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wildmedium's review against another edition
4.0
Good, solid start to an interesting series, and an interesting take on westerns and science fiction as a whole. I'm surprised this genre hasn't been picked up before.
raccoonrae's review
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
brynnecarys's review
5.0
I adored this book. It was not the western adventure I was expecting, it was better. This is not a plot file book, though it implies some twists and turns to come, but it is a story that draws you in. The world is presented slowly, you discover more as the novel progresses. Magic is a intrinsic part of life in the territory, not flash but subtle and ingrained within those who live there. This first book is exploring who Isobel and Gabriel are and who they may become because of the roles they play in the territory. Laura Anne Gilman has written an enchanting novel about becoming a different version of yourself; and about choosing your path. I highly recommend it.
ahue92's review
4.0
From the very start this book reads like you're sitting around a campfire listening to someone tell a tale of the American west, which fits the novel so well. I was drawn in first by the style that Gilman writes in, which is quite lyrical, and then by the premise of the story. The novel opens in the territory of the west, which is filled with a strange magic and owned by the Devil. Isobel, a girl of sixteen has worked for the Devil all her life but now is given the choice to serve as his left hand. Not knowing what she's getting herself into, Isobel accepts, putting herself in more danger than she's ever known existed in the devil's west. As a character, Isobel is the perfect amount of smart, stubborn, and dangerous in her own way and I look forward to seeing more of her in the future of this series!
elsiemookow's review
2.0
I feel like I spent forever reading this book and nothing happened... is that a spoiler? I adore westerns, and thought that this would be thematically great, but I really ended up being quite bored reading it. There was more introspection than action... the characters were all meh. Maybe it will pick up some in the next book in the series, but I won't be reading it... life is too short.
mdfn's review
4.0
I'm pretty skeptical when it comes to new fantasy series. This seemed interesting enough to try and I am glad that I did.
The world building is familiar enough that it doesn't take away from plot, but different enough to be clear that it isn't exactly the world we know. The characters were relatable - I liked the protagonist, Isobel. As a sixteen year old, she is on the precipice of being an adult, but still learning and still determining her path. Her deal with the Boss was interesting and gave a very different spin to the 'deal with the devil' typically seen.
I'll definitely keep reading this series and this would be a good addition to my classroom library, though I rarely get kids who like exactly what I like.
The world building is familiar enough that it doesn't take away from plot, but different enough to be clear that it isn't exactly the world we know. The characters were relatable - I liked the protagonist, Isobel. As a sixteen year old, she is on the precipice of being an adult, but still learning and still determining her path. Her deal with the Boss was interesting and gave a very different spin to the 'deal with the devil' typically seen.
I'll definitely keep reading this series and this would be a good addition to my classroom library, though I rarely get kids who like exactly what I like.
jvan's review
2.0
Started off great, but then got muddy and muddled and not terribly good. An interesting idea that didn't do much for me.
gmrickel's review
3.0
I thought it was well-written, so it gets an extra star. The story bored me but the world was quite interesting.
sallyepp's review
5.0
Amazing world building. I've never enjoyed fantasies with "western" settings, but I loved this one. I guess I've lived in New Mexico long enough to absorb a sense of place.
ashleyjapan's review
3.0
This book was much longer than I expected but it was pretty interesting. I liked the mechanics of magic in this universe and the mixing of cultures an old west themes. I feel neutral about the role reversal of good and evil in this book, but that was its premise and it performed well based on that. I'm pretty sure I'll pick up the next book later this year if I ever get through my other library holds.