How much of these hills is gold by C. Pam Zhang

This is a story of Chinese immigrants chasing a better life in the America West. Lucy and Sam are left alone, with the mother gone and father dead. Will they be able to find what home means to them? The writing style was so different to what I usually read, but it matches the mix of mythology and the harshness of life in early America. I enjoyed how the author filled the reader in on the family’s story, especially by Ba reaching out from his grave. It is ultimately a story of family – their memories, lies and dreams.

The outcasts by Katleen Kent

A character driven western. The story is told in alternating storylines of Nate (Texas policeman) and Kathleen (prostitute) with a diverse supporting cast of characters. It took a while for me to be involved in the story, but it did get its hooks into me and I had to keep reading to see how their stories connected and how their stories finished up. Kathleen was not the person I imagined her to be from the story’s blurb, which threw me throughout the story. There was a little surprise in the ending which I did not guess.

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The arrivals by Melissa Marr

A mix of western, fantasy and love story – not what I normally read, but it gives the brain a workout to read something different. People from different eras suddenly find themselves transported to an alien world. Although the charcters were intresting and the setting well described, the story could of been handled in so much more depth. I did not fall completely into the story which was such a shame.

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The bones of paradise by Jonis Agee

I was slowly drawn into this fractured family trying to live (I should say survive) in the Nebraska Sand Hills after two bodies are discovered. You are then taken through the events following this discovery and the events that led up to the murders. The story was harsh, sad, hopeful and a good history lesson, a very good western story. I learnt about the horror of Wounded Knee and the harsh life of a rancher. And like any good western it had a touch of romance as well.

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