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mommasaystoread's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
A Wind of Knives is a novella-length LGBT Western, taking place in Civil War-era Texas. Daniel Hays is without a doubt an interesting character with an interesting story. And it's a surprising story, at least for me. After reading the blurb, I expected a more action-driven tale with Daniel searching for vengeance for the death of his friend and lover. And he is searching for revenge or justice, however you want to slice it, it comes down to the same for Daniel. He also learns a few lessons about revenge along the way. So, while this one did have some action, it is more reflective with a healthy dose of tension, and there's a bit of the mystical by way of a coyote that shows up throughout Daniel's journey. The only drawback to this one was the ending, which felt a bit rushed, but I do have to add that there is an excellent twist toward the end that did have me sitting up and taking notice. All in all, this one was an intriguing, quick read, and I'll certainly be checking out more of this author's work.
A Wind of Knives is a novella-length LGBT Western, taking place in Civil War-era Texas. Daniel Hays is without a doubt an interesting character with an interesting story. And it's a surprising story, at least for me. After reading the blurb, I expected a more action-driven tale with Daniel searching for vengeance for the death of his friend and lover. And he is searching for revenge or justice, however you want to slice it, it comes down to the same for Daniel. He also learns a few lessons about revenge along the way. So, while this one did have some action, it is more reflective with a healthy dose of tension, and there's a bit of the mystical by way of a coyote that shows up throughout Daniel's journey. The only drawback to this one was the ending, which felt a bit rushed, but I do have to add that there is an excellent twist toward the end that did have me sitting up and taking notice. All in all, this one was an intriguing, quick read, and I'll certainly be checking out more of this author's work.
rock_n_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I've read some western-themed horror in the past, but this book was my first read of a more straight-up western, and I really enjoyed it. This is a tale of revenge, but it's not all violence and grit-- there are some moments that tug on the heartstrings and I felt a lot of sympathy for the protagonist. It's a novella, but there's a lot of story in the limited number of pages. The author did a great job creating believable characters, excellent pacing, and the perfect level of suspense to keep the reader flipping pages. Kurtz's writing makes me want to pick up more of his work in the future, and also explore this genre a bit more.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with an advance copy for review consideration.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with an advance copy for review consideration.
buttontapper's review against another edition
5.0
Let's start with the disclaimers: I didn't have a shelf for westerns until I read this book, and previously, my only experience with the genre was a much-detested junior high school reading of Shane (which Mr. Kurtz encourages me to revisit), and the beginning of Lonesome Dove, which I eventually cast aside in favor of other pursuits. I had also read Annie Proulx's "Brokeback Mountain," and inquired as to whether Kurtz's novella was better. He said "Absolutely."
Dear reader, he was telling the truth.
So, what makes A Wind of Knives the type of western that makes gals like me, who don't care much for the genre, feel like maybe there's something to it after all?
First of all, the title is ridiculously great. I had been meaning to pick up A Wind of Knives solely based on the violent promise of its title, and I'm glad I finally did.
Secondly, although you'll find quite a lot of brooding, talk about the Texas landscape, and horseback riding, it's also obvious that this is a story that goes beyond those western clichés and offers some unique characters with complex souls.
Third, and not to spoil the plot, but this will all end badly. Maybe not "Unforgiven"-level badly, but Daniel Hayes isn't a lawman or an outlaw, at least in the six-shooter sense. He's a man who wants revenge, but like most of us average everyday vengeance-seekers, it's a dream that will never come true. And that's what I found most interesting about Kurtz's book, because the typical western, in my mind, is all about chasing down the bad guys and delivering some form of frontier justice. Is there justice in this book? Perhaps, in its way. But more likely, it's the same type of thing we humans deal with every day, as frustrating and maddening as that is, with a man stuck in the middle, trying to figure out what to do about it. Is he supposed to just let it go and move on? Even if the bad guy gets shot, does that really solve anything? And what does one do with a hole in the heart that can never be mended?
So, while the western is not likely to become my favorite genre of all time, after reading this book I can say I kinda get it. I still think Texas is a terrible place for steers, queers, and women to live (and, based on personal experience, that doesn't seem like it's ever likely to change), but I can also see why the enterprising lone wolf (or coyote) might want to test their mettle out there.
Thanks, Mr. Kurtz, for giving us this surprising little gem of a western, and I look forward to reading more of your work.
Dear reader, he was telling the truth.
So, what makes A Wind of Knives the type of western that makes gals like me, who don't care much for the genre, feel like maybe there's something to it after all?
First of all, the title is ridiculously great. I had been meaning to pick up A Wind of Knives solely based on the violent promise of its title, and I'm glad I finally did.
Secondly, although you'll find quite a lot of brooding, talk about the Texas landscape, and horseback riding, it's also obvious that this is a story that goes beyond those western clichés and offers some unique characters with complex souls.
Third, and not to spoil the plot, but this will all end badly. Maybe not "Unforgiven"-level badly, but Daniel Hayes isn't a lawman or an outlaw, at least in the six-shooter sense. He's a man who wants revenge, but like most of us average everyday vengeance-seekers, it's a dream that will never come true. And that's what I found most interesting about Kurtz's book, because the typical western, in my mind, is all about chasing down the bad guys and delivering some form of frontier justice. Is there justice in this book? Perhaps, in its way. But more likely, it's the same type of thing we humans deal with every day, as frustrating and maddening as that is, with a man stuck in the middle, trying to figure out what to do about it. Is he supposed to just let it go and move on? Even if the bad guy gets shot, does that really solve anything? And what does one do with a hole in the heart that can never be mended?
So, while the western is not likely to become my favorite genre of all time, after reading this book I can say I kinda get it. I still think Texas is a terrible place for steers, queers, and women to live (and, based on personal experience, that doesn't seem like it's ever likely to change), but I can also see why the enterprising lone wolf (or coyote) might want to test their mettle out there.
Thanks, Mr. Kurtz, for giving us this surprising little gem of a western, and I look forward to reading more of your work.
brandonstanwyck's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
evavroslin's review against another edition
5.0
*** Review copy received from the author for review consideration ***
This novella starts off with one of the most visceral, brutal openings, and without going into spoiler territory, all I can say is that it is definitely not for the faint of heart. Daniel, the protagonist, has inherited his now-deceased boss’s farm in Civil War era Texas. He convinces the reader that he’s your typical red-blooded American cowboy type in the 1800s, but turns out to be so much more.
Michael Arnzen wrote something to the effect that horror is showing the reader a character going into a room, seeing that there’s something under a bed-sheet that’s they know is going to be terrible, and amplifying a degree of suspense that can only be relieved when the character draws back the sheet and confronts the terror underneath. Wind of Knives embodies this sentiment. I found it an interesting choice to start the narrative where the author did at the point of what’s normally a denouement or an aftermath moment in plot structure, but Kurtz makes it work.
Daniel wants justice on those who committed an atrocious act on one of the few remaining farmhands, Steven. The town sheriff, James, reminds him that “there’s a goddamn war on.” James’s brother, Christopher, is the one Daniel was hoping to talk to, but that will have to wait. Kurtz writes Southern settings convincingly and doesn’t fall back on stereotypical dialogue to do it. He also brings in LGBTQ+ issues into the backdrop of the South in the late 1800s, which is not an easy task, but he pulls it off with great aplomb, playing with hyper-masculinization and gender roles of the era.
As the book races toward its conclusion, things come to a satisfying conclusion. Again, I can’t say much else without going into spoilers, and even though I would have wanted a more epic confrontation, I enjoyed the direction Kurtz took.
Wind of Knives is a powerful and moving piece, a stark reminder of why Ed Kurtz deserves a much wider readership. He is one of the most versatile writers of horror and crime today, and if you haven’t read any of his previous work, you should really aim to remedy that as soon as possible. He has written other books set in the South with more of a gritty crime focus, such as last year’s At the Mercy of Beasts.
I truly hope that more people will pick up his books, because they’re truly excellent. If you want to read his work but don’t know where to start, I would strongly recommend his earlier novel, Bleed.
This novella starts off with one of the most visceral, brutal openings, and without going into spoiler territory, all I can say is that it is definitely not for the faint of heart. Daniel, the protagonist, has inherited his now-deceased boss’s farm in Civil War era Texas. He convinces the reader that he’s your typical red-blooded American cowboy type in the 1800s, but turns out to be so much more.
Michael Arnzen wrote something to the effect that horror is showing the reader a character going into a room, seeing that there’s something under a bed-sheet that’s they know is going to be terrible, and amplifying a degree of suspense that can only be relieved when the character draws back the sheet and confronts the terror underneath. Wind of Knives embodies this sentiment. I found it an interesting choice to start the narrative where the author did at the point of what’s normally a denouement or an aftermath moment in plot structure, but Kurtz makes it work.
Daniel wants justice on those who committed an atrocious act on one of the few remaining farmhands, Steven. The town sheriff, James, reminds him that “there’s a goddamn war on.” James’s brother, Christopher, is the one Daniel was hoping to talk to, but that will have to wait. Kurtz writes Southern settings convincingly and doesn’t fall back on stereotypical dialogue to do it. He also brings in LGBTQ+ issues into the backdrop of the South in the late 1800s, which is not an easy task, but he pulls it off with great aplomb, playing with hyper-masculinization and gender roles of the era.
As the book races toward its conclusion, things come to a satisfying conclusion. Again, I can’t say much else without going into spoilers, and even though I would have wanted a more epic confrontation, I enjoyed the direction Kurtz took.
Wind of Knives is a powerful and moving piece, a stark reminder of why Ed Kurtz deserves a much wider readership. He is one of the most versatile writers of horror and crime today, and if you haven’t read any of his previous work, you should really aim to remedy that as soon as possible. He has written other books set in the South with more of a gritty crime focus, such as last year’s At the Mercy of Beasts.
I truly hope that more people will pick up his books, because they’re truly excellent. If you want to read his work but don’t know where to start, I would strongly recommend his earlier novel, Bleed.
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