Soul Remains

"Where do goblins come from? Why do they only turn up in the Old Country, and why do they like swearing so much? In the second book of Terribly Serious Darkness, Sloot Peril—a “hero” who’s staunchly averse to heroics—goes looking for answers. Much to his chagrin, he finds them." Such a fantastic read, laugh out loud funny and a most definite page-turner!

I appeciate having had an opportunity to read and review this book. The appeal of this particular book was not evident to me, and if I cannot file a generally positive review I prefer simply to advise the publisher to that effect and file no review at all.

It’s dark in the old country. Where do goblins come from? Why do they only turn up on the old country, and why do they like swearing so much? Everything changed after the Fall of Salzstadt,but try telling that to the people of the city, whose capability for denial is unmatched. They have yet to acknowledge that Vlad the Invader cut a bloody swath through their city, that the dead are walking the streets, of that the Dominator long may he reign has fled to wherever despots go on a very long vacations while goblin infestation take care of themselves.

Soul Remains (Terribly Serious Darkness #2) by Sam Hooker is a book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary. I really think the author is related to Monty Python. This book has similar wit, cleverness, and crazy characters one might expect from the Python movies. This is book two and I didn't read book one but I can't say I felt behind, the story caught me up so I had no lag time. I think my jaws are sore from smiling! 😆 This was a fun book to read, I will have to make time to read the first one. Lots of humor, creatures, creativity, fun plot, zany characters, and unpredictable circumstances, what more can you expect from an dead hero?

Warning: to avoid angry swearing (and the resultant summoning of goblins) be advised that after this initial paragraph there will be terribly serious spoilers for the first book in the series: <i>Peril in the Old Country</i>. Not only should you not read beyond this paragraph if you have not read <i>Peril in the Old Country</i>, but you probably shouldn't read <i>Soul Remains</i> yet. The absurdist plot to this book picks up shortly after the previous one left off and does not bother to do much in the way of reintroducing characters or recapping storylines in the web of plots that have ensnared the pathetic, neurotic Sloot Peril. Suffice it to say, it is well worth your time to read both of these hilarious books as long as you don’t mind cliffhanger endings. Now, off you go to check out the first book if you want to avoid having its ending spoiled…

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…Okay, if you’re still here you know (or are about to find out) that the first book ended with many of the characters dying (very <i>Blackadder</i>), including poor Sloot crushed to death under a pile of goblins. Sloot, being the unlucky fellow that he is, is not permitted to rest in peace (though possibly in pieces). He remains enmeshed in all the various plots and counterplots with the added inconvenience of being a ghost who can be summoned, banished, etc. All of this makes the book a bit more disjointed and surreal than the first one, but no less entertaining. The author takes satirical potshots at a wide variety of topics and tropes (he has a whole new set to work with since half of the characters are now dead-ish) and throws in witty turns of phrase that kept me chuckling throughout. The book again ended on a cliffhanger, which I’m still not a fan of, but at least I was expecting it this time…and I can’t wait for the next book to come out.

This was a fairly enjoyable read and a decent sequel. The plot was certainly intriguing, and I thought that the characters were developed, especially Sloot. The writing was also well done and I liked the gothic feel/atmosphere that the book had!

The book itself was good but it was really difficult to get into because so much was predicated on the first boo, which I hadn’t read (Peril in the Old Country). The story was light and an easy enough read. So it’s definitely not a stand alone. The hero was a good guy, his girlfriend kind of disappeared in and out of the book. To fully understand it, I’ll have to go back and read the original book.

I requested this book from Netgalley for an honest review. This book made me laugh quite a bit. The main character is a dead guy and that's what enticed me to read it. The story sometimes went in too many directions and I haven't read the first book in this series, but I didn't feel lost in what was happening.
My favorite part was the goblins. I love that by swearing you summon them to your home! I'd have a bunch in mine if that were true.

I really enjoyed this book! It was funny, and different. I enjoyed it just as much as the first. The sense of humor really is very British, like Monty Python, and the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. Sloot has you rooting for him the whole time! I felt like the language used made it a lot easier to really invest myself in the story. It made it an easy read. The denial of everyone about the evil, can be a bit frustrating. I find willing ignorance to be really annoying. This book is a bit busy, but if you can handle it, then this is the book for you! That ending though!!! I just need the next installment to release like tomorrow. Okay, thanks!! I also want to say how much I love the cover. It is just perfect!

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC through NetGalley.

I loved this as much as book one. These are such cute books. I was lucky enough the first book through the mail when this series was first started. I think Sam Hooker does a good job. I recommend these books and if there are more books, I hope to get those also.

Poor Sloot Peril. He suffered terrible trials in the first book in the series, Peril in the Old Country. Sloot went from humble accountant in the impenetrable bureaucracy of Salzstadt before being wrapped up in evil schemes, international warfare, and falling in love. I’m not sure whether or not to be surprised to see him again at the beginning of Soul Remains. On the one hand, what happened to Sloot at the end of the first book in the series should have meant that, at the very least, we should have a new protagonist. And yet, at the beginning of this novel, Sloot pops right back into action. From his own grave. Because he’s a ghost.

Sloot’s troubles are not over now that he’s dead. If nothing else, the stakes are even higher. The plots that sent Sloot to his death are still afoot and Sloot’s employers still expect him to keep working. Now, however, they can summon him in an instant through arcane magic. It is incredible annoying for the fractious Sloot. It’s even more irritating for his girlfriend and the people who want to talk to him. Sloot needs summon-waiting.

There’s too much to sum up to give you all an idea of what this book is about. If I tried, not only would I run way over my target word count, I would also sound demented. Soul Remains is a madcap romp through two countries and the afterlife as Sloot struggles with his impossible tasks and his girlfriend (who is also dead, but only sometimes) tries to untangle him from his various bosses. There are fairies, one warlord, numerous necromancers, plenty of ghosts, goblins, and so much more. Readers who like oddball fantasy novels that never take themselves too seriously even during the serious bits (i.e. fans of Terry Pratchett) will love this continuation of poor Sloot’s progress. I had a blast.

Soul Remains is a continuation of Peril in Old Country. It has been quite a journey for me. If you like your puns and constant back and forth jibes in your books, this is most definitely for you. I want to thank Black Spot Books and NetGalley for giving me permission to read this ARC.

I enjoyed the tongue firmly planted in cheek humor of the writing and look forward to reading what happens next in the series. Sloot Peril is the last person (or ghost) who would be having an adventure as he is the type to avoid anything that would even remotely seem like adventure but the course of events draws him along anyways.

Absurd and funny, the author dashes in parts of wild fantasy, Monty Python humor and clever puns, all wrapped in a story that keeps you reading. A fun and quick read!

This books greatest strength is the dialogue, which in turn tells what kind of writer Sam Hooker is. This is a very well written book that feels like Poe and Lemony Snicket got together to create a story. It's morbid but humorous at the same time. Sometimes I feel that when you read fantasy or science fiction, it can get a bit somber with all the brooding characters and ultimate evil villains. Sometimes you just need something that is entertaining, something that you don't have to take yourself so seriously about. That's where this story comes in. I will definitely keep this author on my essential read list.

Soul Remains is the second book in the Terribly Serious Darkness series by Sam Hooker. Released 23rd April 2019 by Black Spot books, it's 330 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

I've encountered some books which somehow either really resonate with me or just fall completely flat. They're sort of the literary equivalent of some fiercely extreme sports manoeuvre which either works flawlessly and leaves everyone breathless or winds up with a trip to the A&E/emergency room (or morgue). This book is very much in that vein. It reminds me a lot of what might happen if Lemony Snickett and Glen Cook got together and wrote a book. It's quite morbid in places and main character Sloot needs a smack 'round the noggin sometimes, but somehow it is readable and quite funny in places. I'm pretty jaded and this one managed to surprise a few giggles out of me on my bus commute to work.

The author is undeniably gifted. The book is full of repartee and the dialogue is well crafted. I did not read the books in order and found no trouble following along with the plot. The backstory is skillfully woven into the narrative. That being said, I often needed a break because the dialogue and writing spin wildly off into sub-plots and asides at whiplash speed. For readers who prefer a more sedate style of writing, this one will have you rending hair and gnashing teeth; it's like an albino ferret on speed. Ditto for readers who need their characters to have proper names and not sort of Dickens-on-crack which Mr. Hooker provides (Sloot Peril, Mrs. Knife, Dr. Widdershins, Vlad Defenestratia the Invader (*snicker*) just to name a few).

I found it quite humorous and extremely quirky and well written. For me, it worked. I can well imagine other readers reading it and wondering what in the world I was thinking. For readers who are on the fence, use the sample feature on Amazon and try a chapter.

I will be looking for the next books from this author.

Four stars.

In Peril in the Old Country, we were introduced to Sloot Peril, a strangely likeable accountant who is about as uninteresting a character as one is like to meet. And, honestly, I suspect Sloot would be perfectly OK with that description, thank you very much. Sloot is a by-the-books, routine-driven, compulsive and predictable man who would be much happier with his ledger books than anything else.

Sloot is back in Soul Remains and again he is pushed well outside of his comfort zone (which is extremely infinitesimal) only now, it is as a ghost. You see, sadly for Sloot his adventure in the first book ended with his death. However it did not end his part in the story. Many of the friends and foes that he met in Old Country are back in this new story, but many are taking on different forms: one is now a demon, another might actually be a goblin, and, well that is just some of the least bizarre.

Perhaps the most noticeable strengths of Old Country was the humor which was often very witty and smart. The same humor is ratcheted up in Soul Remains, and I honestly felt at times as though it was in fact too much, occasionally tripping up the flow and pacing of the story and stealing the show. While I appreciate the clever analysis and social commentary that often comes out of the humor, it would have been better for me if it would have been used a little more sparingly. Nevertheless, it was still a highlight of the book.

The characters are developed largely through dialog (which is done well and is heavily peppered with more of the humor), and we see a very different side of Sloot. Well, it might be more accurate to say that we get glimpses of a different Sloot. Watching him evaluate the world through a different set of lenses than the tried-and-true, seeing him struggle to change his perspective, and rooting for him to somehow save the day, we in turn get to peek at our own faults. I found myself asking, “Am I this afraid of change?” “Do I avoid taking risks for these reasons?” “Do I come across this awkwardly to others?” (I think I can see myself in Sloot more easily than I would like to admit.)

At the end of it all, this was another enjoyable story. Unfortunately, it took me a little while to get into the story (again because the humor was too liberally applied in the early chapters). I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars, and I will round it up to 4 because I like Sloot so much.

I would recommend this book for anyone who loves silly books with smart, witty humor. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for my unbiased and honest review.

Soul Remains is dark, witty, hilariously tragic and a very fun read. If you like your fantasy with more than a dash of absurdity this is the series for you!

This book is an absolute joy. The writing brings the story to life. The world that Sam Hooker has created is one that I hope to read about in more books. Even the way legal matters are handled in this society were anything but dull.

Sam Hooker's writing reminds me of Terry Pratchett, and that is a wonderful thing. This is a series that I would recommend to anyone and everyone.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Sam Hooker
Publisher: Black Spot Books
Publication Date: 23 Apr 2019