Scan barcode
being_b's review against another edition
5.0
I loved watching how Nettie/Rhett learned to question the assumptions they'd grown up with and demand more. Really engaging narrative voice in a creepy world, and such a pleasure to read a book that centers the experiences of people who aren't white men.
shawniebooks's review against another edition
3.0
I liked some aspects such as weird western type fantasy, and some aspects I didn't. The first installment was entertaining enough to finish, but I probably won't continue with the series.
labunnywtf's review against another edition
4.0
Nettie Lonesome had two things in the world that were worth a sweet goddamn: her old boots and her one-eyed mule, Blue. Neither item actually belonged to her. But then again, nothing did.
I liked this book SO much more than I thought I would. Damn.
This is a western, which means it already started in the negative. It was Jes's pick for the Quarterly Book Club's winter quarter, and I love those ladies, so I was going to read it no matter what.
And godDAMN. I did not expect what I got from a book that involves the world 'feller'.
Nettie is a half black, half Native American girl living in Durango, which Google tells me is the Colorado area of the 'old west'. Raised by two of the most abominable people, she knows what it is to be treated as less than. Less than because of her gender, less than because of her poverty, less than because of her skin color. It's just how life is for her.
Until the night a man tries to kill her. And she stabs him, and he turns to sand.
I read this description, and it did not even remotely occur to me what happened. And I'm making eye contact with my fandom besties, because you are all probably staring at me like the dufus that I am.
This is the start of Nettie's life. And every supernatural creature in the handbook comes out to play. Because once you kill one of them, you see all of them.
Nettie is a phenomenal character. She lives her life as a boy not only to protect herself, but because she feels more boy than woman. And that's just the tip of the diversity iceberg here? There are so many factors in play here, and for a book set during the time period where 'injun' was a normalized word, it's HUGE.
Nettie teams up with the rangers to hunt these creatures. The rangers known for murdering Native Americans and lord knows who else. But there's so many layers to the history we know. Lila Bowen admits she may not be 100% historically accurate, which is good to know since I'll never know the difference. But there's so many, "AH HA" moments where history and supernatural fantasy line up and it is just absolutely tickling.
The strength of this character will get you through any slow bits. The different characters, and the character growth, are so well done, this is so well written despite the westernized language. Seriously, the number of 'what in the Sam Hill's you will be subjected to. But it's so worth it. There is heart, there is an incredible message under laid throughout.
I honestly cannot believe how much I enjoyed this book. And I'm annoyed that my library only has the second book in the series. Time to harass them for the rest.
I liked this book SO much more than I thought I would. Damn.
This is a western, which means it already started in the negative. It was Jes's pick for the Quarterly Book Club's winter quarter, and I love those ladies, so I was going to read it no matter what.
And godDAMN. I did not expect what I got from a book that involves the world 'feller'.
Nettie is a half black, half Native American girl living in Durango, which Google tells me is the Colorado area of the 'old west'. Raised by two of the most abominable people, she knows what it is to be treated as less than. Less than because of her gender, less than because of her poverty, less than because of her skin color. It's just how life is for her.
Until the night a man tries to kill her. And she stabs him, and he turns to sand.
I read this description, and it did not even remotely occur to me what happened. And I'm making eye contact with my fandom besties, because you are all probably staring at me like the dufus that I am.
This is the start of Nettie's life. And every supernatural creature in the handbook comes out to play. Because once you kill one of them, you see all of them.
Nettie is a phenomenal character. She lives her life as a boy not only to protect herself, but because she feels more boy than woman. And that's just the tip of the diversity iceberg here? There are so many factors in play here, and for a book set during the time period where 'injun' was a normalized word, it's HUGE.
Nettie teams up with the rangers to hunt these creatures. The rangers known for murdering Native Americans and lord knows who else. But there's so many layers to the history we know. Lila Bowen admits she may not be 100% historically accurate, which is good to know since I'll never know the difference. But there's so many, "AH HA" moments where history and supernatural fantasy line up and it is just absolutely tickling.
The strength of this character will get you through any slow bits. The different characters, and the character growth, are so well done, this is so well written despite the westernized language. Seriously, the number of 'what in the Sam Hill's you will be subjected to. But it's so worth it. There is heart, there is an incredible message under laid throughout.
I honestly cannot believe how much I enjoyed this book. And I'm annoyed that my library only has the second book in the series. Time to harass them for the rest.
shadowrealmreader's review against another edition
2.0
This book didn't live up to my expectations and even though I finished it, I cant quite decide whether to like it or not. The writing style wasnt my thing and maybe thats what bothered me throughout the book but the story could only grasp me at some points and the rest was just boring. I dont feel like a lot happened in the book and the real plot is revealed in the last 40 pages. Even though it only has 340 pages, it was still too long a story for me.
authoraugust's review against another edition
4.0
Waffling between 3-4 stars here. Bowen's style was delightful and appropriate for the (fantastical) era and feeling of this book - and I can't tell in places if opportunities for plot and character development were missed, or if they'll just show up later in the series. Either way, quite enjoyable; a lovely popcorn book with a nice message.
roshen's review
5.0
Original and engaging
Original storyline with a strong main character. The world is engrossing and one of a kind. Looking forward to the next book!
Original storyline with a strong main character. The world is engrossing and one of a kind. Looking forward to the next book!
lillanaa's review against another edition
2.0
This was... Not great. I think I understand what Bowen was going for, but it's not my personal style of book. The writing felt disjointed, and the plot was all over the place with no real mythos to tie it together. Seriously; dwarves, harpies, sirens, lycanthropes, and shapeshifters all in something that seems to be following Native American mythos? It just all was weird.
Not to mention the characters. I believe she was going for some kind of gender fluid idea with Nettie but it doesn't really come across in the end. None of the rest of the characters actually have a character, except for Dan and Winifred and maybeHenessey but I'd be hard pressed to consider anyone else memorable. Nettie was also a really, really confusing protagonist. I'm not sure where her actual loyalties lied and in the end I still have no clue.
Not my super favourite one out there, personally. The idea is sound, but the execution just doesn't pan out.
Not to mention the characters. I believe she was going for some kind of gender fluid idea with Nettie but it doesn't really come across in the end. None of the rest of the characters actually have a character, except for Dan and Winifred and maybeHenessey but I'd be hard pressed to consider anyone else memorable. Nettie was also a really, really confusing protagonist. I'm not sure where her actual loyalties lied and in the end I still have no clue.
Not my super favourite one out there, personally. The idea is sound, but the execution just doesn't pan out.
mcbrantley's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
A very unique book with an engaging main character that you don't often see represented in this genre. Loved the diversity of sexuality, gender, and race. The language feels correct for the time and the vast majority of the book is well done. I absolutely loved the fusion of western and fantasy and will definitely pick up the next book in the series. It's description of life on the ranch and on the trail was lovingly crafted, and I really was a fan of pretty much every character, though some clearly have some depth waiting to be flushed out in future entries.
Why 3.5 instead of 4?
The entire werewolf scene didn't feel in line with the rest of the book, however, and I thought it was a bit hackneyed compared to the rest of Nettie's gender journey. Some scenes jump too far between one another or just don't land correctly, and the actual ending battle is entirely too short and felt rushed compared to the description of other events in the book.
A very unique book with an engaging main character that you don't often see represented in this genre. Loved the diversity of sexuality, gender, and race. The language feels correct for the time and the vast majority of the book is well done. I absolutely loved the fusion of western and fantasy and will definitely pick up the next book in the series. It's description of life on the ranch and on the trail was lovingly crafted, and I really was a fan of pretty much every character, though some clearly have some depth waiting to be flushed out in future entries.
Why 3.5 instead of 4?
The entire werewolf scene didn't feel in line with the rest of the book, however, and I thought it was a bit hackneyed compared to the rest of Nettie's gender journey. Some scenes jump too far between one another or just don't land correctly, and the actual ending battle is entirely too short and felt rushed compared to the description of other events in the book.