The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
egrace13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sm_almon's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely enjoyed this. Found some storylines more compelling than others (eg. would have loved to have had even more about Nate), but liked how the book made the era really come alive.
emwiessinger's review against another edition
4.0
I’m a huge fan of Westerns, so it was slightly predictable.
ken_bookhermit's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed everything about THE OUTCAST's prose, sucker that I am for historical fiction of this time period. It's era-specific, peppered with detail that makes the entire narrative delightful to read. It's immersive and considering Lucinda's surroundings, can be lush and decadent at times. Pacing has the tendency to be rapid, which I like, but slackens in parts so I can catch my breath. What then, is my problem? I think it's with Nate and the way he seemingly lost his personality closer to the end. Which, with everything that is happening, the plot careening to a close, I didn't care whether he lived or died. Unfortunately.
notquitepetite's review against another edition
3.0
The pacing was slow at first but once the two stories started weaving together it picked up. an interesting story.
acinthedc's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads.
Set mostly in Texas shortly after the Civil War has officially ended, The Outcasts is a cautionary tale of the harsh realities of the old West. The story alternates from the perspectives of Lucinda, escaping life in a brothel to pursue a different life, and Nate Cannon, a Texas policeman trying to survive long enough to return to his wife and daughter.
An intriguing tale of lawmen in hot pursuit of a wanted man and a woman in love who will do almost anything to prove her loyalty. There are strong themes of loyalty and family throughout the book. Kent does a nice job of keeping the reader engaged with a cast of colorful characters, and building tension along the way. However, it has a slow start and as the story unfolds I got impatient waiting for Nate and Lucinda's stories to merge (It was mostly worth the wait).
A solid 3.5 stars
Set mostly in Texas shortly after the Civil War has officially ended, The Outcasts is a cautionary tale of the harsh realities of the old West. The story alternates from the perspectives of Lucinda, escaping life in a brothel to pursue a different life, and Nate Cannon, a Texas policeman trying to survive long enough to return to his wife and daughter.
An intriguing tale of lawmen in hot pursuit of a wanted man and a woman in love who will do almost anything to prove her loyalty. There are strong themes of loyalty and family throughout the book. Kent does a nice job of keeping the reader engaged with a cast of colorful characters, and building tension along the way. However, it has a slow start and as the story unfolds I got impatient waiting for Nate and Lucinda's stories to merge (It was mostly worth the wait).
A solid 3.5 stars
cjmichel's review against another edition
1.0
I was quite ready to enjoy The Outcasts by Kathleen Kent, but I was really disappointed with the actual characters. I expect to like the main characters, but I almost resented that this was the expectation for this novel. I sympathize that Lucinda has some form of epilepsy in a time where the condition is misunderstood, but the cold-heartedness of this character was more appalling than the strength of that sympathy. To connive to gain the secrets of one man only to turn those secrets against him by proffering them to another who shows no loyalty to her but promises an abusive relationship if the relationship continues is beyond blindness. Lucinda appears intelligent yet her actions speak louder in another direction. When directed to bring an innocent rival into the abusive relationship, instead of saying no, Lucinda sends her to a brothel to be sold into a life of even greater abuse when she could have left her home with her family. She would rather destroy those around herself than just move on if she doesn't want that lifestyle and she has no conscience about these horrible fates she forces people into, no remorse.
Of course Lucinda is not the only character with the same lack of humanity. I did not like novel, and I am sorry I ever picked it up.
Of course Lucinda is not the only character with the same lack of humanity. I did not like novel, and I am sorry I ever picked it up.
mackle13's review against another edition
2.0
I almost abandoned this book around the 80-something page mark, because it was slow and plodding and I didn't really care about any of the characters. I ended up pushing through, but can't say I'm particularly glad that I did.
The story alternates between two perspectives - Lucinda, a prostitute trying to make a better life for herself through cons and thievery, and Nate, a short-term Texas law man who hooks up with rangers Deerling and Dr. Tom on the hunt for McGill, a "ruthless killer", as the blurb says.
The two stories converge, of course, and as the story progresses the many ways that the two stories come together gets to be on the ridiculous side, especially at the end. I mean, my last thoughts on finishing the books were an eyeroll and a "seriously?".
But the biggest problem, really, is just that's just so slow. I mean, most of the time spent with Nate is riding, camping, sitting by sick beds, some more riding... the only character I really liked was Dr. Tom.
As for Lucinda, it's like we're meant to feel sympathetic for her, but it's kind of impossible to do so. I mean, I guess I did at times, but I also felt like she sort of made her bed, ya know?
Anyway -
It's a meh story with meh writing and while I didn't hate it, I certainly wouldn't recommend it.
The story alternates between two perspectives - Lucinda, a prostitute trying to make a better life for herself through cons and thievery, and Nate, a short-term Texas law man who hooks up with rangers Deerling and Dr. Tom on the hunt for McGill, a "ruthless killer", as the blurb says.
The two stories converge, of course, and as the story progresses the many ways that the two stories come together gets to be on the ridiculous side, especially at the end. I mean, my last thoughts on finishing the books were an eyeroll and a "seriously?".
But the biggest problem, really, is just that's just so slow. I mean, most of the time spent with Nate is riding, camping, sitting by sick beds, some more riding... the only character I really liked was Dr. Tom.
As for Lucinda, it's like we're meant to feel sympathetic for her, but it's kind of impossible to do so. I mean, I guess I did at times, but I also felt like she sort of made her bed, ya know?
Anyway -
It's a meh story with meh writing and while I didn't hate it, I certainly wouldn't recommend it.
darlingstern's review against another edition
1.5
was so excited based on the premise but it honestly just kinda suckedÂ