This was just the right amount of queer, funny, urban grungy fantasy and creepy to keep me hooked. It felt very timely in a lot of ways because of the discourse around it's always the end of the world late stage capitalist society. I feel like these Dresden Files style fantasy books are not as popular anymore or trendy but this refresh of that kinda world was...refreshing! Would love to see more.

I have really enjoyed Cassandra Khaw's shorter horror works, so I was excited to read a full-length novel collaborative work from her and Richard Kadrey! I really enjoyed this first entry in the series! It was fun and funny while also being gory and horrifying, with New York as a well-used backdrop. The characters were unique and well-developed. The way eldritch horror was woven into office culture was incredible commentary and lots of fun to read. I did get a little confused at points and had to reread, hence why it's a 4 instead of a 5 star, but I will for sure be reading the next book and recommending to readers!

Entertaining, dark, and gory. I loved the NYC setting and the unapologetically sociopathic corporate/eldritch-serving villains. When I say gory, I mean lots of descriptive uncanny viscera, so perhaps not for the squeamish. It had a bit of weird pacing towards the end, which might be in part due to the story only being partially resolved in this book—the authors obviously wanted to draw out the reader’s curiosity for a sequel, but perhaps could have managed it a little more elegantly. Regardless, I’m definitely reading the next one when it comes out!

Good book. There was a lot happening so it was fast paced- I didn’t want to put it down. The main character was very brass- in a good way! Very detailed gore. Overall a good read.

I am including here the link to an interview I did with Richard Kadrey about the book: https://youtube.com/live/zv1Rvg30VlU

Thank you net gallery for the advanced copy of this book. This book was full of gore and ever so squelchy. A good read for Halloween. The end was a little happier than expected.

This book is wild! Kadrey and Khaw create a vivid and absolutely crazy magical/eldritch underbelly in New York City and balance genuinely frightening gore and body horror with the really sweet and warm relationship between Julie and Sarah. The horror is punctuated by the irreverent humor and snark with which Julie sees the world, and with which the other characters contend as they attempt to eke out a living or hold onto their power in this topsy-turvy world.

What a balls-out, no-holds-barred bloody (slightly tentacle-y?) ride! Hopefully the authors don't take offense, but this reminded me of a gayer, more adult (very adult) version of the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. For me, it's not an insult because I love anything paranormal adjacent set in New York City... and this just had that right combo of horror/fantasy/romance that I like. I loved the magic system especially - very street magic.

Only cons is the gratuitous alcohol/drug use - I get addiction/vice, but sometimes it leans a little too heavily into "all fun, no consequences" territory for me. The writing can be slightly on the flowery side - I love the "love letter to language" aspect, but it can meander to get to a point.

Overall, it was totally my style and I can't wait to pick up book 2!

This was an exciting read and one of my favorite books this year. This one was a little outside of my wheelhouse, as I do read sci-fi but don't read a lot of horror. That said, this book was so well-written, the words woven together to make an amazing story that pulled me in from the beginning.

The authors packed a lot into this book, and I felt like I was just flying along as I was reading. This was a book I couldn't put down, and when I did, I was constantly thinking about what was going on in the story and itching to pick it back up.

I absolutely recommend this book, and I look forward to reading more from the authors.

This was a cosmically wild rice with so much grossness and intrigue. Haha. I seriously loved it. If you enjoy cosmic horror with an unhinged, bad ass main character you should read this book. Can’t wait for the next in the series!

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A fun and horrifying dark fantasy that takes on capitalism and the worst parts of NYC. Fast-paced and memorable for both its unexpectedly hilarious moments and terrifying gods and demons that run amok, this book was definitely something new for me as a reader but enjoyable all the same!

Book Summary:

Julie Crews may not be the best at making friends, but she is pretty solid when it comes to chasing off demons and the like. It's a good thing, too, since handling possessions and other magical problems is her job.

It's arguably not the best job in town, given how little she makes. Unfortunately, it's also about to set Julie up for a world of trouble, setting off a chain of events that very well could result in her death – and that's the best-case scenario.

My Review:

I think it's safe to say that we can add this series (Carrion City) to my new favorites list! I loved The Dead Take the A Train, and I can't wait for the next book to drop. Honestly, I'm not all that surprised that I loved this book since I am an avid Cassandra Khaw fan. I know less about Richard Kadrey, but I had a feeling it would be a phenomenal combination.

When I say that Julie Crews is snarky, I mean it. She's the type of badass heroine that doesn't take crap from anyone. Well, there's probably one person she'll listen to. Yes, that's right, we have a bit of a grumpy & sunshine pairing in this book, and I am here for it!

The Dead Take the A Train isn't afraid to get dark – or graphic – but it's also a lot of fun. I was surprised at how often this book made me laugh. Julie's wit is a thing of beauty. All said and done, The Dead Take the A Train is perfect for darker urban fantasy fans or readers looking for something that feels like a Neverwhere.

Highlights:
Urban Fantasy & Horror
Snarky Female Lead
NYC with Monsters
Grumpy & Sunshine
LGBT+

This was just ridiculous fun! Magic, cosmic terror, and all sorts of supernatural crazy. Julie was an amazing main character, and surrounded by the best supporting cast a spell worker could ask for. A bestie who speaks to Them and plays video games, a landlord who is eternal and giving, a bestie who's so much more than just the best friend a girl could
have.
With villains you'll love to hate, creatures you can picture clearly in your mind, and an ending that will leave you reaching for more, it's a solid four star and well worth every page.

A great team up between Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey. It felt a little disjointed at times but it's a great magical thrill ride through NYC.

I’d found the previous title from Cassandra Khaw that I’d read (Nothing But Blackened Teeth) a bit off-putting. In that story, five friends convene to have some pre-wedding adventures at a purported haunted castle– but I have never in my years of reading been subjected to a group of friends who hated each other more. The Dead Take A Train, for all its bombastic horror and gore, ruthless demons, and repulsive gods…is actually a tale of love and friendship? I liked that. I found the writing lush and disgusting and completely over the top –which is very much my thing!– and the story itself, that of self-destructive demon hunter/supernatural-squasher Julie attempting to prevent a cosmic-horror-end-of-the-world scenario and save her friends in the middle of New York’s gritty, magical underbelly–was an absolute hoot.

Horror, chaos, gore, demons, drugs, sarcasm, wit - a truly wild ride from start to finish. I had a fun time reading this but I can see how it wouldn't be for everyone. For the right lover of cosmic/monster horror and pure chaos, this will be a 5 star.

Another reviewer wrote that this book was "dark, disturbing, and colorful" and I think that's a perfect description. It reads very much like an older paranormal / urban fantasy mystery book -- especially those with a snarky main character who's on the low end of dealing with supernatural / paranormal creatures. The writing is fun and easy to read, definitely leaning on the darker side with the descriptions.

This book is a wild ride. I absolutely love cosmic horror but unfortunately all the fantastic monsters and the gruesome descriptions just couldn't save this story for me. the characters themselves just were not compelling enough to hold my interest. There was a lot that I enjoyed from this book but I had a hard time pushing through it.

Thanks to NETGALLEY and Tor Publishing Group/Tor Nightfire for eARC

Plot: 4.75
Characters: 5
Writing Style: 5
Cover: 5
Enjoyment: 5
Buyable/Re-readable?: Oh, yes. I look forwards to what comes next.

This enjoyable, wild ride is told through third POV via mainly Julie, a biracial (Korean×White) almost-30 year-old female, as well as Tyler, & then snippets from side characters. Each character holds their own and has a unique voice. The setting is New York City and what seems to be present-day, in a world where Gods, monsters, and magic exists. For me, it was like "American Gods" meets "The Magicians" with a dash of the 2005 "Constantine" movie. Considering how obsessed I am with two of those, I was instantly hooked. It's gritty and clever, vulgar and fabulous, original and thrilling.

I do have to note that my eARC had faaaaaarrr too many typos, though. Too many to count, if I'm being honest, and if I hadn't fallen in love with the book, I would have had to stop reading, as they took me out of the moment.

Bonus points for : "(S)he put on Wolf Totem by The Hu, her favorite Mongolian metal band." A Hu mention (Mongolian folk metal band)?? Let's go!

The gloves are off now, rich boy. I'll see you in a vat of boiling shit with little devils flossing your taint with razor wire.

Yikes! Words to remember when a simple "Screw you!" won't do.

Demons are on the loose in NYC causing havoc and defenestrating innocent civilians while they wait for the arrival of The Mother Who Eats.

Woah, boy!

This is definitely one of the grossest books I've read. There's quite a bit about human spines that are no longer attached to any humans. I don't say this very often, but I hope they don't make a movie based on this one.

I honestly had no clue what was coming next with this one, and was completely surprised by, of all things, (view spoiler) (For now, anyway.)

And, there's a very nice set-up for what promises to be another hellish dark ride with book number two.