readthesparrow's reviews
250 reviews

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

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adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger by K.C. Grifant

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

REVIEW

I am a newcomer to Weird West books. I’ve always been interested in the genre, and I am so glad my introduction was through Melinda West.

The setting is a fictionalized Weird West, one which draws inspiration from but I do not believe is analogous to our world. It draws more strongly from the fantasy side of things than sci-fi (no aliens and UFOs here). People wear cowboy hats and dusters, drink at saloons, ride horses, and get attacked by giant flying scorpions. The world seems alive and breathing in a way that I really enjoy; Melinda and Lance are the main characters, but the people whose lives they pass through get names and beliefs and lives that will believably continue after Melinda and Lance pass through them.

I love female protagonists who are reliable, sturdy, and tough as all hell. Melina is all that and more. She can hold her own in a fight, she’s capable, and self-assured. She knows how good she is at her work, understands her capabilities, but—despite being less charismatic and easygoing as her partner, Lance—still an endlessly loyal, kind person. Speaking of, Lance is exactly the kind of male lead I like: a total sweetheart whose personality and skills perfectly compliment their partner’s.

As their journey continues, they gain traveling companions: Gene, a kind man with supernatural gifts, and Angelo and Topaz, a bounty-hunting duo out for revenge. Overall, Melinda West, Monster Gunslinger’s characters were definitely a strong point of the novel. The descriptions were so genuinely fun and cool that I immediately started looking for fanart after I finished. (Sadly, there is none—a real shame because I’d kill for art of one of the antagonists, Eloise, who wears an “enormous hat” and a “beaded, fringed jacket”. Fashion icon.)

The plot is fine. It’s exactly what the summary says it is: Melinda and Lance shootin’ monsters, chasin’ an outlaw, and savin’ the world. It’s definitely the setting, worldbuilding, and characters that carry the novel, though.

Melinda West, Monster Gunslinger has a diverse cast of characters. Issues like bigotry, misogyny, and racism are acknowledged and handled without overstepping. Gay characters are treated with respect, and—from what I know about the topic—so are characters of color. There’s no cringe-worthy Magical Native/Noble Savage tropes or appropriation of Native American folklore (not that I caught, anyway; I’m no expert though). The only moment that was off-putting to me was when a minor trans character appearing in one chapter was described as “might’ve been a woman once” based on the “timbre of his voice and curve of his cheeks.” As a non-binary person, I do like seeing trans characters casually included in books (and I really loved the non-binary character who did appear later in the story). However, I know that most trans people do not use or like language such as “used to be a woman” or “used to be a man.” While I appreciate the inclusion of a trans male minor character whose identity is otherwise fully respected, this wording definitely raised my brows.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Melinda West, Monster Gunslinger is a fun read set in an interesting, engaging world, one I would love to explore more. I believe it is intended to be the first in a series; if so, I await the next one with bated breath. I’ve got my fingers crossed for more of the Edge Riders, Topaz, and Bina, as well as more Eloise.

If you’re new to Weird Western or an aged veteran, there’s a lot to enjoy here, especially if you’re interested in a diverse character roster and fantastical, colorful setting. I’d definitely suggest picking up a copy.

Thank you to Brigids Gate Press for providing a digital review copy via Netgalley in exchange for this review.

Content Warnings

The Liminal Zone by Junji Ito

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Murder One: A Writer's Guide to Homicide by Mauro V. Corvasce, Joseph R. Paglino

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1.0

severely out of date
even for the time it seems wildly inaccurate. like were throwing stars and ninja knives and “””voodoo murders””” really that big of a problem in 80s/90s America

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Novel) Vol. 4 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Jiang Cheng Top Ten Homophobia Moments

Also ok.

”Hey guys can you pwease help me marry this guy” *five seconds later* “we are NOT gay” *twenty four hours later* “golly I hope that I didn’t catch being gay from my flesh host” bro make up your mind are you desperately in love with him and want to marry him or homophobic. let’s choose a struggle babe

Content Warnings