Dead Reckoning

Dead Reckoning follows Jett Gallatin, a young woman who disguises herself as a male gunslinger in the post-Civil War American West. She searches for her twin brother while navigating dangers and maintaining her secret identity. The story shifts when Jett encounters White Fox, a Native American government scout, and Gibbons, a professional zombie hunter. The three join forces to investigate mysterious attacks on frontier settlements and face supernatural threats that challenge their understanding of reality. A blend of historical fiction and horror emerges as the characters confront both human adversaries and undead monsters in the harsh western landscape. Their quest leads them through ghost towns, across deserts, and into confrontations with dangerous adversaries both living and dead. The novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and survival in a reimagined American West where traditional frontier dangers intersect with supernatural horror. Through its genre-mixing approach, it presents questions about who people choose to be versus who they are forced to become.

Readers found this zombie Western to be a quick, entertaining read but noted it didn't fully deliver on its premise. Positives: - Strong female protagonist who can handle herself - Interesting blend of Western and supernatural elements - Fast-paced action sequences - Clear, straightforward writing style Negatives: - Abrupt ending that leaves many questions unanswered - Underdeveloped secondary characters - World-building lacks depth and explanation - Romance feels forced and unnecessary Multiple readers mentioned disappointment that the book seems set up for a sequel that never materialized. One reviewer noted "the ending feels rushed, like they ran out of pages." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (50+ reviews) Barnes & Noble: 3/5 (15+ reviews) Common complaint across platforms: "The book builds up nicely but ends just when it gets interesting." The majority of reviews fall in the 3-star range, with readers describing it as an okay but forgettable read.

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🌟 The novel blends multiple genres, combining zombie horror with American Western themes during the post-Civil War era 🎭 Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill previously collaborated on several other young adult series, including the Shadow Grail and Bedlam's Bard books 🌵 The story features a unique take on the Wild West, incorporating Native American medicine and supernatural elements alongside traditional Western elements like gunslingers and frontier towns 🧟‍♂️ The zombies in Dead Reckoning are created through a combination of science and magic, rather than through a virus or supernatural curse alone, setting them apart from typical zombie fiction 📚 The protagonist, Jett, is a young woman who disguises herself as a male gunslinger while searching for her brother - a common historical practice during the American frontier era when women often had to conceal their gender to move freely in society