All the Dead Shall Weep

August 1, 2023

In Texoma, part of an alternate-history United States, Lizbeth Rose awaits her half-sister Felicia and her husband Eli's younger brother, Peter, as they arrive from San Diego, where there were kidnapping and murder attempts on Felicia. Since the seat of the Holy Roman Empire, was not safe enough from Felicia's Mexican relatives, Lizbeth and Eli are determined to protect Felicia and Peter at home. But then some news arrives that means Eli and Peter are heading back to San Diego, and their enemies have plans of revenge and death that will either kill them or destroy everything they have together. Devious plans, family sadness, and a surprising twist will change their futures--if they survive. Harris's intriguing setting of a fractured United States with magical families and gunslingers will continue to draw readers in. The character arcs and familial interactions sometimes slow the fast pace of the action, although it's still a quick and entertaining read. VERDICT Magic meets the American West in the fifth installment of Harris's delightful "Gunnie Rose" series, after The Serpent in Heaven.--Kristi Chadwick

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 4, 2023
Bestseller Harris’s action-packed fifth Gunnie Rose alternate history (after The Serpent in Heaven) proves what a powerful force newly reunited sisters Lizbeth and Felicia are when working together. Shortly after Felicia arrives in Texoma to visit her gunslinger sister, Lizbeth’s new husband, Eli, mysteriously takes off with his brother, Peter. Lizbeth is sure Eli has left her forever, their quiet new life not enough for him. Felicia extends her visit to support her sister, and suitors soon flock to her, trying to win her hand before the fast-approaching Wizards’ Ball, where powerful marriage alliances are arranged. After one of these suitors attacks Lizbeth, however, the sisters realize there’s more to their visitors than meets the eye. With an unknown militia also trying to take over the town, Lizbeth and Felicia forge a closer relationship as they take on their many enemies together. Harris keeps things close to home and dials in on her heroines’ relationship without sacrificing any of the high-octane action the series is known for. The result may be the best Gunnie Rose adventure yet. Agent: Joshua Bilmes, JABberwocky.

September 8, 2023
In Texoma, Lizbeth Rose Savarova is happy to welcome her half sister Felicia and her husband Eli's younger brother Peter to her home. Not long after that a rogue militia shows up in town, shooting and causing trouble. Eli and Peter track the mercenaries, and Lizbeth and Felicia track Eli and Peter. While they dispatch the mercenaries, a bigger problem awaits, and Eli and Peter are called back to San Diego, their former home and the home of the Holy Russian Empire. Lizbeth is devastated when Eli leaves. She cannot stay sad for long, though, as magical suitors soon arrive at her cabin seeking Felicia's hand in marriage, mainly because she is powerful grigori. Not all the visitors want marriage, and Lizbeth and Felicia must fight to figure out who their friends and enemies are. Alternating between Lizbeth's and Felicia's narration, this is the fifth book in the alternative history Gunnie Rose series (after The Serpent in Heaven, 2022). Unfortunately, the propulsive narrative action of the other books in the series is missing here. Lacking a cohesive plot of its own, this one seems like a set up for the next book. There are also problematic descriptions of characters of color and of Native people. Only for libraries where this series is popular.

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