Tag Archives: Weird Western

Hellfire on the High Frontier by David Farland

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for dead man's hand book cover

Title: Hellfire on the High Frontier
Author: David Farland
In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Cyborgs, Weird western, Westerns
Dates read: 23rd June 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Titan Books
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: The cigar clenched between his teeth smelled of sulfur.

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Synopsis

Morgan is hunting a murderer and a skinwalker. Then, after accepting help from a stranger, he is sent on a journey. To try and stop another murderer, one that he has little hope of surviving.

Thoughts

I really liked the book ending of this story – it started with Morgan on a hunt for justice. And ended with him on another hunt for justice. Two totally different culprits, but that same need for justice that made me wonder what was going to happen next almost from the very first moment. I loved that sense of justice – it’s always a great driver for a story in my mind – justice is almost impossible to truly get, but always desired.

Morgan is a great lead character. You spend the whole time hoping and wishing that he’s going to get his happily ever after. But you’re kind of resigned to something that’s not going to be so happy… it’s a weird dichotomy. You know that there will be a tragic ending because this story has great emotional foreshadowing, but you also hope against hope that you’re wrong. Since Morgan is just such a beautiful, relatable character.

This is a great reminder that there is no justice, only money. Particularly in the Old West which is run by gunslingers and gamblers. Demons and ghouls. And emotionless cyborgs.

<- The Old Slow Man and His Gold Gun From SpaceThe Hell-Bound Stagecoach ->

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The Temptation of Eustace Prudence McAllen by Jay Lake

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for westward weird book cover

Title: The Temptation of Eustace Prudence McAllen
Author: Jay Lake
In: Westward Weird (Martin H. Greenberg & Kerrie Hughes)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Weird western, Westerns
Dates read: 16th June 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Daw Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: His shout smoked the air blue and called dark clouds into swirling overhead.

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Synopsis

Eustace Prudence McAllen is being blamed for the fires being set in his town. So he goes on a ride to find out what is starting the fires in Hell’s Kitchen….

Thoughts

I really liked the way that this story was told more in the traditional oral style. It was like a conversation with the narrator. Even including some not-so-veiled insults throughout for interrupting the flow of narration. It was really quite clever, and whilst not out and out hilarious, it was quite entertaining. And left me smiling throughout.

This story combines fires, the devil and cattle. Cattle rustling and cattle farming. It had all the elements of what I picture when I think Western… but included with that is also Lucifer and the problems that a conversation with The Devil come with. Actually, throughout this whole story, all I could think about was stories of deals at crossroads and the song The Devil Went Down to Georgia. There was just this great, hauntingly familiar feel to the story line. One that felt a little like coming home.

This wasn’t a hilarious short story. But it was an entertaining and slightly funny one. Mostly through the voice of the narrator – the narrator added an extra sense of flair and humour to the story line that I really wasn’t expecting. And honestly, I just really enjoyed this unique take on a Western story.

<- Westward WeirdThe Last Master of Aeronautical Winters ->

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The Red-Headed Dead by Joe R. Lansdale

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for dead man's hand book cover

Title: The Red-Headed Dead
Author: Joe R. Lansdale
In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Urban fantasy, Weird western, Westerns
Dates read: 8th June 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Titan Books
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: No one answered.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

This is a story that starts with a dead horse… and steadily goes downhill.

Thoughts

I love that this weird western story includes the origins story of vampires. As in, the Judas origins story. I’m not really sure why… but I always love when this mythos is included in any kind of story. Partnering that with a western? It worked ridiculously well.

Although I enjoyed this story because of the content, I didn’t necessarily love the writing style. I found it a little disjointed and unapproachable. And a little hard to follow at times. Yet, I did really enjoy the storyline. So I found it hard to be frustrated by the style of writing when I was drawn in by the content.

This is a story that starts with a dead horse. That has had a pole flung through it’s brain. And that is the least violent moment throughout. It just steadily gets bloodier and bloodier. Which is exactly what a western should be… or at least, a weird western that features a vampire risen from the dead…

<- Dead Man’s Hand CollectionThe Old Slow Man and His Gold Gun From Space ->

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