Reviews

The Navajo Nightmare by David Sodergren, Steve Stred

lenathelibra's review against another edition

2.0

[2.5 stars] I feel like such an asshole rating this book 2.5 stars because the book wasn’t even technically bad at all. Ever since reading The Haar I wanted to read every book Sodergren has published and this was the last book to read. I definitely waited to read it last since I’m not at all interested in Western books. Even though I wasn’t a fan of this story due to my own tastes in genres I can 100% see why so many people loved this book. The writing was great as always and the gore was exactly what I expect and love. It was so cool seeing Sodergren and Stred work together on this! I hope they collaborate more in the future.

tony_baloney's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

ericaberica's review

adventurous dark mysterious

4.25

codeliusthe2nd's review against another edition

5.0

This is everything I’d want, and more, out of a western horror book. It’s quick, sharp, and brutal, with a cast of characters that feel fleshed out, even with the little time we get to spend with them. I had an absolute blast reading this, not knowing a single thing going into it, and having some of the most fun I’ve had in a long time while reading. Definitely going to check out both authors out more, since I am very, very impressed overall.

semajluap's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

readbyashleyd's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

3.0

I’m right in the middle with this one, I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it either. Some parts were incredibly interesting and at times I was thoroughly enjoying this novel and convinced it would be a five star read because there’s nothing I enjoy more than a good horror western. This one had some original and unique ideas that I really did enjoy but then one element in particular threw me off the story. The characters are just so insufferable at times that I wanted to rip my eyeballs. They were seriously next level annoying and had no redeeming factors whatsoever. So while the story was great, the characters prevented it from being as good as it could have been.

elleisa's review against another edition

4.0

Such a fun read! I definitely enjoyed this one. I love westerns & I love horror. We need more in this genre!! I’m blowing through Sodergren’s books - just can’t get enough. Enjoyed the take on the dual writing, but thought it would be GREAT to see this as a series.

My biggest complaint is that this wasn’t long enough. I wanted the characters, especially in the 2nd half, to be more fleshed out. Sodergren does this so well, where Shred could have taken some more time on character development. I wanted to know more about Linda & her past. More about Carter & his losses. Especially, I wanted to read more about Lester.

Really hoping the western horror picks up - would love to read more like this! 4.5/5

aimeebray's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-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

4.0

scottneumann's review

adventurous emotional mysterious tense 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

3.5

weathersreadsgarbage's review

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The first part of this book is absolutely marvelous and deserves nothing but praise. I love the exploration of horror westerns, revenge, and how deeply fucking tragic it all was. So good. Sodergren is such a hidden gem of a writer. 

The second part really took it out at the knees though. The story just isn’t nearly as compelling and I have a looooot of beef about Indigenous rep. It doesn’t read as horror really so much as just some extra stuff. It deserves maybe a half star and I’ll likely avoid Stred’s other work.