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A review by jlaney
Hawthorne: Tales of a Weirder West by Heath Lowrance
4.0
I need some more Hawthorne. I haven't read a lot of western fiction, and even less weird west, but this may have started something.
Each short story in this book had a little something different and it made for a nice mix.
For me personally, That Damned Coyote Hill and The Unholy were alright but they didn't stick with me nearly as well as the others, to the point where I can only remember the beginnings of them. The Spider Tribe had me feeling queasy, but was full of action and seeing Hawthorne interacting with someone who wasn't a person he's ready to kill was an interesting change. The Long Black Train is horrific though fascinating, and I think it and Bad Sanctuary are my favorites. I almost wish the latter could have been longer so more of the fort and the evil of that story could have been explored.
On a note about Bad Sanctuary, I am a little confused by [somewhat in depth but vague spoilers w/ detailed spoilers hidden] [numbers indicate the same spoiler repeated] in BS. Was the train station manager wrong in thinking they had been there for a really long time? Have they always been there and regularly [2 main event] every few months or did they just grow bored and want and/or feel the need with those guys talking and H coming to town to [2] and move on or do they just roam from settlement to settlement [1]and then choosing a new place? I know [3 background revelation]but who knows how long ago that was or where. Then again, that's all assuming they actually caused it instead of it just happening because [1/2] It's really not necessary for the story, I just liked it and want more infooo.
Each short story in this book had a little something different and it made for a nice mix.
For me personally, That Damned Coyote Hill and The Unholy were alright but they didn't stick with me nearly as well as the others, to the point where I can only remember the beginnings of them. The Spider Tribe had me feeling queasy, but was full of action and seeing Hawthorne interacting with someone who wasn't a person he's ready to kill was an interesting change. The Long Black Train is horrific though fascinating, and I think it and Bad Sanctuary are my favorites. I almost wish the latter could have been longer so more of the fort and the evil of that story could have been explored.
On a note about Bad Sanctuary, I am a little confused by [somewhat in depth but vague spoilers w/ detailed spoilers hidden] [numbers indicate the same spoiler repeated]