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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I found myself quite bored about halfway through. The book is just meh. Not bad but not good either. It’s a lot of travel to point A to point B and something happens along the way. I was mostly surprised when I thought Paulina’s story came to an end and I felt it was really quick and unresolved. And overall I just didn’t connect with Eli so the romance was not interesting.
I’m glad Gunnie got her refrigerator
I’m glad Gunnie got her refrigerator
I read the physical book and listened to the audiobook on Libby. I enjoyed some parts of this book but found myself a little confused. The flow of the book seemed to be all over the place at times. There were funny parts, and I found this book to be more of an in-between book for me while I read other books.
The whole book felt as if Harris did her research from two Louis L’Amour books and Man in the High Castle. The main character was not consistent in her personality other than wanting to bathe every 10 pages. It felt as if she was written before fully fleshed as a person. She read very surface level and stiff.
The verbiage used was not indicative of anything western style, and was much too modern times for me to believe that this took place in the world Harris created.
The verbiage used was not indicative of anything western style, and was much too modern times for me to believe that this took place in the world Harris created.
Before reading "An Easy Death" by Charlaine Harris, I knew very little about the book besides the author's name and general vibes based on the cover art. Sometimes, going in blind results in the best surprises. However, I do wish there had been a trigger warning for the on-page depiction of rape. I understand why it was included—it reflects the harsh realities of the world Harris created—but the casual tone in which it was described was jarring and momentarily pulled me out of the story. That said, I found "An Easy Death" incredibly engaging. From the first chapter, Lizbeth, also known as Gunnie Rose, hooked me. She is fiercely independent, doesn't mince words, and is an excellent shot. Honestly, what's not to love?
Lizbeth works as part of a crew of "gunnies," hired protectors for people travelling through a world resembling a gritty, alternate-history Wild West. In this fractured version of the U.S., danger lurks around every corner. Bandits set traps, ambush travellers, and commit horrifying atrocities, with murder and rape being disturbingly common. Although gunnies may not have the support of whatever little law exists, they are essential for anyone wanting to reach their destination alive.
During one of these perilous trips, Lizbeth endures a devastating loss. Just when she's reeling from the aftermath, she is offered a new job that she would prefer to refuse but cannot afford to turn down. This time, she is working solo, guiding two Russian wizards, Eli and Paulina, on a mission to find a man whose blood may hold the key to saving their emperor. Lizbeth doesn't trust magic users at all—travelling with them is about as appealing to her as walking barefoot through a snake pit.
The alternate history that Harris has crafted is fascinating. After the collapse of the U.S., its territories fractured into new countries, such as Texoma, where the story takes place. Other regions were claimed by Canada, Mexico, England, and even Russia, which colonized parts of the West. Russian territory is steeped in magic, adding another layer of tension, as there is significant prejudice against Russians and magic users. Lizbeth's journey with Eli and Paulina forces her to confront her own biases. While her relationship with Paulina remains prickly, Eli—kind, respectful, and surprisingly easy to like—slowly chips away at her preconceived notions. I became a fan of Eli quite quickly. Through their interactions, Harris does an excellent job of demonstrating how getting to know people can erode stereotypes and racial bias. Lizbeth's gradual, reluctant shift in perspective feels authentic and rewarding.
I've read other books by Charlaine Harris, but “An Easy Death” stands out. Without an emphasis on a romance plot, which I didn't miss, this story focuses more on the characters, the world, and the journey itself. It was a lot of fun—packed with action, grit, and just character growth. I recommend this book if you enjoy kick-ass heroines and atmospheric Wild West-style settings.
Lizbeth works as part of a crew of "gunnies," hired protectors for people travelling through a world resembling a gritty, alternate-history Wild West. In this fractured version of the U.S., danger lurks around every corner. Bandits set traps, ambush travellers, and commit horrifying atrocities, with murder and rape being disturbingly common. Although gunnies may not have the support of whatever little law exists, they are essential for anyone wanting to reach their destination alive.
During one of these perilous trips, Lizbeth endures a devastating loss. Just when she's reeling from the aftermath, she is offered a new job that she would prefer to refuse but cannot afford to turn down. This time, she is working solo, guiding two Russian wizards, Eli and Paulina, on a mission to find a man whose blood may hold the key to saving their emperor. Lizbeth doesn't trust magic users at all—travelling with them is about as appealing to her as walking barefoot through a snake pit.
The alternate history that Harris has crafted is fascinating. After the collapse of the U.S., its territories fractured into new countries, such as Texoma, where the story takes place. Other regions were claimed by Canada, Mexico, England, and even Russia, which colonized parts of the West. Russian territory is steeped in magic, adding another layer of tension, as there is significant prejudice against Russians and magic users. Lizbeth's journey with Eli and Paulina forces her to confront her own biases. While her relationship with Paulina remains prickly, Eli—kind, respectful, and surprisingly easy to like—slowly chips away at her preconceived notions. I became a fan of Eli quite quickly. Through their interactions, Harris does an excellent job of demonstrating how getting to know people can erode stereotypes and racial bias. Lizbeth's gradual, reluctant shift in perspective feels authentic and rewarding.
I've read other books by Charlaine Harris, but “An Easy Death” stands out. Without an emphasis on a romance plot, which I didn't miss, this story focuses more on the characters, the world, and the journey itself. It was a lot of fun—packed with action, grit, and just character growth. I recommend this book if you enjoy kick-ass heroines and atmospheric Wild West-style settings.
Trigger warning: multiple mentions of rape. It did nothing to further the storyline and was just thrown in several times like it was no big deal. Debating if I want to continue with the series.
TW: rape, death, shootings, blood, etc.
So this book was so poorly written like so so bad like bad bad but also I had quite a bit of fun reading it????? Maybe it was because it’s been like 6 months since I’ve attempted to read anything let alone FINISH a book.
This weird Wild West book took me for such a ride. It did have a lot of downfalls tho. Like I said the writing, it’s bad. One minute our main character is speaking perfectly fine the next she’s like forcing herself to speak it this weird broken southern accent like the fake ones people do when they mock people from the south. That was super annoying and distracting.
Next the most random little things would happen throughout the story that made absolutely no since for the plot or the story. It was like the author was just adding them to take up some more space in her paragraphs.
But I might read the sequel to this purely for the fact I really wanna know if this story line continues or if the author might just pull a different story line out he thin air
So this book was so poorly written like so so bad like bad bad but also I had quite a bit of fun reading it????? Maybe it was because it’s been like 6 months since I’ve attempted to read anything let alone FINISH a book.
This weird Wild West book took me for such a ride. It did have a lot of downfalls tho. Like I said the writing, it’s bad. One minute our main character is speaking perfectly fine the next she’s like forcing herself to speak it this weird broken southern accent like the fake ones people do when they mock people from the south. That was super annoying and distracting.
Next the most random little things would happen throughout the story that made absolutely no since for the plot or the story. It was like the author was just adding them to take up some more space in her paragraphs.
But I might read the sequel to this purely for the fact I really wanna know if this story line continues or if the author might just pull a different story line out he thin air
I have tons of books to read , some for book club and some cause they are part of a series, I hit a bit of a slump for 2 months and felt the overwhelming sense of I'm not going to get through what I have and I didn't know where to start. I went to the local library to pick up an easy read book something that would not take much to get me back into the swing of reading, something that wasn't on my tbr list.
Easy death from Charlaine Harris was put in my hand and off I went without even looking at the back. I started the book immediately and within 2 days had it read in full. The story is of a gunnie hired to protect 2 people she doesn't trust or like for personal reasons. There is a lot of death and sorrow and some bizarre reason for being clean all the time.
As I was reading the story I could guess some of it before it happened. It's not the best fantasy book I've ever read but I wasn't bored, it's an easy read.
Easy death from Charlaine Harris was put in my hand and off I went without even looking at the back. I started the book immediately and within 2 days had it read in full. The story is of a gunnie hired to protect 2 people she doesn't trust or like for personal reasons. There is a lot of death and sorrow and some bizarre reason for being clean all the time.
As I was reading the story I could guess some of it before it happened. It's not the best fantasy book I've ever read but I wasn't bored, it's an easy read.
Charlaine Harris is at the top of my Must-Read-Authors list, for good reason, and An Easy Death does not disappoint! I'll be eagerly anticipating #2 in the series!