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A review by doritobabe
The Six-Gun Tarot by R. S. Belcher
4.0
4.25/5
I really liked this book but it's just not up there enough to be 4.5/5. Excellent for a stand-alone fantasy.
TL;DR:
Writing: 5/5 (Belcher is a very good storyteller. The writing was intelligent and well paced. The only thing missing was the oxford comma.)
Plot: low 4/5 (Not typically something I would have gone for --fantasy western-- but it was consistent: did not lose any of the plot, nor anything previously introduced in the text. Loses points for religion being a bit overbearing but it was necessary for the story Belcher crafted.)
Characters: 4/5 (Everyone was interesting, given their own backstory and LIFE without it bringing down the plot, and had their own resolution.)
The Six-Gun Tarot is a historical fantasy western that deals with shape-shifters, feminism, and discussions of God. It takes place in post-Civil war Nevada, where readers are first introduced to young fugitive Jim Negrey. Jim has secrets, one of them being a magical item that plays prominently in the rest of the story.
He arrives in the small town of Golgotha where the reader is then introduced to a cast of characters that will end up saving the world. The sheriff and his deputy; a scheming land owner/angel, a female assassin, and an evil plot to unleash the demon of all demons that resides underneath Mount Argent, and that has since before time.
Overall, Belcher's writing kept me rolling with the tale. As mentioned, I would not normally read a historical western fantasy, but this is the year of my branching out. He gives each character enough of a background for the readers to become fully invested and definitely enough to make the story a very strong one-shot. The reader has no questions about what or why things are happening or where they will go next.
The author also has great skill as a world builder. I felt Golgotha around me; its people, buildings; dry, hot desert air. Because of this, I think that I will be seeking out more of Belcher's books.
The only reason I didn't rate this book higher is because of the blatant racism (YES, I know it adds authenticity -- still sucks) and the close ties to religion. I am not a religious person, by any means. I was alright with the discussion of various religions and the fact that it plays an important role in the text, however, I was left questioning why the author decided to take this path. Is this actually Christian fiction in disguise? What are the authors feelings on diverse religions? Why is Mormonism featured so prominently? Things like that.
I really liked this book but it's just not up there enough to be 4.5/5. Excellent for a stand-alone fantasy.
TL;DR:
Writing: 5/5 (Belcher is a very good storyteller. The writing was intelligent and well paced. The only thing missing was the oxford comma.)
Plot: low 4/5 (Not typically something I would have gone for --fantasy western-- but it was consistent: did not lose any of the plot, nor anything previously introduced in the text. Loses points for religion being a bit overbearing but it was necessary for the story Belcher crafted.)
Characters: 4/5 (Everyone was interesting, given their own backstory and LIFE without it bringing down the plot, and had their own resolution.)
The Six-Gun Tarot is a historical fantasy western that deals with shape-shifters, feminism, and discussions of God. It takes place in post-Civil war Nevada, where readers are first introduced to young fugitive Jim Negrey. Jim has secrets, one of them being a magical item that plays prominently in the rest of the story.
He arrives in the small town of Golgotha where the reader is then introduced to a cast of characters that will end up saving the world. The sheriff and his deputy; a scheming land owner/angel, a female assassin, and an evil plot to unleash the demon of all demons that resides underneath Mount Argent, and that has since before time.
Overall, Belcher's writing kept me rolling with the tale. As mentioned, I would not normally read a historical western fantasy, but this is the year of my branching out. He gives each character enough of a background for the readers to become fully invested and definitely enough to make the story a very strong one-shot. The reader has no questions about what or why things are happening or where they will go next.
The author also has great skill as a world builder. I felt Golgotha around me; its people, buildings; dry, hot desert air. Because of this, I think that I will be seeking out more of Belcher's books.
The only reason I didn't rate this book higher is because of the blatant racism (YES, I know it adds authenticity -- still sucks) and the close ties to religion. I am not a religious person, by any means. I was alright with the discussion of various religions and the fact that it plays an important role in the text, however, I was left questioning why the author decided to take this path. Is this actually Christian fiction in disguise? What are the authors feelings on diverse religions? Why is Mormonism featured so prominently? Things like that.