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Yancy Lazarus #5

Brimstone Blues

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A Demon King. An Infernal city. The whole world hangs in the balance.Yancy Lazarus—mage, bluesman, and demon-souled—is having the worst hangover of his life. 

He just woke up in a dingy hotel in literal Hell with one eye missing, an arm covered in swirling golden tattoos, and no recollection of the past six months. 

All he wants is to figure out how he ended up in the Great Below and whether there’s a way home. But getting out of Hell is no easy feat. Yancy is the most wanted man in the Infernal city of Pandæmonium, and he’s being hunted by demonic cutthroats for a series of high-profile murders he can’t remember committing.

Now, Lazarus will have to rely on the help of a shapeshifting stranger with a dark past to battle his way past a legion of freakish Hellions and the murderous Derby-Girl Nation to reclaim a weapon capable of killing even immortals. And to escape Hell? Well, he’ll need to pull off the greatest coup the Abyss has seen since the Morning Star took on Heaven. If he fails, not only will the King of Pandæmonium roast his soul for eternity, but his friends will be left to the mercies of the Savage Prophet and the Morrigan, goddess of death.

From James A. Hunter, bestselling author of Rogue Dungeon, Bibliomancer, and the LitRPG epic Viridian Gate Online, comes a shoot-'em-up urban fantasy thrill ride you won't want to put down! 

350 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2017

117 people are currently reading
111 people want to read

About the author

James A. Hunter

97 books1,116 followers
James Hunter is a full-time ink slinger, a member of SFWA, and the bestselling author of Vigil Bound, Rogue Dungeon, Shadowcroft Academy, Bibliomancer (The Completionist Chronicles Expanded Universe), and the litRPG epic Viridian Gate Online! In addition to writing, James also runs Shadow Alley Press, an industry leader that specializes in publishing LitRPG, Fantasy, and selection Science Fiction.

James is a former Marine Corps Sergeant, combat veteran, and pirate hunter (seriously). He’s also a member of The Royal Order of the Shellback—’cause that’s totally a real thing. And a spaceship captain, can’t forget that. Okay … the last one probably isn’t true. When not writing or spending time with family, James occasionally finds time to eat and sleep.

Find out more about James Hunter at www.ShadowAlleyPress.com

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5 stars
135 (53%)
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86 (33%)
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29 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Lana.
2,786 reviews59 followers
December 10, 2020
Book 5 and I just cannot get enough of this crazy, demon souled guy, whose only wish in life was to lead a calm life listening to some blues music, drinking his scotch and smoking his fags and enjoying a plate of ribs but ending up in one crazy adventure after another. Yancy has taken control of the fourth seal, so he now has two demons dwelling inside him. This time round Yancy Lazarus finds himself in hell, literally and has no idea how he got there. He is also on his own, none of his friends are with him but a shapeshifter by the name of Levi, a golem says he was sent to help him get out of Pandaemonium, which was no easy task. Yancy wants out because he starts to remember that his friends are fighting against the Savage Prophet as well as the Morrigan, the Goddess of death but Asmodeus, the King of hell wants him dead. He has set flesh eaters out to kill him, but the Succubus Queen Hecate, the lady of the crossroads also wants Azazel out of Pandaemonium and Asmodeus killed so decides to help Yancy. Levi and Yancy face many horrors in hell but set a plan in motion to kill the King in the Flesh Palace Arena, steal the artefact he wears round his neck and open a portal to the outerworld. Yancy could now control both vis and nox energies and he made full use of these to see his latest quest through to its bitter end. I just love this crazy character and his even crazier adventures and find myself looking forward to the next book in the series and dreading when the series comes to its end!
Profile Image for Amber.
27 reviews18 followers
November 2, 2017
You know you're having a bad day when you have a set of mad derby girls after you. It's a REALLY bad day when you're in Hell and it's the home team chasing you. Yancy is back and having another grand adventure - this time he's in the hottest seat of them all.

James A. Hunter's fifth book in the Yancy Lazarus series is a continuation of the fun, with the added bonus of the Mudman as a guest star. While this book detoured away from some of the characters we've met previously in the series, it was a rollicking ride nonetheless, with Yancy facing down demons and divas alike.

As I've said previously, fans of Harry Dresden will enjoy this urban fantasy series, and Brimstone Blues is no exception to that recommendation.
8 reviews1 follower
January 7, 2018
An incredible ride through hell

I finally finished reading all (currently) of James Hunter's incredible journey through the world of Yancy Lazarus. I've seen his work evolve over the course of his books, all of which I read in quick succession. I literally could not stop reading the series. I tried, a few times, to read a different author, or even a completely different genre, but I felt guilty and weak for not finishing this one. Yancy Lazarus is an amazing character, with real flaws, and true emotions. He feels, he hurts, and he fears. Never once did I imagine he would have as impressive of a story as he does. I hope others read this series, because it's incredible, and I can't wait to read the next book. Please, James, write another one, I need to know what happens.
Profile Image for D. Messing.
381 reviews5 followers
January 22, 2018
Holy mackerel, what a thrill ride of a book! I had tried the first book, and it just couldn't grasp my attention, but this had no such issues! It was a high octane roller coaster ride from start to finish and was simultaneously funny, gory, and intense enough that it left you breathless by the end. It has a pretty straightforward plot, but the action and pitfalls that complicated getting from point A to B left me scratching my head and wondering just what else could go wrong?! (Answer..... a LOT!) In a household struck down with influenza this was a very welcome respite to the daily routine! Thank you so very, very much for the opportunity to review this fabulous work!
130 reviews5 followers
October 22, 2017
Been looking forward to this book for awhile. The last book ended on a cliffhanger, which was doubly frustrating because that was the first book in the series I thought was unambiguously good. It didn't disappoint. The series has finally gotten past its origins as a mediocre Dresden Files rip-off, and this book in particular had a story and setting that meshed well with the author's writing style. Still wish he'd get over his love of the phrase 'ass over teakettle.'
44 reviews1 follower
October 13, 2017
Yancy,s back!

Brimstone Blues is the newest release in the Yancy Lazarus series and James A. Hunter has out down himself with this one.
Yancy finds himself in an awful, nasty place. He has gained a new sketchy alliance to go after an old threat.
Its was a fun, fast read. I cant wait for the next one.
5 reviews
October 24, 2017
Great read

Yancy Lazarus deserves his own movie or TV show. I love this character a lot. I can not wait for the next book. This story mixes extreme action with awesome magical effects. I love the way the author paints the scenes and breathes life into each character. I think Yancy is up there with Dresden when it comes to a modern day mage . I think he alot funnier too
Profile Image for debbie ragan.
317 reviews4 followers
October 31, 2017
Great read

The Yancy Lazarus dries are one of my favorite series! When he stepped into Hell in Savage Prophet, (Brimstone Blues was not out yet) I honestly felt like I had lost a good friend.
Profile Image for Cryogenic Fire.
230 reviews3 followers
November 10, 2017
Excellent

Another rollicking good instalment of the Yancy Lazarus series with Yancy having to escape Hell ably assisted by our favourite 'Mudman' Levi and Hecate and her crew. A blast from start to finish in typical Yancy style.
680 reviews13 followers
November 27, 2017
Better. Started out with some of the same issues that I had with the last book but improved. I mean really?! The bad guys are right behind you and and you want to have a sit-down with the guy who appears to be rescuing you?
Profile Image for Lavita Mahan.
75 reviews3 followers
December 7, 2017
Amazing!!

What a ride! This is a must read. I was unable to put this book down from the go. James Hunter knows how to spin a yarn and you never know where it ends.Unpredictable in all the best ways.
Profile Image for Alan.
143 reviews
December 11, 2017
Another novel of poor Yancy; getting in trouble without knowing why until a little more into the storyline. But we are all used to that by now. You will not be disappointed with this storyline either.
Profile Image for David.
196 reviews
September 27, 2018
Brimstone Blues

Wow, what a ride. The best Yancy Lazarus novel yet. Fun, violent, magical,engrossing. I read it in one sitting, seriously bad ass stuff. The Mudman Yancy’s comrade in arms, is a hoot. I recommend you read this novel. Fab.
546 reviews3 followers
October 17, 2017
Incredible and Outstanding

I have read all of James Hunter's books. All are outstanding. This was the best Yancy book so far which is saying alot. Unmatched urban fantasy.
321 reviews5 followers
October 19, 2017
Great

Wow....that was an amazing read combining two great characters from the mind of James Hunter. Well done... well done indeed.
12.7k reviews189 followers
November 12, 2017
What a totally different book. Clancy wakes up with no recollection of what happened these past months. A short but well worth the read story. Received an ARC and enjoyed reviewing.
Profile Image for Adam Palatnick.
7 reviews
November 24, 2017
Amazing

I can't stop reading. It is funny, adventurous, suspenseful and crazy, all of the things you would expect from a Yancy Lazarus book.
Profile Image for Jan.
6,531 reviews100 followers
November 21, 2018
Hunter hits another one out of the park with this one!
I've liked Yancy from the beginning, but the whole thing keeps getting better and better. It's a great testosterone fest but the snarks and other humor really make it!
And Charlie Kevin has the delivery of the narration down to a science!
Profile Image for Linda Grant.
89 reviews
November 13, 2018
Even Hell can't hold him

Yancy Lazarus goes to Hell, quite literally. As always he makes new allies and makes it back alive, although he does have a few close scrapes on the way. An unexpected reappearance of an old frienemy finishes this book setting it up nicely for the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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