Early Review – The Kill Society (Sandman Slim, Book 9) by Richard Kadrey (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: 416 pages
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: June 6, 2017
ISBN-13: 978-0062474148
Stand Alone or Series: 9th book in the Sandman Slim series
Source: eGalley from Edelweiss
Rating: 4/5 stars

“Sandman Slim has been to Heaven and Hell and many places in between, but now he finds himself in an unknown land: the far, far edge of the Tenebrae, the desolate home of the lost dead. Making his way inland with nothing but his unerring instinct for trouble to guide him, he collides with a caravan of the damned on a mysterious crusade, led by the ruthless Magistrate. Alone and with no clue how to get back home, he throws in with this brutal bunch made up of human souls, Hellion deserters, rogue angels—and Father Traven.

Slim didn’t land in Tenebrae by chance. His little stunt of trying to open Heaven has set off a tsunami across the universe. Now, the afterlife is falling apart because of the ensuing warfare. And when Heaven finds out Slim is close by, the angels put a fat bounty on his head.

It’s one thing to ride with a ferocious criminal pack across the treacherous plains—it’s another to do it when everyone in the land of the dead is itching to keep you there permanently. But Slim’s not too worried. He’s been fighting cosmic forces bent on destroying Heaven, Hell, Earth, and him for years. A pack of vicious bounty hunters, vengeful angels, and dangerous enemies with friendly smiles isn’t going to stop him fixing the chaos he’s caused . . . one way or another.”

This is the 9th book in the Sandman Slim series and was a well done continuation of this series. I enjoyed this book, as with all the Sandman Slim books, it has a unique voice, gritty tone, and wry wit.

Sandman Slim is finally dead…and for real this time. He finds himself in the far reaches of Tenebrae, uncertain of which of his nephilim abilities he retains. While he’s trying to come to terms with this he finds himself set upon by a caravan of other residents of Tenebrae led by a creepy dude named The Magistrate.

This book was a bit of a transition book. Sandman Slim is trying to get back on his feet and figure out what/who he is now that he’s dead. He also ends up unraveling yet more of the plot of the war between angels.

While many of our favorite characters are missing (aside from Father Traven) we do meet some pretty awesome new characters. The book ends at a huge cliffhanger and I am curious to see where the story goes in the next book.

Overall I really enjoyed this book in the Sandman Slim series and look forward to reading future books in the series. I would recommend to those who enjoy anti-heroes and gritty urban fantasy.

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