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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
2 stars. I had a rough time with this book. 80% of this book consists of wandering around with Rhett as you become increasingly aware of the fact that Rhett has wholly and gleefully embraced toxic masculinity as a personality. He is wilfully ignorant, aggressively stupid, and Bowen creates a love... rectangle? with Rhett for absolutely no reason. The one golden thread of the actual plot gets buried under a metric ton of bullshit during this time as both you and Rhett completely forget why the hell he's wandering around in the first place.
But finally, in the last 20% of this book, the actual meat of the plot is revealed. I hate that there was so little time devoted to this as it was by far the most interesting part of this book AND allows us to push Rhett's more toxic personality traits to the background. As quickly as the plot catches up to Rhett, the problem is solved and the teaser to the plot of the next book is revealed. I waded through 200 pages of crap for a morsel of good fucking food?!
I would have to say that because the priorities of this book are horribly skewed, this sequel landed as a big fat disappointment for me. I have the third book also checked out from the library, but I'm going to think real hard on whether or not I care enough to continue.
But finally, in the last 20% of this book, the actual meat of the plot is revealed. I hate that there was so little time devoted to this as it was by far the most interesting part of this book AND allows us to push Rhett's more toxic personality traits to the background. As quickly as the plot catches up to Rhett, the problem is solved and the teaser to the plot of the next book is revealed. I waded through 200 pages of crap for a morsel of good fucking food?!
I would have to say that because the priorities of this book are horribly skewed, this sequel landed as a big fat disappointment for me. I have the third book also checked out from the library, but I'm going to think real hard on whether or not I care enough to continue.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Since the first book had so much to do with the protagonist's realization of their gender identity, or lack there of, I was hoping that this book would be a further exploration of that turmoil. After all, the beauty of having a transgender (and biracial and bisexual) protagonist is that we get to explore these themes. But instead there was just a lot of complaining about the weakness of the female body, and the weakness of women in general. To be fair, this character lives in a world where for the most part women are treated as lesser, secondary, and entirely used for their bodily functions. HOWEVER, there are two great strong female characters in this book, who both become objects of sexual desire for our protagonist. Rhett becomes sexually enamored with both Winifred and Cora but doesn't connect their strength and power with the strength and power of women as a gender. And as for the sex thing, maybe its important when trying to discover your sexuality, but of the 5 people in this book Rhett interacts most with, he has sex with 3 of them. And it doesn't necessarily make his character grow in any way...at least that's how I see it.
Still has the verve of the first book, with its mesmerizing clash of myth, western, and horror. Rhett seems to have regressed a bit this round; there's quite a lot of sneering, taking offense at nothing, and storming off. Some of this may have been intentional (right when you're at the point of wishing someone would get his bratty ass back in line, the latest big bad appears to do just that) but always-right isn't my favorite. Bowen still delivers a story with a fascinating world and a lot of heart.
It feels weird to me that Rhett turned into a misogynist after he transitioned. Definitely a departure from his character development in the first book.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Ahoy there me mateys! This novel is the second in The Shadow series, which is an awesome western fantasy. If ye haven’t read the first book, wake of vultures, then ye might want to skip this post, grab yer horses, and ride out to the nearest dry goods store to get yerself a copy. Worth the read. If ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril.
Well, Lila Bowen has done it again. This book was a wonderful continuation of the story of Nettie/Rhett. The first novel ended on a fantastic cliffhanger that made me anxious to get me hooks into the next book.
This novel deals with monsters, the building of the railroad, diverse characters, identity, and, above all, action. Me thoughts in no particular order:
- The setting: I continue to love the setting of the book with the Old West and monsters. The book has such a western feel but with the addition of fantasy elements, historical blending, and a variety of myths, the traditional western is enhanced into something bold and exciting.
- The main character: I love that Rhett continues to explore his own nature. One of the interesting concepts in the series is the use of names as part of identity. Rhett started out as Nettie in book one and as circumstances change, takes on different names as a consequence of different situations. Whether called the Shadow, Nat, Rhett, Nettie, etc., Rhett continues to understand a name is only part of who ye are and doesn’t have to define who ye are. For me, watching Rhett grow as a person is really the heart of the story and it is fascinating.
- The gang: Rhett’s ragtag bunch of friends continues to amuse. This book adds Earl, a Irish lad who can transform into a donkey. The relationship between Earl and Rhett was both endearing and not at the same time. I think it’s great that traveling companions can support each other and protect each other and yet can bicker at the same time. Rhett is prickly. So are the others in his group like Dan. The distinct personalities of each of the characters is a highlight of the novel.
- The magic: The magic of the West continues to fascinate. Rhett continues to explore his newfound powers with some entertaining side effects especially around eating. The magic surrounding the railroad and the villain is particularly fun. I want to spoil it but I won’t.
- The writing: I love the author’s writing style. She deals with such complex topics that make ye think while also not impeding the plot. In fact, such ideas enrich the diverse characterizations and make the characters seem all too real and yet bigger than life at the same time. As flawed and downtrodden as the people are, there is also hope, tenacity, strength, and growth in their survival
Side note: Apparently Lila Bowen is the pen name of Delilah S. Dawson and she has written lots of other things. Cool huh?
Apparently there are two more books in The Shadow Series to come! Hooray!! I can’t wait.
So lastly . . .
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books!
This Captain received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley and Orbit Books in exchange for an honest review.
Well, Lila Bowen has done it again. This book was a wonderful continuation of the story of Nettie/Rhett. The first novel ended on a fantastic cliffhanger that made me anxious to get me hooks into the next book.
This novel deals with monsters, the building of the railroad, diverse characters, identity, and, above all, action. Me thoughts in no particular order:
- The setting: I continue to love the setting of the book with the Old West and monsters. The book has such a western feel but with the addition of fantasy elements, historical blending, and a variety of myths, the traditional western is enhanced into something bold and exciting.
- The main character: I love that Rhett continues to explore his own nature. One of the interesting concepts in the series is the use of names as part of identity. Rhett started out as Nettie in book one and as circumstances change, takes on different names as a consequence of different situations. Whether called the Shadow, Nat, Rhett, Nettie, etc., Rhett continues to understand a name is only part of who ye are and doesn’t have to define who ye are. For me, watching Rhett grow as a person is really the heart of the story and it is fascinating.
- The gang: Rhett’s ragtag bunch of friends continues to amuse. This book adds Earl, a Irish lad who can transform into a donkey. The relationship between Earl and Rhett was both endearing and not at the same time. I think it’s great that traveling companions can support each other and protect each other and yet can bicker at the same time. Rhett is prickly. So are the others in his group like Dan. The distinct personalities of each of the characters is a highlight of the novel.
- The magic: The magic of the West continues to fascinate. Rhett continues to explore his newfound powers with some entertaining side effects especially around eating. The magic surrounding the railroad and the villain is particularly fun. I want to spoil it but I won’t.
- The writing: I love the author’s writing style. She deals with such complex topics that make ye think while also not impeding the plot. In fact, such ideas enrich the diverse characterizations and make the characters seem all too real and yet bigger than life at the same time. As flawed and downtrodden as the people are, there is also hope, tenacity, strength, and growth in their survival
Side note: Apparently Lila Bowen is the pen name of Delilah S. Dawson and she has written lots of other things. Cool huh?
Apparently there are two more books in The Shadow Series to come! Hooray!! I can’t wait.
So lastly . . .
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books!
This Captain received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley and Orbit Books in exchange for an honest review.
A good ripping yarn of a tale, this is a fun paranormal western with much to say about prejudice, racism and gender/sexuality that says it well and thoughtfully.