Tumbleweed Time

NOBODY JONES by Abe Evergreen is strikingly similar to Nobody Smith, minus the science fiction. As a result, the story is about as interesting as a horse rolling in mud.

I would have preferred to find out more about the bounty hunter's sixth sense or learn something supernatural about the horse, but I guess this is why I don't normally read western stories.

As always,
AstraDaemon

There's Fault In Our Design

OFF TRACK by Joshua Scribner is western-themed piece of flash fiction with a supernatural element about a bounty hunter and a man with a price on his head. When the two come face to face, a few VERY significant details are revealed about the two men, but it's the dialogue which steals the scene.

Flash fiction is more of a moment than a story, a glimpse of characters, but Joshua Scribner has once again mastered the moment with a one hell of a glimpse.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Midas of the Old West

American Alchemy: Gold by Oliver Altair grabbed my attention with the form of a personal letter dated June 1, 1850. The letter paints a gruesome landscape of greed, deceit, sorrow and revenge. I had absolutely no clue what the author had planned, and being so unpredictable made the story that much more entertaining. The mix of American history and ancient alchemy is as brilliant as the gold within these pages.

I would love to read more from this author in the future...

As always,
AstraDaemon

Throwback Thursday: Zombie Western

Cursed Bounty by Rebecca Besser was a pleasant, but macabre surprise. I’m not big into Western themes, but I still enjoyed the story. After a bank robbery involving multiple murders, the Sheriff of Bristleton requests help from the governor. Let me tell you, Besser’s governor would scare the crap out of The Walking Dead governor.

The foreshadowing in the governor’s office was a dead giveaway (no pun intended) as to the fate of the bank robbers, but nothing could have prepared me for the shocking ending.

Besser has written an excellent example of what a horror short should be like, especially when mixing genres.

You can find more of Besser’s work featured in Code Z.

As always,
Astradaemon

Revenge In The Old West [Book Review]

Robert Dean

The Red Seven by Robert Dean was first released in January 2016, but is quite comparable to a classic western, complete with the lone rider on a mission of revenge to hunt down a villainous posse. There is no complicated storyline. A bounty hunter known as The Ghost finds his family murdered by The Red Seven. Although the group of desperados have disbanded, the main character is determined to kill them all.

I’m not sure I can do this book justice, since I'm not a fan of westerns (unless zombies are involved), but I am impressed with Dean’s ability to keep readers hooked with nonstop action. Not only does he provide a brutal justice with each death, but each showdown is unique. The fight scene with Warchief is my favorite. From one page to another, Dean mixes heartache, despair and the battle of wills.

As much as I was entertained, I had a couple of reservations about The Red Seven. I’m not sure if Dean’s intention is to paint The Ghost as a cold man who is all about business, but he remains something of a mystery. Aside from sympathy for the loss of his family, it was difficult for me to muster any feelings for The Ghost. I also wish there had been a little more physical interaction between The Ghost and his love interest. Maybe Dean was trying to avoid using sexual content as a plot device, but even when The Ghost makes a personal connection with some of the other characters, he seems to remain distant

To be honest, the story reminded me a little of The Outlaw Josey Wales, and I think anyone who enjoys those type of movies will love The Red Seven. The author delivers so many fierce confrontations, readers will feel as if they made the cross-country journey themselves. Robert Dean leaves the novel with an opening for what could be a great western series and allowing The Ghost to be further developed into a true legend of the genre.

As always,
AstraDaemon