Honestly, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this one…but I totally enjoyed it!
Julie is a young woman who spends her days doing drugs…and Magick’s.
She has many friends…and each have their own type of specialty, but they somehow manage to make it all work…together!
Oh, and she also has a loser ex-boyfriend…who I’d like to smack in the head!
And a whole host of other characters, one more different than the next!

On top of all of this, we have these crazy, ugly, body-eating, skin-crawling, nightmare inducing, beings that want to kill a bunch of people around them!

We also have Julie’s old friend, who comes back to her after many years…

This was a quick read, and although it made me cringe many times, I also found myself laughing at times too!

So, although I am not a fan of gore and horror stories and zombies…this was pretty good!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for the ARC of the audiobook!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Oh…and there will be other books to follow…

#CassandraKhaw and #RiIchardKadrey.
#TheDeadTakeTheATrain.
P. S. Release date was yesterday, 10/3/23.

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3 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ

“The Dead Take The A Train” By Cassandra Khaw & Richard Kadrey

📕 Edition: Audiobook

This is a wild and unpredictable journey through the dark and magical underbelly of New York City. I was initially drawn to this book by its intriguing cover, expecting a story about zombies, but what I found within its pages was a whirlwind of monster-slaying, spells, ghosts, and even a guardian angel. To say that there's a lot going on in this book would be an understatement.

One of the standout features of this story is its unique blend of gore and humor. The authors manage to infuse even the most gruesome scenes with a sense of fun and humor. The sharp and witty dialogue adds to the overall enjoyment of the story, making it a genuinely entertaining read.

The book hooked me in from the start, with the first 20% of the story capturing my attention and setting high expectations. However, as the narrative progressed, it began to feel somewhat hard to follow. The sheer complexity and abundance of supernatural elements made it challenging to keep track of at times.

Overall it’s a unique and imaginative tale that combines elements of cosmic horror and gritty fantasy. If you're a fan of dark, supernatural urban fantasy with a healthy dose of humor, this book might be worth a read for you!

Natalie Naudus @natalienaudus does a fantastic job on the narration. Her ability to give distinct voices to the cast of characters added depth to the story and helped me stay engaged, even during the more slightly confusing parts.

Thank you @NetGalley, and @Macmillan.audio , @casskhaw , @rkadrey for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Dead Take The A Train is out TODAY!

I’ve been picking nothing but winners!

It’s got action! It’s got cosmic horror! It’s got some LGBTQIA+ rep! There’s romance! All kinds of monsters! The MC is a foul-mouthed, cocaine snorting, vodka drinking, sarcastic, monster hunter named Julie Crews. The characters are great to live or hate! The world’s weirdly interesting, I want to know more! There’s a little more horror in this one! Great narration! Ideal cover buy!

BRAVO!

Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio! I look forward to book 2 I the Carrion City series.

Publication date - TODAY! 10/3/23

Not being dead is a good baseline to work from…..

Book Information

“The Dead Take the A Train” by Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey is a 400-page science fiction/fantasy/horror novel published on October 3, 2023. The audio version is narrated by Natalie Naudus and spans 12 hours and 30 minutes. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.

Summary

Julie Crews, a coke-fueled, burnt-out thirty-something, strives to make her mark in the NYC magic scene through any means necessary. However, her relentless pursuit of success unwittingly attracts the attention of a vengeful god. Julie's power grab sets off a deadly chain of events, endangering her friends and the entire world.

My Thoughts

Bottom line up front: I loved this book.

"The Dead Take the A Train" by Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey is an absolute thrill ride that had me hooked from start to finish. This book offered nonstop action, surprises, and shocks that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. If you thought the apocalypse couldn't get any stranger, buckle up because this book turns it into a darkly hilarious, jaw-dropping spectacle.

The book is gritty. It’s a dark fantasy world. The story is fast-paced and irreverent, delivering a visceral and chaotic narrative filled with cosmic horrors. The authors' highly imaginative worldbuilding and characterization are incredibly engrossing and masterfully well done. It immersed me in a world like no other…but most importantly, it highly entertained me.

The prose in the book is a striking mix of beautiful and vulgar, showcasing the authors' impressive command of vocabulary and their ability to fully engage the reader. The writing flows smoothly, and the dialogue is sharp.

However, a word of caution for those easily offended by strong language—the book doesn't hold back. If profanity is a concern, it might be best to give this one a pass.

One of the standout elements of the book is its main character, Julie. Despite her apparent lack of redeeming qualities—self-destructive, substance-abusing, violent, and unpredictable—there's an unexpectedly huge heart beneath her tough exterior. The quirky supporting characters and dark humor, coupled with Julie's sarcastic demeanor, help balance out the horror aspects and add a human dimension to the story.

Another word of caution—this novel doesn't shy away from graphic descriptions of gore. From popping pustules to exploding eyeballs from otherworldly creatures and internal organs becoming external, the prose is vividly descriptive and shockingly graphic.

What truly caught me off guard, especially as someone not typically drawn to romance novels, is that deep down, this book weaves a love story amidst the looming threat of Armageddon. It delivers an exceptional fusion of emotions, making it an undeniably enjoyable experience.

The audiobook is enhanced by the exceptional narration of Natalie Naudus. She doesn't just read the story; she performs it. Her soothing and captivating voice, coupled with impeccable pacing and passion, significantly elevated my enjoyment of the book. It's an unforgettable auditory experience. Naudus now ranks among my favorite narrators.

Recommendation

"The Dead Take the A Train" is a fun, fast-paced, and wild read that combines dark fantasy, irreverence, and shockingly funny moments. In a world where the bizarre meets the visceral, this book is the explosive Pandora's box you won't be able to put down. If you're looking for an immersive and thrilling experience, this is a ride you won't want to miss.

Rating

5 Barbed Wire Magic Stars

The Dead Take The A Train by Cassandra Khaw & Richard Kadrey is a great Dark Fantasy Horror.
This was a fun read with plenty of action, humor, drama, and gore with graphic descriptions.
Julie is a brutal monster hunter. She spends too much on alcohol and drugs and can barely pay the rent. Julie is good at what she does. When her best friend, Sarah, comes to stay with her things get crazy.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I haven't actually finished this book yet, but I like it so much I wanted to share my thoughts. This isn't your typical fantasy with a barely legal Mary Sue lead. Julie struggles with drugs, booze, and optimism, becoming her own worst enemy and impediment to a productive life.

This is a smart, funny tale of a prickly woman in her 30's and the many mistakes she makes. Will she achieve the good life? Don't know yet, but kind of hope she doesn't.

Natalie Naudus is a soap bubble; clean, clear, and bouyant. Her narration is always stellar.

I requested an ALC of this audiobook after seeing lots of hype about it across socials, and I tell you what, it was definitely a wild ride. And a gross one! On the whole, I enjoyed the narrator's work, though I felt some of the line reads (especially for Sarah) came across a bit more "damsel in distress" than the character and writing warranted. But I really enjoyed her work in making each character stand out within the narration. The story itself was quite sprawling, and I admit I did lose the plot a couple of times. But it was still fun to listen along, and I'm sure I'll check out the sequel someday!

Campy dark horror meets magic in New York City.
Julie is always working to climb her way to the top even when it means battling demons and monsters, but her friends and enemies end up in the crossfire along the way. This is described as “cosmic horror” which is a new genre to me, and one I didn’t quite connect with, but fans of NYC can appreciate the references. Also great for fans of snarky characters and gritty dark humor.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is out now.

This book is nuts and I loved every second of it! Yes, it’s gory. Yes, it’s completely bonkers. And yes, there are monsters, parasites, and tons of otherworldly creatures. There is also found friendship, a budding romance, and plenty of magic!

New York City is the perfect setting because no one bats an eye when something weird happens. If any city truly has a behind-the-scenes magical landscape, it’s going to be NYC. The combination of Cassandra Khaw's particular brand of horror and Richard Kadrey's flair for fantasy provide for a unique reading experience you won’t soon find in any other book! Unless book 2 is coming which…..I’m totally hoping for!

With an out-of-the-box story such as this one, you need an equally animated narrator for the audio version and Natalie Naudus DELIVERS. Her firm grasp on the sarcasm thickly spread throughout this tale is a five star performance on its own. I read most of this book as I followed along with the audio and it truly enhanced the experience for me!

If you’re a fan of gruesome horror, an out of this world plot, and likable characters, definitely add this one to your lists!

I received an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

What a fun story. A little spooky and weird, I love that. It gave big David Wong vibes. Silly at times but serious to itself. You love to hate the characters and still find yourself rooting for the MC. I could have done without some of the repetitious lines but overall a great read.

This book was B.A.N.AN.A.S. in a completely amazing way! Gruesome and gory and hilarious and fun and I cannot wait for the second book in this duology.
Julie is a demon hunter who is just barely getting by on the meager earnings from exorcising demons, casting spells and ghost-hunting. When her best friend, Sarah, shows up at her front door, Julie will do just about anything to protect her. Casting a spell for a guardian "angel", Julie unwittingly unleashes pure evil among the city.
So many layers and crazy characters and storylines that will need to get all wrapped up neatly in the second book. At least that is what I'm hoping for. That, and a happy ending for poor Julie.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio e-arc.*

The Dead Take the A Train was at the very least a breath of fresh and foul air. The story was different than most things I've read recently. There were characters who far exceeded their expectations. It's not hard to do that when the bar is as low as some of these characters seemed to set their life goals.

I sometimes thought that the author was trying really hard to be shocking and grotesque. I'm not sure if it was overdone or worked. Either way, it was fun to read about how these characters all came together.

The Dead Take the A Train is a wonderful depiction of found family and unconditional love. This novel allows its characters to collide with their world in a way that I really enjoyed. It's entertaining and keeps you engaged throughout the entirety of the book. I found myself really into the story when we were following Julie, especially in the second half.
My only issue with this book is most likely because I listened to it on audio instead of physically reading it, and has to do with the amount of characters you are following. If I were to have read this novel physically I believe I would be able to keep up with the characters and the stories that intertwined together with a little more ease.
Overall, The Dead Take the A Train was a whirlwind of a ride that I want to experience again.

The Dead Take the A Train by Cassandra Khaw
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This new UF is a very nice surprise. We've got seedy corporate underbelly with cutthroat cyberpunkish-vibes with a total lawful evil Old Ones Cthulhu ethos and a bunch of street folk just trying to survive the Greater Evil, brain parasites, and corporate NDAs.

It's smart and delightfully horrific.

It's like you take all the Wolfram and Hart aspects of Angel, run with it as it is all of New York City, and you don't have any mythical savior at your back. It's all gritty.

And in the meantime, we just try to find a little sweet love against all the odds. HEA? Maybe. But there's also an elder god whose babies want to eat the world, so you've gotta juggle these things, ya know?


Khaw and Kadrey. These two authors are some of my gritty favorites anyway. Together, they whip up something FUN. Happy Spooktober! We're off to a great new start!

Let me be clear - if you don't have a stomach for gore or body horror, you're not the audience for this book. But if you do, it's definitely worth adding to your TBR.

The Dead Take the A Train focuses on Julie, a struggling magic user in New York who finds herself trying to dig her way out of a deep and disgusting hole. If you liked the secret sub society world of Scott Westerfield's "Peeps" and the deeply disturbing imagery of Andrew White's "Hell Followed with Us" you'll love this.

In terms of the story, I thought the magic system was complex and interesting. I don't know that I ever figured out every nuance of how it worked, but frankly, I didn't mind. I was also impressed by the way the individual pieces of the story come together. It felt really satisfying.

The audiobook narration is phenomenal, and I highly recommend listening to this book. I will say, I liked Julie more and found her to be more endearing on 1.5x speed, even though I'm normally a strict 1x listener.

I had some minor complaints about the pacing, I felt like the plot lagged a bit from 60-70% on the audiobook, but the plot revs back up. At first, I was bothered because I didn't actually empathize with many of the characters, but as the plot continued, I found that this didn't hinder me from enjoying the story. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me get a preview before pub day!

The Dead Take the A Train is a wild ride from start to finish, full of action, horror, and humor, with well-developed and likable characters. The author does a great job of creating a New York City that is both familiar and strange, with a fast-paced and exciting plot that builds suspense and keeps the reader engaged. The writing is beautiful and evocative, but can be a bit too flowery at times. Overall, this is a fun and exciting read that is highly recommended to fans of dark fantasy.

I have liked Cassandra Khaw’s works, so I was excited to read this - especially with Natalie Naudus narrating. However, I found it so hard to follow. I feel like it could’ve been tightened up a bit to keep the focus on the more main characters. I am DNF at 65% but will be recommending to those that like paranormal horror.

I loved this! Fantasy horror is such a great genre, and these two authors hit it out of the park. The different POVs were done well, and I enjoyed the way the "villain" was characterized a lot. This definitely walks the line of how much gore I can handle, so if you're really not into gore I would steer clear of this one. This was brutal and gross and I cannot wait for more from both these authors and this world!\
Audiobook specifically: I really enjoyed the narrator for this title! It really made the story come alive to be able to hear it, and it was done so well!

What an absolute mind bend 😂 for 90%, I was lost but honestly it was so much fun!! What a bizarre and gory world to experience. The body horror was fantastically gruesome, and I loved every minute of it. A cast of characters that can only be described as ramshackle, that made me smile and laugh, and cringe 😬 I’ll definitely be reading more from this author, and 100% if there are more books to come in a series with this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC. This was a bloody fun read! I really enjoyed our FMC Julie and the narrator did a great job with this one. I’ve read two other books by Shaw and although they weren’t my favorite, I throughly enjoyed this one! It’s got magic, gore, sci-fi and queer representation.

I’m already excited for book two!