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em_jay's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic western horror by two favorite authors. Recommended!
himynameismichael923's review
3.0
2022 Horror Reading Challenge: Western
The old west is one of those time periods, that I romanticize. I just don’t think there are many things cooler than old school cowboys and outlaws. The Navajo Nightmare started off so strong. The novela is split into two parts, each part written by a different author. David Sodegren wrote the first part and Steve Shred wrote the second. I wish David wrote the whole thing, because his part, in every way, outshines Steve’s. The first half feels more fleshed out, the characters way more developed, and even the violence carries much more weight. The story is cool, it’s the story of a man, Charles, who looses everything he loves and needs revenge. The devil approaches him with an offer to receive the ability to wreck havoc on his enemies, and the Navajo Nightmare is born.
This could have easily been a 4-5 star book with David solely behind the helm, but as is, it just doesn’t pack the punch I desired.
The old west is one of those time periods, that I romanticize. I just don’t think there are many things cooler than old school cowboys and outlaws. The Navajo Nightmare started off so strong. The novela is split into two parts, each part written by a different author. David Sodegren wrote the first part and Steve Shred wrote the second. I wish David wrote the whole thing, because his part, in every way, outshines Steve’s. The first half feels more fleshed out, the characters way more developed, and even the violence carries much more weight. The story is cool, it’s the story of a man, Charles, who looses everything he loves and needs revenge. The devil approaches him with an offer to receive the ability to wreck havoc on his enemies, and the Navajo Nightmare is born.
This could have easily been a 4-5 star book with David solely behind the helm, but as is, it just doesn’t pack the punch I desired.
cutsajack's review
3.0
Entertaining enough.
David Sodergren has been making the rounds on Bookstagram so I figured I’d give him a go. This one is a good read but nothing overly exhilarating. I’ll be sure to check out more of his books.
3.5/5
Happy reading, everybody!
David Sodergren has been making the rounds on Bookstagram so I figured I’d give him a go. This one is a good read but nothing overly exhilarating. I’ll be sure to check out more of his books.
3.5/5
Happy reading, everybody!
screamweaver's review
4.0
The first half really holds this up for me. The second is good but the second half felt more interesting overall. But overall as a package, it's the complete tale of one man going so far for revenge he loses himself in the process. Incredible stuff.
zaisgraph's review
dark
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't know about most Frankenbooks but this is good.
natalie_bee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
massacred_matt's review
5.0
Another great story from David Sodergren. His books have all been 5-stars for me, and the Navajo Nightmare was no different. Just brilliant. The bonus is, I've now been introduced to Steve Stred, and I am looking forward to reading more of his stories.
tittypete's review
3.0
Fun and gory. Starts out in pretty familiar territory then gets weird. Felt like I might have missed the ending. The gang is out looking for the spookus and then it's over.
georgesreads's review
2.0
I have very complex feelings about this book.
Starting with the positives:
1) The body horror is just immaculate. Having read The Haar by Sodergren and Mastodon by Steve Stred, I expected an absolute gore-fest, and this didn't disappoint in that department.
2) Especially with extreme horror, I appreciate a fast paced narrative.. and The Navajo Nightmare is action packed from beginning to end. The pacing here will keep you on the edge of your seat, and leave you with whiplash.
My issues were:
1) The writing for the first 20% really disappointed me, it felt clumsy and rushed. Having read both authors individually, I can vouch that they're both excellent at what they do.. but this one fell a bit flat for me. Luckily, a little later on this massively improves, and adheres more to what we KNOW Sodergren and Stred are capable of.
2) The characterisation. Again, this was a particular issue for me at the beginning of the story, and after a certain.. unfortunate event.. Charles (the main character) becomes much more enjoyable to read about. My problem was that it seemed the authors were trying to highlight the fact he was "Edgy," at every available opportunity. There's one line about every shirt he owns being covered in blood.. and it's just unnecessary (and also impractical) points like that that made Charles feel a little three dimensional.
PLEASE note that all opinions here are my own, and if you think differently that is OK. My overall feelings are that if the first 20-25% of the book was rewritten we would have a much more coherent and all-round satisfying story. Regardless, for the last 75% I largely enjoyed what I was reading, and this is by no means a deterrent.
Here's a brief synopsis in case you want to give this a go. Charles was once a hardened outlaw, and brutal killer- but three years after rescuing his wife Mary from a brothel, he has settled down and adjusted to family life in a quiet town. Life seems to be going well, until a group of bandits attempt to steal Charles' horses- a mistake that costs one thug two fingers. Whilst in a neighbouring town attempting to secure a loan, the bandits appear at Charles' home, and in place of two of his fingers... murder his wife, and three year old stepson Jack. Driven by hatred and revenge, Charles soon returns to his old ways, and the forces of pure evil are on his side this time.
Starting with the positives:
1) The body horror is just immaculate. Having read The Haar by Sodergren and Mastodon by Steve Stred, I expected an absolute gore-fest, and this didn't disappoint in that department.
2) Especially with extreme horror, I appreciate a fast paced narrative.. and The Navajo Nightmare is action packed from beginning to end. The pacing here will keep you on the edge of your seat, and leave you with whiplash.
My issues were:
1) The writing for the first 20% really disappointed me, it felt clumsy and rushed. Having read both authors individually, I can vouch that they're both excellent at what they do.. but this one fell a bit flat for me. Luckily, a little later on this massively improves, and adheres more to what we KNOW Sodergren and Stred are capable of.
2) The characterisation. Again, this was a particular issue for me at the beginning of the story, and after a certain.. unfortunate event.. Charles (the main character) becomes much more enjoyable to read about. My problem was that it seemed the authors were trying to highlight the fact he was "Edgy," at every available opportunity. There's one line about every shirt he owns being covered in blood.. and it's just unnecessary (and also impractical) points like that that made Charles feel a little three dimensional.
PLEASE note that all opinions here are my own, and if you think differently that is OK. My overall feelings are that if the first 20-25% of the book was rewritten we would have a much more coherent and all-round satisfying story. Regardless, for the last 75% I largely enjoyed what I was reading, and this is by no means a deterrent.
Here's a brief synopsis in case you want to give this a go. Charles was once a hardened outlaw, and brutal killer- but three years after rescuing his wife Mary from a brothel, he has settled down and adjusted to family life in a quiet town. Life seems to be going well, until a group of bandits attempt to steal Charles' horses- a mistake that costs one thug two fingers. Whilst in a neighbouring town attempting to secure a loan, the bandits appear at Charles' home, and in place of two of his fingers... murder his wife, and three year old stepson Jack. Driven by hatred and revenge, Charles soon returns to his old ways, and the forces of pure evil are on his side this time.
lenathelibra's review
2.0
[2.5 stars] I feel like such an asshole rating this book 2.5 stars because the book wasn’t even technically bad at all. Ever since reading The Haar I wanted to read every book Sodergren has published and this was the last book to read. I definitely waited to read it last since I’m not at all interested in Western books. Even though I wasn’t a fan of this story due to my own tastes in genres I can 100% see why so many people loved this book. The writing was great as always and the gore was exactly what I expect and love. It was so cool seeing Sodergren and Stred work together on this! I hope they collaborate more in the future.