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albernikolauras's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Red Rabbit is probably one of the favorite books I read in 2023.
The plot follows a mangy group that go off to claim a reward for a witch they may or may not have killed. This book is a mix of Western travel and horror. It's a travel book, but it never seemed stuck on monotonous. It's bleak and heartwarming at the same time as these characters develop bonds with each other.
I wish I could revisit all these characters.
The plot follows a mangy group that go off to claim a reward for a witch they may or may not have killed. This book is a mix of Western travel and horror. It's a travel book, but it never seemed stuck on monotonous. It's bleak and heartwarming at the same time as these characters develop bonds with each other.
I wish I could revisit all these characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Blood, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Suicide, Cursing, Suicide attempt, and Body horror
Moderate: Racism and Violence
bxnnny's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
i loved this little adventure and cast of characters! i saw some reviews of people saying there were too many characters and it was hard to get to know any of them because there's so many and there's lots of jumping around, but i didn't feel that way. i loved each of the main cast of characters in their own ways and i felt like i had a good idea of who they were. everyone had their own personality, even all the tons of side characters. i just didn't find myself all that confused or disoriented, and i really enjoyed the narrative not focusing entirely on just one person. i also liked that the chapters were shorter as it made it feel less daunting and easier to get into. i really didn't want this story to end because i just enjoyed it so much and was really rooting for the main group to survive and just have a good time! but, in the end i liked that most of the loose ends were tied up and some characters ultimately got their happy endings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Body horror
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
wardenred's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
“What it’s about,” Tom said. “is a witch.”
I felt oddly disconnected from this book the entire time I was reading it. I guess there's something about the writing style that didn't mesh with me very well? Regardless, I do appreciate the way the story is crafted. There are a lot of really fun things here, especially in terms of general atmosphere/vibe: a truly great mixture of western and folk horror and a very good spooky month read.
The characters were all distinct and recognizable and had their own agendas and their reasons to join up forces on this journey. At the same time, I never felt like I got to know any of them beyond the surface. I think that's that thing about the writing style that didn't quite work for me at play. A bit too much telling over showing? I think that's what played into it, combined with a really big number of POV switches.
I guess the two most recognizable and appealing personalities for me ended up being Rabbit and Rose: the former because the nature of her role in the plot primed her to be a fun mystery to crack, and the latter because the way her arc was laid out made her the most relatable.
Weirdly enough, my favorite parts of the books were the ones that weren't character-focused at all: all the spooky horror descriptions, the general vibe of being constantly on the road, traveling through dangerous, deadly places. Considering that normally I am a super character-oriented reader, this was a change of pace for me. Not an unwelcome one, just unusual!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Gore, Animal death, Violence, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Suicide, Sexual harassment, and Rape
dogearedbooks's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Death, Murder, Animal death, Cannibalism, Child death, Gun violence, and Racism
Moderate: Slavery and Suicide
blacksphinx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I don't know why Tor Nightfire published this historical fantasy novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Vomit, and Gun violence
Moderate: Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, and Racial slurs
Minor: Sexism, Rape, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual content, Suicide, and Abortion
sarahweyand's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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? No
4.0
Thanks to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me a physical ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feedback are my own.
As someone who isn't big on westerns, I thought this was a very well executed horror-western-fantasy smörgåsbord . The writing was good, the characters were interesting and had compelling arcs and different dynamics with each other, and overall I really loved the atmosphere that was created. I enjoyed the feeling of dread I would get each time the group arrived to a new location because Grecian never failed to surprise and disgust me with where he was planning on going. Surprisingly, I found the ending to be touching and sweet and felt it was a great way to wrap up such a grim, dark novel.
I do wish this book was a little shorter and it did start to get formulaic/repetitive towards the end. I also felt like the overarching plot about Sadie Grace was a little anticlimactic and hastily resolved, but I didn't mind it too much; I understand what the author was going for and I know there has to be some inciting incident to get our gang together and on the road and the story is certainly more about the journey than the destination.
I think this is a wonderful addition to the horror genre this year and would recommend it to anyone who loves atmospheric horror. Definitely read the trigger warnings, but I wouldn't overlook this one!
As someone who isn't big on westerns, I thought this was a very well executed horror-western-fantasy smörgåsbord . The writing was good, the characters were interesting and had compelling arcs and different dynamics with each other, and overall I really loved the atmosphere that was created. I enjoyed the feeling of dread I would get each time the group arrived to a new location because Grecian never failed to surprise and disgust me with where he was planning on going. Surprisingly, I found the ending to be touching and sweet and felt it was a great way to wrap up such a grim, dark novel.
I do wish this book was a little shorter and it did start to get formulaic/repetitive towards the end. I also felt like the overarching plot about Sadie Grace was a little anticlimactic and hastily resolved, but I didn't mind it too much; I understand what the author was going for and I know there has to be some inciting incident to get our gang together and on the road and the story is certainly more about the journey than the destination.
I think this is a wonderful addition to the horror genre this year and would recommend it to anyone who loves atmospheric horror. Definitely read the trigger warnings, but I wouldn't overlook this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, and Body horror
Moderate: Racism, Child death, and Cannibalism
Minor: Suicide
erynlasbelin's review
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Cannibalism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Murder, Stalking, Torture, Violence, Blood, Gore, Vomit, and Alcoholism
Minor: Grief, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Body shaming, Cursing, Excrement, Fatphobia, Rape, Racism, Xenophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Medical content, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
pm_me_book_recs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was such a fun ride, the description had me hooked and I was ready for some western antics!
Themes of found family, gathering an adventure party, and good vs evil. Our main cast of adventurers is a dynamic and hearty bunch, mysterious backgrounds abound! The baddies are either absolutely unhinged, or total wretches that make you pity and hate them. There's an undercurrent of bumbling henchmen (with racist and misogynist tendancies) and it feels like every single character has the worst luck (aside from a few). There is gruesome violence and body horror, some spectral scares, and an overall tenseness to the story.
The pace was a little slower than I expected, considering the tagine, and I had issues remember the massive cast of characters between the constant shifting perspectives. All said and done, this book was a great time, equal parts hilarious and unsettling.
I listened to an ALC via libro.fm and the narrator was excellent. Showcasing various Western/Southern accents to easily deliberate between speakers, and perfectly portryed the deranged big baddie, John Pirhella was amazing!
Themes of found family, gathering an adventure party, and good vs evil. Our main cast of adventurers is a dynamic and hearty bunch, mysterious backgrounds abound! The baddies are either absolutely unhinged, or total wretches that make you pity and hate them. There's an undercurrent of bumbling henchmen (with racist and misogynist tendancies) and it feels like every single character has the worst luck (aside from a few). There is gruesome violence and body horror, some spectral scares, and an overall tenseness to the story.
The pace was a little slower than I expected, considering the tagine, and I had issues remember the massive cast of characters between the constant shifting perspectives. All said and done, this book was a great time, equal parts hilarious and unsettling.
I listened to an ALC via libro.fm and the narrator was excellent. Showcasing various Western/Southern accents to easily deliberate between speakers, and perfectly portryed the deranged big baddie, John Pirhella was amazing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Death, Violence, Torture, Murder, Animal death, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Racial slurs, Vomit, Colonisation, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Cannibalism, Suicide, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
wanderonwards's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
3.5
Thank you to Macmillan/Tor Nightfire for sending me an ARC of this title. I received this copy for free and this review contains my honest opinions.
Red Rabbit is a paranormal western folk horror and definitely not my usual genre. While parts are dark and gruesome, the story rarely dwells on them and moves along quickly. I enjoyed the writing style and atmosphere and felt the historical western setting was the right choice for this story. That said, this book was SO close to understanding the points on sexism and racism it almost made, without actually making those connections. I thought the story always stopped just short of where it needed to go, and that resulted in what I thought were some missed opportunities and a couple of disappointing character arcs. Also, I thought the racial slurs were completely unnecessary and this story could have done without them. Thank you again to the publisher for sending me a free ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Animal death, Blood, Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Cannibalism, Murder, Racism, Grief, and Suicide
readthesparrow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
SUMMARY
Sadie Grace is wanted for witchcraft. And every hired gun in Kansas is out to collect the bounty on her head, including witch hunter Old Tom and his mysterious, mute ward, Rabbit.
On the road to Burden County, they’re joined by two vagabond cowboys with a strong sense of adventure – but no sense of purpose – and a recently widowed school teacher with nothing left to lose. As their posse grows, so too does the danger.
Racing along the landscape in a stolen red stagecoach, they encounter monsters--and men--more wicked than witches lurking along the dusty trail. (adapted from https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250874689/redrabbit)
REVIEW
As someone obsessed with epic poetry, folklore, and long-ass books, I loved Red Rabbit.
The book is a brick at over 400 pages, broken into seven parts. Point of view is third person, and shifts between characters chapter-by-chapter, sometimes even jumping to characters whom we haven’t met and whose relation to the plot is unclear (at least, until it all comes together and their relation to the plot becomes *very* clear).
Grecian doesn’t waste time, but he also doesn’t rush–the pacing overall is excellent, and carries well throughout the entire length. The only minor criticism I have is that the leadup to the final confrontation feels a bit rushed, but considering how eager I was to see what happened next, I didn’t mind too much.
The characters are so textured. Whether I loved them dearly or wanted to trample them with a horse, I wanted to see what they were going to do next. The whole cast–even characters I thought I would dislike, such as Joe Mullins–quickly grew close to my heart.
(Except Tom. Fuck that guy.)
Despite having already spent 400 pages with Sadie, Rose, Ned, Moses, Rabbit, and stranger folk we meet near the final leg of the road, I wish we could have spent more time with them before the story drew to a close. I want to know more about Ned and Moses’ adventures, and more about their friendship. I want to see what Rose does after that final chapter. Hell, the setting itself (as all good settings are) became its own character–even if we don’t get to see more from the Red Rabbit crew, I would love another book that explores Red Rabbit’s setting in the future. I love folk horror and supernatural weird west, and the take executed by Grecian was fantastic.
The villain was delightfully terrifying. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say this: the villain reminds me of a Hieronymus Bosch painting, if that Hieronymus Bosch painting wanted to hunt you for sport.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’ll definitely be returning to Red Rabbit in the future. It’s got everything I love: an odyssey, fantastic characters, weird folk horror, cowboys, and a freaky, intimidating villain whose only goal in life is to cause murder on purpose. I’d love to give the audiobook a listen–I’ve heard good things.
If you also love horror weird West, you’ve got to read Red Rabbit. It’s one helluva bloody ride.
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group for providing a digital ARC via Netgalley. If you are interested in Red Rabbit, it releases 19 September 2023.
If possible, support indie bookshops by purchasing the novel from your local brick and mortar or from Bookshop.org!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Suicide, Body horror, Animal death, Death, Gore, Animal cruelty, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Cannibalism, Alcoholism, Racism, Alcohol, Child death, Sexism, Grief, Racial slurs, Misogyny, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Medical content, Sexual harassment, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Vomit, and Infertility