Hollywood Dead audiobook

read my reviews at http://jenchaosreviews.comBy Richard KadreyHarper Voyager, August 28, 2018Richard Kadrey has done it again with the tenth installment of the Sandman Slim Series. He never disappoints, and Stark is better than ever!For those of you who haven't read the series before: this could be a spoiler sorry.Life and death take on a new meaning for half-angel, half-human hero James Stark, aka, Sandman Slim. James Stark is back from the dead, and from Hell(again) and in L.A.  He makes a deal with the infamous Wormwood, sworn enemies of the SubRosa community and dealers in death and souls. The deal comes with a catch, he may be alive, but he's only half-alive, and he has only a few days to complete a mission for Wormwood or die (again) and return to Hell (again), and there is no coming back this time.The mission is simple, kill the people targeting Wormwood, and he can become fully alive again and have his life the way it was before. Armed with the room of thirteen doors, he knows he cannot find the enemies by himself. He enlists the aid of new people and a cast of familiar faces to help him on this impossible mission before time runs out.RATING: 5 StarsREVIEW:I have been reading the Sandman Slim series for the past year and let me say this is the most enjoyable, most explosive, best-built character-driven series I have seen. Hollywood Dead is the tenth installment in the series, and you CANNOT read this book as a standalone novel. All the Sandman Slim books have to be read in order.The characters are well known to me by this point, and they stay consistent throughout the series. As I have seen in some series, authors often make their characters something else as a series huffs along and that's when a series becomes, well, not so enjoyable. In this case, Mr. Kadrey made all of his characters have the same traits as they always have with personal development with each book. There is no major upheaval that I could see.I was disappointed when James Stark died and went to Hell, so I highly anticipated the release of this book. I was anxious to see Stark back in action. This time there is no major catastrophe as was in some of the past books. However, there was terrorism of sorts and a one-man wrecking crew. He never pretended to have all the answers, and that's what I liked about him. I loved the human part of him that made him NOT super intelligent, super healthy and immortal. I have read other books where the protagonist has a tendency never to get hurt and always kills his or her targets effortlessly. Mr. Kadrey however, makes Stark more human than angel. He DOES get hurt; he dies like everyone else, he has the scars to prove it. Does he always get his guy? Not all the time, but that is what leads the books into another sequel (which is why you cannot read these out of order).The cast of characters are well fleshed out and not always support Stark in his endeavors of saving the world ( or in this case himself). He does have a love interest that has carried on for a few books with a person who is also a monster. Though he loves her and wants to be with her, he knows the mission he is embarking on will only bring trouble to her doorstep ( which happens to be the doorstep of two other friends). He tries hard to stay away from her and feels terrible about not getting in touch with her; but, being dead for a year has placed her in a new relationship and life that she has moved onto without him.When the action happens, it happens BIG, and Mr. Kadrey describes it with incredible detail and no gratuitous gore. Stark does not always win, but he does come back for vengeance.WRITING:It is no secret that Richard Kadry is a tremendous storyteller. He is smooth and consistent. The style is modern and not dull or stiff. I can get through a book in one day. I have never been disappointed with Richard Kadrey's Work.PLOT:There was one main plot that was hashed out in the beginning and, really, was mentioned in Book #9, The Kill Society. The sub-plots with the main plot tied together about the end of the book and kept me guessing the whole time. I was not bored or disappointed. The story does not hesitate or stall in any way. The main plot is the mission to find the people that are targeting Wormwood. The subplot number one is making sure Stark can become fully alive with or without Wormwood's help. Some of the other subplots are discovered by reading the book itself.  The ending is not predictable in a way. Some of it is. However, it does leave the door open for a new book. (YAY!)WHAT I LIKED:I liked the way Stark confronted his demons. Over the past few novels, he was going through a series of self-discovery. Being dead and in Hell a year gave him time to really inventory his life. He comes back to L.A. the same killer that he is known as being, but this time he is more conscious of what the goal is and tries to stick with it without making too much of a mess of things. Though he takes a deal with the shadiest group in the world (or universe for that matter), he was coerced and wants them to fulfill the end of their bargain.WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:I didn't like that he reunited with his friends so late in the book. It seemed he didn't trust them as much as he didn't trust himself. He didn't give his prior girlfriend more credit, and I think that's a bit disheartening.I also didn't like that the SubRosa community didn't have more of a role in this book as they did in the other books. I would have liked to see them more.OVERALL IMPRESSION:The book was clean and crisp. The story was as action-packed and full of twists and turns that kept the story exciting and full of life. There was no romance, however, and that is what makes this book and the others stand alone in the Urban Fantasy realm. Sandman Slim is not that kind of series. There is love, yes, but it's more about saving humanity from evil magicians and malevolent demons and gods, (not to mention angry rebel angels) and keeping the characters in one piece. This is a remarkable book, and I am thrilled I read it.I look forward to re-reading the series.

Sandman Slim/James Stark is reanimated by a Wormwood necromancer, with a tight timeline to find out who is killing its key members. Unless he delivers, Stark will die again so he is afraid to contact Candy and his other friends. He wanders into the Bamboo House of Dolls, and is recognized (despite his glamour) by bartender, Carlos, who takes him home to meet his roommate/lover, to help slow his deterioration. Stark begins to figure out there is a rival faction led by another psycho from his past, but his body cannot repair the damage being inflicted (despite plastic wrap and duct tape.) Stark eventually gathers a diverse group of supporters, including a girl from The Donut Shop, a SubRosa boss, and his usual cadre. It was great to see the return of Mustang Sally too.As another more thoughtful reviewer observed: if you liked The Perdition Score, you'll like this one, but if you preferred The Kill Society, you won't.

5 StarsHollywood Dead by Richard Kadrey is yet another annual guilty pleasure of mine. It is as always a really great summer read. The Getaway God could have concluded the series but thankfully for us Richard Kadrey is not finished with James and neither are we. This is the now the 10th book of the series and even being dead and downtown we are not done with the adventures of Sandman Slim. I really could read 88 more stories about James Starks and his Scooby gang.Hollywood Dead, like the last book Kill Society, is a smaller scoped story that now takes place back in LA and James finds himself alone and caught in the middle of yet another war. Kadrey gives us his usual combination of dirty and grimy action twisted with witty and smart ass dialogue. I absolutely love this stuff. This book and series read to me as near perfection as I am a true fan boy. I would give all the books full marks just for my enjoyment and have decided that as long as Kadrey keeps writing them, I will do just that. He has me as a fan for life and I really hope that we have many more adventures to come for Sandman Slim. Long live Sandman Slim. This is one of my very favorite series! This is my biggest guilty pleasure.I never want it to end.

It is hard to believe this series has now hit double digits and the tenth entry is just as fun as the first. James is back from Hell, but at a price. He is only half alive and on a deadline to complete Wormwood's mission or else it is back to Hell. The thing is you don't want to threaten Sandman Slim. Even if it takes cling wrap and duct tape he is going to do things his way. With a little help from old friends and new faces. This is one of the best Urban Fantasy series and always moves to the top of my tbr pile whenever a new one comes out. It has everything you could want starting with a great main character in James "Sandman Slim" Stark. Add in a strong supporting cast and a gritty locale in Los Angeles makes this a must read.

So, the big question is this: how many times can a man come back from Hell and still remain as fresh as a daisy?Okay, that's a disingenuous question. And unfair. Stark has NEVER been as fresh as a daisy and after having gone and come back from Hell THIS MANY TIMES, you might assume he smells like a swine's bunghole after a piggie has the motherload of a tummy-ache.It doesn't help that he's dead. Mostly. I mean, walking around dead, but still dead and NOT SO FRESH.But since this is still a classic supernatural Noir-type tale, we've got a carrot and a stick scenario, and IF ONLY HE DOES THIS ONE THING... the necromancers might give him an eau de toilette.If only they were trustworthy.I swear. These books devour me.I mean, I'm literally devouring THEM, but by the same token, they're devouring me. I can't call them popcorn fiction because even I get tired of popcorn sometimes. I'm NOT getting tired of these.

I love this series, I STOP OTHER BOOKS TO READ THEM. If you like urban fantasy and noir and YOU havent read these books.you aren't a fan of those genres, go get them all, give Kadrey all your money.100000000 stars out of 5 (do the math)

Gah, I'd missed this series so much! Number ten in this gritty, dark humoured urban fantasy was packed full of the things I've always loved about it, and other things that I didn't expect, but were definitely welcome!While the story was packed with conspiracy, action, and betrayal, there was also a surprising amount of heart in it. Though I love nothing more than watching Stark bring the pain to the bad guys (and gals), I was surprised that many of my favourite parts came from Stark's emotional turmoil. Being back from the dead (again) after a year has definitely taken its toll on his relationships and psyche and left him questioning whether or not it was worth being alive again if his loved ones were better off without him. This led to some dark moments, but if you've read all the books by now and aren't used to dark moments... you've clearly been reading a different series.The many characters were both old and familiar, yet a year definitely changed them all, though Stark went through the most development. I don't know how many more books will be in this series, if any more, but I would love to see more of Stark and his friends. Knowing him, trouble is just around the corner!

Hollywood DeadAuthor: Richard KadreyPublisher: Harper VoyagerPublishing Date:2018Edition/Volume: 1stPgs: 351Dewey: F-KADDisposition: Irving Public Library - South Campus - Irving, TX_________________________________________________REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERSSummary:Life...death...hell...half angel, anti-hero Sandman Slim aka James Stark has been brought back to the world of the living by old enemies. He was living in hell with Devil, so his making a deal with pricks who think they’re going to cheat both heaven and hell, might not work out so well. An old powerbroker in the occult world has split into factions and is warring over the assets. Stark is half-alive...a quarter alive...mostly dead. And he only gets fully resurected if he completes the assignment that Wormwood has set for him...destroy the other faction. Only, they’re his enemies, will they honor the bargain. What’s become of his life in the year that he’s been gone? Have his friends moved on? Has she? The clock is ticking. The race is on. The gun is fully loaded. The knife blade is sharp. Sandman Slim is back in town with a couple days to kill...before the days kill him, again._________________________________________________Genre:LiteratureFictionActionAdventureFantasyMysteryThrillerSuspenseHorrorWhy this book:I’ve been meaning to read Sandman Slim for a long time. This was on the New Release Shelf at the Irving Public Library. I’m really glad I picked it up._________________________________________________The Feel:Die Hard and Lethal Weapon with an occult bent.You can feel the Wormwood double cross coming. True Slim is planning on killing them all, after the deal is complete. Post-deal isn’t part of the deal.Favorite Character:James Stark, Sandman Slim is a great character.Least Favorite Character:By and large the characters here are awesome and well drawn. The Wormwood guys, at least the faction that brought Slim back, seem a bit cardboard in comparison with everyone else in the book.Marshall Larson Wells makes me want to puke. His reappearing in the anti-climax/denouement was unnecessary. Character I Most Identified With:Plot Holes/Out of Character:Kasabian and Alessa are a bit cardboard from midpoint through the beginning of the 3rd act. Kas recovers some, but Alessa doubles down. Considering that Alessa is on the hit list, they’re acting like Stark is to blame and he’s taking the blame is all horseshit. Without Stark, they’d have been dead from her being on the hit list whether he re-entered their lives or not.Trusting Howard isn’t a smart move. I knew it. Howard is a slimeball. Slim is/was much too trusting of Howard. I’m calling that OOC. But, Slim’s brain was turning to rotting cottage cheese at that point.Favorite Scene / Quote/Concept:Target practice in a private bowling alley, blowing away the pins...and the homeowner not being pleased. Bonus.“No sympathy zone. They don’t give it, so they shouldn't expect it. Islands of privilege in a sea of shit and bad karma.” That’s a powerful almost political commentary. Paragraph of the Year Nominee:“What’s really getting to me is that as much as I missed her in Hell, it’s a hundred times worse begin back. My perfect, beautiful monster. During my last look at her, she was in her Jade form and tearing Audsley Ishii apart. That’s how you know someone really likes you. Anyone can give you chocolate and flowers, but when they’ll disembowel someone for you? That’s true love.”Hmm Moments:Gun Fu with magic, mystical beings, and the apocalypse.The Na’at blade and the Room of Thirteen Doors are both awesome ideas.The mystic safe houses that are entered through odd portals, but are actually in another time are pretty damned cool.WTF Moments:The shootout in Eva’s foyer is giving me deja vu...or whatever the feeling is when you feel like you’ve read something before. Based on pub date, there’s no way that I’ve read Hollywood Dead before. But I’m damned if it doesn’t all seem like I’ve read that scene, not something similar, but that scene before.Meh / PFFT Moments:Was hoping for Alyx to hunt him down rather than UFO alien lady find him...whatever her deal is.The Unexpected:A laughing, giant, bone golem made of many bones and mutliple skulls...and each skull laughs as it moves. Helluva description. Missed Opportunity:The Na’at Blade needs to be in a D20, RPG.Dreamcasting:Sandman Slim is like Constantine mixed with Wick. Keanu should be playing him in movies.If this were made into a movie in the 70s, Clint Eastwood as Slim.Eva Sandoval...Charlize Theron.Sinclair...Sandoval’s 2nd in command/partner in Wormwood, Steve Buscemi. The guy that plays Cisco on The Flash, Carlos Valdes as the bartender at Bamboo House of Dolls.Movies and Television:This would lend itself well to a Netflix/Amazon series...or big budget, multi-film franchise Hollywood vehicle.Soundtrack:Sympathy for the Devil, either Rolling Stones or Guns and Roses, should be playing while reading this book._________________________________________________Pacing:The flow and pace of this is electric. The first 20 pages are expo heavy but flow really well. And with all the backstory to get to, well worth the primer. But that pace doesn’t let up all the way through. The only slow down was the denouement. But considering that you were about to crash headlong into the last page, a few pages of slowdown and cool off were probably warranted. Still might ruin you for slower paced books.When it kicks off, it kicks hard.Last Page Sound:Mustang Sally is a bit deus ex machina. But it works for me.I really liked this book.Author Assessment:The characters are well imagined and talk in real speak, not book speak. The scenes are crisp like a well directed movie. Editorial Assessment:Well put together._________________________________________________

This moved along at such a fast clip, with all the neck-breaking momentum you expect from Sandman Slim. The callbacks to the first two books peppered throughout this book shows us just how far Stark has come as a character, from the literal garbage fire hell-bent on revenge to the man who loves his people so much he’d rather die (AGAIN) than let them down. A dazzling race against the clock that is, when it’s all boiled down, a story about the family you choose, and how they know you even better than you know yourself. I can’t wait to see where this story goes from here

Roaring back to a 4.5 (see my review of The Kill Society). My suspicion that Kadrey is stronger when he uses LA as his setting for this series is proven by this stonking read. The supernatural hedge fund (I still think this was an inspired conceit) gets theirs and an old adversary emerges. Very entertaining, I clearly was in the mood to blow through it, and definitely recommended.

10 books down and this never gets old. Had to remember few details from last books but thats just stupid me. The ending was kind of ... well ... Hollywood-ish ... but its all good and ok. Hope this series continues to grow.

Excellent book. Fast paced, dirty, gross, snarky, and WONDERFUL. This is the 10th book in the Sandman Slim series and I highly recommend them all. Great reads.

Antihero version of It's A Wonderful Life, where the world actually might be better off without you. Clever, and funny, and tragic.