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Vermilion

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Vermilion by Molly Tanzer is a steampunk adventure novel set in an alternate American history where the protagonist, Lou Merriwether, a psychopomp, is tasked with investigating the disappearance of young men from San Francisco's Chinatown. The book follows Lou's journey across the country, encountering a mix of supernatural beings and facing moral ambiguities, all while navigating her own personal growth and challenges. The writing style is rich and detailed, immersing the reader in a world filled with ghosts, vampires, and intelligent animals, all wrapped in a Wild West setting with elements of horror and humor.

Characters:

Characters are multi-dimensional, featuring Lou as a lead whose journey of self-discovery and ethical challenges drives the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

Writing is rich, engaging, and closely tied to the protagonist's emotions, creating a relatable experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on Lou, a psychopomp, as she delves into disappearances in an alternate Wild West filled with supernatural elements and social challenges.

Setting:

The setting is a creatively reimagined Wild West that blends reality with fantastical elements, enriching the story.

Pacing:

Pacing is uneven, with a mix of slower sections and more thrilling moments, particularly near the conclusion.
Lou Merriwether glanced up at the row of fancy, interchangeable townhouses half-shrouded by swirling clouds of chill San Francisco fog. A brass 5 glinted dully from above a doorway, and she was lookin...

Notes:

The book is set in an alternate version of the Old West around the late 1800s.
The main character, Lou, is half Chinese and a professional psychopomp who helps guide souls to the afterlife.
Lou often passes as a boy for comfort and practicality, reflecting themes of gender fluidity.
The story mixes elements of weird west, steampunk, and alternate history with supernatural elements like ghosts and sentient animals.
Political tensions from the post-Civil War era play a role in the railroad expansion being halted.
Talking bears and other animals negotiate treaties with the government instead of Native Americans in the story's world.
There is a blend of humor, suspense, and engaging plot twists throughout the book.
The narrative features a third-person perspective that closely follows Lou's thoughts and feelings.
Lou's character displays cynicism, sarcasm, and a strong moral compass, making her relatable and engaging.
Themes of sexuality and race are explored, with characters exhibiting modern views despite the historical setting.
Some readers found moments of the story predictable, while others appreciated unexpected plot developments.
The book's writing received positive feedback for its richness and engaging style, despite some uneven pacing.
Several readers expressed a desire for sequels to continue Lou's adventures in the same universe.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book features medium content warnings including violence, potential trauma, and dark themes.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance present, focusing on LGBTQ+ themes and relationships.

From The Publisher:

Gunslinging, chain smoking, Stetson-wearing Taoist psychopomp, Elouise "Lou" Merriwether might not be a normal 19-year-old, but she's too busy keeping San Francisco safe from ghosts, shades, and geung si to care much about that. It's an important job, though most folks consider it downright spooky. Some have even accused Lou of being more comfortable with the dead than the living, and, well... they're not wrong. When Lou hears that a bunch of Chinatown boys have gone missing somewhere deep in the Colorado Rockies she decides to saddle up and head into the wilderness to investigate. Lou fears her particular talents make her better suited to help placate their spirits than ensure they get home alive, but it's the right thing to do, and she's the only one willing to do it. On the road to a mysterious sanatorium known as Fountain of Youth, Lou will encounter bears, desperate men, a very undead villain, and even stranger challenges. Lou will need every one of her talents and a whole lot of luck to make it home alive... From British Fantasy Award nominee Molly Tanzer comes debut novel Vermilion, a spirited weird Western adventure that puts the punk back into steampunk.

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Want To Read (3)
 
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