Quarter Finalist

Assessment:

Plot: The author offers an intriguing plot that holds the reader's interest page after page. The mystery surrounding Shadow Springs unfolds at just the right pace, and the story itself is surprising and entertaining.

Prose: The prose here is oddly uneven. The first chapter in particular is very rough in comparison to the rest of the book, which feels much stronger and more polished.

Originality: Although this genre-blending book has a hint of the hit show Westworld, it still feels totally original. It's an entertaining novel that keeps the reader engaged and interested until the very end.

Character Development: The main characters are distinct and individual. And while the book has a very large cast, secondary characters are also duly developed.

Blurb: An enjoyable combination of suspense, adventure, and fantasy set in the Wild West, this category-blending work will appeal to Westworld enthusiasts and draw more to this emerging new genre.

Date Submitted: August 28, 2017