Early Review – The Perdition Score (Sandman Slim, Book 8) by Richard Kadrey (5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: 384 pages
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: June 28, 2016
ISBN-13: 978-0062373267
Stand Alone or Series: 8th book in the Sandman Slim series
Source: eGalley through Edelweiss.com
Rating: 5/5 stars

“Sandman Slim returns in a stunning, high-octane thriller filled with the intense kick-ass action and inventive fantasy that are the hallmarks of New York Times bestselling author Richard Kadrey.

The request from Thomas Abbot, the Augur of the Sub Rosa council, couldn’t come at a better time for James Stark, aka Sandman Slim. For a man who’s most recently met Death—and death’s killer—a few months of normal life is more than he can handle. He needs a little action, and now Abbott wants Stark and Candy to investigate the disappearance of a young boy—and help uncover council members who might be tied to Wormwood’s power brokers.

Stark’s plans change when he meets a dying angel who gives him a vial of a mysterious black liquid that could be a secret weapon in the ongoing war between angels who want to allow human souls into Heaven and rebel angels willing to die to keep them out. When one of Stark’s closest friends is poisoned with the black liquid, Stark and Candy have to go to the only place where they might find a cure: Hell.

But standing in their way are the damned souls who, even after death, still work for Wormwood. The secret deal they’ve struck with the rebel angels is darker than anything Stark has encountered. Not only does the fate of the world hang in the balance, but also the souls of everyone in it. Stark has to find a way to break the stalemate in the angel war, score the Perdition cure for the black poison, and make it back to LA in one piece—where an old enemy waits to finish him once and for all.”

This was an excellent continuation of the Sandman Slim series. I felt like this book was more in keeping with earlier books in the series. It does start a bit slow, but once it finds its stride the book was very hard to put down.

This book did a great job of starting a newish storyline for Stark. I feel like the last few books have kind of been a bit wandering and transitional. Stark does spend some time whining and bitching in the beginning of this book, but he does hit his stride again as the story continues.

I loved the mystery behind black milk. I also enjoyed Stark’s working relationship with Abbott. Stark and Candy continue to have an awesome relationship.

The plot around Wormwood was really fleshed out in this book and dealt with nicely. The ending was very well done and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next Sandman Slim book.

Overall this was a wonderful addition to the Sandman Slim series. I was happy to see our gritty butt-kicking Stark make a return to the story. I liked the new plot around Wormwood and continue to enjoy all the sassiness, grittiness, and action in this series. Kadrey has a very distinctive writing style and it’s one I enjoy a lot. I would recommend this whole series to those who enjoy gritty and action-packed urban fantasy.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– New Release Challenge
– Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge