When I came across this book online, I was quite unsure if I should buy or not. After all, western isn’t really my genre of choice. After coming across it several times while browsing for new literature, I finally picked it up. When a book catches my attention several times, and makes me doubt every time, I end up taking the leap and getting it. It’s just how I work. Tempe O’kun positively surprised me by writing a western story I actually liked. The characters are funny and well-written. I especially enjoyed the strong main character, Six, who dresses like a man, talks like a man, and acts like a man, to the surprise of those around her. The way that O’kun ties in the occult with western is also a very unexpected element in this book, and one I happily welcomed. The scenes are well-written and thoroughly thought out. O’kun has definitely done a fair share of research on this particular period of time. The sex scenes are interesting to read and the author has definitely been creative coming up with ways a flying fox and a hare can enjoy each other to the full extent of their bodies. This book only had a few things in it that I did not like. For one, the scene in which Hayes went on one of the (apparently regular) hunting trips with Mei Xiu, to enjoy his more feral needs, was one that adds nothing to the story, and could’ve been left out in my opinion. The ending really bothers me as well, as I am generally not a fan of a book with an open ending. It’s like the ending tries to hint to a second book, while there really isn’t that much left of the story to tie a second story to. Overall, I really liked the book and the story, and I’d definitely recommend it to others. It’s just a shame that the ending left me hanging. – Faolan
- P. Vergroesen

 

 

I had a lot of fun with this book! Grew up watching Bonanza, The Rifleman, and Have Gun – Will Travel so I've got a soft spot for western themed stories. Six and Blake have good chemistry and the inclusion of a bat character is something I don't see a lot of furry authors do. I felt like Tempe considered how Blake would interact with the world missing arms and needing to accommodate his wings. Six feels equally well fleshed out in her rough and rugged gunslinger personality. It may be a trope, but the grizzled gunslinger that has a soft side is one that works for me. The use of switching perspectives between chapters I think helps out with fleshing out the characters except in the case of Hayes, one of the villains. I don't know that I agree we needed his chapters as they were pretty short and didn't reveal much more than what I could have inferred from his interactions with the other characters. That and the story is principally following Six and Blake, so it felt a little out of place to have Hayes's point of view pop up occasionally. The supernatural sub-plot of echoes feels like something that will be explored more in the next book. I enjoyed what was there of it in this one and think the scene between Six and her father was well done. The sex scenes in the book were fun because it feels like the characters were having fun. There's an awkwardness as Six and Blake get used to how to move around each other's bodies and that felt more realistic. And, as a dragon fan, I loved how Blake's bat wings were certified great for cuddling. There are also occasional illustrations for big moments in the book and I love when there's a chance to do that! It's not perfect by any means, but I read it when I was craving a furry take on westerns and it certainly delivered that in spades.
- Michael Miele