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A review by fatedhearts_lorilee
Death Valley by Karina Halle
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Thank you to Karina Halle & Reckless Readers Society for the e-arc of Death Valley! All thoughts are my own, and are given voluntarily.
I loved the tension of this book -- it hooked me in right away and kept me anxiously reading. I started and finished it within 24 hours because I just needed to see what was going to happen next.
The horror and building tension was really well done. The atmosphere of the book developed steadily, and really contributed to the feeling of dread. The description of this book says it's Yellowstone meets White Walkers, and I completely agree. Ok I haven't seen Yellowstone, but I get the gist of it. I liked the way that Karina brought in historical events (the Donner Party) and then built around it to create a reason for what was happening.
There were some things that I would've liked to have known more about, but I'm also okay with it being a bit of a mystery.For example, it seems like Aubrey, Lainey and their mom all feel the draw in varying degrees. Would they fully transform if they didn't go to the mountain? Their mom was clearly struggling, and Lainey obviously felt the draw enough to go to the mountain, but Aubrey was just having dreams. At the end of the story, Aubrey chooses not to have kids so that she doesn't pass this "genetic curse" on, but she seems fine. Is she going to feel the hunger like her mom did, or is she somehow exempt?
Jensen is a very hot, grumpy cowboy who is an excellent tracker. His tracking skills and his love for horses make him an excellent love interest. Who doesn't like a man with a horse! It was a little insta-lovey, but it was also tense, so I'm okay with that. I would've liked a bit more development between the characters, but I still really enjoyed them together.
I love that Aubrey cared so much about her sister. I am all for girlhood and strong female friendship and bonds.I totally understand how she would not be able to kill Lainey, and I'm glad that Jensen was there to bear that burden for her.
I am obsessed with Duke and Jeopardy, and I'm very glad to say that they made it back to the ranch, even Angus the donkey! That was a major relief.
This was a really exciting and tense book! Definitely good for readers who are looking for a western horrormance to keep them on the edge of their seats!
Tropes:
I loved the tension of this book -- it hooked me in right away and kept me anxiously reading. I started and finished it within 24 hours because I just needed to see what was going to happen next.
The horror and building tension was really well done. The atmosphere of the book developed steadily, and really contributed to the feeling of dread. The description of this book says it's Yellowstone meets White Walkers, and I completely agree. Ok I haven't seen Yellowstone, but I get the gist of it. I liked the way that Karina brought in historical events (the Donner Party) and then built around it to create a reason for what was happening.
There were some things that I would've liked to have known more about, but I'm also okay with it being a bit of a mystery.
Jensen is a very hot, grumpy cowboy who is an excellent tracker. His tracking skills and his love for horses make him an excellent love interest. Who doesn't like a man with a horse! It was a little insta-lovey, but it was also tense, so I'm okay with that. I would've liked a bit more development between the characters, but I still really enjoyed them together.
I love that Aubrey cared so much about her sister. I am all for girlhood and strong female friendship and bonds.
I am obsessed with Duke and Jeopardy, and I'm very glad to say that they made it back to the ranch, even Angus the donkey! That was a major relief.
This was a really exciting and tense book! Definitely good for readers who are looking for a western horrormance to keep them on the edge of their seats!
Tropes:
- grumpy cowboy x semi-grumpy FBI agent
- forced proximity
- western horrormance
- one sleeping bag