itsmarkyall's review against another edition
5.0
The first time I read this book I remember enjoying it but not being in love with it. Not like I loved Bull Mountain. This reread showed made me fall in love with Like Lions. It’s a powerful story and that ending will get you teary eyed.
alexcarbonneau's review against another edition
5.0
Message to Putnam's : Stop f*cking around and publish this novel.
I've heard that Putnam's holding the publishing of Like Lions because they wanted a more conventional crime series out of Bull Mountain.
From what i've learned about Brian Panowich, he is nothing but unconventional.
Here's something Big Five should understand.
A series that produces a novel a year following the same MO from sequel to sequel can be fine. Ace Atkins does a great job in the Quinn Colson series in that area. But sometimes, letting the author use the world he created to see how the environment evolves and use other characters instead of the same protagonist over and over again is as good, if not better.
Unlike its predecessor, Like Lions is a linear told story - whereas Bull Mountain was told back and forth over the span of 6 decades - and it suits the story perfectly.
Clayton Burroughs is back, shattered, bruised and looking for redemption in the bottom of the whiskey bottle while Kate, Like Lions, keep everything together.
While the word on the street that the Burroughs are a thing of the past, lurkers and roamers don't take long to invade Bull Mountain and seek to take over the Burroughs operations.
One Burroughs isn't about to hand Eden's Kingdom without a fight.
I've heard that Putnam's holding the publishing of Like Lions because they wanted a more conventional crime series out of Bull Mountain.
From what i've learned about Brian Panowich, he is nothing but unconventional.
Here's something Big Five should understand.
A series that produces a novel a year following the same MO from sequel to sequel can be fine. Ace Atkins does a great job in the Quinn Colson series in that area. But sometimes, letting the author use the world he created to see how the environment evolves and use other characters instead of the same protagonist over and over again is as good, if not better.
Unlike its predecessor, Like Lions is a linear told story - whereas Bull Mountain was told back and forth over the span of 6 decades - and it suits the story perfectly.
Clayton Burroughs is back, shattered, bruised and looking for redemption in the bottom of the whiskey bottle while Kate, Like Lions, keep everything together.
While the word on the street that the Burroughs are a thing of the past, lurkers and roamers don't take long to invade Bull Mountain and seek to take over the Burroughs operations.
One Burroughs isn't about to hand Eden's Kingdom without a fight.
sjj169's review against another edition
4.0
I've been drooling for this book since the very second that I finished it's predecessor [b:Bull Mountain|23398919|Bull Mountain|Brian Panowich|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1417982638s/23398919.jpg|42955428]. I will admit...that book is hard to top.
Was this one as good? No
Is it still worth it? Totally
The story is set a year after the events of Bull Mountain. The family legacy of the Burroughs clan has pretty much ended. Clayton is not the man that he was in the first book. And let's be honest, for me the whole first half of this book pretty much had me not liking him in the least. AND I don't mean that he had to be perfect. I like flawed characters. I don't mind if they bend some laws, heads whatever...things need to get done. You can't fault a guy that. It just seemed like his character in the first book was so fleshed out. This character seemed written by someone else trying to be Brian Panowich. I'd one star the first 45% of this one.
I will admit that right before the halfway point in this book I was tempted to throw in the towel. I'm very glad I didn't.
Because...if that first half was a one...the second is a full on five star. I got wrapped up in the story and once stuff and thangs started happening I was entranced.
By the time that the reason the book is titled Like Lions came out..I was cheering.
And then that little twist for the ending.
I was going to three star it but I just can't because of that.
I buddy read this with Becky and Dan 2.0 even though they knew I was a slacker in the reading dept lately.
Was this one as good? No
Is it still worth it? Totally
The story is set a year after the events of Bull Mountain. The family legacy of the Burroughs clan has pretty much ended. Clayton is not the man that he was in the first book. And let's be honest, for me the whole first half of this book pretty much had me not liking him in the least. AND I don't mean that he had to be perfect. I like flawed characters. I don't mind if they bend some laws, heads whatever...things need to get done. You can't fault a guy that. It just seemed like his character in the first book was so fleshed out. This character seemed written by someone else trying to be Brian Panowich. I'd one star the first 45% of this one.
I will admit that right before the halfway point in this book I was tempted to throw in the towel. I'm very glad I didn't.
Because...if that first half was a one...the second is a full on five star. I got wrapped up in the story and once stuff and thangs started happening I was entranced.
By the time that the reason the book is titled Like Lions came out..I was cheering.
And then that little twist for the ending.
I was going to three star it but I just can't because of that.
I buddy read this with Becky and Dan 2.0 even though they knew I was a slacker in the reading dept lately.
grantruby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
chazmo1431's review against another edition
5.0
Clayton Burroughs, county sheriff of this small north Georgia location, is still recovering from the major, near-death injuries of a year ago. His family and the legacy left by his father and brothers are never far from the tumultuous crime-ridden surface. It's Burroughs territory and they reined heavily until that confrontation. Their deaths and his lack of desire to take over the helm of the dynasty has begun to open the door for new and even darker gangs or clans.
There are unseen and powerful forces building a dreadful foreboding of the war to come. These factions play for keeps and when moonshine took a back seat to the drug trade, millions of dollars as well as the territory went up for grabs.
"Pride will kill you faster than a bullet."
This is a gritty, southern lit, hick lit, hillbilly noir or whatever you want to call it and I'll warn you, it's rude, crude, and socially unacceptable. The characters are raw, open, and come off totally real. Kate, Clayton's wife, is wonderful, strong, decent. She loves her man. But the man is damaged and he's drinking. He has a number of "family" who will cover his back--well, most that is because this is also a story of loyalty and betrayal. His office gal slash dispatcher, Cricket, is a great support character. Other characters have names like Scabby Mike and Nails McKenna, JoJo and Coot Viner. You'd expect that...
The conflict and turmoil have you reeling from the gut punches and flipping pages, unsure what will happen next. The plot moves with gathering speed until the explosive climax. Wow, is this guy a storyteller or what?
And just when you think it's over, the epilogue! Enough said.
There are unseen and powerful forces building a dreadful foreboding of the war to come. These factions play for keeps and when moonshine took a back seat to the drug trade, millions of dollars as well as the territory went up for grabs.
"Pride will kill you faster than a bullet."
This is a gritty, southern lit, hick lit, hillbilly noir or whatever you want to call it and I'll warn you, it's rude, crude, and socially unacceptable. The characters are raw, open, and come off totally real. Kate, Clayton's wife, is wonderful, strong, decent. She loves her man. But the man is damaged and he's drinking. He has a number of "family" who will cover his back--well, most that is because this is also a story of loyalty and betrayal. His office gal slash dispatcher, Cricket, is a great support character. Other characters have names like Scabby Mike and Nails McKenna, JoJo and Coot Viner. You'd expect that...
The conflict and turmoil have you reeling from the gut punches and flipping pages, unsure what will happen next. The plot moves with gathering speed until the explosive climax. Wow, is this guy a storyteller or what?
And just when you think it's over, the epilogue! Enough said.
billmorrow's review against another edition
4.0
Buckle up. I don't think the story let up at all. I particularly liked how what I thought was character development backstory was really part of the main plot that twists.
corysreadingcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
taralpittman's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve been fairly religious in my recommendation of Panowich’s debut, [b:Bull Mountain|23398919|Bull Mountain|Brian Panowich|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1417982638s/23398919.jpg|42955428] (my review here), which was published in 2015; I was absolutely delighted to hear that his follow up would start where Bull Mountain ended and, without spoiling anything, I can safely say that his latest effort definitely did not disappoint! Highly recommend for fans of "Southern Grit Lit" and authors like David Joy, Bryn Greenwood and Cormac McCarthy.
justin_g317's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars....
Great sequel to one of my favorite books I've read in the last few years! Returning to McFalls County we are introduced to a few new colorful characters (Freddy and Nails in particular) in the aftermath of a family showdown that ended Bull Mountain.
Needless to say, there are quite a few loose ends to tie up, and with the introduction of a rival family from across the state trying to take advantage of the turmoil thats left behind.
Kate Burroughs once again steals the show, and is quite the force to be reckoned with, although there is an almost equally strong female, Vanessa, from the Viner family for the Burroughs to contend with, not to mention her crazy, drug fueled lunatic brother Coot.
I was stunned by the ending twist to the story, gotta admit, didn't see that one coming! I'm not sure if there will be another book in this series or not, but can't wait to see what Panowich does next!!
Great sequel to one of my favorite books I've read in the last few years! Returning to McFalls County we are introduced to a few new colorful characters (Freddy and Nails in particular) in the aftermath of a family showdown that ended Bull Mountain.
Needless to say, there are quite a few loose ends to tie up, and with the introduction of a rival family from across the state trying to take advantage of the turmoil thats left behind.
Kate Burroughs once again steals the show, and is quite the force to be reckoned with, although there is an almost equally strong female, Vanessa, from the Viner family for the Burroughs to contend with, not to mention her crazy, drug fueled lunatic brother Coot.
I was stunned by the ending twist to the story, gotta admit, didn't see that one coming! I'm not sure if there will be another book in this series or not, but can't wait to see what Panowich does next!!