7 / 10 ✪

https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2024/08/08/ballistic-kiss-by-richard-kadrey-review/

Let’s start with the good, shall we? The plot is a good one, with a mystery, a hunt, and an unending supply of things to kill—including, but not limited to: zombies, angels, spirits, assholes, LOTS of assholes. I even liked that Stark actually seemed to make an effort to avoid killing all of them, showing his humanity for possibly the first time in his life. The interactions between Jimmy and his friends were also mostly strong. Although we see less of all of them than I’d’ve liked—and more of Janet.

Not a fan of Janet—and unlike a number of readers, it has nothing to do with their pronouns. Janet is a red flag, one that Stark is quite taken with. This is no surprise, really, as he’s essentially on the rebound, but you’d think his friends might chip in to point out just how toxic their relationship has become. But, as I said, his friends just aren’t around as much. It’s easy to see what Stark sees in Janet. And it can be really hard to see past the surface of someone when they’ve got a body made for sin and a compulsion for removing their clothes and straddling you. Stark is only human, after all, even if it’s sometimes difficult to remember this.

Just to wrap it all up—the ending is okaaaaay, with a good resolution to all events, albeit some interesting and unlikely occurrences that we shan’t get into because of spoilers.

Star showing his humanity is interesting, but I’d say a good turn for the series. Stark obsessing about his love life and throwing parties… well, feel free to try and convince me it’s good as well. I mean, you’re welcome to try, but… it’s unlikely to work. Fortunately, we’re back in L.A., because (a) I hate Richard Kadrey’s imagining of Hell, and (b) there’s nothing the author knows quite like L.A. (which he demonstrates throughout, by writing such colorful and vivid descriptions of the city, and by not really understanding how animals or nature works). And in L.A. we shall remain. For one more book.

One more book.

Sandman Slim, aka James Stark, is back. If you haven’t read the series yet, then you should go get the books and fix that. They are fun.
Stark was once a normal human. Now he is a half-angel, former ruler of hell, and all around badass antihero and he is here to save us mortals once again.
This time a horde of ghosts invades a section of LA known as Little Cairo and Stark is sent in to figure out what the hell is going on.
I enjoyed jumping back in with Stark and his group of misfits. He goes around pissing everyone off and causing general mayhem while trying to keep the dead and their spirits where they belong.

James Stark is back for another installment of Sandman Slim. Fighting a ghost invasion this time. Not the strongest of the series. Kind of a filler episode, but I will always love this series. This book was kind of a test for me too. I have always listened to these books, MacLeod Andrews really brings them to life for me. I was worried that I wouldn't like it as much without his voice. Guess I've listened to him enough that I read it in his voice(s).

This series keeps getting weirder in the best possible way.

Even if I don't like it as much as previous books in the series.

The plot follows the tried and true pattern for Sandman Slim... people don't survive long. But I like the shift in the story: Slim becomes more and more human, leaving the stress and pacing of previous books to become a person I can imagine existing. From PTSD to respecting office politics, I really like how this book shifts the story.

But... Janet. Why? I understand why he needs a new love interest, to play on the idea of his past conflicting with his future, and that part of the story is well done. But why the big deal about non-binary? Its half a damn chapter explaining something like a step-mother explaining a controversial subject to a teenager... just, why? You've got non-binary angels and a lesbian couple, I guess we just needed a sitdown to talk about pronouns?

I infinitely prefer how Sarah Gailey handled this in River of Teeth, one person is pan and we're just gonna roll with it. No explanation, they're a human living their life and don't owe anyone an explanation.

Or The Perfect Assassin by K.A. Doore, homosexuality is such a non-issue its not even discussed; if two people with dicks want to fall in love they just do.

Kadre just introduced this issue in the most afterschool-special way possible.

Besides the most awkward conversation about pronouns in the history of ever, I like where the book leads the overall story. A hard ending with foreshadowing to the next book that seems obvious (?) but I'll guess we'll see soon enough.



**I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have always looked forward to the latest entry in the Sandman Slim series, it was a must read, but lately the series seems to be kind of stuck in neutral., and Ballistic Kiss doesn't do much to dispel that notion. Jim is back in LA and working for the Sub Rosa who ask him to help out with a ghost infestation. There's a developing new love interest that is a "binary" but this angle seems somewhat tacked on to be more socially relevant as it never seems to be developed. There's also a subplot concerning a cult like group of occult extreme risk takers that never really held my interest and I kept wondering why Sandman Slim would even tolerate them. Also a whole lot of introspection by Jim and other characters. Disappointing entry and I hope it is not a harbinger of the future.

Ballistic Kiss is the latest in Richard Kadrey's Sandman Slim series. As a long-term fan of this series, I jumped at the opportunity to review this book for the publisher prior to its publication date. Although I am VERY thankful to the publisher for this opportunity, my review is completely my own.

So, if you're a fan of the Sandman Slim series, then you're going to be very satisfied with this book. If you're unfamiliar with this series, I would highly recommend starting at the beginning and making your way forward through the series. I think someone new to the series could find the book enjoyable, but a lot of the references would be completely missed without this prior series knowledge.

The book starts with James "Sandman Slim" Stark being asked by The Augur to deal with a little ghost problem they are having in Little Cairo. On top of that, Stark witnesses a strange cult-like group run across the interstate blindfolded. Some made it across the highway and some didn't. Of course, these two do have something in common, but I won't give that away here.

On top of the intrigue and mystery, Stark is still dealing with his relationship with Candy and his new relationship with Janet.

Probably one of my favorite features of this new novel is the exploration of Janet's status as a non-binary person. I really believe Kadrey handled this plot development well. We get to see Stark trying to understand what it means to be non-binary while learning to use appropriate pronouns. Personally, I live this bit of social consciousness and education was thrown into the book without it seem like Kadrey is trying to force something on his readers.

Overall, I think book 11 in the series is a really fun read.

Kadrey has done it again - Sandman Slim surely rests (slouchily, uncomfortably and likely with alcohol) among the best protagonists in paranormal fantasy. Within each novel, Kadrey presents the reader with questions and debates about understandings and beliefs in our world, framing them in an enthralling package, and Ballistic Kiss is no different. Stark is forced to examine his understanding of gender identity, religion and personal ethics, allowing the reader to vicariously debate these topics. His action scenes continue to be excellent, feeling both visceral and authentic, never shying away from placing Stark and his compatriots in real danger. At the same time, Kadrey writes emotion and grief as well, if not better, than any of his contemporaries. He evokes the gnawing despair and background grief that come with repeated exposure to loss with keen acuity. All in all, this is a fantastic entry into the Sandman Slim cannon, and clearly shows Kadrey's growth as an author.

Ballistic Kiss is the eleventh book in the Sandman Slim series. The series features a half-man, half-angel protagonist, James Stark, in a world filled with vampires, demons, and magic. Those of us wanting some Dresden file detective noir happily stumbled onto the first self-titled Sandman Slim book back in 2009.

Stark is quite an unconventional character. Being half-angel is only the start of it. He spent years in Hell, battling demons in gladiator pits. He's also a movie junkie, owning his own movie store, practically a relic these days. A lot of old Hollywood features in the SS series, fitting considering it's set in LA and you feel the culture through the writing. You would think being half-angel would mean that he's a handsome hero. You'd also be wrong. Stark is one of the most self-flagellating anti-heroes that you will meet in fiction, but at least does so with mostly humorous internal (and external for that matter) dialogue.

I just really struggle with Stark and his relationships. He's just so stunted emotionally that it's hard to commiserate with him during his woe-is-me moments. You spend so much time in his headspace that it wears thin pretty quickly. In this case, it's Janet with whom he's gone on a few friendly dates. Janet is non-binary and attempts to explain gender assumptions to Stark. Surprisingly, he's more accepting of it than I thought his character would be given his snarky ways and he spends the rest of the novel correcting himself with his pronouns. Janet is also the reason he ends up with The Zero Lodge, because who doesn't love playing red rover blindfolded in highway traffic.

It has been a while since I found myself in a Sandman Slim novel but it didn't take very long to immerse myself back into Stark's world. There was a lot to like about it. The Little Cairo ghostly infestation was an interesting side job but the real zinger here is The Zero Lodge. While I love paranormal detective noir and I understand that making your character flawed makes them more relatable, a "little less talk and a lot more action" is needed for me to love Sandman Slim.

Another really amazing installment in one of my favorite series. There is only one more book before I have to say goodbye to the most unlikely hero I've come across in a long time. James Stark, AKA Sandman Slim, captivated me from book one and Ballistic Kiss has done nothing to upset the trend.

Sandman Slim is back! And he's...a ghosthunter? The Augur has Stark trying to exorcise Little Cairo before the ghosts can escape and destroy the city of L.A. On top of that, Samael has him looking for an AWOL angel in the hope she can help to end the war in Heaven.

All of Stark's Sub Rosa and mundane friends are back, with the addition of Janet, a gender-fluid donut shop worker whose life Stark saved during the invasion of the High Plains Drifters. Between Janet and his old girlfriend Candy, Samael, the Augur, and ghosts, Stark nearly has more than he can handle. AND there's The Zero Lodge, a questionable group that play blindfolded tag on the freeway, among other fun activities. Oh, and there's a murder from the 1970s to be solved as well...

This is the eleventh book in the Sandman Slim series, and I hope Mr Kadrey writes more. I was hooked on the first page of the first book, when James Stark wakes up back on Earth in Hollywood Forever cemetery, after ten years in Hell; he's looking for revenge on the coven that sent him "Downtown" all those years ago.

The series is written in first person from Stark's point of view, and I just can't help but see and hear Bruce Campbell in his Evil Dead days (only with more scars) when I read and re-read this series. Each book has enough plot and sub-plots to keep the pages turning, but not so many as to be confusing.

Stark lives in L.A., and if one is familiar with area, it's easy to picture exactly where the action is taking place. The characters are very well written and believable, and encounter plenty of monsters and deities in impossible situations and wild locations.



Start from book one and read through Ballistic Kiss — or read Ballistic Kiss, then start with book one and read Ballistic Kiss again! I'm sure the series will become one of your favorite reads.

I'm sad that this series is coming to an end, and finding myself missing it even before its completely over. I know there's more to come, but ....... NOOOOOOOOOOOO I can't not have my Sandman Slim fix!! This again is a FABULOUS installment in this series, and Richard NEVER disappoints!