Dead Man's Hand

Dead Man's Hand is an anthology collection of twenty-three Western stories blended with science fiction and fantasy elements. The stories are written by various contemporary authors including Orson Scott Card, Kelley Armstrong, and Seanan McGuire. Each tale puts a speculative twist on classic Western tropes and settings, featuring gunslingers, outlaws, and frontier conflicts reimagined with supernatural beings, advanced technology, or magical elements. The collection includes stories about clockwork cowboys, ghostly posses, steampunk showdowns, and alien encounters on the open range. The anthology explores fundamental themes of the Western genre - justice, survival, and human nature - while expanding its boundaries through imaginative genre-bending. Through these hybrid narratives, traditional Western storytelling takes on new dimensions that both honor and reinvent the classic American frontier mythology.

Readers found Dead Man's Hand delivered unique takes on the Western genre by blending it with supernatural and science fiction elements. The anthology's diverse stories kept readers engaged, with many highlighting "The Red-Headed Dead" by Joe R. Lansdale and "Ghosttown" by Seanan McGuire as standouts. Positive feedback focused on: - Fresh interpretations of Western tropes - Quality of world-building across stories - Balance between traditional Western and speculative elements Common criticisms: - Uneven quality between stories - Some pieces felt rushed or underdeveloped - A few stories strayed too far from Western themes Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (196 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (31 ratings) One reader noted: "The anthology succeeds in breathing new life into both genres without sacrificing what makes either one work." Another mentioned: "About half the stories are excellent, while others feel like filler."

Six-Gun Snow White by Catherynne M. Valente A fairy tale retelling set in the mythical Old West combines folklore with gunslinger action.

The Six-Gun Tarot by R.S. Belcher Multiple supernatural elements converge in a Nevada mining town during the 1800s.

Territory by Emma Bull Historical figures Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp encounter magic in 1880s Tombstone.

The Native Star by M. K. Hobson A witch and a warlock navigate a magically-altered American West in 1876.

Make Me No Grave by Hayley Stone A federal marshal hunts a notorious outlaw who wields supernatural powers across the frontier.

🌟 "Dead Man's Hand" is a unique anthology that combines two popular genres - Westerns and supernatural horror - creating an entirely new subgenre sometimes called "Weird West" 🎲 The book's title refers to the legendary poker hand allegedly held by Wild Bill Hickok when he was shot dead in 1876: two pairs of black aces and eights 🖋️ Editor John Joseph Adams has been called "the reigning king of the anthology world" by Barnes & Noble and has edited more than 30 anthologies 🤠 The collection features stories from celebrated authors including Orson Scott Card, Kelley Armstrong, and Hugh Howey, each bringing their own supernatural twist to classic Western themes 🏆 Many of the stories in this anthology were specifically commissioned for this collection, rather than being reprints, making it a truly original contribution to both Western and horror genres