We’re back for the fourth installment of the Sandman Slim series. When we last left our hero, he was literally stuck in Hell. The good news was that he was in charge, the bad news was that he didn’t know enough about the Devil’s powers to get out. So we start off in Devil Said Bang in Hell and go forward from there. James (Sandman Slim) Stark is a wonderful protagonist and Kadrey does enough with Stark and his supporting characters to keep things fresh. So, let’s see what’s going on in the latest book.
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Category Archives: fantasy
Trolls in the Hamptons by Celia Jerome
I had never read anything by Celia Jerome before, but the general plot of Trolls in the Hamptons (a comic artist has her drawings come to life) seemed like a really fun idea. And, while the book was more of a romance (Celia Jerome is reportedly the pen name of romance writer Babarba Metzger) than I usually read, it was still a fun read. The basic concept is interesting and Jerome has been able to extend the concept into several sequels. Let’s check out the story.
Alif the Unseen by G. Willow WIlson
I hadn’t heard of G. Willow Wilson previously. In fact the first time I heard of her was when I saw the rave reviews for her new novel Alif the Unseen. So, I decided that with all the rave reviews, I should at least give the book a chance. Am I glad that I decided to. Wilson has spun a fun mashup of jinn and hacking that I haven’t seen previously. Wilson has a great voice and does a great job telling the story she wants, not the story you expect to read. So, let’s see what the book is about.
New Syfy shows
Just a few weeks ago, I was wondering if The Science Channel was better for science fiction than Syfy. Well, it looks like Syfy is striking back with a huge slate of new shows (official presentation will be next week) which include aliens, time travel, space ships as well as a few ghost shows. So, let’s look at a couple of the highlights.
Myth Conceptions by Robert Asprin
After finishing Another Fine Myth (my review), I raced through second book in the Myth Adventures series. Myth Conceptions seems more like a complete story from beginning to end. This may be because there is no longer a need to set everything up. The main characters are already set and Asprin brings back some familiar characters and introduces some new characters. The overall effect is to make the Myth Adventures universe bigger, more varied and a lot more fun. So let’s see what happened.
Another Fine Myth by Robert Asprin
First thing I want to mention is how bad a title Another Fine Myth is for the first book in a series. Having read the Myth-adventures series when I was younger, I decided that it was time to revisit it. I had to sit in the library on my phone looking up the series online to verify that this was indeed the first book, since the title almost implies that there was a book before (at least the work another does). Having determined that I did indeed have the first book in the series, I was glad to find out that the book was just as funny and entertaining as I remembered. I lost track of the series in the 90s (when Asprin took a writing hiatus to deal with IRS issues), but am looking forward to checking it out again (even with the absurd mis/myth puns in all the titles). So, let’s check out the fine myth..er..mess.
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Neverwhere was Neil Gaiman’s first solo novel (having previously collaborated with Terry Pratchett on Good Omens), but it’s really more of a novelization than a novel. By that I mean the story was created for a BBC TV series and then Gaiman wrote the novelization of the series. Having never seen the TV show, I can’t comment on which one is better or whether the novel captured the essence of the show. But it is a terrific urban fantasy novel. So, let’s check out what Neverwhere is.
Bone: Quest for the Spark Book 1 by Tom Sniegoski
Jeff Smith’s Bone is one of my favorite comic series. It’s a fantasy story that matches wonderful art and an original concept into an amazing story that is accessible to all ages. And since Smith has moved onto other stories, I was amazed to see that he has allowed others to play in his playground. Tom Sniegoski, who worked with Jeff Smith on BONE: Tall Tales, has started a prose series that covers events after the end of the original Bone series. The Quest for the Spark is aimed for a younger audience and is not anywhere close to the quality of the original series. But, it’s a fun little book that starts off what I assume is a trilogy that brings us back to the valley with a new cast of characters. So, let’s check out what it’s about.
Aloha From Hell by Richard Kadrey
Everyone’s favorite chain-smoking abomination is back and this time Sandman Slim might be in over his head. Richard Kadrey’s latest installment in the Sandman Slim saga, Aloha From Hell, is the best one yet. Kadrey picks up a lot of the open plot points (including having to finally deal with Mason) and ends it in a logical (if not completely satisfactory) manner. So, let’s see what’ going on.
Why I Stopped Watching Once Upon A Time
Back when it started, I reviewed ABC’s Once Upon a Time (review). I loved the mythology and the way the show just jumped into it. I enjoyed the interplay with Henry and his two moms: biological (Emma) and adoptive (Mayor Regina). And the intercutting of the fantasy/fairytale world and reality was interesting. But, recently I’ve given up on the show. Read on to find out why.