I got to read an ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Our series finale begins with a pandemic of unknown origin raging through Los Angeles, causing total chaos, garbage build up, out of control gangs, and the terror that your friends will kill you by breathing on you (Stark has to be reminded so many times to wear his mask!). Sound familiar? Even the Sub Rosa aren't safe from this plague. So what is our floundering Sandman Slim supposed to do amidst all this uncertainty? Why, find someone to fight, of course!

King Bullet, the big bad, is controlling all the gang violence, and seems unstoppable. Abbott hires Stark to take him down, but Stark has suspicions about Abbott's motives. KB seems to have it out for Stark personally, and does his best to make it personal to Jimmy dear as well. The whole crew gets together, giving Stark lots of time to pine for Candy, and consider the many other women in his life.

Overall, this final installment was as exciting as every other Sandman Slim book and was exactly what we've come to expect. To that end... it just felt like another installment. I would want the big bad in the series finale to be an extra special villain, someone who's identity has meaning and emotional ties to our hero, and I don't think King Bullet fit that bill. Stark was clearly still trying to overcome his past experiences and be a better person, mentioning his PTSD pills several times, but we never really got the chance to see if he was making progress or not. Other than that, the ending was very satisfying, our chance to bon voyage all the major characters was fulfilled, and I had a lot of fun reading it. Best of all, Kadrey left a little wiggle room for a continuation at some point if he so desires!

Any reader this far into the series has some idea of what to expect with Kadrey and Sandman Slim.

What I wasn't expecting was perhaps the delicacy and care it handled and worked in some of the darker themes. I appreciate the content warning at the start, and the conversation between Stark and his guest broke my heart in the first few pages.

There is perhaps, most... raw and present, the plague theme. I don't know if that was Kadrey's original plan or if he changed it. But it hits you in the gut, reading it still in the middle of a pandemic, while offering escapism.

I'm a huge fan of the Sandman Slim series and was very excited to get a chance to read this early copy, this final book of the series didn't disappoint.

James Stark is a Nephilim with a kick ass and take names attitude, he has no love for the angels above or below and finds himself up against an adversary that is his equal (if not more so). With the gang working to help Stark and survive this new threat, we find lessons being learned and amends made. Kadrey doesn't leave anything behind with this final book, and without giving anything away... the ending is classic Stark.

If you haven't read this series, I recommend doing so from the beginning. You won't regret it and I highly recommend.

Great finish to a series I’ve enjoyed so much. Fantastic characters, exciting action sequences, and great dialogue. Thank you for the opportunity to read!

Twelve books into a series, how do end it?
Do you end with a quip and a metaphor about life? How about a callback to the opening book, a reference to eleven years ago in the first book?
When a reader has invested this much time/energy into a series, the ending will never please everyone (Looking at you Dark Tower).
So if the story ending isn't going to make everyone happy, let's look at the characters instead. This story is about Sandman Slim, and for him, the ending is amazing. One of the best character arcs I can think of, even if a little heavy handed.
King Bullet has a pandemic, riots, fire and brimstone, regret and forgiveness. A good ending to a story started a lifetime ago.
My only real criticism is the book tried to do too much too fast. The series has a certain pacing/feeling to each book, and this story would have benefited from a more thorough telling.
Kadrey, you did good. Thank you.
**I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.