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zaggeta's review
4.0
A highly enjoyable western that may be overstating its fantasy elements. While there are 2-3 supernatural elements, they aren't exactly crucial to the plot and could have been replaced with mundane solutions instead.
But the book is an enjoyable western romp with a likable main character and a tightly written story arc that functions well as a standalone.
But the book is an enjoyable western romp with a likable main character and a tightly written story arc that functions well as a standalone.
readingwithhippos's review
4.0
Apostle Richardson is the quintessential good guy, who thinks right and wrong is generally a straightforward distinction. But when he encounters Almena Guillory, a notorious yet beguiling outlaw who saves his life with flesh magic despite knowing he intends to arrest her, his moral code is thrown for a loop. When she escapes his custody and goes on the run, Richardson’s pursuit of her becomes all-consuming—and not just because he wants to catch a wanted criminal. There’s a lot to love here, but my favorite part was the setting—southeast Kansas, where much of my husband’s family is from. It was a hoot to hear familiar names like Cherryvale, Coffeyville, and Baxter Springs called out. I listened to the audio version, and narrator Oliver Wyman is fantastic—he nails Richardson’s gravelly twang.
n7centurion's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
clairetrellahill's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting book. Billed as “weird west” it’s the story of a US Marshall on the trail of a female outlaw. I guess you could term it alternate history although I can’t think what’s alternate about it except that it’s got this scifi/fantasy angle. Well, maybe a plot point part way though.
It did deliver on the feel of a western, the voice as well, the feeling of this kind of story came across right and I did like the struggle over the law and what’s right and wrong when you’re so far from any kind of enforcement or backup for those things. I would say I wanted it to be weirder. Things were hinted at here and there but the only main “weird” plot point was the female outlaw, Almena, has a healing ability, and she can use it on herself and others. Other than that, it felt like a typical western. Decent read if that’s what you have a hankering for. 3.5 stars.
It did deliver on the feel of a western, the voice as well, the feeling of this kind of story came across right and I did like the struggle over the law and what’s right and wrong when you’re so far from any kind of enforcement or backup for those things. I would say I wanted it to be weirder. Things were hinted at here and there but the only main “weird” plot point was the female outlaw, Almena, has a healing ability, and she can use it on herself and others. Other than that, it felt like a typical western. Decent read if that’s what you have a hankering for. 3.5 stars.
prairieraven's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is definitely out of my reading zone but was surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this, a western with a supernatural twist, it at first seems full of the trope of the genre but it is kind of turned on its head. Very clever. There is one scene that utterly destroyed me about 250 pages in. Devestated.
The book is pretty fast paced and easy to read. Wildly entertaining.
The book is pretty fast paced and easy to read. Wildly entertaining.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit
zvjeronika's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful voice and then some ...
This story of weird wild west will take you into the time of bank robberies, train hijacks and most of all mistreating of humans in general.
Feels like episode of Twilight zone gone wrong or better yet.. right. Just right.
This story of weird wild west will take you into the time of bank robberies, train hijacks and most of all mistreating of humans in general.
Feels like episode of Twilight zone gone wrong or better yet.. right. Just right.
__karen__'s review
4.0
Disclosure: I received this book as part of a promotion.
I'm not generally a fan of the Western genre but thought this might be a good listen, and it was! It's a suspenseful Western, although not as dark as a Cormac McCarthy story. Oliver Wyman's narration is spot on and makes this audiobook even more enveloping. I'd listen again, it was that entertaining. Recommended.
I'm not generally a fan of the Western genre but thought this might be a good listen, and it was! It's a suspenseful Western, although not as dark as a Cormac McCarthy story. Oliver Wyman's narration is spot on and makes this audiobook even more enveloping. I'd listen again, it was that entertaining. Recommended.
cah242's review
4.0
Man, this was a weird book. I'm not sure what I expected going in, but whatever it was is not what I got. Not a ton of action, but when it's there it's well-written and interesting. The characters are good, though they don't always act in believable ways. Overall I felt like the author lived the characters a lie too much, which led to some really convenient plotting. It allowed the characters to get out of things really, rather than making them struggle to change and grow. The romance, which makes up the bulk of the story, seems a little contrived. The magic is interesting, but very secondary, and the piecemeal way it's used leaves a lot of questions. Overall an entertaining read, but not mind-blowing. 3.5 stars, but rounded up because I'm so unsure about whether I really liked it or not.