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jlaney's review
4.0
I need some more Hawthorne. I haven't read a lot of western fiction, and even less weird west, but this may have started something.
Each short story in this book had a little something different and it made for a nice mix.
For me personally, That Damned Coyote Hill and The Unholy were alright but they didn't stick with me nearly as well as the others, to the point where I can only remember the beginnings of them. The Spider Tribe had me feeling queasy, but was full of action and seeing Hawthorne interacting with someone who wasn't a person he's ready to kill was an interesting change. The Long Black Train is horrific though fascinating, and I think it and Bad Sanctuary are my favorites. I almost wish the latter could have been longer so more of the fort and the evil of that story could have been explored.
On a note about Bad Sanctuary, I am a little confused by [somewhat in depth but vague spoilers w/ detailed spoilers hidden] [numbers indicate the same spoiler repeated] in BS. Was the train station manager wrong in thinking they had been there for a really long time? Have they always been there and regularly [2 main event] every few months or did they just grow bored and want and/or feel the need with those guys talking and H coming to town to [2] and move on or do they just roam from settlement to settlement [1]and then choosing a new place? I know [3 background revelation]but who knows how long ago that was or where. Then again, that's all assuming they actually caused it instead of it just happening because [1/2] It's really not necessary for the story, I just liked it and want more infooo.
Each short story in this book had a little something different and it made for a nice mix.
For me personally, That Damned Coyote Hill and The Unholy were alright but they didn't stick with me nearly as well as the others, to the point where I can only remember the beginnings of them. The Spider Tribe had me feeling queasy, but was full of action and seeing Hawthorne interacting with someone who wasn't a person he's ready to kill was an interesting change. The Long Black Train is horrific though fascinating, and I think it and Bad Sanctuary are my favorites. I almost wish the latter could have been longer so more of the fort and the evil of that story could have been explored.
On a note about Bad Sanctuary, I am a little confused by [somewhat in depth but vague spoilers w/ detailed spoilers hidden] [numbers indicate the same spoiler repeated]
Spoiler
the end goal of the evil [1 specifics]Spoiler
lamprey-faced girlsSpoiler
slaughter all the newcomersSpoiler
trigger wholesale slaughter of all those not under their influenceSpoiler
corrupting and feeding off of the population until it's mostly exhaustedSpoiler
at some point Hawthorne's dad summoned themSpoiler
those two dudes at the bar were talking shit and looked mighty tasty.
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