Last week I read a book called Territory by Emma Bull. It’s a western, and it’s a return to the legend of Tombstone. But, before you run off, you should know that it’s also about magic. It’s a tale of a struggle for power and territory between two black magicians, set in the old west. But the best part is, the magic is not overplayed but used as a subtle seasoning in a rich retelling of a familiar tale.
The story uses characters both historical and fictional. The writing is sharp and vivid, and the cast is warm and human. The evil feels real, and so does the good, as well as the love between friends and family. Tombstone comes alive, with a twist.
When tough-minded widow Mildred Benjamin and drifter Jesse Fox realize that dark magic is manipulating people for a sorcerer’s selfish ends, they must decide what they can and should do about it, in the process discovering who they truly are. Mixing fantasy with Old West lore is risky, but Bull takes time to make the place and the people real before undeniably supernatural forces appear. ~ From Publishers Weekly
I found it hard to put the book down. I don’t usually read westerns, but this had a quote from Neil Gaiman on the cover, and I guess I felt it was worth the risk. It certainly was worth it, and I was rewarded with a fascinating and compelling read.
