Today it's my turn on the BlogTour Dust Devils by Jonathan Janz. It's a western and horror combined with paranormal fantasy.
Jonathan Janz grew up between a dark forest and a graveyard, which explains everything. Brian Keene named his debut novel The Sorrows "the best horror novel of 2012."The Library Journal deemed his follow-up, House of Skin," reminiscent of ShirleyJackson's The Haunting of Hill House
and Peter Straub's Ghost Story."
Since then Jonathan's work has been lauded by writers like Jack Ketchum, Edward Lee, Tim Waggoner, Bryan Smith,and Ronald Kelly. Novels like The Nightmare Girl, Wolf Land, Savage Species,and Dust Devils prompted Thunderstorm Books to sign Jonathan to an eleven-book deal and to give him his own imprint, Jonathan Janz's Shadow Side.
His novel Children of the Dark received a starred review in Booklistand was chosen by their board as one of the Top Ten Horror Books of the Year (August 2015-September 2016). Children of the Dark will soon be translated into German and has been championed by the Library Journal, the School
Library Journal,and Cemetery Dance. In early 2017, his novel Exorcist Falls was released to critical acclaim.
Jonathan's primary interests are his wonderful wife and his three amazing children,and though he realizes that every author's wife and children are wonderful and amazing, in this case the cliché happens to be true.
Buy Dust Devils
About the book
It is 1885 in the wilds of New Mexico and Cody Wilson and Willet Black are bent on revenge after their loved ones are slaughtered by a group of traveling actors, but neither of them suspects what they're really up against.
For the actors are vampires. Their thirst for human blood is insatiable. The two must battle the vampires—alone—or die trying.
Janz has been making a name for himself in the horror genre. It's fair to say he tries to mix it up and redefine it by combining old favourites and modern ideas. This time it's a western meets paranormal fantasy extravaganza.
The relationship between Cody and Willet is one of the highlights of the book. The two of them bond over the fact the vampires have taken loved ones from them. Cody becomes almost paternal towards Willet, perhaps the boy represents the future he has lost.
Some of the scenes are quite graphic, especially the violent and sexual ones. Janz can be a bit of a shock jock at times. A bit of a 'let me lull you with the intricately woven relationships and my writing, then when you least expect it a wet kipper will whack you round the face' kind of storyteller. The violence or the more graphic details creates a sense of unease and keep the readers on their toes, which I think is intentional. Janz doesn't want his readers getting too comfortable.
It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I think readers who know Janz are aware of his style and hey the genre is known for being extreme and bending the boundaries. I think there has to be a nice balance, so it doesn't appear to be gratuitous. Sometimes less is more, especially when it comes to the sexual element.
It's a western and horror combined with paranormal fantasy. Cowboys vs Vampires, which is far more politically correct and results in some interesting scenarios. It's a blood-drenched read.
What I can say without a doubt is that Janz enjoys evoking a strong emotional response in readers, regardless of whether they are feeling sympathy, disgust or anger.
Buy Dust Devils at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Flame Tree Press; pub date 27 Jun. 2019. Buy at Amazon com. Buy at Flame Tree.
Read my review of The Sorrows by Jonathan Janz.
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