Review: A book to be read by those who revel in the power of the written word
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 24, 2012
"Tough and smart at thirteen-years-old, Malcolm knew the illegal fight game like a pro, making bets and staying alive one day at a time. But nothing prepared him for Milkwood: a fat, ugly bastard who could take a beating like a government mule, but never, ever won. So when Malcolm risks his life to discover Milkwood's secret, he convinces the fighter to stop being a punching bag and to go for broke in the local tournament. Only problem? A beautiful woman called Lash who needs Milkwood for her own purposes, and a fouler creature on her heels known only as Dizzy Colt. But for Malcolm and Milkwood? Hell, it's just another day of Blood and Sawdust"What is there to say about such a novel? UTTERLY ORIGINAL AND UTTERLY ABSORBING!!!  I have read many many superb novels, and I can say NONE are like Blood and Sawdust. Jason Ridley has brilliantly carved out his own niche..and what a literary niche it is!!The slam-bamm prose..so sharp it seems written by a stright razor immediately draws the reader in, takes no prisioners!  The mix of wit, fantasy and supernatural and so much more make for a truly thrilling ride..one I cannot recommend more!!Malcolm is a most superbly realized character- an anchor in the sea of unforgetable folks who populate this tale. His heart-pounding adventures, at the hands of a rather gross bully, a "not pure as the driven snow" lady named Lash make for constant opportunities for Jason Ridly to flex his most magnificent and TRADEMARKED!! literary whip!I loved the fast pacing, locations and ..BASICALLY..I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT BLOOD AND SAWDUST!!!!AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ!!RICK FRIEDMANFOUNDERTHE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB