King Bullet is the 12th and self-professed final book in the Sandman Slim UF series by Richard Kadrey. Released 17 Aug 2021 by Harper Voyager, it's 303 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out summer 2022. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a full-bore double barrel action filled explosion of gore and violence from start to finish. It's quite possibly even more over the top than the previous books in the series. LA is in ruins, the law enforcement and municipal infrastructure are stretched so thin (or just non-existent) that they've given up even the pretense of control. There's a semi-zombie/psycho pandemic ravaging the population and Stark's the only guy who's still trying to save his friends.

As the other books, it's a character driven ensemble narrative with Stark at the wedge point of the phalanx with his misfit, dead, dying, weird, human and non-human friends and cohorts ranged behind him, trying to save a world which emphatically doesn't want to be saved from its own doom. Fans of the series will already be familiar with the level of language and graphic content; readers who haven't read any of the previous books will need to be aware of the extreme non-stop gore and violence. I sometimes play a mental game with myself and keep a body count as I'm reading and in this instance, I gave up a couple chapters into the read.

Although it's undoubtedly possible to read this one as a standalone, that would be a recipe for frustration, since the cast of characters is so large and has so much interconnected back history. I would strongly recommend reading at least the first book before tackling this one for readers who aren't familiar with Stark and his back-story.

The author and publisher have provided disclaimer warnings about self-harm, suicide, and PTSD. I would add to the above list: sexual and physical violence, extreme body horror, and societal collapse (and all that entails). I am assuming that most readers will know (hopefully only in the abstract) what autophagia means, but if not just remember that from the Greek auto = self and phagia = eat/consume. (Probably best not to look it up online).

Four stars. I did feel like this was a more formulaic effort than the previous few books, but the author is adept enough and experienced enough and just plain talented enough, that this is an eminently readable, cinematic conclusion (?) to the series. This is not for readers who object to graphic violence in their UF/noir books. Fans of A.D. 2000, Judge Dredd (NOT the movies), etc, will find much that is blackly humorous and enjoyable. Just read the first couple books in the series to get the dramatis personae fixed for context before tackling this one.

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

A great ending to a tremendous series. Kadrey did a really good job of tying all the pieces together for his readers.

King Bullet is the last and twelfth installment to the Sandman Slim series. I won the galley around August and it took me a while to arrive on book 12 obviously 😂. What a rollercoaster ride! I feel sad and happy at the same time, and I think I'm not yet ready to say goodbye.

Similar to the previous books in the series, this is gritty, action-packed, and snarky. The plot reflects a bit the current real-world situation. An epidemic is plaguing Los Angeles then there's a new gang led by King Bullet just creating chaos here and there. I don't want to get more into the details coz I might accidentally say a spoiler.

Overall, I was satisfied with how the series ended. It's compelling, gory, and fast-paced. It wraps up all the loose ends neatly. I would love to revisit this series soon (maybe next year 😂).

Thanks so much, Harper Voyager for the galley 🙌 All thoughts and opinions are mine.

this was another great entry in the Sandman Slim series, it had what I wanted from this series and had the characters that I enjoyed from this series.

Urban fantasy author Richard Kadrey stops by Writers, After Dark to talk about King Bullet, the final volume in the Sandman Slim series, the series as a whole, the impetus for the evolution of James Stark, the balance of powering up and knocking down a fantasy hero to keep things interesting, and much more.

This is the twelfth and final Sandman Slim novel and Stark is struggling with his personal and professional life. On top of all of that, there is a viral epidemic loose in L.A. and the new Shoggot gang along with their leader King Bullet are causing more trouble. Stark tries to find out who is King Bullet and what he wants but doesn't get answers that make sense. King Bullet wants destruction and chaos but why?

Like the other entries in this series, there was plenty of action, lots of recurring characters making appearances and plenty of snark. This book did feel a little tired though and the big confrontation with King Bullet felt rushed. Sandman Slim had a good run and it felt like the story had run its course. It is hard to stick the landing of a long running series well--this one wasn't perfect but it was a great ride.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 12 years since Sandman Slim first came out, 12 years since we first met James Stark, waking up in pile of burning garbage after making his way out of Hell. What a journey it’s been. And now here I am, both thrilled and sad at the release of King Bullet, the final book in the series. It’s been an absolutely unforgettable journey and I have to thank Richard Kadrey for creating one of the most unforgettable ‘heroes’ I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about. I’m going to be vague to avoid any spoilers, but you can’t help but notice similarities to what’s going on in the world today. A raging plague/pandemic, the constant need to mask up, etc. As always the story is dark, gritty, and of course totally engaging, moving along at a breakneck pace like a busload of nuns on fire going over a cliff while being attacked by a pack of hell spawn. I think it’s safe to say fans of the series won’t be disappointed. (At least I know I wasn’t.)
I’d like to thank NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of King Bullet. And of course I’d like to thank Richard Kadrey for writing it, and for letting us all come along on Stark’s epic journey.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R21UL0HZWIYDFM/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

I am very heartbroken to know that this is the final chapter of the Jack Stark in the Sandman Slim series. In this closing book, we find that Stark is in the midst of a viral pandemic. This one causes autophagia, the consumption of your own body and everyone is wearing masks to prevent the spread but also to hide they are eating themselves. Riots have started to break out and all of Los Angeles is in chaos. In the shadows pulling on the strings is a gang leader, King Bullet, who seems to have a deep hatred for Stark.

Kadrey put a lot more emotion into Stark compared to his character in Ballistic Kiss, with more insight and train of thoughts than the normal run-of-the-mill bad a$$ action that I have come to know and love. Once again, there is a very eccentric villain (King Bullet) that Stark has been tasked with taking care of. He's questioning why exactly he was tasked with it, lending credence to the idea that Abbott has not been on the up and up with him.

Kadrey certainly wraps up all the loose ends with this last book. I felt like all the character arcs were completed without feeling as they were rushed to get it finished. I think most fans will be happy with the fulfillment of the Sandman Slim series. Now I don't know if it is just wishful thinking or what, but to me, it looks like that we may not have seen the last of Stark. I truly hope not at least.

This review was made possible by a copy provided to me by NetGalley.

The last couple of books have seemed like they were going to be the last. I'm not sure this one will be either. It was left to where it could go either way.

This is billed as the finale of the Sandman Slim series, and it's as headlong and over the top as all of the others, with the usual mix of Christian mythology (God is a little tired and Lucifer has retired), urban fantasy bad guys, Slim's extended family dynamics, and hyper-violence. The action moves so fast you can barely call it a plot; mostly Slim barrels his gory way through Los Angeles and then goes home to get patched up and watch a movie.while he recovers enough to go back out.

Oh yeah, there's also a viral epidemic - with some extreme side effects - and possibly the end of civilization as we know it. Just another week in Slim's life.

It's an enjoyable read; well-written with snappy dialogue and fleshed-out characters and Kadrey's off-kilter world view.

Disappointing end to what was a different and dark, but still enjoyable UF series. There's a pandemic/plague infecting LA and it may or may not have something to do with the intrepid Mr. Stark. The big bad is called King Bullet and while the series has always trended dark, the self mutilation aspect present here is kinda over the top. The whole story is Stark trying to find out who King Bullet is and how to stop them, but it's nowhere near the quality of the early entries in the series, in fact the quality has been declining for awhile so maybe its not a bad thing if this the end of the Sandman Slim series.

Stunning finale of the Sandman Slim Series !
James Stark navigates a Pandemic & Apocalypse piled on top of the usual mayhem in downtown LA to solve the riddle of King Bullet.
Richard Kadrey doesn't let his readers or his characters down in this well crafted conclusion.
In Stark we trust.

After 12 books, not a single one felt unnecessary. Sandman Slim, Stark, James, Jimmy gave us one hell of a ride. He saved the earth, heaven, and hell countless times and caused mayhem the entire way.

This book, like all the others had its own feel that pulls you into the world that Sandman Slim protects and endangers at the same time. For the 12th and final book of the series it gave me everything I wanted from it. A compelling story, a struggle against otherworldly odds, and and well written ending. It is with great sadness that this series is brought to an end, but we will never forget the tales of Sandman Slim.

"King Bullet" is the final novel in the Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey. Over the last dozen years, Kadrey has taken us to Heaven, Hell, and all over Los Angeles, which, depending on your point of view, be an equally infernal realm. Stark, AKA Sandman Slim, AKA Lucifer (for a brief spell) has conquered many foes, but this time, he may be up against an enemy he can't defeat.

A virus is plaguing LA, turning the infected into Shoggots, who consume their own flesh and mutilate themselves. They are led by King Bullet, whose agenda seems to be to cause as much chaos as possible. But is this a means to some other end?

This didn't feel like a finale. I had a pretty good idea early on as to how Stark would end up, and I was mostly right. But Kadrey left enough dangling threads that I think, and hope, that he'll either spinoff a series for one of the other characters, maybe Brigitte or Candy and have some incarnation of Stark have at least a cameo. That said, if this is truly Stark's last outing, it was a great ride. Everyone (well, everyone who is still alive) is featured, and Stark's angst about all the choices which have led him to this point is well-considered without being maudlin.

4 out of 5 stars.

I received an advance copy from Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Series Info/Source: This is the 12th and final book in the Sandman Slim series. I got an eGalley of this book from NetGalley for review.

Story (4/5): It’s been three months since the last book and LA has plunged into a sort of apocalyptic chaos as a viral epidemic takes hold on the city. Stark gets involved when the Shoggot gang gets out of hand; they are being led by a new baddie named King Bullet who is trying to tear apart reality.

This story was exciting and fast-paced just like most of the Sandman Slim novels have been. The whole viral pandemic may hit a bit too close to home for some; it’s basically a lot like if COVID hit but if half the people it made sick went insane...lots of mask wearing, violence, etc. I personally enjoyed it as a Sandman Slim novel, but thought it kind of missed the mark as a series finale. Things feel pretty unfinished here. King Bullet wasn’t really any worse than any other of the villains Stark’s gone up against and the way things end for Stark felt very lackluster to me. Although I enjoyed the story I was just left feeling a bit let down by how it all wrapped up.

Characters (5/5): I love the crazy characters in this series and all of our favorites are here. At this point the cast is fairly extensive. There were some additions with King Bullet and F*** Hollywood. I really enjoyed F*** Hollywood a lot, she was a great addition to the cast. Janet continues to feature in the story and I continue to not really enjoy them much as a character. They are just very hohum and a bit boring compared to the rest of the cast...but I guess maybe that is the point. I did love that we get big fight scenes with both Brigette and Candy; love those two! Stark is still a bit whiny throughout but is trying to claw his way out of his depression and PTSD.

Setting (4/5): The book is set in LA and the description is well done. We are shown how LA has descended into madness and chaos and it was scarily realistic at points and at other times super over-the-top crazy. Again, those who’ve recently gone through cities rioting (and of course we’re all still living through a pandemic) might find it a bit too realistic at times.

Writing Style (4/5): This was easy enough to read and written in Kadrey’s chapter-free-style. I never got bored with the book and enjoyed the action scenes and figuring out the mystery behind King Bullet. Stark seems tired throughout much of the book and the other characters are more supporting characters than they were in the previous books. We got some good cameo fight scenes with Stark/Candy and Stark/Bridgette, but the other characters don’t really feature and are regulated more to side-kick mode. I was strangely disappointed in how unfinished this felt and was pretty unhappy at where everything was left. It just felt very anticlimactic to me; it ends like any other Sandman Slim book.

My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed the story and am glad I read it. Does this feel like the grand finale to this series? Not really, it pretty much feels like any other crazy, gritty, over-the-top Sandman Slim book. It was a fun romp but unsatisfying as a series ender. Would I still recommend this series? For sure! This is a unique, dark urban fantasy series that I enjoyed every book in. I love the characters and the writing style here and look forward to going back to re-read it at some point. I am curious to see what Kadrey will work on next.

From book 1 to this - lord, "What a long, strange trip its been...." and what an INCREDIBLY journey we've had with James Stark - Sandman Slim. I mourn the end of this, one of the most unexpectedly moving series I've ever read. Mr Kadrey does this ending proud, and we hope to see more of James Stark soon......... love you Sandman!

King Bullet, the last book in the Sandman Slim series, is a pandemic baby, and you know it. It is steeped in isolation, anxiety, and the futile desire for simple answers in the face of complex problems. And it’s James Stark, so there’s violence, mayhem, hidden Hollywood, and heavenly hosts.

James Stark was sent to hell alive by his magician friends who were jealous of his powers. While there, he became Sandman Slim, the monster who kills monsters. Stark escaped from Hell to wreak vengeance on the magicians that sent him there, and caused the death of the girlfriend he left behind. Since then he’s almost destroyed the universe, but chose not to, become friendly-ish with one of the aspects of God, become Lucifer, quit being Lucifer, pissed off a lot of angels, died, come back to life, taken down a lot of really bad people, opened the gates of heaven to every soul, found the love of his life and lost her. He’s moved on from being the monster who kills monsters and has quit being anyone’s attack dog. But growth is hard because there will always be people who don’t want you to change.

The Sandman Slim series is at it’s best when Stark is in Los Angeles. Now Los Angeles is falling apart, the garbage is piling up, and the city is in danger of being over run by a madman and his gangs of henchmen. King Bullet knows who Sandman Slim is and wants to burn down everything Stark has ever loved. Stark wants to protect his people and his places, figure out his relationship with Janet, and find some peace. After forcing the machinery of the Universe to play fair, what antagonist could be worthy of Stark’s last outing? Kadrey goes Shakespearean. King Bullet gives a nice Saint Crispen’s Day speech.

” We few, we happy few, we band of horrors. For they today who shed their blood with me shall be my brothers, my sisters, my blessed beasts. Now. Go forth and make creation weep.”

King Bullet is the loneliest Stark has ever seemed. For all that he is surrounded by his friends, he is so aware of the impact that he has on the people around him. For the whole series, people have been telling Stark that what he does impacts others, and he has changed and evolved, sometimes reluctantly, and become someone who cares about the welfare of others, not just the people he loves. King Bullet weaponizes that care and punishes Stark with his own evolution.

Now that I’ve finished the series, I’ll be going back to the beginning and reading it all again. And when the audiobook is released, I’ll buy that and let MacLeod Andrews narrate Sandman Slim’s final chapter. Kadrey kind of maybe leaves the door open for more Stark.

I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It's hard to believe that this is the final book of the Sandman Slim series. The series finale finds Stark in the midst of a viral pandemic where everyone is wearing masks. LA is in chaos. And in the midst is gang leader King Bullet, who seems to have a vendetta for Stark. Hold on to your hats because the train is barreling into the station and there's no one at the helm.

This is a welcome change as the last book in the series, Ballistic Kiss, definitely felt like one of the slower books. Kadrey put a lot more emotion into Stark, with more introspection than the kick-ass action that I have come to know and love from him. King Bullet takes us back to everything that the Sandman Slim series has been. Once again, there is a very eccentric villain (King Bullet) that Stark has been tasked with taking care of. He's questioning why exactly he was tasked with it, lending credence to the idea that Abbott has not been on the up and up with him.

This pandemic is no COVID, as terrible as that has been. This one causes autophagia, the consumption of your own body. Yes, these people are chewing their lips and fingers, and...ugh. Disgusting. In a lot of ways, it's a parallel of a lot of what's happened since COVID. Businesses are shuttered, masks have to be worn everywhere, and for other reasons, riots have happened. Honestly, I read to escape the real world, so reading a story about a novel pandemic in the midst of a novel pandemic wasn't really my cup of tea.

Kadrey certainly wraps up all the loose ends with this finale. All the character arcs are settled without feeling like they were quickly tied up for the sake of completion. I think most fans will be happy with the fulfillment of the Sandman Slim series. Don't think we can completely count Stark out though. That ending might just leave the tiniest bit of wiggle room.

It’s been 12 years, and as many books, and now we’ve come to this—King Bullet, the final novel in Richard Kadrey’s Sandman Slim saga. I approached this with excitement, because hey, it’s a new Sandman Slim novel, but also trepidation and a tinge of sadness, because hey, it’s the last Sandman Slim novel. Bittersweet mixed emotions, I guess I’m saying.

If like me you’ve been along for the ride from the very beginning, and a lot of you have, then you’ll be happy to know that the whole gang’s here for this one. Stark of course, but also Candy, Alessa, Janet, Fuck Hollywood, Kasabian, Allegra, Carlos, Brigitte, Samael and Mr. Muninn. Even Mustang Sally and Flicker are there to lend a helping hand. Old friends who are no longer alive, particularly Alice and Vidocq, are very much missed. Kadrey excels at creating characters who feel real, whether human or not.

Like every novel in the series, the plot of King Bullet moves like a freight train. L.A. is on fire, on the verge of collapsing, consumed by an epidemic turning the locals to raving maniacs and worse (I now know what the word autophagia means. Kinda wish I didn’t.). People are afraid to go out, and masked up when they do. Sound familiar? On top of that, there’s a new gang in town reeking havoc, the Shoggots, and their leader, the mysterious King Bullet, may be more than Stark can handle. Naturally, though, the odds don’t matter when Stark’s friends, and his city, are threatened, so he dives head first into the chaos, na’at and black blade in hand. Kadrey’s villains are always over the top, and King Bullet is one of his best, a nihilistic, supernatural killer with a score to settle with Stark.

There’s wall to wall action here, but Kadrey also gives the novel room to breathe, allowing Stark moments of much needed introspection. Caught between his new love for Janet and his still smoldering love for Candy, Stark is at a crossroads. He spends much of the novel surrounded by his friends, but in many ways he’s never been more alone. King Bullet and the epidemic would almost be a welcome distraction if only they weren’t threatening everything he cares about in the world.

After reading the last Sandman Slim novel, Ballistic Kiss, my son and I made a bet about where Stark and another character would be at the end of the series. I’m not saying what the two of us thought, but I am saying that I now owe him $20.

King Bullet releases on August 17, 2021. If you’re already a fan, you know the drill…pre-order it now. If you haven’t had the pleasure yet, time to get reading. You have some catching up to do.

Harder by far than starting a series, ending a series in a way that will leave fans satisfied and sated is a skill with which many authors seem to struggle. Richard Kadrey is definitely not in the camp - King Bullet is as great an ending to a series as I can remember. Kadrey is able to show the growth of his characters and allow their storylines to wrap up (where appropriate) without the reader feeling like a shoehorn or eraser was used for completions sake. The Sandman Slim series is one of the greats in the urban fantasy/horror-esque genres, and this book does the eponymous protagonist justice. I'm (like many will be) a little sad that we won't get to see more adventures of Stark (other than the potential film/tv adaptations) but I couldn't have asked for a better finish.