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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
Meh, this book had a great idea but wasted it. It lacked coherent writing, a well-developed plot, and could have used some serious copy editing to make the writing clearer. Kind of disappointing.
Wonderful world-building, interesting characters, but a kind of slow plot. I liked the twist at the end (and the set up for future books), but the story wasn't as satisfying as some of Gilman's other books.
I'm not a fan of the Wild West so I was not expecting to love this book but I did. It was so original and immediate. You really felt like you were in this young girl's head as she stumbled through her initiation into life "on the road" and in her new role.
I liked all the characters because they felt like real people, flawed but all with some good in them.
The way magic works was intriguing as were the monstrous creatures she encounters.
It was gritty but not so much that it was painful to read.
I liked all the characters because they felt like real people, flawed but all with some good in them.
The way magic works was intriguing as were the monstrous creatures she encounters.
It was gritty but not so much that it was painful to read.
You know about Westerns -- a period of American history with cowboys and Indians, buffalos and Spanish missionaries. There are elements of truth in that, and a whole lot of modern mythology. Gilman has written a novel set in a version of that world that includes magic. It's not like any fantasy magic I've encountered before. It seems to rise logically out of the landscape. There's a character that people call the Devil, but it would seem that people with a Christian background misapplied a name they knew to something outside of their understanding.
The protagonist is a young woman heading out into this world as the Devil's agent, learning her job as she goes. You hear her point of view, and that of the man who the devil hired to teach her to survive on the road. They encounter silver miners (silver has a role in magic), Indians, a magician, missionaries and more. I loved it.
The protagonist is a young woman heading out into this world as the Devil's agent, learning her job as she goes. You hear her point of view, and that of the man who the devil hired to teach her to survive on the road. They encounter silver miners (silver has a role in magic), Indians, a magician, missionaries and more. I loved it.
An very early period western steampunk, i.e. no gadgets, with magic. It was fairly slow paced and an interesting read once sort of thing. It's part of a series that I probably won't read.
I really liked this book! I agree with the general consensus that the book was a little slow, which made it hard to get going on. However, the world building was excellent. I really want to read the second one (And learn about Gabriel!).
4.5 stars
This is beautiful and compelling and a new take on some very old ideas. What a ride!
This is beautiful and compelling and a new take on some very old ideas. What a ride!
First off, I'm really enjoying this trend of fantasy books set in the Old West. I really enjoyed Patricia Wrede's Frontier Magic series, and while I haven't started Rae Carson's new Gold Seer series yet, it is high on my to read list.
Silver on the Road is one of those books that features young adults, but isn't exactly a young adult books. While it would be a fine read for an older teen, it has enough grit and edge for adults.
Isobel was literally raised by the Devil. When she makes the decision to become the Devil's Left Hand she sets out to train as a rider with the experienced Gabriel. The book does not shy away from the realities of life on the road, especially in mixed company. In this way, it almost reminded me of Lonesome Dove. The book was a bit slow in the middle, but there is plenty of action along the way. I also enjoyed the diverse cast of characters. We meet American Indians, Spanish priests and women riders.
Silver on the Road is one of those books that features young adults, but isn't exactly a young adult books. While it would be a fine read for an older teen, it has enough grit and edge for adults.
Isobel was literally raised by the Devil. When she makes the decision to become the Devil's Left Hand she sets out to train as a rider with the experienced Gabriel. The book does not shy away from the realities of life on the road, especially in mixed company. In this way, it almost reminded me of Lonesome Dove. The book was a bit slow in the middle, but there is plenty of action along the way. I also enjoyed the diverse cast of characters. We meet American Indians, Spanish priests and women riders.
The setting for this is the Weird West. The Devil is in charge of the Western territory and many people that live there under his protection have a deal with him. Izzy was left in the care of the devil as part of the deal her parents had with him when they left the territory. Working in the saloon under Marie his right hand and seeing the nature of many deals with the devil she decides on her sixteenth birthday to enter a deal with him herself. She doesn’t want the usual things that people want when approaching him about a deal. Instead she becomes his Left Hand, an agent to be seen out in the territory enforcing his will with the marshals and the residents. She is traveling with a stranger who has been offered a favor by the devil to show her the ropes of the road and he has a secret of his own.
I liked the story and the setting. The hazards of traveling by horseback blended in with the story and gave the story universe depth. I’ll be looking for the next one.
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through Edelweiss
I liked the story and the setting. The hazards of traveling by horseback blended in with the story and gave the story universe depth. I’ll be looking for the next one.
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through Edelweiss
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes