You know a book is insanely good when it feels like the author can read your mind.
Creepy? Yes. But it seriously felt like Erin Bowman looked into mind, scanned its contents a bit, and went, “Yeah okay, I got you.”
And that is creepily awesome, I tell you.
VENGEANCE ROAD has everything I want in a book. EVERYTHING. It’s fast-paced and Wild West-y and shoot-y and sassy and perfect. It’s just perfect, okay?
I think you’ve probably established the fact that I’m here to gush more than review this one, but let me keep on pretending I’m professional and bring out the list format. Because pretending is fun.
•Let’s start off with the glorious thing that is the WRITING. It’s short and snappy, as it should be in a thriller and in action sequences, but that’s not even the best part. No, the best thing about the writing is that it’s written in slang. SLANG, I TELL YOU. And this is just marvelous, because a) it makes the book SO atmospheric, and b) it adds bonus points to the already-fabulous world building. Love love love.
•Kate is an awesome lead, and I think I love her. She’s set on one goal, and yes, can be impulsive and stubborn, but better to be too focused than not focused enough. She loves her horse and her Colt and her rifle and tending to her homestead and excuse me but I love characters who know what they’re supposed to do and see the job carried through.
Also, this happened:
”That sounds real nice, boy,” he says. “Now for the love of God, lower that damn pistol.”
“All right,” I says.
And I do.
Right after I shoot him through the skull.
Not only is that a perfect example of the writing, but it’s also a perfect example of Kate’s badassery. Bless this book.
•Jesse and Will are welcome additions to the main cast. They’re brothers intent on helping Kate out, and they bicker and tease each other and are basically a gift to the reader. Each have a particular relation to Kate herself, and this was characterized perfectly, with different voices for each. And did I mention banter? BECAUSE BANTER. It was there. It was funny. And I loved it.
•The pacing, though a bit irregular, worked well. Look, it’s no secret that this is a revenge story, but the unfolding of events was handled extremely well. I saw some reviews critiquing the buildup, but honestly? You can’t jump straight into the chasing and shooting and etc. You have to have that buildup as a time to know the characters, too, or else you’d simply not fear for them when they’re thrust into danger. And I need to know the characters well before all hell breaks loose, so the buildup was perfectly plotted. The faster is not always the better, at least in revenge stories.
Ah, what else is there to talk about? The cover? It’s gorgeous. I need this print on a pillow or a T-shirt or a bILLBOARD. Because that cover is beautiful, I tell you.
I think I’ve exhausted my gushing capabilities. I seriously don’t have any more power to convince you to pick this up, because this is an actual new favorite of mine.
Read it, love it, and JOIN ME.
*laughs evilly while clutching my copy of VR*
