RED IN TOOTH AND CLAW

A girl disguises herself as a boy to escape gender roles and takes down a magical cult in this fantasy Western.

Faolan Kelly lives in an alternate universe very similar to our own, but one where the Old West is pervaded with magic and horror. She’s feared and hated by others because of superstitions about her red hair and gray eyes. When her grandfather dies, she’s set to inherit his land—until the mayor concocts a scheme to steal it out from under her, beginning by sending her to live at the compound of the worshippers of the Shining God. But there’s something not right about the community, aside from its charismatic cult leader—and something there is killing people. Through her adventures, Faolan meets the attractive and intelligent Tallis, who’s a Rover. The Rovers display an amalgamation of characteristics commonly used to cue Native American and Romani peoples, but they’re depicted thoughtfully and without too much exoticism. They embrace far more progressive values than Faolan’s townsfolk do. Soon a heart-fluttering romance develops alongside the spooky magic and gunslinging as Faolan learns to love and trust others. The well-crafted plot is exciting, and Faolan is a clever, tough, and sensitive protagonist. Most of the secondary characters are essentially one-note, but they’re likable, nonetheless.

Mysteriously spooky and ultimately heartwarming.