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mlc_1316's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
gracchus's review against another edition
5.0
I almost came late at work, because I hat to finish the book.
Two monster & vampire hunter fight against old terrible forces. A family lost their father and is threatened from poverty and monster. Racism and exploitation are criticised.
The best scene is when the father explains his son the difference between rye and bourbon and says eventually "Gentleman sip bourbon."
The characters were good developed and not too complex. I'm looking forward to part 2.
Two monster & vampire hunter fight against old terrible forces. A family lost their father and is threatened from poverty and monster. Racism and exploitation are criticised.
The best scene is when the father explains his son the difference between rye and bourbon and says eventually "Gentleman sip bourbon."
The characters were good developed and not too complex. I'm looking forward to part 2.
cmasterson's review
5.0
C.S. Humble is a burgeoning favorite of mine. I love his Black Wells series, as you can see from my past reviews. The Massacre at Yellow Hill, although different in many ways, carries the same heart. This is a western interlaced with horrors eldritch, supernatural, and manmade. Yet there are many in the horror field that are proficient in these scares. I say this not to diminish the quality of these in Humble's writings, but to point out the thing that keeps drawing me back to his stories: the heart. Humble crafts characters diligently and with care, branding them into the reader's very soul. Furthermore, the previaling themes of hope, love, and humanity in everything he writes provokes the best in the reader (and the worst, when it makes me ugly-cry at work.) Come for the horror, stay for the love.
sylvestra's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Death of parent, Hate crime, and Alcohol
youraveragedave's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
This is the Wild West meets Cosmic Horror. Cormac McCarthy meets HP Lovecraft.
A great novella, fast paced, promising a wider world that you want to explore.
I was deeply invested in the character relationships, especially the father-son pair of Ptolemy and Carson.
A very promising series, the 1st book of which has lived up to the hype.
A great novella, fast paced, promising a wider world that you want to explore.
I was deeply invested in the character relationships, especially the father-son pair of Ptolemy and Carson.
A very promising series, the 1st book of which has lived up to the hype.
songcatchers's review
5.0
'“You go in that mine,” Lucas said, “you ain’t coming out alive.”'
This is the first in That Light Sublime trilogy and it was so good! There are some really great characters here. Especially Gilbert Ptolomy, a former slave turned vampire hunter who I cast as Idris Elba in my mind lol. Vampires, gunfights, bizarre mine creatures, occult occurrences, I totally lost myself in this and I loved it!
'Monsters, as it turned out, were real. And they had killed her father.'
This is the first in That Light Sublime trilogy and it was so good! There are some really great characters here. Especially Gilbert Ptolomy, a former slave turned vampire hunter who I cast as Idris Elba in my mind lol. Vampires, gunfights, bizarre mine creatures, occult occurrences, I totally lost myself in this and I loved it!
'Monsters, as it turned out, were real. And they had killed her father.'
emosheeran's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Even though Westerns are one of my favourite settings in media, I have never read one until now. When I saw this also included vampires I had to pick it up.
The writing was great, very easy to read and flowed nicely. But I do wish there was a little bit more environmental writing.
Even though this is very much plot-driven, there was enough time dedicated to the characters, whom I grew rather fond of. Gilbert's and Carson's relationship was great, and they were honestly quite the dynamic duo. The Miller family and their story progression were also rather touching. The vampires being gruesome, terrible creatures was a welcome change from the typically glamorous, sexualised ones. The author did not hold back on the gore and violence that's for sure.
I think I would've liked more vampire encounters, as I feel we got to the ending rather quickly. Though maybe it's a good thing there wasn't, else it might've become repetitive.
Overall an enjoyable read that will definitely have me reading the sequel when its out, and seeking out other Westerns.
The writing was great, very easy to read and flowed nicely. But I do wish there was a little bit more environmental writing.
Even though this is very much plot-driven, there was enough time dedicated to the characters, whom I grew rather fond of. Gilbert's and Carson's relationship was great, and they were honestly quite the dynamic duo. The Miller family and their story progression were also rather touching. The vampires being gruesome, terrible creatures was a welcome change from the typically glamorous, sexualised ones. The author did not hold back on the gore and violence that's for sure.
I think I would've liked more vampire encounters, as I feel we got to the ending rather quickly. Though maybe it's a good thing there wasn't, else it might've become repetitive.
Overall an enjoyable read that will definitely have me reading the sequel when its out, and seeking out other Westerns.
bookin_w_tues's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tabatha_shipley's review
4.0
What I Did Like:
-Western mixed with paranormal. YES PLEASE. I mean, it’s ridiculous to think that only Victorian novels or contemporary novels can have vampires. Of COURSE the Wild West must have had them too. BRING IT!
-Well written. By that I mean I didn’t spot any glaring grammatical errors or formatting issues. The descriptions worked and the language wasn’t confusing.
-Tabitha. Aside from her name (nice choice, spelling aside) she’s an amazing character. A strong woman who is willing to do the work of a “man” and won’t take crap from anyone? Yes, please.
Who Should Read This One:
-Fans of horror stories that feature paranormal creatures. Specifically fans who are eager to see that playing out in the past.
My Rating: 4 Stars. This one was hard to rate because it’s a horror story at its heart but a western underneath. Still, I think horror fans will enjoy it. Give it a try!
For Full Review (including what I didn’t love): https://youtu.be/8M4K_mwhqY8
-Western mixed with paranormal. YES PLEASE. I mean, it’s ridiculous to think that only Victorian novels or contemporary novels can have vampires. Of COURSE the Wild West must have had them too. BRING IT!
-Well written. By that I mean I didn’t spot any glaring grammatical errors or formatting issues. The descriptions worked and the language wasn’t confusing.
-Tabitha. Aside from her name (nice choice, spelling aside) she’s an amazing character. A strong woman who is willing to do the work of a “man” and won’t take crap from anyone? Yes, please.
Who Should Read This One:
-Fans of horror stories that feature paranormal creatures. Specifically fans who are eager to see that playing out in the past.
My Rating: 4 Stars. This one was hard to rate because it’s a horror story at its heart but a western underneath. Still, I think horror fans will enjoy it. Give it a try!
For Full Review (including what I didn’t love): https://youtu.be/8M4K_mwhqY8