Silver on the Road

August 31, 2015
Gilman (the Vineart War trilogy) takes readers on a scenic tour of a very weird Wild West in this delightful start to the Devil’s West series. In an early 19th-century America where superstition, magic, and unusual beings flourish, a man considered to be the devil has claimed a vast region west of the Mississippi that’s known simply as the Territory. When saloon girl Isobel turns 16, she volunteers to work for the devil and is appointed as his Left Hand, an agent to help keep the Territory under control. Under the guidance of her new mentor, the enigmatic Gabriel, Isobel sets out to learn the ways of the road and discover what her role truly entails. A rash of supernatural events terrorizing the Territory forces Isobel and Gabriel to team with unlikely allies in hopes of preventing further tragedy. Gilman skillfully plays with western folklore and history, infusing them with ambiguity and subtle strangeness to deliver a memorable adventure out on the untamed frontier. Refreshingly, her vision of the American West includes respectful portrayals of Native Americans. Isobel’s coming-of-age story is very accessible to teens, and there’s plenty for adventure-minded adults to enjoy as well. Agent: Barry Goldblatt, Barry Goldblatt Literary Agency.

Starred review from October 15, 2015

Isobel has an important decision to make on her 16th birthday: stay in the service of the devil, or leave the territory and find a different life. Deciding to continue working for her boss, she doesn't realize that he will send her on the road to learn her trade. He wants Izzy to be his eyes and ears and his instrument of justice in the region. She will set off on her journey with a strange rider named Gabriel, who has made his own bargain with the devil in return for training Izzy. VERDICT This dark fantasy/horror work from the author of the "Vineart War" trilogy reimagines early 19th-century America as divided between the states in the East, Spain in the far West, and a region in the middle ruled by a man everyone calls the devil, whose magic keeps the peace. The pacing is slow, but the characters and setting keep the interest of fans of atmospheric, strange Wild West stories.--MM

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.