A Sandman Slim Novel : Kill the Dead by Richard Kadrey

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A Sandman Slim Novel : Kill the Dead by Richard Kadrey

A Sandman Slim Novel : Kill the Dead by Richard Kadrey Overview

“What’s best displayed by Kill the Dead is Kadrey’s snappy prose. From the first lines...you know you’re in for a Chandler-meets-the-undead treat.”          

James Stark, antihero of 2009's Sandman Slim, returns in this gritty, over-the-top tale of supernatural mayhem. Having taken his revenge on the rival magician who got him sent to Hell, Stark settles in sorcery-infested Los Angeles and gets a part-time gig with the Golden Vigil, an angelic hit squad of dubious morality that's somehow allied with Homeland Security. He spends the rest of his time as a freelance slayer of monsters. When Lucifer comes to Earth, supposedly to oversee a Hollywood biopic of his life, he hires Stark to be his bodyguard, but something isn't quite right and soon the city is awash in murderous zombies. Stark has to get to the bottom of the mystery or risk being sent back to Hell, along with everyone he cares about. Profane, intensely metaphoric language somehow makes self-tortured monster Stark sympathetic and turns a simple story into a powerful noir thriller.
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A Sandman Slim Novel : Kill the Dead by Richard Kadrey Review

          I am not a big fan of novels that have zombies in them, but Kadrey makes the story palpable with more of his insightful writing. Angels are good and the Fallen are bad, right? Think again. Things are not always what they seem. In this novel (as well as the first in the series), Kadrey's ability to find humor in the most unlikely situations makes the book a real pleasure to read. Be prepared for a wild ride!

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Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey

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Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey

Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey Overview

Kadrey (Butcher Bird) provides biting humor, an over-the-top antihero and a rich stew of metaphoric language in this testosterone- and adrenaline-charged noir thriller. James Stark spent 11 years killing monsters in Lucifer's arena for the entertainment of fallen angels, but now he's back in seedy, magic-riddled L.A., trying to avenge his girlfriend's murder and hunt down Mason Faim, the black magician responsible for getting him sent downtown. He meets with some initial success, beheading second-rate magician Kasabian (whose head becomes Stark's smart-mouthed sidekick), but he can't find Faim. Instead he encounters Homeland Security agents, a near-psychotic angel and some odd nonhuman, nonangelic beings called the kissi. Darkly atmospheric settings, such as a posh gentlemen's club where angels are tortured in an attempt to bring about Armageddon, bring this violent fantasy into sharp, compelling focus. (Aug.)
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Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey Review

“The most hard-boiled piece of supernatural fiction I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. … all confident and energetic and fresh and angry. I loved this book and all its screwed-up people.” (Cory Doctorow, author of Little Brother )

“If Simon R. Green wrote an episode of Dog the Bounty Hunter, it would read much like Sandman Slim – violent, vivid, non-stop action of the supernatural kind. I couldn’t put it down.” (Charlaine Harris )

“Paced like greased lightning (watch out for friction burns on your turning finger), blend the movie-ish delights of tough guy noir and such smart-mouthgore-fests as “Reanimator” and “Army of Darkness”, seasoned by soupcons of Gaimanian romanticism and Koontzian sentiment.” (Booklist )

“Sarcastic, irreverent and ridiculously enjoyable riff on the Urban Fantasy genre. … a lot like a mosh pit -- rough, exuberant, unpredictable -- and a heck of a lot of fun.” (Miami Herald )

“Nicotine and octane in equal parts might come close to the high-energy buzz from Richard Kadrey’s Sandman Slim. Crisp world building, recognizable and fully-realized characters, and a refreshingly unique storytelling style make for an absorbing read.Sandman Slim is my kind of hero.” (Kim Harrison )

“The best B movie I’ve read in at least twenty years. An addictively satisfying, deeply amusing, dirty-ass masterpiece, Sandman Slim swerves hell-bent through our culture’s impacted gridlock of genres…it’s like watching Sergio Leone and Clive Barker co-direct from a script by Jim Thompson and S. Clay Wilson.” (William Gibson )

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Review of Stories from the Dresden Files : Side Jobs

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Stories from the Dresden Files : Side Jobs by Jim Butcher

Stories from the Dresden Files : Side Jobs Overview

          Fans of Butcher's long-running and bestselling urban fantasy series featuring Chicago wizard PI Harry Dresden were stunned by the concluding events of the 2010 novel Changes. They'll probably want to skip ahead to the last of this collection's 11 stories, "Aftermath," set just hours after the end of that book. With Dresden's fate uncertain, it's his longtime ally, Sgt. Karrin Murphy, who must help find a kidnapped werewolf. This entry is the collection's strongest, full of powerful emotion. The rest of the book is a mixed bag, ranging from Butcher's first attempt at short fiction--"a novice effort" that "wasn't up to par for professional publication"--to more recent tales set around and between the novels. First-timers will be lost, and this uneven volume mostly makes the case that Butcher's talent is best displayed in longer form. (Nov.) (c)
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Stories from the Dresden Files : Side Jobs Review

Have you ever read a series, and wondered what happened to the main character between book? I have, especially when authors mention events that don't occur in the books.

Jim Butcher is clearly a reader as well as a writer, because he provides his readers with this information in "Side Jobs". This anthology starts with the very first Dresden short story (where Harry meets Karrin Murphy) and ends with an addendum to "Changes". In between, Butcher points out where each short story fits in the series, so if someone is starting out new to Dresden, they can read each story in "Side Jobs" in between the novels.

Butcher's writing style matures through this book. The choppy action of the first short story smooths out throughout "Side Jobs", as the characters grow into believable people. Butcher even manages to do two story from the point of view of someone not Harry - Thomas and Karrin - which I assume is not easy given they exist in the same universe as Harry.

The only caution I have would be not to read the last story until you read the novel, "Changes". As an addendum to the novel, you need to read the novel first.

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Review of The Dresden Files Book 13 : Ghost Story

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The Dresden Files Book 13 : Ghost Story by Jim Butcher

The Dresden Files Book 13 : Ghost Story Overview

The eagerly awaited new novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dresden Files series. When we last left the mighty wizard detective Harry Dresden, he wasn't doing well. In fact, he had been murdered by an unknown assassin.

But being dead doesn't stop him when his friends are in danger. Except now he has nobody, and no magic to help him. And there are also several dark spirits roaming the Chicago shadows who owe Harry some payback of their own.

To save his friends-and his own soul-Harry will have to pull off the ultimate trick without any magic...

The Dresden Files Book 13 : Ghost Story Review

          I love the Dresden files. Jim Butcher is an excellent author. Dresden get himself in one jam after another but he always looks out for his friends. He believes in doing the right thing. The story takes a lot of twist and turns and keeps you guessing. The story is original. I can't wait for the next book.

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Review of The Dresden Files Book 12 : Changes

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The Dresden Files Book 12 : Changes by Jim Butcher

The Dresden Files Book 12 : Changes Overview

          The fast-paced and compelling 12th book in Butcher's bestselling series (after 2009's Turn Coat) is aptly titled. Beginning with the revelation that wizard detective Harry Dresden has a daughter, Butcher throws one high-stakes curveball after another at his hero. Harry's ex-girlfriend, Susan Rodriguez, discloses young Maggie's existence after vampire Red Court duchess Arianna Ortega kidnaps the child. Ortega holds Harry responsible for the death of her husband and is planning to offer Maggie as a human sacrifice. With a fragile peace in place between the Red Court and the White Council of wizards, Harry is unable to count on them for support in his rescue mission, and he must compromise almost everything he believes in to save his daughter. Butcher is deft at relieving some of the tension and grimness with bursts of gallows humor that keep readers coming back for more. (Apr.)
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The Dresden Files Book 12 : Changes Review

Wow - every time I think that Harry Dresden has done it all, I discover that I am oh, so wrong.

This book opens with Harry learning that he and Susan have a daughter, and his daughter was kidnapped by Arianna of the Red Court vampires. The intensity of the situation hits the reader from the beginning, and never wavers. Dresden will literally do anything to save his daughter, but you wonder how far he will need to go. I can tell you now that Dresden crosses lines previously not crossed. He changes not only his world, but also the world around him as well.

The battle scenes leap off the pages, as Harry rushes around trying to save his daughter without letting the world at large know about her. Butcher conveys emotional so well that Harry's anger and worry slither into the reader's mind. I found myself torn between wanting to help Harry, and being scared of the man.

I give "Changes" 5 out of 5 stars.

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Review of The Dresden Files Book 11 : Turn Coat

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The Dresden Files Book 11 : Turn Coat by Jim Butcher

The Dresden Files Book 11 : Turn Coat Overview

          The search for a traitor in the highest circles of power forms the main plot thread of Butcher's 11th hard-boiled fantasy novel featuring Chicago's wizard detective Harry Dresden (last seen in 2008's Small Favor). Harry, a warden of the magic-governing White Council, finds himself in an unusual position when Morgan, his fellow warden and frequent antagonist, asks for his help. One of the White Council's leaders has been murdered, and Morgan was found at the scene of the crime holding the murder weapon. If he has been framed, then another senior wizard is behind the killing and may be trying to destroy the council entirely. Aided by werewolf and vampire allies, Dresden investigates with his trademark sardonic noir flair. Despite the sprawling plot, both fans and newcomers will get into the fast-paced action. (Apr.)
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The Dresden Files Book 11 : Turn Coat Review

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher

Harry Dresden is a tall man dealing with narrow minded people who happen to have annoyingly powerful magic. Harry as always is dealing with insurmountable problems with numerically superior forces intent on harming kith and kin. In true Lewis Carrol style, Harry finds himself down the rabbit hole defending an implacable foe for unlikely reasons.

Repeating what I have written in previous reviews of Jim Butcher, Butcher causes Harry to question his value system in each and every book. Soul searching seems to be a hallmark. Insurmountable odds and monumental tasks are also in each book. In spite of a similar formula, I have really enjoyed each book. Why would you ever get tired of deep, rich, yummy chocolate cake anymore than you would the Dresden Files. Harry's emotional fragility in his personal relationships and his inability to recognize how much he is respected contribute to his likeability. You see a slow maturation of Harry Dresden as the series proceeds. I highly recommend the entire series.

Butcher's use of current but often obscure vernacular within Harry's dialogue always elicits a laugh.

I've mentioned my preferences for emotionally provocative writing. Butcher's portrayal of loyalty and perseverance against all odds is always laudable. Harry Dresden lives his life by the Golden Rule and it serves him well. Molly, his apprentice, shows growth in this book and Harry as well. Mouse, Toot, Murphy, Will and Georgia display the same courage and convictions we have seen in previous stories.

I highly recommend it.

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Review of The Dresden Files Book 10 : Small Favor

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The Dresden Files Book 10 : Small Favor by Jim Butcher

The Dresden Files Book 10 : Small Favor Overview

          Intricate yet accessible plotting and near-Arctic winter weather mark the 10th Harry Dresden adventure from bestseller Butcher (after 2007's White Night). A friendly snowball fight opens the Chicago-based wizard-detective's latest tale, but it's not long before a host of more dangerous foes are out for Harry's blood. A missing human mobster is said to be seeking greater influence among Chicago's extranormal population, but the true threat proves both more subtle and of much greater consequence. Butcher smoothly manages a sizable cast of allies and adversaries, doles out needed backstory with crisp efficiency and sustains just the right balance of hair's-breadth tension and comic relief. Encounters with a series of increasingly dangerous Billy Goats Gruff unfold with particular cleverness, and key developments involving Sgt. Karrin Murphy, Harry's reluctant police liaison, will intrigue seasoned fans as well as newcomers attracted by last year's TV adaptation of the series. (Apr.)
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The Dresden Files Book 10 : Small Favor Review

I really liked this one except what they did with Micheal I could have done without that part!

You got to learn more about Ivy in this book and I really liked what the author did with that.

Small Favor was one of the better ones of the series.

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Review of The Dresden Files Book 9 : White Night

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The Dresden Files Book 9 : White Night by Jim Butcher

The Dresden Files Book 9 : White Night Overview

          Starred Review. At the start of Butcher's superlative ninth Dresden Files novel (after 2006's Proven Guilty), hardboiled wizard detective Harry Dresden learns that someone is killing Chicago's minor wizards. Joined by his police friend, Sergeant Murphy, and his Amazonian apprentice, Molly Carpenter, Harry discovers that his brother, Thomas, is a prime suspect. As a Warden of the White Council, at war with both the Red Court of blood-drinking vampires and the White Court of psychic vampires, Harry has to go into action. And there's plenty of that, including a battle with ghouls on the lakefront that turns into a gripping flashback of another encounter with ghouls some years before in New Mexico. The large cast features such finely drawn characters as gangster Gentleman Johnnie Marcone and Harry's first love, Elaine Mallory. This installment is sure to get a lift from The Dresden Files TV series, which debuted on the Sci-Fi Channel in January. Author tour. (Apr.)
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The Dresden Files Book 9 : White Night Review

While the war between the White Council of Wizards and the Red Court of the vampires is really only touched on as a background plot point, with a flashback and ostensibly part of the climax tying in as well, this story is more of an interlude completely self-contained as a mystery for Harry Dresden to solve.

Happening upon a series of murdered women, weak in the working of magic, made to appear as suicides, Harry takes on the task of locating and dealing with the killers. When the path seems to implicate him and his half-brother White Court vampire brother, the standard Dresden setbacks begin to appear. While one of the culprits is obvious from the start, the others are less so, one being a reappearing enemy, and yet another being a minion of a different old enemy, Harry is faced with one of his most difficult fights. From dealing with his own instabilities due to the presence of the demon's aspect in his brain and the legacy of a recent failure that saw some young Warden trainees killed (told in a flashback, something of a new feature for the Dresden Files books), to overcoming his own pride to enlist the aid of a deadly criminal, to trying to safeguard his young apprentice and lend support to a possible peace negotiation to end the war, Harry's plate is typically full.

While the tale tells a complete story in itself, it also advances the greater storyline of the war and the nature of the group who precipitated it, dubbed the Black Council by Harry a few books past. While their hand is played by the reappearance of an enemy Harry is completely outmatched against, it is the magnitude of the webs of deception that are revealed in the denouement that shows how the various factions deal with each other and their own internecine elements.

It's a great story, missing any of the copyediting errors to continuity that were frustrating in Proven Guilty, and despite being 500+ pages it reads terrifically fast. This is one of the better books in the series.

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Review of The Dresden Files Book 8 : Proven Guilty

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The Dresden Files Book 8 : Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher

The Dresden Files Book 8 : Proven Guilty Overview

           Harry Dresden, Chicago's only consulting wizard, takes on phobophages, creatures that feed on fear who attack a horror film convention, in the diverting eighth installment of Butcher's increasingly complicated Dresden Files series (Dead Beat, etc.). Harry finds that fighting monsters is only the prelude to maneuvers amid the warring wizards of the White Council and the vampire Red Court. Less and less V.I. Warshawski with witchcraft, Harry aims his deductive powers at political intrigues rather than crime solving. The body count from the magical melees, however, would do any hard-boiled gumshoe proud. Butcher's believable, likable set of characters go for the jocular much more than the jugular. Deeper fears do run through the book, and Harry, taking on an apprentice, has to face up to the consequences of his all-too-human failings. Look for the series to really take off with the debut of a two-hour pilot on the Sci-Fi Channel this summer produced by Nicholas Cage. (May)
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The Dresden Files Book 8 : Proven Guilty Review

          I have had Proven Guilty in audio book format and listen to it about twice a year. I decided to also get the printed format and like it as well. The balance of intensity and humor are some reasons I like this book, but Dresden's power and life-changing decisions are also draws for me. I have all the Dresden audio books except the last one - I prefer the reading by James Marsters only. You will be glad you got this book and want to read the rest.

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Review of The Dresden Files Book 7 : Dead Beat

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The Dresden Files Book 7 : Dead Beat by Jim Butcher

The Dresden Files Book 7 : Dead Beat Overview

          Harry Dresden's first hardcover adventure finds Chicago's preeminent wizard coping with his new roommate--vampire half-brother Thomas. Harry soon has problems bigger than Thomas' clutter to deal with. Marva, one of Harry's vampire foes, summons him with a threat to his police-lieutenant friend, Karrin Murphy. Marva demands Harry get the Word of Kemmler for her, or she'll frame Murphy for murder. Harry doesn't even know what the Word is, but while he's trying to find out, and also what damage Marva will be able to do with it, several necromancers descend on Chicago. When Harry learns that the newcomers are students of Kemmler, an evil wizard who mastered ancient spirits in a way no one has since, he discovers that they are seeking the Word, too, in hopes of seizing the powerful knowledge within it and calling forth a powerful creature known as the Erlking. Butcher's latest maintains the momentum of previous Dresden outings and builds the suspense right up to a rousing conclusion.
Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

The Dresden Files Book 7 : Dead Beat Review

If you have never read one of the Dresden File books, I must warn you, that you will be hooked after just a few pages. The series captivates and doesn't let go. Anyone with even a mild interest in mysteries, magical beings, or adventure will enjoy getting to know Harry.

Please don't judge the books by the horrible and thankfully, short lived television show. The names are the same but the people responsible for its creation, I'm sure, had never read the books.

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