Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Source: Edelweiss
Pages: 336
Release Date: September 1st, 2015
Genres: Action & Adventure, Historical, Western, Young Adult
When Kate Thompson’s father is killed by the notorious Rose Riders for a mysterious journal that reveals the secret location of a gold mine, the eighteen-year-old disguises herself as a boy and takes to the gritty plains looking for answers and justice. What she finds are devious strangers, dust storms, and a pair of brothers who refuse to quit riding in her shadow. But as Kate gets closer to the secrets about her family, she gets closer to the truth about herself and must decide if there's room for love in a heart so full of hate.
In the spirit of True Grit, the cutthroat days of the Wild West come to life for a new generation.
VENGEANCE ROAD scratched an itch I never knew I had. It’s a fast paced story of revenge, outlaws, and old western charm.Thanks to this glorious novel I have a new addiction: YA Western novels. If this doesn’t become the new YA trend I’m going to cry.
Everything in VENGEANCE ROAD just worked for me. I loved every minute of it and resented study for not letting me binge read. It was an incredibly hard to resist. The pace is fast right from the first page and never really lets up. Action is everywhere and I wasn’t bored for a single second. The plot even managed to throw in a few surprising twists that I didn’t entirely guess (there was only one thing I predicted and even then I wasn’t 100% correct).
VENGEANCE ROAD is written in dialect, which I know some people don’t really like but it honestly worked so well for the story. It only enhanced the Wild West setting. I doubt the story would have worked anywhere near as well with more modern writing. Sure it took a little adjusting too, even that didn’t take too long, but once I got used to it I loved it. Every time I picked up the book it instantly transported me back into the 1800s.
“‘Cus while I don’t want the riches, I want that gang dead, and I ain’t quitting till each of ’em’s as cold as that bastard in the outhouse.”
Kate, our main character, is a very driven young lady. I wish her motivation for vengeance was the same level of motivation I had for study. I’d get so much stuff done! She’s also incredibly resourceful, smart, and stubborn with a real good head on her shoulders. Though at times her thirst for revenge could cloud her better judgement, it didn’t take much for her to pull her head in (or other characters made her) and she never became a horrible human being even when she had to get violent. Plus she treated her horse well, and that’s always a plus in my books!
Final thing I want to mention is the romance because IT WAS BEAUTIFUL! Slow burn relationship with so much tension that starts as bickering friendship between two characters and slowly turns into more. My favourite type of romance to read about. Towards the end of the novel it looked like things were going to get cheesy and the characters may forget all their troubles to make out but NOPE! Like I said, Kate has a good head on her shoulders and a strong drive for vengeance.
If you like fast paced, action packed stories with violence aplenty VENGEANCE ROAD is worth checking out. I imagine the dialect may cause trouble for some people but it only enhanced my reading experiences. I can’t wait to buy this in hardcover and read it again someday.
| Rating Report | |
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| Plot | |
| Characters | |
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| Overall: | 4.4 |
Karen
I’m reading this at the moment and agree with you on all points. Never knew what I was missing!
Bec
Isn’t it great! Really hope more comes our way soon.
Karen @ A Simple Cup of Tea
Erin Bowman did say that she is considering more western-goodness :) Woohoo!
Bec
This is the best news!
Lucia @Reading Is My Breathing
This sounds VERY similar to Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson (fast paced adventurous YA western with slow burn romance). And since I loved Walk on Earth a Stranger, I am definitely going to read Vengeance Road as well. Hopefully YA western will become a trend :) Great review, Bec!
Lucia @Reading Is My Breathing recently posted…ARC REVIEW: Walk on Earth a Stranger
Bec
I need to read Walk on Earth a Stranger! This isn’t the first time I’ve heard these two compared so I’m fairly certain I’ll love it. Hope you get to read Vengeance Road soon!!
Ju @ Fictional Skylines
This doesn’t sound like the kind of book I usually read but Kate sounds awesome and GO ‘BICKERING LIKE AN OLD MARRIED COUPLE’ FRIENDSHIPS. I might give this a try if I see it in the bookstore :D
Ju @ Fictional Skylines recently posted…Extremely Long & Emotional Review: Written In The Stars by Aisha Saeed
Bec
Kate was amazing! You never know, you might be pleasantly surprised. But you do know what books you like best :)
Mallory @ The Leaning Tower of Tomes
This sounds fabulous and I cannot wait to read my own review copy! Definitely starting it next, for sure!
Mallory @ The Leaning Tower of Tomes recently posted…Review — The Cage by Megan Shepherd
Bec
You’ve probably read it by the time I got around to replying haha. I hope you loved it! Or if you haven’t read it yet GET ON IT!
Vane J.
I actually like when books are written in dialect and it intensifies teh setting. I’m so glad to hear you liked this. I love revenge stories and fast-paced action. It’s good to hear as well the romance is slow-burn. Otherwise, I don’t think I could stand it. Great review, Bec! :)
Vane J. recently posted…Review: Everything, Everything
Bec
I usually like it to! It really immerses you in the atmosphere of the story. Sometimes it can get annoying but it depends on how it’s done. Thanks :)
Faith
Great review!
I absolutely adored Vengeance Road and I’m super happy that you enjoyed it also.
:D
Faith recently posted…1989 Book Tag
Bec
Thank you! It’s become one of my favourite reads this year, if not all time!
Alise
I know what you mean about the dialect, it can be a challenge at first but once you get used it you realize just how well it works with the story and it allows for you to become even more immersed. I think I was like that with Blood Red Road.
Bec
I still need to read Blood Red Road! Eventually I’ll get there.
Sarah J.
I am convinced that I need a western YA novel in my life and this is the book I need.
Sarah J. recently posted…Aesthetically Reading #5
Bec
Yes, yes you do! Hope you get your hands on it soon :D I’ve also heard that Walk on Earth a Stranger is good.
Micheline @ Lunar Rainbows Reviews
Ok, so after reading your amazing review here, I know one thing for certain: I NEED THIS BOOK IN MY LIFE!!!!!!! Wow! I’ve seen the cover around but I had yet to read a review for Vengeance Road. Now I know I must read this book. I love unique premises and settings, I can totally get behind western-YA, and I love stories about revenge! *Not sure what that says about me though LOL! Anyway, the characters sound awesome and the romance sounds like perfection! Count me in :D
Micheline @ Lunar Rainbows Reviews recently posted…Fandom Mashup #18
Bec
It’s seriously amazing, Micheline! I’m pretty sure you’ll love it :D
Celine
I added this book on my TBR a while back but I forgot why I was interested in it. This review helped me remember! I want to read this so badly now :)
Bec
Yeah it’s been flying under the radar a bit the last few months. Hope you get to read it soon!
Romi
I’d heard about this vaguely over the last 6 months or so, but never been overly inclined to look into it, like I read one review and was happy the reviewer enjoyed it, but didn’t think it was my thing. BUT BEC. Your passion! Your love for it, the characters faults being redeemable because she is so awesome for you, the fact you felt like you were in the era because it was done so well? I WANT TO READ THAT TOO. So, eh-haha. You broke a streak? I’m totally going to check this out. Gorgeous review, lovely. xx
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Bec
I CAN’T HELP BUT FANGIRL! I loved it so so so much. Everything about it was just perfect for me. Hopefully it’s the same for you when you read it!
Thanks :)
Danielle
I freaking adore Westerns so this sounds right up my alley plus that romance sounds like a dream so I cannot wait to read this now! I may have to start it tonight! Lovely review!
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Bec
I need to find more! It was so much fun. If you read it by the time I got around to replying I hope you loved it as much as I did!