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Spademan #2
Near Enemy
Spademan--the kill-for-hire antihero from Shovel Ready--returns in another riveting, twisted, genre-busting novel from Adam Sternbergh
It's a year after Shovel Ready. Persephone is ensconced with her newborn upstate; Simon the Magician is struggling to keep control of Harrow's evangelical empire; and Spademan has accepted a seemingly routine job: to snuff out a no-good bed-hopper named Lesser. Lesser has been causing headaches all over the limnosphere, racking up enemies left and right. But Lesser comes back from the dream with a wild claim: that the terrorists have found a way to infiltrate the limnosphere, to hijack the luxury virtual escape from the inside. And they're doing it from somewhere in New York.
Spademan is not used to having enemies--his foes usually end up dead pretty quickly--but he tries to stay vigilant about the dangers that lurk right under our noses. He's about to find out just how close these new enemies are--and how dangerous they can be.
It's a year after Shovel Ready. Persephone is ensconced with her newborn upstate; Simon the Magician is struggling to keep control of Harrow's evangelical empire; and Spademan has accepted a seemingly routine job: to snuff out a no-good bed-hopper named Lesser. Lesser has been causing headaches all over the limnosphere, racking up enemies left and right. But Lesser comes back from the dream with a wild claim: that the terrorists have found a way to infiltrate the limnosphere, to hijack the luxury virtual escape from the inside. And they're doing it from somewhere in New York.
Spademan is not used to having enemies--his foes usually end up dead pretty quickly--but he tries to stay vigilant about the dangers that lurk right under our noses. He's about to find out just how close these new enemies are--and how dangerous they can be.
306 pages, Hardcover
First published January 13, 2015
22 people are currently reading
1111 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
February 24, 2015
Spademan is back... and things are more dicey now than ever before! I loved Sternberg's debut Shovel Ready. It was a unique and entertaining take on a noir thriller that was set in a dystopian world where dirty bombs have ruined New York. In Near Enemy Sternberg not only reaches the heights of his debut, but arguably raises the stakes even more.
Set a year after the events in Shovel Ready, Spademan now faces even more dire circumstances. Terrorists have somehow managed to hijack the limnosphere, and they're doing it from somewhere inside of New York. As Spademan finds himself caught up in a complex web he find out just how close these new enemies really are, and how dangerous they can be.
Near Enemy, just like Shovel Ready, is a fast paced no frills thriller filled with cracking action and an intriguing story. I loved Spademan again, and his broody nature and how he interacted with others was one of the highlights of the book. New York is depicted brilliantly, and the small insights we gain into the world are fascinating and enthralling (rise of private security armies, corporations replacing police, everybody arming themselves, total breakdown of government and failure of politicians etc). One of Sternbergh's strengths from Shovel Ready was his ability to convey the harshness of a society that has essentially collapsed (and the players who have rushed to fill the power vacuum), and this is again very evident in Near Enemy. The plot moves along at a cracking pace, and I found myself easily reading this into the early hours of the morning without realising. It is brutal and enthralling at the same time, and I just couldn't put it down. My only criticism is that the twists and turns are telegraphed a little, and I found the whole 'burqa = bad guy' thing a little off-putting.
All in all though this book is a solid and very entertaining read. Sternbergh has left things open for the next instalment, and I cannot wait to dive into it based on the little tidbits of information that were revealed in this release. Highly recommended for fans of dystopian fiction.
4 out of 5 stars.
smashdragons.blogspot.com.au
Set a year after the events in Shovel Ready, Spademan now faces even more dire circumstances. Terrorists have somehow managed to hijack the limnosphere, and they're doing it from somewhere inside of New York. As Spademan finds himself caught up in a complex web he find out just how close these new enemies really are, and how dangerous they can be.
Near Enemy, just like Shovel Ready, is a fast paced no frills thriller filled with cracking action and an intriguing story. I loved Spademan again, and his broody nature and how he interacted with others was one of the highlights of the book. New York is depicted brilliantly, and the small insights we gain into the world are fascinating and enthralling (rise of private security armies, corporations replacing police, everybody arming themselves, total breakdown of government and failure of politicians etc). One of Sternbergh's strengths from Shovel Ready was his ability to convey the harshness of a society that has essentially collapsed (and the players who have rushed to fill the power vacuum), and this is again very evident in Near Enemy. The plot moves along at a cracking pace, and I found myself easily reading this into the early hours of the morning without realising. It is brutal and enthralling at the same time, and I just couldn't put it down. My only criticism is that the twists and turns are telegraphed a little, and I found the whole 'burqa = bad guy' thing a little off-putting.
All in all though this book is a solid and very entertaining read. Sternbergh has left things open for the next instalment, and I cannot wait to dive into it based on the little tidbits of information that were revealed in this release. Highly recommended for fans of dystopian fiction.
4 out of 5 stars.
smashdragons.blogspot.com.au
May 23, 2015
“It’s better to kill someone who wants to shake your hand than it is to shake someone’s hand who wants to kill you. Important lesson.”
Twisted, sarcastic, sassy, disturbed, and different, just like the first novel in the Spademan series. Link to my Shovel Ready Review.
Spademan used to be a garbage-man, but now he’s a hit man in a New York where people are tapped into virtual reality beds, ignoring the corrupt city around them. When Spademan sets out to take down a mark, what he discovers instead is that someone may have discovered how to hijack and kill people while they’re tapped into their twisted dreams. The limn may no longer be a safe place for people to live out their disturbing fantasies of rape and violence.
This author is my new favourite thing. Definitely one to watch out for if you like noir, sci-fi, dystopia, thrillers, mysteries or books that don’t neatly fit into one specific genre.
Twisted, sarcastic, sassy, disturbed, and different, just like the first novel in the Spademan series. Link to my Shovel Ready Review.
Spademan used to be a garbage-man, but now he’s a hit man in a New York where people are tapped into virtual reality beds, ignoring the corrupt city around them. When Spademan sets out to take down a mark, what he discovers instead is that someone may have discovered how to hijack and kill people while they’re tapped into their twisted dreams. The limn may no longer be a safe place for people to live out their disturbing fantasies of rape and violence.
This author is my new favourite thing. Definitely one to watch out for if you like noir, sci-fi, dystopia, thrillers, mysteries or books that don’t neatly fit into one specific genre.
November 11, 2014
I loved the first “Spademan” book – Shovel Ready – (review here: http://lizlovesbooks.com/lizlovesbook... ) and if anything this one was even better. Now I adore Spademan with the fiery passion known only to avid readers. Not QUITE so fond of the author however after that ending…which was brilliant in its simplicity.
Anyway, back to the point. In this instalment, Spademan is hired to kill a bed hopper named Lesser, but when he gets there Lesser has a story to tell that gives Spademan pause for thought – and plunges him into another adventure, the usual total mayhem and intriguing decision making.
What I love most about these books is definitely the main protagonist – morally ambiguous at best, but extremely loveable, Spademan definitely rocks the world of fiction. Backed up by some other terrifically well drawn characters, steeped in a well imagined and intelligent mythology, the storytelling is fantastic and highly addictive. The writing really pops off the page – a kind of staccato rhythm to it that draws you in and keeps you there, it flows along at a tremendous pace with barely a pause for breath.
The lines between fantasy and reality blur in this world, where you can enter a dreamlike state and do pretty much whatever you like, even peep in on other peoples dreams – whilst being watched over by people keeping you fed and watered so you never have to leave if you choose not to. It is a clever little plot twist that allows a smoke and mirrors type effect on the whole drama unfolding and some of the most exciting portions of Near Enemy take place in this netherworld – it is all a great deal of fun.
As Spademan uncovers a plot which may change everything you will hang onto every word, and be totally immersed in this world. The character building is superb – I am really quite fond of previous enemy Simon the Magician – his interaction and ever changing relationship with Spademan is witty and engaging – and Persephone also gets a lot more depth here.
Overall then a terrific follow up – definitely NOT suffering from “Second book syndrome” and I am very annoyed that I’ll probably have to wait a while to find out whats next. Real Readers Problems.
Highly Recommended
Anyway, back to the point. In this instalment, Spademan is hired to kill a bed hopper named Lesser, but when he gets there Lesser has a story to tell that gives Spademan pause for thought – and plunges him into another adventure, the usual total mayhem and intriguing decision making.
What I love most about these books is definitely the main protagonist – morally ambiguous at best, but extremely loveable, Spademan definitely rocks the world of fiction. Backed up by some other terrifically well drawn characters, steeped in a well imagined and intelligent mythology, the storytelling is fantastic and highly addictive. The writing really pops off the page – a kind of staccato rhythm to it that draws you in and keeps you there, it flows along at a tremendous pace with barely a pause for breath.
The lines between fantasy and reality blur in this world, where you can enter a dreamlike state and do pretty much whatever you like, even peep in on other peoples dreams – whilst being watched over by people keeping you fed and watered so you never have to leave if you choose not to. It is a clever little plot twist that allows a smoke and mirrors type effect on the whole drama unfolding and some of the most exciting portions of Near Enemy take place in this netherworld – it is all a great deal of fun.
As Spademan uncovers a plot which may change everything you will hang onto every word, and be totally immersed in this world. The character building is superb – I am really quite fond of previous enemy Simon the Magician – his interaction and ever changing relationship with Spademan is witty and engaging – and Persephone also gets a lot more depth here.
Overall then a terrific follow up – definitely NOT suffering from “Second book syndrome” and I am very annoyed that I’ll probably have to wait a while to find out whats next. Real Readers Problems.
Highly Recommended
March 14, 2015
What can I say about Spademan??? He's odd for a killer, or assassin, or "hit-man" or whatever. Maybe now he's an ex-hit-man??? Maybe but he does still leave a body count. then again he seems to sometimes decide when he "gets there" whether or not to go through with his contract. He seems occasionally to "change sides" and become the protector of the one he's supposed to kill.
Well, whatever you call him and whether or not you can fit him into a pigeon hole the novels seem to be readable and pretty interesting.
In a New York left on it's proverbial knees by a mass of terror attacks that included a "dirty bomb" attack at the city's heart some people still hang on. Some are just too stubborn to leave, some can't leave (because of money, health, age or whatever) and some have turned once opulent apartments into fortresses. Whoever, why-ever or whatever these people number among themselves our (anti)hero "Spademan.
This is also a world where the rich can afford to plug into a virtual world and live there instead of the real world. Many do. Old people can live there in young virile bodies. "You" can live out your wildest or most...disturbing fantasy. Your body just lays there in a bed (while it's cared for by a nurse)...till of course you die.
Inconvenient that having to die. Luckily no one can kill you in that virtual world. If your body gets killed there you're still okay. No...no one can actually kill you "in there".
Or can they?????
Humm...interesting plot, pretty good book. Enjoy.
Well, whatever you call him and whether or not you can fit him into a pigeon hole the novels seem to be readable and pretty interesting.
In a New York left on it's proverbial knees by a mass of terror attacks that included a "dirty bomb" attack at the city's heart some people still hang on. Some are just too stubborn to leave, some can't leave (because of money, health, age or whatever) and some have turned once opulent apartments into fortresses. Whoever, why-ever or whatever these people number among themselves our (anti)hero "Spademan.
This is also a world where the rich can afford to plug into a virtual world and live there instead of the real world. Many do. Old people can live there in young virile bodies. "You" can live out your wildest or most...disturbing fantasy. Your body just lays there in a bed (while it's cared for by a nurse)...till of course you die.
Inconvenient that having to die. Luckily no one can kill you in that virtual world. If your body gets killed there you're still okay. No...no one can actually kill you "in there".
Or can they?????
Humm...interesting plot, pretty good book. Enjoy.
September 6, 2015
Rezi: http://chrissies-kleine-welt.de/?p=2166
ACHTUNG! Es folgt eine Besprechung zu einem Buch, das den zweiten Teil einer Reihe darstellt. Spoiler zu Band 1 “Spademan” sind daher durchaus möglich und jedwedes Weiterlesen erfolgt auf eigene Gefahr.
Alles beginnt mit einem Anruf und einem Namen. Spademan geht wieder seinen Geschäften nach und entsorgt den Müll, für den er bezahlt wird. Doch etwas hat sich verändert. Spademan hadert mit sich selbst, da er nicht mehr nur die Kugel ist, die sich ihren Weg bahnt und Leben auslöscht, während andere die Waffe abgefeuert haben. Spademan hat nun sowas wie Verantwortung und eine Art Familie, die er beschützen muss. Vielleicht ist das der Grund, warum er bei seinem aktuellen Auftrag dem Müll Gehör schenkt und ihn daraufhin verschont. Natürlich bleibt es nicht dabei und erneut wird er in Machenschaften verstrickt, die nicht nur sein Leben und das seiner Familie bedrohen. New York und im speziellen Manhatten scheinen erneut angegriffen zu werden und diesmal dort, wo es den Menschen wirklich weh tut. Nur Spademan kann sich dem entgegen stellen. Doch will er das überhaupt?
Band 1 dieser hoffentlich noch lange andauernden Reihe hatte mich schon begeistert, Band 2 tat dies ebenso. Wieder erwartet den Leser ein abgeklärter, nüchterner Schreibstil in kurzen, prägnanten Sätzen aus der Sicht des nach wie vor namenlosen Spademans. Mit trockenem, schwarzen Humor, der total auf meiner Wellenlänge liegt berichtet Spademan aus seinem nun veränderten Leben. Er erzählt von der Verantwortung, die er nun zu tragen hat und hadert mit sich, da er kein reines agierendes Werkzeug mehr sein kann. Bei seinem aktuellen Auftrag wird die Limnosphäre derart angegriffen, wie es nicht möglich zu sein schien und Spademan stolpert mitten hinein.
Adam Sternbergh schafft es erneut einen tollen Roman zu schreiben, der eine düstere Aussicht auf die Zukunft wirft und gleichzeitig viel Potential für die eigenen Gedanken lässt. Die Story ist lange Zeit nicht durchsichtig und wartet immer wieder mit spannenden Wendungen auf und beschäftigt sich gleichzeitig mit Themen wie Korruption, Terrorismus und der Realitätsflucht des modernen Menschen. Dinge sind nicht so, wie sie zu sein scheinen und können dem Leser gerade in diesen Zeiten bewusst machen, dass lang nicht alles so ist, wie es zu sein scheint oder wie es einem die Medien weismachen wollen. Kritisch betrachtet wird vor allem der Konsum virtueller Medien, der Umgang mit Terrorismus und dem Verallgemeinern von Bevölkerungsschichten, nur weil gewisse Individuen daraus etwas getan haben. “Feindesland” ist noch mehr als sein Vorgänger ein Spiegel der aktuellen Gesellschaft.
Der Autor versteht es zudem hervorragend Typen zu schaffen. Kein Charakter in diesem Buch ist eindimensional oder langweilig, alle wirken echt und begeistern auf ihre ganz eine Art und Weise. Alleine mit dem Antihelden Spademan, eigentlich Auftragskiller und nüchterner Mensch, der nun zum zweiten Mal den Helden spielen muss ist ihm ein grandioser Protagonist gelungen.
Wie auch schon beim Debütroman muss man hier für Interessierte erwähnen, dass der Schreibstil des Schriftstellers nicht gewöhnlich ist und einem liegen muss. Kurze, nüchterne Sätze, knappe, in der Lokalität springende Kapitel und keine gekennzeichnete wörtliche Rede heben sich definitiv von vielen anderen Büchern ab. Mir liegt diese Art des Lesens aber definitiv.
Ich bin nach wie vor sehr begeistern von Sternbergh und seinem Protagonisten Spademan und dessen Geschichten. Band 1 hätte für mich alleine stehen können, Band 2 lässt mit seinem spannenden Ende definitiv einen kleinen Cliffhanger für einen potentiellen weiteren Band offen, der von mir wieder gelesen werden wird – auf jeden Fall!
ACHTUNG! Es folgt eine Besprechung zu einem Buch, das den zweiten Teil einer Reihe darstellt. Spoiler zu Band 1 “Spademan” sind daher durchaus möglich und jedwedes Weiterlesen erfolgt auf eigene Gefahr.
Alles beginnt mit einem Anruf und einem Namen. Spademan geht wieder seinen Geschäften nach und entsorgt den Müll, für den er bezahlt wird. Doch etwas hat sich verändert. Spademan hadert mit sich selbst, da er nicht mehr nur die Kugel ist, die sich ihren Weg bahnt und Leben auslöscht, während andere die Waffe abgefeuert haben. Spademan hat nun sowas wie Verantwortung und eine Art Familie, die er beschützen muss. Vielleicht ist das der Grund, warum er bei seinem aktuellen Auftrag dem Müll Gehör schenkt und ihn daraufhin verschont. Natürlich bleibt es nicht dabei und erneut wird er in Machenschaften verstrickt, die nicht nur sein Leben und das seiner Familie bedrohen. New York und im speziellen Manhatten scheinen erneut angegriffen zu werden und diesmal dort, wo es den Menschen wirklich weh tut. Nur Spademan kann sich dem entgegen stellen. Doch will er das überhaupt?
Band 1 dieser hoffentlich noch lange andauernden Reihe hatte mich schon begeistert, Band 2 tat dies ebenso. Wieder erwartet den Leser ein abgeklärter, nüchterner Schreibstil in kurzen, prägnanten Sätzen aus der Sicht des nach wie vor namenlosen Spademans. Mit trockenem, schwarzen Humor, der total auf meiner Wellenlänge liegt berichtet Spademan aus seinem nun veränderten Leben. Er erzählt von der Verantwortung, die er nun zu tragen hat und hadert mit sich, da er kein reines agierendes Werkzeug mehr sein kann. Bei seinem aktuellen Auftrag wird die Limnosphäre derart angegriffen, wie es nicht möglich zu sein schien und Spademan stolpert mitten hinein.
Adam Sternbergh schafft es erneut einen tollen Roman zu schreiben, der eine düstere Aussicht auf die Zukunft wirft und gleichzeitig viel Potential für die eigenen Gedanken lässt. Die Story ist lange Zeit nicht durchsichtig und wartet immer wieder mit spannenden Wendungen auf und beschäftigt sich gleichzeitig mit Themen wie Korruption, Terrorismus und der Realitätsflucht des modernen Menschen. Dinge sind nicht so, wie sie zu sein scheinen und können dem Leser gerade in diesen Zeiten bewusst machen, dass lang nicht alles so ist, wie es zu sein scheint oder wie es einem die Medien weismachen wollen. Kritisch betrachtet wird vor allem der Konsum virtueller Medien, der Umgang mit Terrorismus und dem Verallgemeinern von Bevölkerungsschichten, nur weil gewisse Individuen daraus etwas getan haben. “Feindesland” ist noch mehr als sein Vorgänger ein Spiegel der aktuellen Gesellschaft.
Der Autor versteht es zudem hervorragend Typen zu schaffen. Kein Charakter in diesem Buch ist eindimensional oder langweilig, alle wirken echt und begeistern auf ihre ganz eine Art und Weise. Alleine mit dem Antihelden Spademan, eigentlich Auftragskiller und nüchterner Mensch, der nun zum zweiten Mal den Helden spielen muss ist ihm ein grandioser Protagonist gelungen.
Wie auch schon beim Debütroman muss man hier für Interessierte erwähnen, dass der Schreibstil des Schriftstellers nicht gewöhnlich ist und einem liegen muss. Kurze, nüchterne Sätze, knappe, in der Lokalität springende Kapitel und keine gekennzeichnete wörtliche Rede heben sich definitiv von vielen anderen Büchern ab. Mir liegt diese Art des Lesens aber definitiv.
Ich bin nach wie vor sehr begeistern von Sternbergh und seinem Protagonisten Spademan und dessen Geschichten. Band 1 hätte für mich alleine stehen können, Band 2 lässt mit seinem spannenden Ende definitiv einen kleinen Cliffhanger für einen potentiellen weiteren Band offen, der von mir wieder gelesen werden wird – auf jeden Fall!
January 22, 2015
In Near Enemy Sternbergh has delivered another taut thriller and a solid follow up to Shovel Ready. Spademan is dark, brooding, and has no time for bullshit and when an otherwise normal hit results in his intended victim witnessing the first ever death to occur in the Limn, he is drawn into something much bigger than a simple job. It is structurally very similar to his first book and I enjoy the less is more writing style Adam uses to keep the pace up and the frills to a minimum.
The specifics of the ‘radical Islamists’ and their plot to set off two bombs in New York City are revealed and with our mystery Internet killer wearing a Burqa there is not really much subtlety in terms of who our Authors bad guy is. Why? “It’s what people are most afraid of right now’. Sounds horrifyingly familiar to all the shit going on in the real world in terms of old, rich, white, magnanimous pricks, sitting in their gilded chairs telling everyone else to be afraid and pissed off at anyone who is different from them.
The failure of politicians, the exodus of tourists and then locals, the total relaxing of gun laws and the sale of the police to private business in order to keep the city going, a bit like Omnicom is Robocop, is a nice backstory that we flirt with now and again. Something I appreciated was that as a reader I found myself in the same shoes as Spademan as time and time again the plot twisted to throw my expectations. As you get to the heart of the story and the true “bad guy’ is revealed there is a lot of grey and not much black and white.
Near Enemy wraps up satisfyingly, gives us a hint of some interesting things to come and is a nice continuation of the Spademan series. 3.5 Stars
The specifics of the ‘radical Islamists’ and their plot to set off two bombs in New York City are revealed and with our mystery Internet killer wearing a Burqa there is not really much subtlety in terms of who our Authors bad guy is. Why? “It’s what people are most afraid of right now’. Sounds horrifyingly familiar to all the shit going on in the real world in terms of old, rich, white, magnanimous pricks, sitting in their gilded chairs telling everyone else to be afraid and pissed off at anyone who is different from them.
The failure of politicians, the exodus of tourists and then locals, the total relaxing of gun laws and the sale of the police to private business in order to keep the city going, a bit like Omnicom is Robocop, is a nice backstory that we flirt with now and again. Something I appreciated was that as a reader I found myself in the same shoes as Spademan as time and time again the plot twisted to throw my expectations. As you get to the heart of the story and the true “bad guy’ is revealed there is a lot of grey and not much black and white.
Near Enemy wraps up satisfyingly, gives us a hint of some interesting things to come and is a nice continuation of the Spademan series. 3.5 Stars
December 5, 2015
I didn't enjoy this quite as much as the first Spademan novel. The world was as gritty as ever, amplified by the short, choppy sentences & understated first person narrative, but the author went a bit too far this time. Details would be scarce & then suddenly a flock of them would land, usually with one or two that were a bit off. The plot twisted a bit too much & the author spent a long time explaining it at the end which was a cliff hanger. I hate cliff hangers.
Still, it was a pretty good ride. The reader's gravelly voice & rather slow pace again fit the story very well. I'll listen to the third one when it comes out.
Still, it was a pretty good ride. The reader's gravelly voice & rather slow pace again fit the story very well. I'll listen to the third one when it comes out.
December 31, 2019
Solid story, unique voice - Spademan is just a great character.
That said, a couple of very minor kvetches: Near Enemy is just a tad too much like Shovel Ready, Sternbergh's (and Spademan's) excellent debut. Same characters, same setting, same Matrix-like climax. Also, while Spademan has the same delightful über-noir attitude, I found the first book just had more memorable one-liners.* And finally, this is not only most definitely a sequel - you really should read Shovel first - it also ends on an unexpected cliffhanger, so hope the next part is already coming along. Because as long as Sternbergh keeps writing 'em, I'll definitely keep reading 'em.
* Not that this book doesn't have some great lines - they just take a little more set-up this time around:
"His stance suggest training. Krav Maga. I'm guessing. Or maybe something Brazilian. Definitely something expensive.
"As for me, I don't assume any kind of stance.
"My best advantage is I don't really have a style.
"Just a couple of rules I learned in a Jersey schoolyard.
"Rule one: Start hitting.
"Rule two: Keep hitting."
That said, a couple of very minor kvetches: Near Enemy is just a tad too much like Shovel Ready, Sternbergh's (and Spademan's) excellent debut. Same characters, same setting, same Matrix-like climax. Also, while Spademan has the same delightful über-noir attitude, I found the first book just had more memorable one-liners.* And finally, this is not only most definitely a sequel - you really should read Shovel first - it also ends on an unexpected cliffhanger, so hope the next part is already coming along. Because as long as Sternbergh keeps writing 'em, I'll definitely keep reading 'em.
* Not that this book doesn't have some great lines - they just take a little more set-up this time around:
"His stance suggest training. Krav Maga. I'm guessing. Or maybe something Brazilian. Definitely something expensive.
"As for me, I don't assume any kind of stance.
"My best advantage is I don't really have a style.
"Just a couple of rules I learned in a Jersey schoolyard.
"Rule one: Start hitting.
"Rule two: Keep hitting."
September 24, 2014
In the first one, I never really could get past the idea of a New York basically given up for dead. A lot of the story, tightly wrapped into the narrator's story, was dedicated to how that came about, but I just couldn't buy in to it because those who live in the City are so proud and stubborn that I just don't think they'd let a little thing like radiation scare them away.
I also had trouble buying an assassin that only used a box cutter. I mean, have some pride in your work.
What a could buy was an assassin with some boundaries and the contract in the first book would have crossed that boundary. He doesn't kill the girl and that made the start of a decent story.
In this one, there's a little less about NYC without its pulse. So that let me forget a little bit about that facet of disbelief. The hitter again decides not to kill his target, but there didn't really seem to be a reason for it in this one. According to the narrator's description of himself, he's just a bullet for others to point and shoot (though he doesn't use a gun) as long as the target is not a child, so he really should have killed the guy and ended the story before it started.
But, he didn't kill the guy, and it still wound up being a decent story. In some ways, it's better than the first and it left me wondering where the next one will go.
I also had trouble buying an assassin that only used a box cutter. I mean, have some pride in your work.
What a could buy was an assassin with some boundaries and the contract in the first book would have crossed that boundary. He doesn't kill the girl and that made the start of a decent story.
In this one, there's a little less about NYC without its pulse. So that let me forget a little bit about that facet of disbelief. The hitter again decides not to kill his target, but there didn't really seem to be a reason for it in this one. According to the narrator's description of himself, he's just a bullet for others to point and shoot (though he doesn't use a gun) as long as the target is not a child, so he really should have killed the guy and ended the story before it started.
But, he didn't kill the guy, and it still wound up being a decent story. In some ways, it's better than the first and it left me wondering where the next one will go.
February 24, 2016
Book came in the mail. White package. Black letters. Had my name on it, so yeah, I opened it. Not that I wasn’t careful. Near Enemy was the title. Name on the cover said Sternbergh. Rang a bell like I was sitting ringside at the big fight. Turns out I’d seen this guy before. Him and his character Spademan. Now they’re back. Can’t say I’m surprised.
Not that there weren’t any surprises waiting. Like that rich guy getting offed in the limn. The offings not the surprise though. Guys getting’ killed all days all ways in the limn. Dead in the virtual world, just wake up in the real world. Happens all the time. ‘Cept this guy never woke up. Someone figured out how to murder folks in the limn so they stay murdered. People, huh? We’ll f—k up everything, every place. Just give us time.
Read More... http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Not that there weren’t any surprises waiting. Like that rich guy getting offed in the limn. The offings not the surprise though. Guys getting’ killed all days all ways in the limn. Dead in the virtual world, just wake up in the real world. Happens all the time. ‘Cept this guy never woke up. Someone figured out how to murder folks in the limn so they stay murdered. People, huh? We’ll f—k up everything, every place. Just give us time.
Read More... http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
December 2, 2015
Another pleasant encounter with Spademan. His voice remains unique, as in the first book, which you should read before reading this one. The world was set up in the first book, starting with the second book will lead to confusion.
If you read and enjoyed the first book, this one will please you, although it is not as exciting as the first part of the story. I think I am used to Spademan by now, and he's mellowed out quite a bit since Shovel Ready.
This one ends on a glorious cliffhanger - not so much that I didn't feel there was a resolution, but enough to make me eager to pick up the next installment.
Recommended to those who enjoyed the first book.
If you read and enjoyed the first book, this one will please you, although it is not as exciting as the first part of the story. I think I am used to Spademan by now, and he's mellowed out quite a bit since Shovel Ready.
This one ends on a glorious cliffhanger - not so much that I didn't feel there was a resolution, but enough to make me eager to pick up the next installment.
Recommended to those who enjoyed the first book.
June 22, 2021
With a phone call and with just the name Lesser, Spademan has his next job. But being a hitman with even a small conscious has its problems; the job becomes more complicated than a simple hit should have been.
Now Spademan is caught up in a series of murders that seemed to have broken all the rules of the Limnosphere; (the full virtual reality version of the internet), trapped in a shifting plot between a secret fixer in the NYPD, the city's mayoral election and a quasi-religious group trying to get people to leave the Limnosphere behind. Adding to the events of the previous books that are still lingering in the background causing trouble.
Now Spademan must figure out who’s out to kill the person who he was originally out to kill while in a murky world of urban myths, internet VR culture and political intrigue (which looking back is the same setup as the first book).
I really enjoy these books, but it can be hard to pin down why. The way it is written; a sort of first-person narration by Spademan is a novel way of telling a story; it keeps it interesting and it flows really well as you're reading it. The characters range from good to decent. Spademan, is a decent protagonist, but other than a gruff hitman of few words with a conscious there's not much there, but then there doesn't really need there to be, and what he's written like is good and compelling. The other characters all add to the story, it’s just some stand out more than others like ‘Nurse’ and NYPD fixer Boonce.
The book isn't short of action, but it isn't drenched in it and when it does hit, it’s in short violent bursts. There's more to the set-up, with the tension building than with the actual fight. This keeps the suspense high and on edge. This makes the action, when it happens, hit harder. Added with how Spademan describes it so matter of fact, seems to make it have more of an impact.
The plot moves along well enough. I’d say the best twist comes about halfway through with the ‘Wakers’(a group that campaigns against the Limnosphere) and what they've been doing. I liked the mixing of the mayoral election with a more cyberpunk plot, but I would have liked more explained on the election and state of New York and maybe the wider world. The world here is an intriguing one. A near-future New York after a dirty bomb was detonated by Islamic terrorists in the city centre (and a mysterious explosion just before in the subway tunnels that killed Spademan’s wife) and left large parts deserted and society in places has collapsed; but the Limnosphere is keeping the city's lights on and dwindling population there but exacerbated the divide between the rich and poor over their addiction to the fully interactive system where your wildest fantasies can be realised. But I’d like a bit more of what's going on elsewhere in the country and world.
The start and middle of the book are just that little bit stronger in my opinion. The plot just takes that little bit too long, so it slows and gets a bit lost. It gets back on track at the end, but that bit of quicksand 3/4s of the way in took some of the punch out of the conclusion.
The final confrontation does manage to bring in most of the plot threads and the main players. The story doesn’t finish definitely, with some doors open for the next one in the series, but all the loose ends weren’t tired up at the end of the last one, so you still have loose ends from Shovel Ready, and even at the end of this one all of those threads still haven't been tied up, so plotlines have got to be tied up from not only from this one, but still from a book previous and at the moment they seem to be unrelated. I can just see it becoming a bit of a jumble or somehow they are connected which would seem a big coincidence.
I enjoy these books and I hope more are released in the future. The world created in this; I’d say had enough original twists over familiar cyberpunk stories. Spademan is a decent anti-hero to base the books around, mixed with the style of writing and the descriptions of New York make it standout, just that little bit, from the rest of the crowd. While the story is built from bits and pieces of other cyberpunk stories, it adds enough I think to be better than a lot of them. The tone at times can be lighter, with characters trading quips which breaks up some of the more brooding scenes, and I think even brought a smirk to my face. The beginning of the plot (being sent on a hit only to turn round and end up getting to save the said target) may seem similar, but this might just be how these books play out, but its not a total repeat of the first and is different enough to be as original. But when they are this enjoyable, I can forgive a little lack of originality.
A recommend for cyberpunk dystopia fans. I’d say probably best to read Shovel Ready first, but not an absolute necessity; it does bring you up to speed but you might miss more little things of the story and characters. Just hope there’s more in the pipeline.
Now Spademan is caught up in a series of murders that seemed to have broken all the rules of the Limnosphere; (the full virtual reality version of the internet), trapped in a shifting plot between a secret fixer in the NYPD, the city's mayoral election and a quasi-religious group trying to get people to leave the Limnosphere behind. Adding to the events of the previous books that are still lingering in the background causing trouble.
Now Spademan must figure out who’s out to kill the person who he was originally out to kill while in a murky world of urban myths, internet VR culture and political intrigue (which looking back is the same setup as the first book).
I really enjoy these books, but it can be hard to pin down why. The way it is written; a sort of first-person narration by Spademan is a novel way of telling a story; it keeps it interesting and it flows really well as you're reading it. The characters range from good to decent. Spademan, is a decent protagonist, but other than a gruff hitman of few words with a conscious there's not much there, but then there doesn't really need there to be, and what he's written like is good and compelling. The other characters all add to the story, it’s just some stand out more than others like ‘Nurse’ and NYPD fixer Boonce.
The book isn't short of action, but it isn't drenched in it and when it does hit, it’s in short violent bursts. There's more to the set-up, with the tension building than with the actual fight. This keeps the suspense high and on edge. This makes the action, when it happens, hit harder. Added with how Spademan describes it so matter of fact, seems to make it have more of an impact.
The plot moves along well enough. I’d say the best twist comes about halfway through with the ‘Wakers’(a group that campaigns against the Limnosphere) and what they've been doing. I liked the mixing of the mayoral election with a more cyberpunk plot, but I would have liked more explained on the election and state of New York and maybe the wider world. The world here is an intriguing one. A near-future New York after a dirty bomb was detonated by Islamic terrorists in the city centre (and a mysterious explosion just before in the subway tunnels that killed Spademan’s wife) and left large parts deserted and society in places has collapsed; but the Limnosphere is keeping the city's lights on and dwindling population there but exacerbated the divide between the rich and poor over their addiction to the fully interactive system where your wildest fantasies can be realised. But I’d like a bit more of what's going on elsewhere in the country and world.
The start and middle of the book are just that little bit stronger in my opinion. The plot just takes that little bit too long, so it slows and gets a bit lost. It gets back on track at the end, but that bit of quicksand 3/4s of the way in took some of the punch out of the conclusion.
The final confrontation does manage to bring in most of the plot threads and the main players. The story doesn’t finish definitely, with some doors open for the next one in the series, but all the loose ends weren’t tired up at the end of the last one, so you still have loose ends from Shovel Ready, and even at the end of this one all of those threads still haven't been tied up, so plotlines have got to be tied up from not only from this one, but still from a book previous and at the moment they seem to be unrelated. I can just see it becoming a bit of a jumble or somehow they are connected which would seem a big coincidence.
I enjoy these books and I hope more are released in the future. The world created in this; I’d say had enough original twists over familiar cyberpunk stories. Spademan is a decent anti-hero to base the books around, mixed with the style of writing and the descriptions of New York make it standout, just that little bit, from the rest of the crowd. While the story is built from bits and pieces of other cyberpunk stories, it adds enough I think to be better than a lot of them. The tone at times can be lighter, with characters trading quips which breaks up some of the more brooding scenes, and I think even brought a smirk to my face. The beginning of the plot (being sent on a hit only to turn round and end up getting to save the said target) may seem similar, but this might just be how these books play out, but its not a total repeat of the first and is different enough to be as original. But when they are this enjoyable, I can forgive a little lack of originality.
A recommend for cyberpunk dystopia fans. I’d say probably best to read Shovel Ready first, but not an absolute necessity; it does bring you up to speed but you might miss more little things of the story and characters. Just hope there’s more in the pipeline.
June 4, 2019
Poor compared to his other books. Spademan didn't need another outing.
February 19, 2022
Bei 50% abgebrochen
Der erste Teil war bereits nur mittelmäßig und ist mir kaum im Gedächtnis geblieben.
Ich liebe das Setting in den Büchern a la sin City und die sehr trockene Art. Allerdings ist mir hier auch wieder vieles zu belanglos. Der Autor kann mich einfach nicht begeistern, die Protagonisten bleiben mir fern , der Funke springt nicht über. Trotzdem finde ich die Grundidee des Kriminellen Falles gut.
Der erste Teil war bereits nur mittelmäßig und ist mir kaum im Gedächtnis geblieben.
Ich liebe das Setting in den Büchern a la sin City und die sehr trockene Art. Allerdings ist mir hier auch wieder vieles zu belanglos. Der Autor kann mich einfach nicht begeistern, die Protagonisten bleiben mir fern , der Funke springt nicht über. Trotzdem finde ich die Grundidee des Kriminellen Falles gut.
July 18, 2021
I just love Persephone and Spademan. Both of them are hilarious. The plot was intriguing. The drama was perfect. Spademan is definitely the type of character many wont like. He is still a morally grey character but he seemed to have more sense in this book. The new characters were also intriguing to me as well. Such a great fast paced read that keeps me on my toes.
Overall, great end the duology. Glad I read both books.
Overall, great end the duology. Glad I read both books.
January 12, 2020
This is a science fiction book that reads more like a New York City murder mystery, where it is set in the aftermath of a nuclear terrorism incident. The dialogue in this book is not in quotes and that's a little hard to get used to. The good things about this book are that you won't have any problem following the story and the characters are are interesting. If you like sci-fi fantasy and you're looking for something a little different, I think you'll like this book.
March 9, 2015
'Near Enemy' is the gripping and darkly hilarious second book in the Spademan series. The book picks up a year after the first one ended, but the reader is caught up to speed almost immediately, learning what has become of most of the other major characters from the last book. With everything seemingly back to normal, Spademan takes on what should be a routine job - to take out a guy named Lesser who has been a huge pain for everyone in the limnosphere. Although Lesser has been making enemies everywhere he goes, he comes back from his dream state and claims that there are terrorists who have found a way to get into the limnosphere and hijack the complex system from inside of it. Also - they're based somewhere in New York. Spademan doesn't know whether to believe Lesser or not, but this could turn out to be a huge terrorist attack - one that hasn't happened in a long time - and it would be from inside the limnosphere, where the people who can afford it retreat for an escape of the dim reality of their actual world. It seems that the more he investigates Lesser's claim, the more enemies he uncovers - some that he would never have guessed were so close, and just what they're willing to do.
The author's first book in the series took me completely by surprise and it ended up being one of my favorite books of the year. Needless to say, I had pretty high expectations and hopes for this book - and the author didn't fail to deliver. The story has all of the strange and twisted elements as the first, our anti-hero main character is back, and the plot turned out to be complex with lots of twists. Spademan remains the gruff main character of the book - although he's still an anti-hero, those who have read the first book know a bit more about his character and can see beneath that layer of his personality to something more underneath. I loved Spademan just as much in this novel as I did in the last - he continues to be a favorite character of mine. The other characters in the book were well written, especially Lesser, who we get to know decently well. Again, he's not a saint or anything, but he's also much more than what he's known for.
I loved the plot for the story. It was genius and original - terrorists going into the limnosphere and attacking from the inside? Awesome. As the story progresses and we learn more about these terrorists and their plan, the more we really get to dive into the perverse thinking and actions that have come about in this horrible new world that the author has created. It's written with such attention to detail and vivid imagery that I easily slipped back inside within the first couple of sentences. I could shut my eyes and see myself beside Spademan in this New York of his world - and experience everything just as he would. That kind of immersion is rare in a book, especially one that's so different from our own, and I consider that to be a huge indicator of the author's talent. The writing itself was phenomenal - just like the first. I was afraid that it wouldn't capture me in the same way as the previous book did, but I had nothing to fear - it was all written in the exact same gritty narrative with dark humor that had me snickering (a lot). The writing, in my opinion, reminds me of Frank Miller with it's short dialogue lines, twisted characters, and thrilling plot. The book was a quick read for me - however, I was already accustomed to the way the author writes and didn't have to figure it out. Some readers find the writing hard to decipher, at least at first, due to the lack of punctuation in places, the short lines, and no indications of what is dialogue and what isn't as well as who is saying what. Once you catch on though, the story really flies and you become completely engrossed in the story. I can honestly say that I love this book just as much as the first. There isn't any aspect of the book - from writing style to characters and setting to the plot itself and anything in between - that didn't blow my mind. It's hard to describe a book like this one - let alone try to write a coherent review of it. There's no way I could ever do it the justice it deserves, but I'm trying my best to convey how unique and unconventional the book is. Obviously, this book won't be for every reader. There will be those who don't like the writing style, or the overall plot and narrative. That's fine and to be expected. But for those readers who - like myself - enjoy this type of gritty, twisted, and darkly funny fiction and love to be totally engrossed and glued to each word - you need to read this book. Seriously. I can't recommend this novel, or the first novel in the series, highly enough. This is definitely going to be a favorite for this year and will end up on my all time favorites list. I'm keeping my eye on this author and I can't wait to see what he's going to come up with next.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review through the Blogging for Books Program.
The author's first book in the series took me completely by surprise and it ended up being one of my favorite books of the year. Needless to say, I had pretty high expectations and hopes for this book - and the author didn't fail to deliver. The story has all of the strange and twisted elements as the first, our anti-hero main character is back, and the plot turned out to be complex with lots of twists. Spademan remains the gruff main character of the book - although he's still an anti-hero, those who have read the first book know a bit more about his character and can see beneath that layer of his personality to something more underneath. I loved Spademan just as much in this novel as I did in the last - he continues to be a favorite character of mine. The other characters in the book were well written, especially Lesser, who we get to know decently well. Again, he's not a saint or anything, but he's also much more than what he's known for.
I loved the plot for the story. It was genius and original - terrorists going into the limnosphere and attacking from the inside? Awesome. As the story progresses and we learn more about these terrorists and their plan, the more we really get to dive into the perverse thinking and actions that have come about in this horrible new world that the author has created. It's written with such attention to detail and vivid imagery that I easily slipped back inside within the first couple of sentences. I could shut my eyes and see myself beside Spademan in this New York of his world - and experience everything just as he would. That kind of immersion is rare in a book, especially one that's so different from our own, and I consider that to be a huge indicator of the author's talent. The writing itself was phenomenal - just like the first. I was afraid that it wouldn't capture me in the same way as the previous book did, but I had nothing to fear - it was all written in the exact same gritty narrative with dark humor that had me snickering (a lot). The writing, in my opinion, reminds me of Frank Miller with it's short dialogue lines, twisted characters, and thrilling plot. The book was a quick read for me - however, I was already accustomed to the way the author writes and didn't have to figure it out. Some readers find the writing hard to decipher, at least at first, due to the lack of punctuation in places, the short lines, and no indications of what is dialogue and what isn't as well as who is saying what. Once you catch on though, the story really flies and you become completely engrossed in the story. I can honestly say that I love this book just as much as the first. There isn't any aspect of the book - from writing style to characters and setting to the plot itself and anything in between - that didn't blow my mind. It's hard to describe a book like this one - let alone try to write a coherent review of it. There's no way I could ever do it the justice it deserves, but I'm trying my best to convey how unique and unconventional the book is. Obviously, this book won't be for every reader. There will be those who don't like the writing style, or the overall plot and narrative. That's fine and to be expected. But for those readers who - like myself - enjoy this type of gritty, twisted, and darkly funny fiction and love to be totally engrossed and glued to each word - you need to read this book. Seriously. I can't recommend this novel, or the first novel in the series, highly enough. This is definitely going to be a favorite for this year and will end up on my all time favorites list. I'm keeping my eye on this author and I can't wait to see what he's going to come up with next.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review through the Blogging for Books Program.
July 3, 2019
Written like thoughts. Strange & compelling.
January 24, 2016
My full review can be found on www.thebooksbuzz.com
I'm stepping out of my comfort zone to try some hard-hitting literary fiction. Near Enemy is a book that packs a punch and takes place in a reality that doesn't seem so far off into the future. For fans of Ready Player One, Near Enemy is one heck of a novel that will have you seriously messed up by the end.
The reason I compare this book with Ready Player One by Ernest Cline is due to the fact that it deals with the virtual reality concept. Reality sucks so people have to rely on a virtual reality world to get the most out of what's left of their lives. There was a similar concept between the two books but they were not played out in the same way. The virtual reality world is called the limn and it's primarily for anyone who could afford it. As a virtual reality world it gives free will for people to enjoy themselves except for one very important rule-- You can't be killed through the limn. It's not until speculating evidence gives light to the possibility of death through the limn does Spademan begin to realize that virtual reality isn't the safe haven the world has been looking for after the terrorists attacked.
This book is more a mix of a mystery/crime scene novel and a thriller. You're obligated to follow the clues, along with Spademan, and find out the truth behind the killings and possible murders. This book doesn't stop short of anything. You're always on another lead, stuck in another situation, or even getting it down with a naughty nurse. The fact that this book didn't focus much on romance brings such a relief because I believe I've had my fair share with romance-- especially with YA romances, which are kind of cliche and unrealistic.
The writing style is... peculiar. The only real problem I had with this novel was particularly the writing style. At times it bugged the hell out of me and at others, I was indifferent. The author doesn't use quotation marks in dialogue and everything's just really staggered. I got stuck sometimes where I wouldn't know when a character was talking because I didn't see any quotations. I'm kind of curious, however, as to why the author doesn't use quotation marks. I mean, don't get me wrong. It's a pretty cool perspective and looks good on paper, but I personally wasn't a fan.
How else do I say this? This book was so in and modern. I don't know how to fully articulate this point but being a girl from the city that never sleeps, there were so many references that made my heart flutter. If you're a sight-seer or wanderlust-er, this book will probably convince you to visit New York. There's talk of Hoboken, Times Square, and even Chinatown.
On Goodreads it says that this book is the second installment in the Spademan series. I did not read the first book and don't think it's necessary to fully enjoy this novel. In fact, the beginning of this book doesn't even sound like a sequel. This book is just a follow up to its predecessor and another story about the same character, Spademan. It's not necessarily a 'sequel'.
I think I've covered everything I wanted to talk about. My review doesn't do this book justice. The best way I can describe it is as a book that can be compared to others but is nothing alike. The writing style takes a long while to get used to but it's nothing we book-lovers can't handle. A gritty novel with twists and turns you'll never see coming.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I'm stepping out of my comfort zone to try some hard-hitting literary fiction. Near Enemy is a book that packs a punch and takes place in a reality that doesn't seem so far off into the future. For fans of Ready Player One, Near Enemy is one heck of a novel that will have you seriously messed up by the end.
The reason I compare this book with Ready Player One by Ernest Cline is due to the fact that it deals with the virtual reality concept. Reality sucks so people have to rely on a virtual reality world to get the most out of what's left of their lives. There was a similar concept between the two books but they were not played out in the same way. The virtual reality world is called the limn and it's primarily for anyone who could afford it. As a virtual reality world it gives free will for people to enjoy themselves except for one very important rule-- You can't be killed through the limn. It's not until speculating evidence gives light to the possibility of death through the limn does Spademan begin to realize that virtual reality isn't the safe haven the world has been looking for after the terrorists attacked.
This book is more a mix of a mystery/crime scene novel and a thriller. You're obligated to follow the clues, along with Spademan, and find out the truth behind the killings and possible murders. This book doesn't stop short of anything. You're always on another lead, stuck in another situation, or even getting it down with a naughty nurse. The fact that this book didn't focus much on romance brings such a relief because I believe I've had my fair share with romance-- especially with YA romances, which are kind of cliche and unrealistic.
The writing style is... peculiar. The only real problem I had with this novel was particularly the writing style. At times it bugged the hell out of me and at others, I was indifferent. The author doesn't use quotation marks in dialogue and everything's just really staggered. I got stuck sometimes where I wouldn't know when a character was talking because I didn't see any quotations. I'm kind of curious, however, as to why the author doesn't use quotation marks. I mean, don't get me wrong. It's a pretty cool perspective and looks good on paper, but I personally wasn't a fan.
How else do I say this? This book was so in and modern. I don't know how to fully articulate this point but being a girl from the city that never sleeps, there were so many references that made my heart flutter. If you're a sight-seer or wanderlust-er, this book will probably convince you to visit New York. There's talk of Hoboken, Times Square, and even Chinatown.
On Goodreads it says that this book is the second installment in the Spademan series. I did not read the first book and don't think it's necessary to fully enjoy this novel. In fact, the beginning of this book doesn't even sound like a sequel. This book is just a follow up to its predecessor and another story about the same character, Spademan. It's not necessarily a 'sequel'.
I think I've covered everything I wanted to talk about. My review doesn't do this book justice. The best way I can describe it is as a book that can be compared to others but is nothing alike. The writing style takes a long while to get used to but it's nothing we book-lovers can't handle. A gritty novel with twists and turns you'll never see coming.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2017
It's the near future and a terrorism weary NYC is mostly populated by those without better options, except for a handful of the very wealthy who can afford to tap into the limnosphere, a very expensive and highly realistic somatosensory experience far superior to the internet. It's so satisfyingly real that an entirely new service economy has emerged to allow users to remain tapped in (accessed via a bed, IVs, wires and the supervision of a nurse) for days at a time. The "limn" has become the method of choice for tolerating this ersatz NYC and what started with noble intentions has of course progressed to allow for the enactment of one's darkest and most disturbing fantasies without real life consequences. In fact, when it comes to the limn, there's really only one surety; nothing that happens in the limn can kill you in real life.
Enter Spademan, the garbage man turned hitman when terrorists turned his world upside down. His newest contract targets a young man named Lesser who is a talented “hopper”, one who can lurk in the limn and spy on the twisted dreams of the rich and sick. Spademan catches up to Lesser just as he’s emerging terrified from the limn with some unbelievable news. Namely that terrorists have made their way into that world now and it looks like they’ve found a way around that whole “nobody dies in the limn” rule.
This shocker sets the plot in motion and puts Spademan in contact with a slew of interesting characters. Happily, some are familiar old friends from Shovel Ready, but several of the new characters are equally as entertaining, from a beautiful nurse, to a director of the secret project “Near Enemy”, from an aging NYPD detective to a group of thugs who punish hoppers in the limn and anybody who gets in their way in real life. Nobody manages to steal the show from Spademan however. His wonderful character is further developed in this sophomore effort and we learn a lot more about his upbringing, his intelligence and his motivations. As an anti-hero he oozes cool with his terse and succinct narrative style, and dialog, and will delight any fan of quickly getting to the point.
Sternbergh has a gift for plot and pacing, and Near Enemy is every bit as strong in these areas as its Edgar Award nominated predecessor. You may wonder if it’s necessary to have read Shovel Ready to fully enjoy Near Enemy, and I’ll tell you that technically it is not. It’s clear Sternbergh made an effort to fill in many of the historical gaps for first time readers. However, I strongly recommend reading Shovel Ready simply because it’s a great book and a fantastic start to what is becoming a really enjoyable series. And, just as I did with Shovel Ready, I found myself thinking over and over again, “this would make an incredible movie.” Shovel Ready was Hollywood Ready, and Near Enemy is no less so.
Near Enemy has provided my most enjoyable reading experience of 2015, and I strongly recommend it to all. This is a fast paced bit of cyber punk written by a prescient author who manages to give a dark and twisted future a sometimes frighteningly realistic feel. It is every bit as strong as his debut novel, and because he can build on Spademan’s history, its characters are more fully developed. Don’t miss this series, and don’t miss Near Enemy. This is a ride you definitely want to take, and will remind you why you love to read.
Enter Spademan, the garbage man turned hitman when terrorists turned his world upside down. His newest contract targets a young man named Lesser who is a talented “hopper”, one who can lurk in the limn and spy on the twisted dreams of the rich and sick. Spademan catches up to Lesser just as he’s emerging terrified from the limn with some unbelievable news. Namely that terrorists have made their way into that world now and it looks like they’ve found a way around that whole “nobody dies in the limn” rule.
This shocker sets the plot in motion and puts Spademan in contact with a slew of interesting characters. Happily, some are familiar old friends from Shovel Ready, but several of the new characters are equally as entertaining, from a beautiful nurse, to a director of the secret project “Near Enemy”, from an aging NYPD detective to a group of thugs who punish hoppers in the limn and anybody who gets in their way in real life. Nobody manages to steal the show from Spademan however. His wonderful character is further developed in this sophomore effort and we learn a lot more about his upbringing, his intelligence and his motivations. As an anti-hero he oozes cool with his terse and succinct narrative style, and dialog, and will delight any fan of quickly getting to the point.
Sternbergh has a gift for plot and pacing, and Near Enemy is every bit as strong in these areas as its Edgar Award nominated predecessor. You may wonder if it’s necessary to have read Shovel Ready to fully enjoy Near Enemy, and I’ll tell you that technically it is not. It’s clear Sternbergh made an effort to fill in many of the historical gaps for first time readers. However, I strongly recommend reading Shovel Ready simply because it’s a great book and a fantastic start to what is becoming a really enjoyable series. And, just as I did with Shovel Ready, I found myself thinking over and over again, “this would make an incredible movie.” Shovel Ready was Hollywood Ready, and Near Enemy is no less so.
Near Enemy has provided my most enjoyable reading experience of 2015, and I strongly recommend it to all. This is a fast paced bit of cyber punk written by a prescient author who manages to give a dark and twisted future a sometimes frighteningly realistic feel. It is every bit as strong as his debut novel, and because he can build on Spademan’s history, its characters are more fully developed. Don’t miss this series, and don’t miss Near Enemy. This is a ride you definitely want to take, and will remind you why you love to read.
December 9, 2018
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
New York is toxic—decimated by a dirty bomb years ago. The limnosphere is a virtual safe haven—if you're rich enough to buy in. Spademan is a hit man—box-cutter at the ready.
His latest job is to snuff out Lesser, a lowlife lurking around other people's fantasies. As Spademan is about to close the deal, Lesser comes back from the limn with a wild claim: terrorists are planning to attack New York. Again. This time from the inside out.
The warning sends Spademan down a dark path full of unsavory characters and startling revelations. A shadowy political fixer tells him of a long-running power struggle that goes all the way to City Hall. A brilliant Egyptian radical brings Spademan to the mysterious far-reaches of the limn. And a beautiful nurse holds the secret to what, and who, is behind these attacks—and she seems to want to help Spademan stop them. But he works best alone. Or so he thinks.
Spademan has always had his share of enemies, but now they're coming at him from all sides and it's impossible to know whom to trust. To stay sharp, his only option might be the one thing he swore he'd never do again.
I read the first book in this series, Shovel Ready, a little while back and was immensely entertained. It turned a lot of sci-fi / dystopian tropes on their head and really delivered a satisfying read.
While this one maintained the same writing style that won me over the first time (those short, choppy sentences really work for me here), it just seemed to stretch the resilience of the ready with a lot of repetitive information about the explosion, in particular, but also of the city itself.
Then there was the seemingly lack of details...and then "info-dump"...and then *crickets* again...that seemed to take away from the flow of the story. I don't remember if it was like that in the first book, but I doubt it.
Finally, I hate cliffhanger endings. People don't buy books, invest their (limited) time in the story, only to find out that it won't be resolved until a later book. It is unsatisfying and cheap. Might as well put nothing in the book at all except "Buy my next book" on the last page...
Overall, still an intriguing story but I feel that a bit of substance was lacking this time around.
Paul
ARH
New York is toxic—decimated by a dirty bomb years ago. The limnosphere is a virtual safe haven—if you're rich enough to buy in. Spademan is a hit man—box-cutter at the ready.
His latest job is to snuff out Lesser, a lowlife lurking around other people's fantasies. As Spademan is about to close the deal, Lesser comes back from the limn with a wild claim: terrorists are planning to attack New York. Again. This time from the inside out.
The warning sends Spademan down a dark path full of unsavory characters and startling revelations. A shadowy political fixer tells him of a long-running power struggle that goes all the way to City Hall. A brilliant Egyptian radical brings Spademan to the mysterious far-reaches of the limn. And a beautiful nurse holds the secret to what, and who, is behind these attacks—and she seems to want to help Spademan stop them. But he works best alone. Or so he thinks.
Spademan has always had his share of enemies, but now they're coming at him from all sides and it's impossible to know whom to trust. To stay sharp, his only option might be the one thing he swore he'd never do again.
I read the first book in this series, Shovel Ready, a little while back and was immensely entertained. It turned a lot of sci-fi / dystopian tropes on their head and really delivered a satisfying read.
While this one maintained the same writing style that won me over the first time (those short, choppy sentences really work for me here), it just seemed to stretch the resilience of the ready with a lot of repetitive information about the explosion, in particular, but also of the city itself.
Then there was the seemingly lack of details...and then "info-dump"...and then *crickets* again...that seemed to take away from the flow of the story. I don't remember if it was like that in the first book, but I doubt it.
Finally, I hate cliffhanger endings. People don't buy books, invest their (limited) time in the story, only to find out that it won't be resolved until a later book. It is unsatisfying and cheap. Might as well put nothing in the book at all except "Buy my next book" on the last page...
Overall, still an intriguing story but I feel that a bit of substance was lacking this time around.
Paul
ARH
November 1, 2015
Spademan is a hit man for hire.
He used to be a garbage man. Had a family.
Then someone set off a dirty bomb in Times Square.
New York - The City, Died.
His family? They died too.
Only those with nothing left to live for walk the street.
Everyone else? They left town. All 8 million of them.
Headed upstate. Outstate. New Jersey.
They also escaped by jacking themselves into the limn.
Actually, it’s the limnosphere, or limn for short.
It’s a virtual cyberspace utopia where you can live out your fantasies as an avatar.
A safe place.
Away from real life.
Away from terrorists.
But only if you are rich.
Nothing can hurt you. Get stabbed? Reboot.
Lose and arm? Grow some wings.
You can’t die. Not in real life.
Or so they thought.
Someone died in the limn.
They also died in real life
Not good.
Spademan has a mission. Who’s messing with the limn?
Corrupt Politicians?
Wanna-be puppet masters?
Egyptian terrorists?
Tough guys in overalls?
A beautiful Nurse?
(There’s always a beautiful woman in noir books and films)
If they can reach you in the limn, is no place safe?
Time is running out.
Near Enemy. Gritty. Post-apocalyptic.
Part sci-fi. Mostly urban noir. Fast paced. Grimly humorous.
Mixes Double Indemnity with Raymond Chandler with a heavy hand on the return lever of a typewriter.
Spademan?
Hard-boiled, antihero. Uses a box-cutter as a weapon of choice.
The writing? Short sentences. Quick. No quotation marks. To the point.
Kinda like this review.
Actually, just like this review.
Second book in a series.
Oh, didn’t I mention that?
I hate coming into a series late. I actually avoid it at all cost.
It didn’t matter.
Adam Sternbergh. The author.
He picks you up.
Throws you over the side of the pool.
Lets you thrash about in water.
You learn to swim.
Quickly.
Faults? It had a few.
Some returning characters seemed thrown in.
While the Spademan character is interesting, I missed out on the “hitman-for-hire” feeling.
But I’m sure it was in the first novel.
Some information toward the end of the novel and the climax refers to knowledge gained from the first novel.
Hate that.
Not important though.
You’ll catch on. I did.
My recommendation?
Near Enemy is definitely worth read.
But don’t read it.
Just not yet anyway.
Go read Sternbergh’s first Spademan novel.
Shovel Ready.
Trust me?
You probably shouldn’t.
I haven’t read it yet. But I plan to.
I definitely plan to.
I can’t honestly advise you to start a series after it’s started.
But when you are done with Shovel Ready, go read Near Enemy.
Looking forward to the next Spademan novel.
Three Stars out of Five. Good novel, easy read, interesting premise, interesting characters, page-turner.
Oh yeah. The disclaimer.
I received a free copy of this novel from Blogging for Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Honestly.
Like my review? See more at Astounding Books.
September 14, 2014
"Near Enemy" is the second book in this cyberpunk series and Spademan and his colorful cohorts are all back in action. As before, there is a high body count. This book picks up about one year after the end of "Shovel Ready". I enjoyed both books, but I think you should probably read them in order to fully appreciate them. The books take place in a near future New York City that has been disrupted by several terrorist attacks. A lot of the action takes place in cyberspace. As a New Yorker, I felt that the descriptions of various locales, such as Times Square, The Cloisters and South Street Seaport, were totally accurate.
Spademan is a former garbage man, now an assassin, who spends more time trying to save people than he does trying to kill them. I like the author's writing style with choppy sentences, a fast pace and a dark sense if humor, but that might not work for everyone.
I thought that "Shovel Ready" worked a little better as a standalone book. While the plot of this book does come to a satisfactory (if not necessarily happy) conclusion, the end of "Near Enemy" is a cliffhanger that sets up the next book in the series. I'm looking forward to book three.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
February 18, 2015
I'm still really enjoying the world and the characters but some reason or another the story didn't stick as well with me. Spademan is still Spademan (ex-garbage collector turned hitman in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack on New York City) and the writing is still so rhythmic and engaging that I found myself reading most of it in one sitting despite myself.
Much like the last book (Shovel Ready) Spademan takes a job but the job goes pear shaped really quickly. In this case the man he's about to kill while in the limn comes awake screaming about a new terrorist plot. What said terrorist plot is really going to be attacking is another issue entirely.
If you liked the first book, you should definitely give this one a go. If you like a bit of hard-boiled, gritty, sci-fi noir; go grab Shovel Ready and then this one. You can probably get away without reading book one to understand this but I think you should still start at the beginning.
Much like the last book (Shovel Ready) Spademan takes a job but the job goes pear shaped really quickly. In this case the man he's about to kill while in the limn comes awake screaming about a new terrorist plot. What said terrorist plot is really going to be attacking is another issue entirely.
If you liked the first book, you should definitely give this one a go. If you like a bit of hard-boiled, gritty, sci-fi noir; go grab Shovel Ready and then this one. You can probably get away without reading book one to understand this but I think you should still start at the beginning.
February 27, 2015
When I read a debut novel and really like it, I'm both eager and hesitant for the next. Will the elements I liked in the initial book carry through? With Near Enemy, I owe Adam Sternberg a huge thank you (and maybe a drink if he ever comes to town.) Spademan is back, and the novel is good. Again there's crisp, fragments of dialog (which I understand drove some readers nuts, but I enjoyed), characters who have depth, darkness, and light. The New York City and surrounds of a post-dirty-bomb-in-Times-Square world is fascinating, horrifying. The plot-line has satisfying twists and layers. In a world that no longer has many of my favorite mystery/suspense writers, and where, as a science-fiction fan who is tired of aliens and off-world stories, Spademan has slid right into the opening on my bookshelf. I look forward to more in the series. Thank you to Blogging for Books and the publisher for sending me this copy.
PS Shovel Ready was the first book.
PS Shovel Ready was the first book.
May 16, 2016
I loved Shovel Ready so was looking forward to the second book about Spademan. I'm not a big fan of crime thrillers, so was surprised to be swept away by this series and by the noir style. It's not something I would normally choose to read, but the apocalyptic setting hooked me in and I'm glad it did.
It's a year since the events of Shovel Ready, and Spademan has taken responsibility for Persephone and her daughter. He's also still taking on jobs, and as the book opens he's hunting down his next target.
Near Enemy kicks off with a big question hanging over the limnosphere - can people be killed from within the limn? It's supposed to be impossible, but Spademan is starting to suspect that someone has found a way.
Action-packed, but with quite a bit of character-development for Spademan as he struggles to juggle his work with his concern for his 'family'.
It's a year since the events of Shovel Ready, and Spademan has taken responsibility for Persephone and her daughter. He's also still taking on jobs, and as the book opens he's hunting down his next target.
Near Enemy kicks off with a big question hanging over the limnosphere - can people be killed from within the limn? It's supposed to be impossible, but Spademan is starting to suspect that someone has found a way.
Action-packed, but with quite a bit of character-development for Spademan as he struggles to juggle his work with his concern for his 'family'.
January 22, 2016
I loved this book.
I was not prepared to.
The protagonist is a murderer-for-hire in the contaminated and increasingly deserted New York City of the near future. Life is so dismal that the only thing allowing people to exist here is the limnosphere, an immersive web where anything can happen ... including murder most foul
Spademan is terse, almost inchoate and then he lets loose with a reference to "pointillism." You get to have a deep affection for Spademan, a garbageman, turned hitman.
The stacatto prose is a first off-putting ... but it took me less than a chapter to get into it. This thriller/mystery set against a dystopian future is effective, engaging and sufficiently convoluted to keep me happy.
The short take is that I have bought the prequel to this am am looking for a nice scary place to read it.
I was not prepared to.
The protagonist is a murderer-for-hire in the contaminated and increasingly deserted New York City of the near future. Life is so dismal that the only thing allowing people to exist here is the limnosphere, an immersive web where anything can happen ... including murder most foul
Spademan is terse, almost inchoate and then he lets loose with a reference to "pointillism." You get to have a deep affection for Spademan, a garbageman, turned hitman.
The stacatto prose is a first off-putting ... but it took me less than a chapter to get into it. This thriller/mystery set against a dystopian future is effective, engaging and sufficiently convoluted to keep me happy.
The short take is that I have bought the prequel to this am am looking for a nice scary place to read it.
May 26, 2015
Wow! Adam Sternbergh is becoming one of my favorite authors! I received Near Enemy, book two in the Spademan novels, from bloggingforbooks.com in exchange for a review; and I am not disappointed in it. I loved the first book, Shovel Ready, and when I saw that this book was available I had to have it! Adam Sternbergh has created a series that I feel will become a classic; and if it doesn't than there is something wrong with the world. I loved this book so much that after having JUST finished it I want to pick it back up and read it again! Such an amazing read! I am very excited that the end was so open ended leading to a possible third novel. I will absolute be on the look out for it!
March 19, 2015
Sternbergh displays a nice set of skills in writing an exciting thriller set in a dystopian world. The first pages draw the reader in quickly and set the stage for an amazing read through the entire book. The characters are well fleshed out, especially the main voice in the book. Although this is the second novel with the same main character, I didn't feel lost having not read the first novel. I would however, recommend you pick up the first one as I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as this one. This has been a fun read, one I won't soon forget. I received an ARC through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.
November 30, 2015
Mit der Spademan-Reihe hat Autor Adam Sternbergh eine moderne und abgefahrene Saga erschaffen. Die Bücher um den Müllmann sind nicht nur rasend schnell und griffig gschrieben, sie verfügen auch über eine tolle Satire und interessante Darstellung einer dunklen Zukunft.
"Near Enemy" weiss den Leser wunderbar zu unterhalten und präsentiert tolle Einfälle. Verweise auf aktuelle geopolitische Themen und deren Auswirkungen regen zum denken an, die brutalen Geschehnisse zum verwundert sein. Wie ein Actionfilm mit etwas Anspruch.
"Near Enemy" weiss den Leser wunderbar zu unterhalten und präsentiert tolle Einfälle. Verweise auf aktuelle geopolitische Themen und deren Auswirkungen regen zum denken an, die brutalen Geschehnisse zum verwundert sein. Wie ein Actionfilm mit etwas Anspruch.
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