Name: Kill the Dead
ISBN: 9780062017369

Richard Kadrey

Kill the Dead

Kirsten Simkiss

I found this second book to be much easier to get into than the first. While I found it a smoother read, I still find myself more interested in the side characters. Stark is, however, starting to grow on me. He was making smarter and more relatable decisions this time around and I was thrilled to see it. But still, I'd die for Carlos, Allegra, and Vidocq - and maybe Candy. I have friends reading the series before me and they really like Candy, but I'm worried she's going to become a damsel in distress for Stark to save regularly, despite her having cool claws and abilities.

I thought the plot was very well done in this one, from the twists and turns of the initial intrigue to the gradual build, to how it all eventually ends. It reminds me of the Kate Daniels books a bit, though a very different take on mythologies of all varieties. I enjoyed the zombie aspect and how they work the zombie mythology of the world, though I wonder slightly how the end of this book will affect fictional LA, given the events. I thought the solution to the apocalypse was a little... I don't know, anti-climactic? It was kind of a push of a button ending. Even though the ending was set up somewhat, it felt awfully easy there at the end with how he deals with the zombies.

Is it my favorite book? No. I will say I preferred this to Sandman Slim. Was it worth a read? Yes. I'm giving it four stars.