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see_sadie_read's review
4.0
A YA novel that avoids a lot of the common YA traps. I'm not entirely sure I even realized this was going to be YA, that the protagonist is 17ish, when I started it. (Yes, it's in the blurb, but I didn't reread it between buying the book and actually reading it.) Even once I did realize, I never felt Hettie fell into the simpering, angst-filled role that annoys me so much in so many YA stories. What's more, while there is a male character that MIGHT later fulfill a romantic pairing, this story wasn't cluttered up with ill-timed youthful luuurve.
I did feel Hettie's obsessive determination wasn't wholly explained. I mean, yes, she wanted her last family member saved, but she seemed a little too driven and compulsive. This may have been because the reader is never really given the opportunity to see Hettie interact with Abby, so Abby is forever a theoretical motivation. Also, I felt some of the magic system was a bit hand-wavy.
I enjoyed the writing, which I found clean and easy to read. It have enough Western slang to give it character, but not enough to clutter the narrative. All in all, I enjoyed it and would happily read another McGrath book.
I did feel Hettie's obsessive determination wasn't wholly explained. I mean, yes, she wanted her last family member saved, but she seemed a little too driven and compulsive. This may have been because the reader is never really given the opportunity to see Hettie interact with Abby, so Abby is forever a theoretical motivation. Also, I felt some of the magic system was a bit hand-wavy.
I enjoyed the writing, which I found clean and easy to read. It have enough Western slang to give it character, but not enough to clutter the narrative. All in all, I enjoyed it and would happily read another McGrath book.
hollymbryan's review
4.0
Awesome start to a weird western series with an incredible system of magic, tight plotting, and characters that will become like friends or family to you!
danslalune's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mariakureads's review
5.0
Let me start with saying that this ARC was provided from Netgalley for an honest review, so here it is!
One of my favorite books of the year! And in a genre I hardly ever read!
Part western and part fantasy, V.S McGrath introduces us to Hettie, a teenage girl that in one night has lost everything; family, home, and any dreams she may have had. On the belief that her younger sister is still alive, she seeks revenge as she has unknowingly bonded with a magic infused gun known as the Diablo's Revolver and together, they'll seek vengeance for that night.
This was a non stop page turner for me that, while yes, left some obvious unanswered questions but seeing that it's the first of a series, one can only hope that they are answered as the authoress goes along so that doesn't bother me. Characters are well written and have strong characteristics which made them different from each other and really helped drive the story along.
Thanks again to #Netgalley for letting me read #thedevilsrevolver! Can't wait to read where this goes!
One of my favorite books of the year! And in a genre I hardly ever read!
Part western and part fantasy, V.S McGrath introduces us to Hettie, a teenage girl that in one night has lost everything; family, home, and any dreams she may have had. On the belief that her younger sister is still alive, she seeks revenge as she has unknowingly bonded with a magic infused gun known as the Diablo's Revolver and together, they'll seek vengeance for that night.
This was a non stop page turner for me that, while yes, left some obvious unanswered questions but seeing that it's the first of a series, one can only hope that they are answered as the authoress goes along so that doesn't bother me. Characters are well written and have strong characteristics which made them different from each other and really helped drive the story along.
Thanks again to #Netgalley for letting me read #thedevilsrevolver! Can't wait to read where this goes!
ashleyh's review
4.0
I read this on a whim and I was hooked from the first pages. The story is fast-paced and intriguing, and the characters were well-developed. It also had a very Wynonna Earp-esque feel to it, which I loved. Definitely recommend and I'm looking forward to reading book 2.
lumpysweater's review
4.0
Weird Western alert! If you liked Wake of Vultures by Lila Bowen, try this one out.
kkundell's review
5.0
Ok so if you like westerns and magic this book is 100% for you. Hettie was such a badass heroine, and absolutely nothing, not even hell itself, can stop her from her goal. Loved this book, and cannot wait for the next one!
bookishharlot's review
4.0
The Devil's Revolver is outside of my reading comfort zone. I decided to venture out of my circle of romance and try something new and am ever so glad I did. A gem in a sea of diamonds is what this story is. Sorry, for the exaggeration but seriously this is an underrated book that deserves much praise for its packed story line and setting (a Wild west with a twist of fantasy with a good dose of action and gun shooting), along with its brilliant writing that did not bore me to sleep, and topped off with flawed - realistic characters such as Hettie and the many many others in the story.
Hettie is a naturally confident and capable heroine who is her own boss and does takes no "direction" from the guys.
READ! READ!READ! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!
Hettie is a naturally confident and capable heroine who is her own boss and does takes no "direction" from the guys.
READ! READ!READ! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!
olive2read's review
4.0
Super fun au western. The story is a bit all over the place in parts but it comes together well and leaves the reader hungry for more. I do wish there’d been better resolution of the missing kids thread. Also, the reason to keep Jeremiah around isn’t clear and seems rather out of character as this progresses. Bit of a cliffhanger ending but the overarching stuff is finished if you just wanna do the one.
All the heart eyes for Walker.
All the heart eyes for Walker.
anovelhaul's review
4.0
If there’s a genre I never thought I’d be in to, it’d be ‘fantasy westerns’. But after reading a summary of The Devil’s Revolver I realised how wrong I might be. A book about a girl, bonded by blood to a gun that takes a year off her life every time she kills someone, on a quest to find her missing sister? Perfect!
The Devil’s Revolver is a real motley crew of a quest novel through a magical Wild West setting. Hettie is a really likeable character for me, mainly because she goes from subdued older daughter to someone who will stop at literally nothing to save her sister. She has no loyalty to anyone other than Abby, which I think is commendable in a character; she’s not distracted by romance or self-doubt, she’s on a one-woman mission to find her sister despite knowing full well it could be one neither of them survive. It’s been a while since I can’t across a character who was that steadfast in their mission and I love the way V.S. McGrath has written her story.
For me fantasy elements are at their best when they serve to highlight a story, not when the story revolves around them, and The Devil’s Revolver has plenty of little fantasy quirks to make the story interesting; enchanted talismans, portals, deals with the devil, curses guns all work well in a western.
Overall I really loved The Devil’s Revolver and I can’t wait to read the sequel! I’m also after more and more alternate history speculative novels as a result of reading this one!
The Devil’s Revolver is a real motley crew of a quest novel through a magical Wild West setting. Hettie is a really likeable character for me, mainly because she goes from subdued older daughter to someone who will stop at literally nothing to save her sister. She has no loyalty to anyone other than Abby, which I think is commendable in a character; she’s not distracted by romance or self-doubt, she’s on a one-woman mission to find her sister despite knowing full well it could be one neither of them survive. It’s been a while since I can’t across a character who was that steadfast in their mission and I love the way V.S. McGrath has written her story.
For me fantasy elements are at their best when they serve to highlight a story, not when the story revolves around them, and The Devil’s Revolver has plenty of little fantasy quirks to make the story interesting; enchanted talismans, portals, deals with the devil, curses guns all work well in a western.
Overall I really loved The Devil’s Revolver and I can’t wait to read the sequel! I’m also after more and more alternate history speculative novels as a result of reading this one!