Last Bastards Standing

I was offered the e-version of Last Bastards Standing by author Sienna Cassedy for review.

This was a weird experience from start to finish. Most important of course is that I really enjoyed this book. It's like no other book I have ever read, but more on that later.

When author Cassedy sent the mobi file for Last Bastards Standing, it came without a cover or title page and identified as "unknown". The only identification was the copyright date and the authors name. Strange on my e-reader to see the listing; Unknown-hbib. That's how the book lists on my device. Add to that the fact that there was no listing for Last Bastards Standing on Goodreads (there is now, you're welcome) but there was on Amazon.

Anyway, on to the book. As I said, unlike any book I've read before. It is told like a first person report of the goings on of the main character who is either extremely angry, extremely arrogant, or a self defined member of the intelligentsia who believes she is above the mundane mortals of the world. She may just be bat-crap crazy and knows it. It is probably a case of all of the above.

The reader is taken on a bizarre trip through the world Sal occupies, meets an assortment of people who normally go unseen, or at least unacknowledged in society. Sal often (usually) takes her anger/ superiority out on the lesser/ better mortals she encounters (including sometimes, the reader). She is a walking ball of contradictions, self-hate and self-importance.  

This book is not a happily- ever- after kind of book, but it is a funny, irreverent, and at times, touching story. I was somewhat disturbed to find out why I like meat, oh well. The story does end with a cliffhanger (bastard), you'll have to read the book to understand this reference (it's not an insult). There are a lot of cultural references, many involving music and books, most of which I got.

So, if you like edgy, intellectual (or pseudo-intellectual) stories you too will probably enjoy Last Bastards Standing by Sienna Cassedy. Of course it may just be that she is poking fun at all of us. Either way, enjoy!


Mike