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Soul Remains

(Terribly Serious Darkness #2)

Sam Hooker (Goodreads Author)

3.48 · Rating details · 42 ratings · 28 reviews

It’s Dark in the Old Country.

Where do goblins come from? Why do they only turn up in the Old Country, and why do they like swearing so much? In the second book of Terribly Serious Darkness, Sloot Peril—a “hero” who’s staunchly averse to heroics—goes searching for answers. Much to his chagrin, he finds them.

Everything changed after the Fall of Salzstadt, but try telling tha ...more

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Paperback, 330 pages

Published April 23rd 2019 by Black Spot Books

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· 42 ratings · 28 reviews

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Dec 29, 2018 Montzalee Wittmann rated it really liked it

Soul Remains (Terribly Serious Darkness #2) by Sam Hooker is a book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary. I really think the author is related to Monty Python. This book has similar wit, cleverness, and crazy characters one might expect from the Python movies. This is book two and I didn't read book one but I can't say I felt behind, the story caught me up so I had no lag time. I think my jaws are sore from smiling! 😆 This was a fun book to read, I will have to make time to rea ...more

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Jan 03, 2019 Koeur rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Publishing Date: April 2019

Publisher: Black Spot

ISBN: 9781732935723

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 1.2/5

Publisher’s Description: It’s Dark in the Old Country. Where do goblins come from? Why do they only turn up in the Old Country, and why do they like swearing so much? In the second book of Terribly Serious Darkness, Sloot Peril—a “hero” who’s staunchly averse to heroics—goes searching for answers. Much to his chagrin, he finds them. Everything changed after the Fall of Salzstadt, but try telling that to ...more

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Apr 14, 2019 Lauren Stoolfire rated it liked it

Shelves: horror, historical-fiction, fantasy

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley I exchange for an honest review.

Soul Remains by Sam Hooker is a good follow up to Peril in the Old Country. This time the Old Country is in danger and Sloot just might be the hero the people deserve. There's just one small thing before Sloot can begin his adventures - he's a ghost. That's right Sloot is dead, but he's still just as willing (but incompetent) to save his home. Just like in the previous installment my favorite aspect is the absurd ...more

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Jul 27, 2019 Amanda rated it liked it

I finally got a chance to sit and read this book and I absolutely loved it! This brings the after life into a whole new light. There are rules and just a whole community. I can’t wait to read more!

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May 12, 2019 Rusty rated it really liked it

Shelves: own-not-read

In Peril in the Old Country, we were introduced to Sloot Peril, a strangely likeable accountant who is about as uninteresting a character as one is like to meet. And, honestly, I suspect Sloot would be perfectly OK with that description, thank you very much. Sloot is a by-the-books, routine-driven, compulsive and predictable man who would be much happier with his ledger books than anything else.

Sloot is back in Soul Remains and again he is pushed well outside of his comfort zone (which is extrem In Peril in the Old Country, we were introduced to Sloot Peril, a strangely likeable accountant who is about as uninteresting a character as one is like to meet. And, honestly, I suspect Sloot would be perfectly OK with that description, thank you very much. Sloot is a by-the-books, routine-driven, compulsive and predictable man who would be much happier with his ledger books than anything else.

Sloot is back in Soul Remains and again he is pushed well outside of his comfort zone (which is extremely infinitesimal) only now, it is as a ghost. You see, sadly for Sloot his adventure in the first book ended with his death. However it did not end his part in the story. Many of the friends and foes that he met in Old Country are back in this new story, but many are taking on different forms: one is now a demon, another might actually be a goblin, and, well that is just some of the least bizarre.

Perhaps the most noticeable strengths of Old Country was the humor which was often very witty and smart. The same humor is ratcheted up in Soul Remains, and I honestly felt at times as though it was in fact too much, occasionally tripping up the flow and pacing of the story and stealing the show. While I appreciate the clever analysis and social commentary that often comes out of the humor, it would have been better for me if it would have been used a little more sparingly. Nevertheless, it was still a highlight of the book.

The characters are developed largely through dialog (which is done well and is heavily peppered with more of the humor), and we see a very different side of Sloot. Well, it might be more accurate to say that we get glimpses of a different Sloot. Watching him evaluate the world through a different set of lenses than the tried-and-true, seeing him struggle to change his perspective, and rooting for him to somehow save the day, we in turn get to peek at our own faults. I found myself asking, “Am I this afraid of change?” “Do I avoid taking risks for these reasons?” “Do I come across this awkwardly to others?” (I think I can see myself in Sloot more easily than I would like to admit.)

At the end of it all, this was another enjoyable story. Unfortunately, it took me a little while to get into the story (again because the humor was too liberally applied in the early chapters). I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars, and I will round it up to 4 because I like Sloot so much.

I would recommend this book for anyone who loves silly books with smart, witty humor. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for my unbiased and honest review. ...more

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Apr 15, 2019 Armand Rosamilia rated it really liked it

Absurd and funny, the author dashes in parts of wild fantasy, Monty Python humor and clever puns, all wrapped in a story that keeps you reading. A fun and quick read!

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Apr 01, 2019 Dawie rated it liked it

I enjoyed this story, i struggled through the puns and punclines but got out on the other side better equiped in my English vocabulary. Thank you kind Sam and the people of Salt.

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Mar 21, 2019 Ioanna rated it it was ok

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sloot Peril is back. Well, not back as expected, since he's now a ghost, but nevertheless back. The Old Country is in danger. Goblins roam around the cities, and the Domnitor—long may he reign—has left the building (sorry, the city). Everything seems lost - but, wait; maybe Sloot is the hero everyone's been expecting. Can Sloot save the day (and the Domnitor-long may he reign-from being kidnapped) ...more

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May 01, 2019 Annie rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Soul Remains is the second book in the Terribly Serious Darkness series by Sam Hooker. Released 23rd April 2019 by Black Spot books, it's 330 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

I've encountered some books which somehow either really resonate with me or just fall completely flat. They're sort of the literary equivalent of some fiercely extreme sports manoeuvre which either works flawlessly and leaves everyone breathless or winds Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Soul Remains is the second book in the Terribly Serious Darkness series by Sam Hooker. Released 23rd April 2019 by Black Spot books, it's 330 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

I've encountered some books which somehow either really resonate with me or just fall completely flat. They're sort of the literary equivalent of some fiercely extreme sports manoeuvre which either works flawlessly and leaves everyone breathless or winds up with a trip to the A&E/emergency room (or morgue). This book is very much in that vein. It reminds me a lot of what might happen if Lemony Snickett and Glen Cook got together and wrote a book. It's quite morbid in places and main character Sloot needs a smack 'round the noggin sometimes, but somehow it is readable and quite funny in places. I'm pretty jaded and this one managed to surprise a few giggles out of me on my bus commute to work.

The author is undeniably gifted. The book is full of repartee and the dialogue is well crafted. I did not read the books in order and found no trouble following along with the plot. The backstory is skillfully woven into the narrative. That being said, I often needed a break because the dialogue and writing spin wildly off into sub-plots and asides at whiplash speed. For readers who prefer a more sedate style of writing, this one will have you rending hair and gnashing teeth; it's like an albino ferret on speed. Ditto for readers who need their characters to have proper names and not sort of Dickens-on-crack which Mr. Hooker provides (Sloot Peril, Mrs. Knife, Dr. Widdershins, Vlad Defenestratia the Invader (*snicker*) just to name a few).

I found it quite humorous and extremely quirky and well written. For me, it worked. I can well imagine other readers reading it and wondering what in the world I was thinking. For readers who are on the fence, use the sample feature on Amazon and try a chapter.

I will be looking for the next books from this author.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes ...more

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Apr 16, 2019 Diane Hernandez rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

In Soul Remains, the hapless and unlucky accountant, Sloot, is still trying to save his beloved city, Salzstadt, from everything bad. Everything bad now includes the walking dead and goblin multitudes plus the increasingly bizarre inability of city residents to see that anything is wrong.

You can’t keep Sloot down. Though he was killed at the end of the previous book in this series, he is back as a ghost. That doesn’t stop Sloot from being just as willing (and unfortunately incompetent) to save h ...more

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Feb 14, 2019 Kira rated it did not like it

Shelves: advanced-reader-copies

This book reminds me of a play I saw once. Lots of exuberant characters always coming and going. Random asides that don’t seem to fit or move the the storyline. Some laughs along the way to keep you interested.

In the end though, it just wasn’t my play and this isn’t my book.

Sloot Peril keeps things grounded. Even if he’s no longer grounded himself as he’s a ghost that floats through the ether. Except when he’s summoned for spy duty by what used to be his head and is now a shrunken head worn on a ...more

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Apr 21, 2019 Michael rated it it was amazing

I had the opportunity to get a chance to read this before release. I honestly do not know how this author got under my radar. If you are a fan of Lemony Snicket with the morbidity of Poe than you really need to pick this book up. If they made this into a movie or tv series it would definitely be something that Tim Burton would do well with. I personally am a fan of a book with good dialogue and being able to think outside of the usual in that dialogue, this is one of those books. Now with that s ...more

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Jun 04, 2019 Gini Rainey rated it really liked it

This book came to me from the publisher for review, and while not necessarily a book I would personally choose to read, I know there would be a huge following for this type of literature. If you are interested in witches, goblins, ghosts, demons, and the walking dead, you will totally love this book.
Sam Hooker has quite a way with words and puts a whole new twist on the meaning of life after death. A lot of the time, his tongue-in-cheek humor kept me reading, but I had a difficult time with the ...more

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Mar 29, 2019 Annie rated it really liked it

Poor Sloot Peril. He suffered terrible trials in the first book in the series, Peril in the Old Country. Sloot went from humble accountant in the impenetrable bureaucracy of Salzstadt before being wrapped up in evil schemes, international warfare, and falling in love. I’m not sure whether or not to be surprised to see him again at the beginning of Soul Remains. On the one hand, what happened to Sloot at the end of the first book in the series should have meant that, at the very least, we should ...more

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Mar 12, 2019 Guinevere rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed this book! It was funny, and different. I enjoyed it just as much as the first. The sense of humor really is very British, like Monty Python, and the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. Sloot has you rooting for him the whole time! I felt like the language used made it a lot easier to really invest myself in the story. It made it an easy read. The denial of everyone about the evil, can be a bit frustrating. I find willing ignorance to be really annoying. This book is a bit ...more

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Mar 28, 2019 Devyn rated it it was ok

I can't say that I loved the first book in this series, so it's no surprise that I didn't love the second. It's sad, because there's so much promise in Hooker's writing, but the run-on sentences and endless pointless descriptions are so tedious to read. It's still quirky, and I can see these books appealing to fans of Tim Burton, Neil Gaiman and Douglas Adams, but it's just a bit much for me. Too strange, too in-my-face. The dialogue is clever but gives me a headache to keep up with it. I'd be i ...more

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Dec 24, 2018 Joel Mitchell rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

Warning: to avoid angry swearing (and the resultant summoning of goblins) be advised that after this initial paragraph there will be terribly serious spoilers for the first book in the series: Peril in the Old Country. Not only should you not read beyond this paragraph if you have not read Peril in the Old Country, but you should also not read Soul Remains. The absurdist plot to this book picks up shortly after the previous one left off and does not bother to do much in the way of reintroducing ...more

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Apr 24, 2019 Mi-ch-elle rated it liked it

The second installment of the “Terribly Serious Darkness” series by Sam Hooker is a hilarious adventure of humor, wit and absolute craziness - particularly the characters.

Although I have not read the first book in the series I was able to follow the second book with no immediate hassles or pauses in the book.

Poor Sloot. He is an unwitting character in loyalties to many people in life and in death.

I find that there is a lot of little occurrences happening all at once throughout the book. Which ...more

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Jan 05, 2020 Sam rated it it was ok

Disappointed. I LOVED the first book. I loved the story and the characters and the writing and flew through it in two days. I went straight to the library to get this one; I couldn't wait to start it.... then I almost didn't finish it several a times over the couple of weeks I slogged through it. Way too many characters and plot lines to keep track of. I had no idea what was happening at any given time and I kept forgetting who all the characters were who didn't really serve a purpose to the sto ...more

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Jun 26, 2019 Jennifer rated it really liked it

Shelves: adult, dark, demons, fantasy, humor, magic, male-authors, netgalley, series

This book is an absolute joy. The writing brings the story to life. The world that Sam Hooker has created is one that I hope to read about in more books. Even the way legal matters are handled in this society were anything but dull.

Sam Hooker's writing reminds me of Terry Pratchett, and that is a wonderful thing. This is a series that I would recommend to anyone and everyone.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Sam Hooker
Publisher: Black Spot Boo ...more

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Jul 27, 2020 Chyina Powell rated it really liked it

I am not sure what I was expecting when I first decided to ask NetGalley for this book. I had not read the first in the series but the description and cover were so intriguing to me that I couldn't help but want to read it for myself. The character of Sloot reminds me of Bartleby from "Bartleby the Scrivener," odd and unlikeable but interesting in an unfortunate kind of way.

You wouldn't expect a ghost to act the ways Sloot does, especially such an incompetent one. The humor was dry and the narra ...more

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Apr 23, 2019 Lanie Goodell rated it it was amazing

I received an ARC of this title and also purchased the paperback the moment it was on pre-sale. Sam Hooker is an amazing author. The world he created in Peril in the Old Country was amazing and I couldn't wait to find out what happened to Sloot and his friends. I was not disappointed! From the dark humor to the vivid imagery, Mr. Hooker's writing makes for a book I can't put down. I've read it once and can't wait for the paperback to arrive so I can read it again. ...more

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Mar 12, 2019 Jessie Welbaum rated it liked it

I requested this book from Netgalley for an honest review. I enjoyed this book, but sometimes it felt like the story was headed in too many directions. It did make me laugh a good amount. It's a very unique concept. I mean, the hero is a dead guy! I didn't read the first book in this series, but I might just have to check it out. ...more

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Mar 31, 2019 Peter Hansen rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019, netgalley

I enjoyed the tongue firmly planted in cheek humor of the writing and look forward to reading what happens next in the series. Sloot Peril is the last person (or ghost) who would be having an adventure as he is the type to avoid anything that would even remotely seem like adventure but the course of events draws him along anyways.

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Jul 02, 2019 Scott rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, humor

Great, though a little lifeless compared to the one before it.

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Mar 23, 2019 Christy Clements Hair rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019, funny-stuff, general-fiction, net-galley

I love this book. When I requested from NetGalley, I did not realize it was the 2nd in a series. Went back and bought the first book. After reading some other reviews, I will say that this book may not be for everyone. I would not describe it as fast-paced, need to find out what happens next. I found the writing brilliant and loved all the characters. It is witty, intelligent, and overall delightful. I adored the character of Edmund of legal disclaimers. I would compare this book to floating alo ...more

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Mar 11, 2019 Heather Bennett rated it did not like it

I so hoped to like this book, but it was just not for me. When I don't like a book I would just rather not write anything, because it may just not be for me. ...more

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Rdanforth rated it it was ok
Apr 30, 2020

Susie McCuen rated it it was amazing
Jun 11, 2019

Betty rated it it was ok
May 19, 2020

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About Sam Hooker

Sam Hooker

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Sam writes darkly humorous fantasy novels about things like tyrannical despots and the masked scoundrels who tickle them without mercy. He knows all the best swear words, though he refuses to repeat them because he doesn't want to attract goblins. He lives in California with his wife and son, who renew their tolerance for his absurdity on a per-novel basis. ...more