Reviews

The Last Cowboys of San Geronimo by Ian Stansel

cprformytbr's review

adventurous emotional sad fast-paced

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

4.25

jesassa's review against another edition

This was awesome. I assumed I knew exactly what I was getting into (Last Cowboys? Okay it's a western, I hope there are some horses...) but it took me by surprise. Yes, it's set in California; yes, there are beautiful passages about nature and landscape. Though the title characters are cowboys, they're cowboys of a more modern sort, as they've evolved to fit into the elite equestrian world as hunter/jumper instructors. (Does it get much more in my wheelhouse?) I appreciate the horseman in Silas (and see shadows of trainers I've know) and the authenticity of Lena and her interactions with horses. I didn't realize I needed a modern western in my life, but wow am I glad I picked this one up.

jenkinm's review against another edition

2.0

Just okay, though certainly not a stimulating or interesting read despite the premise and promising start. In short, not enough cowboys and too much exposition.

m222ddy's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

3.25

frost_booksnbeatles's review against another edition

1.0

Read for class

erincharp's review against another edition

4.0

Silas and Frank have always had a contentious relationship as brothers, yet no one expects Silas to kill Frank. Silas heads into the hills on horseback, persued by Frank's wife Lena and a younger girl who works for her. As the story unfolds, it bounces back between Silas and Lena and back between the past and the present as the complicated relationship between Silas and Frank is explored more deeply.

I really enjoyed this book. While not entirely a contemporary western, it did have some updated hat tips back to Lonesome Dove and other novels of that genre that explore relationships between "masculine" adult males.

jaclynday's review against another edition

4.0

A creative, deceptively simple plot that turned out to be surprisingly thrilling and emotional.

rosequartz_rach's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

3.5

ramonamead's review against another edition

5.0

Holy Cow. This little novel knocked my socks off. At just under 200 pages, it is an absolute marvel in regard to pacing and story development. We learn only the bare minimum of what we need to about these two feuding brothers, in order to piece together what happened. The writing is stunning, invoking vivid imagery of the West and of life as a horseman. While telling the story, Stansel also explores what it means to be family, the drama involved, and the loyalty. I'm certain I would have loved this book just as much if I'd read a physical copy, but the audio book narration is perfection, smooth tones and ideal pacing make the story even more compelling.

ava_marie_sunflower's review against another edition

adventurous reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Nice short easy to read