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Ebook Review: Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey

[image error]Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey is a fantastical twist on the kinds of books my father loves, those hardboiled detective fiction paperbacks set in L.A. amid murdered starlets, corrupt rich moguls and whiskey soaked sleuthing. Here, Kadrey's twist is a celestial playground where diabolists and federal saints carry on a secret war, while meddling magicians play both sides.

In true hardboiled style, the story is one tough guy's first person account, replete with catchy commentary and colorful similes. It's the book's strongest suit – the mischievous, cynical voice of the titular Sandman Slim (a.k.a. Jimmy Stark) riddled with language that's been dipped in razor blades and gasoline, and set alight with black candles for kicks. Kadrey mostly avoids tiresome social commentary, and his anti-hero is thankfully more chuckle-worthy than annoying.

As Stark's tale begins, he finds himself escaped from hell – literally. He spent 11 years as Azazel's gladiator, entertaining and ultimately terrifying the minions of Lucifer. He's special. He has a few special tricks, including a creepy knife, a diabolical token that would make Batman's Two Face blush, and a special key in his heart that lets him walk through shadows anywhere in the universe. He still prefers to steal luxury cars, though.

Stark has a single-minded goal – kill his old magician pals who sent him to hell and then killed Alice, the love of his life. As he stumbles around toward that goal like a minotaur in a China shop, Stark is absurdly tough. He battles wily magicians, pissed off angels, and ethereal demons posing as Neo Nazis. And, he emerges with a few scars and a headache, which he then dowses in Jack Daniels and a little sip of his best friend's alchemical solutions. He goes through more clothes than he does antiseptic, though. It's a running gag that Stark has a harder time keeping himself dressed than he does getting shot.

The alchemical best friend is a delightful character, the best of a cast of supporting characters that Kadrey breathes just enough color into. Vidocq's a kind of father figure to Stark. He's a 200-year-old Frenchman who cursed himself with alchemical immortality, which gives him plenty of experience as Stark's wise advisor.

Stark's flaw is that he doesn't know what's really going on. Kadrey tosses Stark from one set piece to another, then back again, as Stark keeps getting banged up by supernatural mysteries he doesn't comprehend. Or care about. The problem isn't that the story unfolds for the readers as it does for Stark. The problem is that Stark doesn't give a damn about it all even when he does slowly realize the apocalyptic nature of it all. The story becomes a bit of expository ping pong as Stark bounces from one celestial conspirator to the next.

Still, Kadrey pulls off the anti-hero trick in the end with a violent build and a chase through hell. It's the denouement where Kadrey stumbles slightly. After the dust (and hellfire) settles, Stark visits his doctor friend, who then explains to him the whole romp, with all the celestial hierarchy laid bare. It's a bit unsatisfying after the fact.

Then, the book pulls off a trick that's so bad it's good. It's the only book I've ever read that has a diabolus ex machina! Again, a bit unsatisfying, but I will say Kadrey writes the scene deliciously, a sort of Milton meets Chandler moment.

Sandman Slim: B+

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Up next: Sandman Slim

The Kindle has arrived, and not far behind it a handsome black leather cover with built-in reading light.

I spent way too much time looking over ebooks to buy. I'm picky about books that way. With a recommendation from my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, I finally settled on Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey. So far, it's one hell of a ride … literally. The narrator finds himself returned from an 11 "vacation" in hell. Now, he's back to as Hell's hitman.

Great stuff, not for the faint of heart. It's a hard boiled take on modern fantasy. It's right up my alley. Like I always say, I don't trust anyone who doesn't swear. No shit!

Review to come!

Happy holidays all. Looking forward to time off from work and getting some reading done. And drinking.

Up Next: Sandman Slim

The Kindle has arrived, and not far behind it a handsome black leather cover with built-in reading light.

I spent way too much time looking over ebooks to buy. I'm picky about books that way. With a recommendation from my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, I finally settled on Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey. So far, it's one hell of a ride … literally. The narrator finds himself returned from an 11 "vacation" in hell. Now, he's back to as Hell's hitman.

Great stuff, not for the faint of heart. It's a hard boiled take on modern fantasy. It's right up my alley. Like I always say, I don't trust anyone who doesn't swear. No shit!

Review to come!

Happy holidays all. Looking forward to time off from work and getting some reading done. And drinking.

Floor to Ceiling Books shares best of 2010

Magemand at the Floor to Ceiling Books blog just released her The Floor to Ceiling Books Awards – 2010. The list is a good snapshot at goings on in genre publishing and reading. I'm intrigued by her novel of the year — sounds like something I'd enjoy.

P.S. Also, Blogrolled!

Book Review: The Name of the Wind

Every few years, fantasy fiction seems to rally 'round the standard of a handful of books touted as the savior of the era, books of such fabulous craft and wonder that they represent new shifts in the art. I've eyed The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss precisely because I have observed that furor rising around this book – in cover blurbs, in book store displays, on blogs and Amazon reviews. To say nothing of my own wife's slightly tempered praise of the book. Alas, my review is a minority report.

Like many other works heralded among fantasists as the state of the art, The Name of the Wind – part one of The Kingkiller Chronicles – is a weighty tome exceeding 600 pages, though unlike some epics its focus isn't a broad cast of characters. Here is the framed narrative of Kvothe, an apparently retired legend who agrees to record his coming-of-age with a biographer and scholar named Chronicler.

The narrative frame serves a larger purpose, and hints at one of Rothfuss' recurring foreshadowing devices. Kvothe, incognito as a small town innkeeper, mentions his legendary feats before the narrative unfolds. Rothfuss uses the technique within the narrative itself. He has a habit of end the books mostly brief chapters with single lines surprises that sometimes delight, but often cheapen the book (the surprises are frequently disarmed and explained within one paragraph in the following chapter).  But, more importantly, the framed narrative tantalizes with legendary feats that will, of course, take part in future sequels of the series. Here again, it too frequently cheapens the work as a novel with its own merit.

Kvothe's impossibly accomplished youth is surrounded by endearing poverty. Kvothe learns acting and music from his famous parents and their travelling Gypsy-like troupe. He then spends three miserable years living as a beggar and thief in a bustling port city. Then, somewhat inexplicably, Kvothe then finds himself the most gifted pupil at the University, a sophisticated school for aspiring arcanists. Throughout it all, Kvothe is the over-achiever. He is not just a talented musician, but apparently one of the most gifted in the world. He's accepted into the university at a younger age than any other … and they pay him to attend, rather than charging tuition. The narrative strings along Kvothe's constant obsession with being destitute, but of course he never truly suffers by being broke. Inevitably, his superlative talents land him in yet another fortuitous gain.

Strung together, these ups and downs are an illusion. They are mainly ups, and serve only as downs in so far as they further show Kvothe's charm and brilliance. In short, he's a sanctimonious annoyance of a protagonist, a frustrating Mary Sue. Many of Kvothe's supposed mistakes and life conflicts are the result of  him being too brilliant or too talented.

Even more strangely, he's a virginal prude obsessed with the one woman the book spends any time developing. Kvothe spends half or more of the book chasing after and pining after Denna, the aloof, mysterious girl with whom he's obsessed. The book fails to capture any of the charm of a first love of teenage romance, and instead presents a clueless boy who believes himself too pure to sully her troubled life with even a kiss.

And troubled lives? I hardly know what the fuss is about. Most of the action is Kvothe either fretting about how many pieces of iron and copper coins he holds at the moment, or negotiating with others to buy or get more coin. Rothfuss does an admirable job imagining a world with tinkers and coins and quaint shops. There is life and vitality there, but the legends are few and far between. Such events happen either away from the actual narrative, or in a book that isn't published as of this review.

When Kvothe's narrative does reveal the events for which he's now famous or infamous, we get his side of the story. This is some of the book's best attempts at humanizing a massively legendary character. Kvothe's memoir reveals how simply he achieved reputation – like dropping a massive iron wheel on the drug-addled herbivore dragon that inadvertently wrecks a small town. I think Rothfuss is trying to examine the power of a real character assuming the life of the legend – the pains and wild rumor and push and pull of relationships. It's a noble theme, but one that Rothfuss ultimately can't pull off.

I wish I could say I made up that bit about the drug-addicted dragon. The dragon – excuse me, draccus – sequence is a bizarre non sequitur that serves largely as the book's climax. It interrupts Kvothe's main quest – seeking out some dark hooded figures called the Chandrian. Kvothe's main motivation is a vengeance-minded drive to find information about the fairy-tale figures, the Chandrian.

But as villains, the Chandrian are far from frightening. The book reveals far too little for me to care who or what they are. I have no doubt there is more in store in upcoming books, but Rothfuss fails to capture interest in this one.

So, clearly, I'm not one rallying to the banner of The Name of the Wind as a stand out among fantasy literature. I can see what the fuss is about, I simply don't agree with it. There is much to like in the book, but it falls short with a frustrating protagonist, largely non-existent antagonists, and a plodding story that, despite pleasant reader, ultimately bores.

Here's the true test for me. The sequel, The Wise Man's Fear, arrives with some fanfare later this winter. I have barely any interest in investing in another hundred chapters.

The Name of the Wind: C-

Angry Robot Books short fiction store now open

The Angry Robot Books short fiction line I mentioned in a previous post is now open. They have 27 downloads for sale, many of which are actually more than 1 short fiction piece.

Check out the short fiction store list.

Up next: The Name of the Wind

I've kicked off a new read — instant  classic The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I've caught wind (ahem, see what I did there?) that this is big hit of a book among fantasy readers. And, the wife recommends it. So, I dived in while flying back from New York last week. So far, it's intriguing, although I find the main character, Kvothe, a little too perfect for his own good. Yes, yes, I get it. He's a super genius and knows all. My wife assures me he finds trouble anyway. I'll be curious to see if it lives up to the hype.

Book Review: The Pale Horseman

[image error]I just spent a couple days on the road on business – a jaunt to Manhattan. While the trip delayed some development here on the new blog, I did manage to finally finish up my print copy of The Pale Horseman, by Bernard Cornwell.

It's the second in Cornwell's Saxon series. I read the first, The Last Kingdom, late last summer. Despite that book's slow build to an exciting finish, I found the narrating main character, Uhtred, fascinating, even endearing.  He's a spirited warrior, a Saxon from northern English lands, who is captured at a young age and raised as a pagan Dane. Uhtred's skepticism, passion, and boldness are refreshing. But, it's his violent nature and reckless spirit that not only gets him into all kinds of interesting trouble in his adventures, it also complicates his moral nature for readers. Cornwell's writing historical adventure here, with heavy emphasis on adventure and action. It's well suited for an escapist read with a root in historical context, but has a slight taint of machismo. I find myself cheering for Uhtred in the series, but then realize some of the awful things he participates in, namely violence and a sketchy treatment of some women in his life.

In The Pale Horseman, Uhtred's tale continues. He's quickly saddled with the complicated life of a married, landed nobleman despite his wishes to be free of his obligations and beat the invading Danes at their own game. Cornwell captures that excitement quickly as Uhtred raids Cornwallum, finds a mysterious pagan lover, and ransacks a major Dane warlord.

But, as Uhtred abandons his obligations for a time, he suffers for it. He faces accusations at the court of Alfred, the king of Wessex, this historical king of England now known as Alfred the Great. Before he can finish trial by combat, Danes invade Wessex, and Uhtred escapes. Unwittingly, he rescues Alfred himself, and the core of the book is Uhtred's reluctant effort to improve his standing with Alfred. Sequestered in a swampy domain, Alfred and Uhtred gather a rag tag band that soon swells to an army of Wessex, and underdog effort to repel the Danes from Wessex once and for all.

Throughout it all, Uhtred retains his pagan beliefs, despite the highly pious Alfred and several other Christian warriors and women. I'm fond of this tension, especially between Uhtred and Alfred. Uhtred constantly seems like the wiser skeptic, but Alfred manages to find fortune in his beliefs at nearly every turn.

The climax of the book is, again, a large battle between Saxons and Danes, a press of shield walls and bloody mayhem. Here, the battle is more prolonged than the similar ending of The Last Kingdom. Cornwall appears to be falling into a formula a bit. It goes something like Uhtred loses everything, meets a mysterious and sexy woman, then recaptures glory with his heroics and passion in battle, despite losing his woman in the process.

Still, as I said, the series is endearing. Uhtred isn't a gallant. He has his flaws, but remains captivating. Meanwhile, his rough and tumble companions are amusing, often tough exteriors with tender-hearted interiors. But, they aren't much more realized that that. For all his sanctimony, Alfred remains the best realized character in the series, and the only one with any growth and depth.

The Pale Horseman is a good read, a historical romp with enough viking color to delight. I've not read Cornwell's other works, but am pretty familiar with the formulas of his famous Sharpe's series. He's at it here, too, crafting a slightly formulaic but entirely enjoyable adventure yarn that's enjoyable far outside the British isles.

The Pale Horseman: B

Man at work!

I'm still digging around for a better theme for the blog. Bear with me as designs change over the next few days.

Angry Robot Books opens short story store

[image error]Electronic fiction really is booming, and I'm finding a vast universe of people, publishers, blogs and more out there. Today's discovery is Angry Robot Books. Starting December 1,the British based publisher will launch an online store selling short fiction in ePub format.

Dubbing the short fiction "Nano Editions," Angry Robot will bundle stories for less than $1, or selections of 10 pieces for under $6. Content will be DRM-free.

Get full details in Angry Robot Book's Nano Editions announcement.

I'm eager to see this in action!