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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
This book was strange to read mainly because it defied my expectations. Given the initial premise and structure of the book, it could quite easily have become a conventional coming of age story about a young woman venturing out of her home in the company of a mentor to find herself. And in a way it is that story. But in many other ways, it isn't.
On one hand this book is a very practical look at life on the road, while also dwelling on the romantic beauty of the unspoiled American prairie. At the same time, it is also a meditation on what it means to have power and to act with that power - what is a responsible and proper use, and what isn't? Because actions have consequences.
I liked this book when I was halfway through it, but I loved it by the time I was done with it, especially the ending, which was fiercely loyal to the theme of the book.
On one hand this book is a very practical look at life on the road, while also dwelling on the romantic beauty of the unspoiled American prairie. At the same time, it is also a meditation on what it means to have power and to act with that power - what is a responsible and proper use, and what isn't? Because actions have consequences.
I liked this book when I was halfway through it, but I loved it by the time I was done with it, especially the ending, which was fiercely loyal to the theme of the book.
4.5 Stars, I think. Might have been a fiver if I had felt a bit more sucked in, a bit more emotionally connected to the characters. But the fantasy, the magical, the spiritual, is so delicately woven into this western tale with a spicy heroine that I love... it's irresistible. Not going to want to wait for the paper back version of the sequel.
I'm impatient for the next book. I can understand why some readers may find this a bit slow-paced. I found the pacing perfect, mirroring the plodding of horses and mules, and the slow creep of sand into everything. Izzy is a great ingenue-turned powerhouse, Gabriel a wonderful world-guide, and the rest of the cast and characters mysterious.
DNF at 20%. Too slow paced for me.
Cool idea though. I just can't with so many useless little details and a main character who tries to talk like other people all the time.
Cool idea though. I just can't with so many useless little details and a main character who tries to talk like other people all the time.
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway but that did not influence my review in any way. I don't read a lot of 'weird west' stuff but this one sounded so interesting I had to throw my hat in the ring to win it. I'm glad I did. I vacillated between 4 and 5 stars on this one but what the heck give it five and call it 4.5 here.
I suppose since the protagonist is 16 this qualifies as 'young adult' but it doesn't read like one. For one there's no love triangle. Heck there's zero romance and that was a nice change of pace. No, this reads like a folktale.
Isobel is what I like to see in a strong female protagonist (i.e. non-abrasive/bitchy which is all too often used for 'strong'). She's smart and independent though she isn't too proud to ask for help when needed. She was raised in Flood, in the western Territory. In this alternative universe pretty much everything east of the Mississippi is 'civilized' and devoid of any strong magic. Everything west is wild magic, plagued by magicians (The advice Izzy is given about them is to just run, if that gives you an idea about them) who are mad for power and just plain mad and it's all governed by her Boss, the devil (he's not quite Lucifer though some may think so).
Isobel has been with The Boss since early childhood indentured to him by her parents. At sixteen she is a woman and free. He will give her whatever she wants but Izzy can't imagine a world outside of Flood (which thanks to the cover I thought was the south west but is probably more like Kansas or some other midwest state) She wants to be the Devil's one like Marie, the Devil's right hand. But he doesn't need another right hand. Ignoring warnings by other people the devil owns, Izzy signs up to be the Left Hand, the final word, the sharp knife.
To her surprise and dread, Isobel finds herself ordered out of Flood. She will be the devil's hand outside in the territory, on the road. The only guidance he gives her is a deal he struck with Gabriel Kasun, a rider on the road. Gabriel will train Isobel to be a rider, to learn how to survive on the road and we're never sure what the devil promised him other than 'peace' (There is something different about Gabriel but we won't learn about it in this volume).
The first bit of the book (which has no chapters, just parts) is her and Gabriel learning about each other and Isobel learning to live on the road. I liked that it didn't shy away from the problems a female would have monthly out riding the range. But as Gabriel trains her things begin to happen, people dying, whole towns disappearing.
They realize this is why the devil has sent her out there but he did not tell her one word about what she is supposed to do or how. The more disturbances they uncover the more the devil's sigil appears on her hand. It seems to serve as a warning but still, she has no idea what she's doing. All she knows is she has to stop whatever this is.
And I don't want to give away any more of the plot. Instead let me say that both Isobel and Gabriel are interesting and likable characters. I liked that there wasn't any sexual tension between them as he's twice her age though for that time period it would have been commonplace for a sixteen year old to be paired up with a man in his thirties. Gabriel is a patient teacher and he treats Isobel with respect.
Isobel is fascinating and I liked that she is a strong independent woman (and I'm assuming by her name, Hispanic though in this the Spanish can be problematic, keeping in mind America and Spain/Mexico were still hammering out the borders). I also liked that these things are just casually woven into the story. Too often any more we see strong female characters waving flags screaming look at me! Aren't I strong? Aren't I diverse? This doesn't talk the talk. It walks it quietly and believably.
The small cast of characters, including Farron (who I'll leave as something for the readers to uncover for themselves) are really interesting. I am definitely looking forward to the next book. So what were my quibbles that I considered giving this one less star for?
There is some repetition in this. Many many times we have Isobel lamenting that the devil told her nothing about what she was to do. Okay, that one I can understand though after the nth time hearing it, it's like okay I get it. Some of the descriptions also get repetitive like Farron's smile of too many teeth or Isobel being shorter than a certain pain in the ass Spanish friar. But these are minor things. This is a very good book. It doesn't have a lot of action in it per se but it reads as if it does.
However, the ending was...anti-climatic? Something. I guess it just wasn't what I expected and I'm not sure I entirely bought it or liked it when Isobel finally had to deal with the problem. I guess I expected it to be splashier. Still, over all I highly recommend this one.
I suppose since the protagonist is 16 this qualifies as 'young adult' but it doesn't read like one. For one there's no love triangle. Heck there's zero romance and that was a nice change of pace. No, this reads like a folktale.
Isobel is what I like to see in a strong female protagonist (i.e. non-abrasive/bitchy which is all too often used for 'strong'). She's smart and independent though she isn't too proud to ask for help when needed. She was raised in Flood, in the western Territory. In this alternative universe pretty much everything east of the Mississippi is 'civilized' and devoid of any strong magic. Everything west is wild magic, plagued by magicians (The advice Izzy is given about them is to just run, if that gives you an idea about them) who are mad for power and just plain mad and it's all governed by her Boss, the devil (he's not quite Lucifer though some may think so).
Isobel has been with The Boss since early childhood indentured to him by her parents. At sixteen she is a woman and free. He will give her whatever she wants but Izzy can't imagine a world outside of Flood (which thanks to the cover I thought was the south west but is probably more like Kansas or some other midwest state) She wants to be the Devil's one like Marie, the Devil's right hand. But he doesn't need another right hand. Ignoring warnings by other people the devil owns, Izzy signs up to be the Left Hand, the final word, the sharp knife.
To her surprise and dread, Isobel finds herself ordered out of Flood. She will be the devil's hand outside in the territory, on the road. The only guidance he gives her is a deal he struck with Gabriel Kasun, a rider on the road. Gabriel will train Isobel to be a rider, to learn how to survive on the road and we're never sure what the devil promised him other than 'peace' (There is something different about Gabriel but we won't learn about it in this volume).
The first bit of the book (which has no chapters, just parts) is her and Gabriel learning about each other and Isobel learning to live on the road. I liked that it didn't shy away from the problems a female would have monthly out riding the range. But as Gabriel trains her things begin to happen, people dying, whole towns disappearing.
They realize this is why the devil has sent her out there but he did not tell her one word about what she is supposed to do or how. The more disturbances they uncover the more the devil's sigil appears on her hand. It seems to serve as a warning but still, she has no idea what she's doing. All she knows is she has to stop whatever this is.
And I don't want to give away any more of the plot. Instead let me say that both Isobel and Gabriel are interesting and likable characters. I liked that there wasn't any sexual tension between them as he's twice her age though for that time period it would have been commonplace for a sixteen year old to be paired up with a man in his thirties. Gabriel is a patient teacher and he treats Isobel with respect.
Isobel is fascinating and I liked that she is a strong independent woman (and I'm assuming by her name, Hispanic though in this the Spanish can be problematic, keeping in mind America and Spain/Mexico were still hammering out the borders). I also liked that these things are just casually woven into the story. Too often any more we see strong female characters waving flags screaming look at me! Aren't I strong? Aren't I diverse? This doesn't talk the talk. It walks it quietly and believably.
The small cast of characters, including Farron (who I'll leave as something for the readers to uncover for themselves) are really interesting. I am definitely looking forward to the next book. So what were my quibbles that I considered giving this one less star for?
There is some repetition in this. Many many times we have Isobel lamenting that the devil told her nothing about what she was to do. Okay, that one I can understand though after the nth time hearing it, it's like okay I get it. Some of the descriptions also get repetitive like Farron's smile of too many teeth or Isobel being shorter than a certain pain in the ass Spanish friar. But these are minor things. This is a very good book. It doesn't have a lot of action in it per se but it reads as if it does.
However, the ending was...anti-climatic? Something. I guess it just wasn't what I expected and I'm not sure I entirely bought it or liked it when Isobel finally had to deal with the problem. I guess I expected it to be splashier. Still, over all I highly recommend this one.
adventurous
funny
tense
A promising start to a fun, weird, dark new series! LAG continues her trend of gripping action, evocative phrase, and Grade A storytelling with this approachable, beautiful, snarky Old West yarn.
Perfectly fine book, interesting world building but the plot lost itself a little. Definitely felt like the set up to a series rather than a book that could stand alone. I likely won't continue with the series, after the first few chapters each time I put the book down I forgot what was happening and which book I was reading... There's a lot of wandering, wondering, chatting and staring at roads.
I really enjoyed this novel. And while it is not a YA novel, I would recommend it for any teenager who enjoys the fantasy genre. The mfc is only 16 but she’s an old soul raised in a saloon by the Devil (is he? Is he really?) who sends her out on the road to be his eyes, ears and justice in his territory. I’m dying to know what her mentor, Gabriel, is. This is set in the western territory between (I believe) the Mississippi River (but maybe the Missouri) and the Rockies. I really enjoyed the blending of old west and fantasy. If you enjoyed the Golgotha series by R.S. Belcher you’d very much like this novel.
I found this book excruciatingly slow. Although I loved the characters and the world of The Territory/Flood, I do not think I will be picking up the second in the series.