Publishing date: 10.09.2024

Thank you to Netgalley and Atmosphere Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own. 

The book as a meal: Water from a mountain stream and crisp ripe apples

The book left me: Saddened, empowered, and inspired

Negatives:

These poor women

Not described, but pretty graphic SA told about later

Positives:

Great character writing

Palpable tension

Absolutely stunning atmosphere and story

Features: 

Strong female lead, lots and lots of travel, all kinds of injustices you can imagine done to women, justice is best served cold, main lead realizing what strengths she has

Why did I choose this one?

I love myself a book in a western setting, I love a female lead, and I love a sob story. This book encompasses all of these things at once. Want a heart wrenching story about a cowgirl discovering the cruelties of the world. This one officer!

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?

Devourable. This was such an exciting read, I wanted to read it all day long (and I almost did actually). The constant tension, the sense of hurriedness, the sense of being hunted and not knowing who, where or when the hunter is. 

This story sucks you in and grips you like a vice. 

What was the vibe and mood?

Dusty, boot to big, backside and legs aching from constant movement and riding, the sun on your face, sweat seeping through your clothes, adrenaline pumping in your veins. Will I make it in time? Who will live to come home with me? Will I live another day or perish in the night? Was this all a stupid idea? 

Final ranking and star rating?

5 stars, S tier. This book is in my tops of the year. Stunning story, stunning character work, and wonderful atmosphere. The author deserves all praise. Will be recommending this book to everyone. Be warned, you might need some tissues and someone to comfort you from the horrors and injustices put upon the people in the book. 

Need more stories like this, please miss Dossett🙏