I annoyed myself when I realized that I’d skipped a novel. This is in fact the third, not the second. In itself, this isn’t a bad thing, except I now know major spoilers from that installment. Then I realized, that had I read some of those spoilers in their story, I might have had to quit the series since a character apparently dies of whom I was quite fond in the first novel. That would have been a bit of a shame (the giving up) since I actually liked Aloha from Hell, maybe a bit better than Sandman Slim, or maybe I just liked Stark better the second time around. He’s not quite as self-obsessed, and actually realizes and admits that he cares for some of the other characters. Apparently Vidocq and Allegra are now a couple. Not that I mind, but either way there needs to be more of those two, and I want to know how that happened. New character Father Traven is a good addition to the team, but I’m guessing he’s more of a one appearance character. I would be happy to be wrong on that.
I have to admit I also liked getting more info about the geography of Heaven/Hell, and I liked the allusions therein. The one thing I’m not sure of is the 5 pieces of God. I admit I’m not an expert in theology, but I’d still like to know if that’s based on something or if it’s just a part of the story.
And he also gets to solve a major issue, sort of, namely his guilt about Alice. I also kind of liked that his angel half was manifesting itself at times, although that then gave me a really strong Jim Butcher/Harry Dresden vibe. The problem with that parallel is that I had to walk away from the Dresden files because they were getting predictable in that you’re almost assured that things will be worse for Harry in all kinds of unpleasant ways. Even dark urban fantasy needs the occasional lighter moment.
The one thing that I really don’t get is how/why Samael (formerly Lucifer) appears to have been allowed back into Heaven. I might go back to book 2 Kill the Dead for the zombie apocalypse/ Lucifer bodyguard thing, but I know how it ends. Knowing what happens with Wells (sort of), Aelita, and the rest of the Golden Vigil is useful for this story, but I’m not sure I care enough about any of them to watch what happens. I might have to keep going at least though since I’d like to see how Stark gets himself out of being the new ruler of Hell, a position he ends up with by the end of book 3 and might actually be pretty good at, but then he isn’t around the individuals who make him entertaining.
Eeeeeeee! I’m so excited that someone else is reading Sandman Slim!
Ok, longer more thoughtful comment. You should definitely read Kill the Dead. You should definitely keep reading the series. Father Traven makes several appearances. Never assume that because someone is dead, they are gone. The particular character I think you are talking about has not reappeared, but that doesn’t mean he won’t.