unfortunately for him, so is every other supernatural being in the city looking to use the power of the weapon. Tracking it to an abandoned dangerous mall called Kill City, Stark learns that sometimes being the hero can cost you.
Richard Kadrey once again blends his ongoing narratives masterfully with some great character growth and interactions. This book is a bit of a departure from the series, as we see the effect of having been Lucifer and facing an Old God has had on Stark. Gone is the irrational revenge seeker from the first book–Stark is still a monster–but a monster who has people he, oddly, cares about. Which produces a book where most of the action is two characters having some great conversations. And again we get some great commentary on the Abrahamic religious world view and some more biting criticism, which is great, but we also get some awesome action and unexpected twists in the last third of the book. Far more time is also devoted to building up Stark’s potential enemies or allies as the search for the weapon reveals to Stark “who is who.” 
Finally there is a lot more traction on his relationship with Candy, his monster girlfriend, which is actually pretty touching in a way. I love that in this series something as crazy as God, Lucifer and Stark having a conversation is something viewed as normal. It is things like that which make this series so interesting and exciting. Overall, this is another great entry into a series where a monster is just trying to do the right thing.
To enter to win a copy of Kill City Blues, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Blues,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen September, 28 2013. U.S. residents only.
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I first discovered Richard Kadrey through a president friend who loaned me her copy of “Metrophage”. His prose is reminiscent of Chandler and Hammett, with Poe and Lovecraft gently rapping at his skull. I’ve just finished re-reading the first four Sandman Slim books in preparation for a seamless re-entry into his beautifully fetishistic horror mentality. Thanks for the review!
That was supposed to say “prescient friend”. Thanks for nothing, spellcheck.
Thank you so much for this giveaway! My fangirl heart approves. 😉
I love this series and haven’t been able to get ahold of kill city blues yet. This review makes me want to read it even more.
My best friend LOVES Richard Kadrey and keeps telling me I need to read this series.
Thank you for the giveaway!
Such a bad ass set of books
Is there a specific place to look and find out who one?
A winner will be picked today and notified.
We have a winner
Lorie Ham, KRL Publisher
Amazing author, can’t say enough good things about him or his books. Anyone not reading Kadrey, needs to do so immediately.