I’m a fan of Harris’s writing – see my review of Midnight Crossroad here. So when a steady trickle of enthusiastic reviews turned into a stream, I alerted Himself, who decided to treat both of us to this offering. Our book budget for this year hasn’t been busted – more like broken beyond repair…
Set in a fractured United States, in the southwestern country now known as Texoma. A world where magic is acknowledged but mistrusted, especially by a young gunslinger named Lizbeth Rose. Battered by a run across the border to Mexico Lizbeth Rose takes a job offer from a pair of Russian wizards to be their local guide and gunnie.
And that is as much of the very chatty blurb that I’m prepared to share. I would add that the States is very different to our version, as it also includes a Russian enclave in this alternate history where the Romanov dynasty didn’t die in a basement in a hail of bullets, but instead survived to flee across the Atlantic accompanied by their magic-user, Rasputin. As for Texoma, think Wild West complete with bandits. It’s an interesting world, where life is cheap, travel exceedingly dangerous and luxuries such as electricity tend to be erratic. Each settlement or town seems to have its own set of laws that those passing through need to know.
I really liked the character of Lizbeth Rose, whose tough, self-reliant attitude helps her bounce back after the initial devastating incident at the start of the book, which puts her in the path of the two Russian wizards. Harris is good at making us care for her protagonists and I was quickly invested in Lizbeth prevailing against the odds. This dystopian, broken-backed landscape where the remains of metalled roads and ruins of houses pock the countryside should have given this book a more downbeat feel, but Lizbeth’s first-person narrative rescued this from being a grim, post-apocalyptic exploration of a destroyed civilisation. While she mentions such features, she’s matter-of-fact about the whole business, which happened before she was born. And besides, she’s too busy trying to keep herself and her clients alive to spend too much time brooding about the past.
Harris perfectly paces this adventure, so that we have plenty of time to appreciate what is at stake, before the situation flips around to heighten said stakes and once more Lizbeth is engulfed in yet more life-threatening action. It became physically impossible to put this one down, as I kept turning the pages as if my life depended upon it – and once I reached the end of the story, I felt drained and a tad shaky, suffering a real book hangover, which doesn’t happen very often to me, these days.
If you like your fantasy with a sideorder of wild west action and backdrop, then track this one down. I’m looking forward to seeing how this one plays out on TV, too…
9/10
So glad you loved this! Wasn’t it unique and so much fun?
Oh it really was! It was a close contender to be in my Outstanding Books list – indeed, Himself was rather taken aback that it wasn’t…
This does sound like a really good read! I haven’t read any Charlene Harris since the Sookie Stackhouse series but you’ve made me want to go back to her – I’m adding this one to my list.
I’m delighted to hear it – this one garnered a lot of positive attention and quite right, too. It’s such full-on fun…
A fantasy and a wild west adventure all rolled into one? That sounds like fun! Another great review, Sarah. So far I’ve only read her Sookie Stackhouse novels but I could see myself really getting into this series.
Thank you, Suzanne – I love her writing, anyway but this one is particularly enjoyable.
Loved this one, so glad to see you enjoyed it as well! Lizbeth is an awesome character!
Yes, I completely agree, Lisa. I’m looking forward to seeing what Harris does with this enjoyable world next.
I didn’t know she had another series, Sarah! I’m so excited. Wonderful review and glad you and Himself treated yourselves to this read.
Thank you, Jennifer. Yes – we were excited to hear about this one, too. And it was worth getting excited over…
I didn’t expect to love this book so much, since I was only okay with the first book of Sookie Stackhouse, but everything about this one spoke to me!
I’m glad you really loved this one, Mogsy. It is a cracking world, isn’t it?
Yep. My book budget for this year is doomed. LOL I added this to my book pile for when I place my next order. So glad you loved it and I can’t wait to dive in!
I know! We’re trying very hard to get more books out of the library this year… I look forward to seeing what you make of it, Laura – I think this one is right up your alley:)
Sounds fascinating.
It is! You should be able to get it from your local library, if you’re interested, Rae.
Oh wow. Magic and gun-slinging? yyyyyyyYYYYYYESSSS!
I know! So MUCH fun and mayhem…
I really enjoyed this one too and can’t wait to read more.
Lynn 😀
Me too! I’m intrigued to know where she’s going with it.
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Oooh, this one sounds great! There’s no harm in adding it to my TBR, is there? 🙂
This one is a real gem, Joanna. I loved it!