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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
I read the first 6 books not really enjoying any of them. Yet, I keep forcing my self through them... i don’t know what I expected, but good heavens I’m bored reading them.
I have decided to stop in the middle of book 7 because I just can’t fathom a reason to finish something I dislike so much. :(
It sucks because I really want to like these because of the high praise, but I won’t be fooled again by Instagram hype...
Overall this was very well written, and if you’re looking for good Gore descriptions, this is a very good piece. It was fun, and a fast read at 130 pages, so you can finish this in 2-3 days. I think my only issue was that it felt a little thin story wise, both with what was happening and the backstory—things perhaps not making total sense or just too convenient. The story felt a little closer to a first draft (the writing itself did not, that was very polished), which I might assume was due to the fact that this may have been on a deadline in order to release with the series. I think given ample time, we might’ve seen the story be a little more rounded out, but that’s okay, I still enjoyed it and am eager to check out the rest of the series, as I hear they’re all self contained stories.
This is my third splatter Western novel and my favourite by far. Brutal yet sings with the strength of all great final girl stories.
All the splatter Western novels are standalones and I have read them ompletely out of order so if one appeals to you do yourself a favour and pick it up.
This is also my second experience reading Kenzie Jenning’s work and I am thoroughly impressed. She has such a compelling voice and boy does she know how to write great characters.
In this installment, a lady in red also known as Clyde, travels with a group of people to an old home station where she plans to rest for a spell. At this station is where the blood is shed. Things get crazy pretty quickly. It needs to be said though that Kenzie takes her time developing her characters before the action and this sets her books apart from the rest.
The main reason I enjoyed this installment so much is the fierceness and strength of the main female protagonist Clyde. She is unapologetically strong and takes no shit yet somehow she remains classy and elegant throughout the entire journey. My favorite splatter Western character so far. I feel like it’s so easy for authors to get caught up in depicting female protagonists in horror novels as weak, unintelligent or simply existing for the sake of fulfilling the sexual needs of men but Kenzie really flipped this on its head. This little book has empathy and heart too. It’s not all blood and gore with no purpose.
Kenzie also does such a brilliant job describing the desolate plains, with the land almost a character in itself. This really added to the atmosphere and strong sense of setting.
Red Station was so good. Do yourself a favour and read it even if you are yet to read any splatter Westerns. I can’t say I ever thought a Western slasher would appeal to me but I was happily wrong and plan on reading a whole lot more. Lovers of slashers and strong female protagonists will devour this one.
I haven’t ventured too heavily into the splatterpunk realm, mostly because I have to be very prepared before starting one.
So, this book just felt like I was going into something I wasn’t going to like before I even read the first page.
Our story starts with a group of travelers in need of a place to rest. They have the perfect place, it’s guaranteed to have good food and a warm bed to sleep in. But the gracious hosts are a little off, something seems weird about them. Before you can even blink, the chaos ensues and all hell breaks loose.
I’m actually impressed by how much I ended up liking this book. The western aspect is very subdued in my opinion, which is good for me because I don’t really care for that genre. The blood and gore is very well done, it’s not too excessive, it feels like there is a purpose behind it, and it adds to the thrill of everything.
Clyde Northway is such a cool main character. She’s mysterious and super badass, her kill scenes are glorious and all around she’s just awesome. I would love to see more about her in another story, especially to find out more of her backstory.
Overall, really impressed with my first ever western splatterpunk book.
"It was the hour of fresh blood, and the land was ravenous."
RED STATION is the Final Girl gone Wild Wild West. We begin with four travelers riding in a stagecoach, Monty-a real doctor, Finch- handsome new husband, Patience-new preggo wife, and Clyde--the lady in red. They take a break from their journey and stay with the Alder family. Everything seems normal until the eldest Alder boy makes his entrance.
THINGS I LOVED:
Lee. Sure he is grimy and gross, but his prostitute memory made me laugh out loud hysterically proving I am either insane or laugh when I am uncomfortable. Also, Kenzie's descriptions are beautiful."The blood, it kept coming, rolling down his forehead, forming branches of rivers."
The new take on a crazy backwoods cannibal family troupe. It led to some awesome kills scenes that I will not forget any time soon. The parasol?
"That lesson: One must always the enemy is everywhere. Because of this, she must be alert from all sides. And that included the rear."
CLYDE! Okay, it takes a special woman to travel to the rolling plains alone to meet a madman with the purpose of marriage. She is resourceful, quick thinking, and does NOT shy away from brutality."And that was quite enough for the lady in red."
The ENDING! Enough said. It's spectacular.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
That is ended so quickly. Kenzie give me more!
RED STATION has everything I look for in a great book: characters I care about, vivid descriptions and atmospheric, and the most important I felt real true emotions while reading. This is something I feel is the difference between a reading good book and a great book. With that being said, RED STATION is worthy of 5 stars. I am excited to read more of Jennings's work and will be reading RECEPTION later this month with Mother Horror.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent