King Bullet: A Sandman Slim Novel (Sandman Slim, Book 12)

Sandman slim novels are an acquired taste, but once acquired very addictive. I wondered how Kadrey was going to end the series. King Bullet was the most annoying of all Stark's enemies, but the finale was great.

Deeply satisfying conclusion of a modern classic series. Kadrey absolutely sticks this landing. I’m ready to start it up all over again.

I attempted to read King Bullet slowly due to the fact it is the last Sandman Slim novel. I was not able to because I had to see how the series ended. This novel was better than the last book. I found the story well written and gripping. The story just lacked some of the intensity of the early novels. I gave it a rating of four and a half. Amazon does not offer that option as a selection, so I rounded up to 5. I did not find the use of they verses he or she as annoying as it was in the last novel. I liked the fact that Stark was growing as a person. The ending was not what I expected, and Stark took the right actions again. Something he seems to be really good at once he figures things out. (Spoiler Alert)! As Stark mentions on the last page of the book, if Hell could not hold him, what chance does Heaven have? Maybe after a few years, Kadrey will return to Stark. I hope this is the case, because I would like to see where Kadrey would take the character next. If he does not, I can always reread the series. Something I have done four times already.

Kadrey doesn't let us down. As always a fun ride with the Sandman! Looking forward to his next project. Hoping they'll make a Sandman Slim movie or streaming series. Thanks again R.K. it was fun!

I remember buying the first book in the series shortly after it came out in hardback. To be honest, it was the cover art that caught my eye, and I'm so glad it did. Sandman Slim/James Stark is such a beautiful character and Kadrey a master at the top of his form, not just in this amazing finale, but throughout the entire run. Through twelve novels, and one short story, we see Stark change and grow from a monster that kills monsters to a monster who slowly and steadily regains some humanity. While saving the world too many times to count. The growth in the character, all the characters really, is amazing and rewarding. King Bullet is a perfect ending (though I do hope Kadrey will find a way to favor us with more Sandman Slim work). It is perfect because after watching Stark grow over the course of the series, it couldn't end any other way. Because Stark has grown, from a monster to a being that knows how important love is and to love means to sacrifice, it had to end this way. It's a little bittersweet, endings, but it has been one hell of a great journey. Read this book, and the entire series. As for me, I'll be pulling down that dog eared copy of Sandman Slim and starting all over again. Thank you, Mr. Kadrey.

In my lifetime there have been several book series and characters that have totally enthralled me and Sandman Slim is right up there with the best! Please don’t let James Butler Hickok Stark languish in Heaven!

The Sandman Slim series has always been a wild ride. The last two novels, this one included, have been a gradual decline to a happy-for-Slim sorta ending. Mr. Kadrey has awoken as of late to some of the cultural shifts and trends and has pushed those new perspectives into these novels, and while the sentiment is good, it shifts the characterizations of many of the players to be off center from where he's established them in the prior eight or so books.I have nothing against whatever an author chooses to do with their toys, but the behavioral shifts are off-putting. If the action and events kept up you could easily overlook it, but the pro forma feel of the violent encounters signals strongly that Mr. Kadrey's heart is no longer in this. The humor and dialogue are top-notch and Mr. Kadrey has a real talent for the smartass riposte. Here's hoping he brings that along to his next worlds.

It's a strange feeling that I know that there will be no more Sandman Slim books. And it's a strange book ending the saga. It becomes clear that after the familiar atmosphere of the first half of the book, the second half becomes more or less a preparation for a final goodbye. For Stark and for the reader also. So in a way, it was hard for me to get through the second half, knowing the inevitable end is closing in. Still, it is a thoroughbred Sandman Slim story, a real page-turner, high-octane action, and sarcastic conversations included. I mourn a little bit but also I am happy that I was part of the ride.

Sorry Sandman Slim is done.