An Easy Death

Author: Charlaine Harris

My rating: 3.8 stars (out of 5)

Alternative wild west meets fantasy.

In an alternate history, the US fractured into multiple countries after the president’s assassination. Lizbeth Rose lives in the poor & nearly lawless country of Texoma, a poor, desolate, hot country, ruled more often by its own gun-toting citizens & bandits than by any one authority. With her sharp shooting skills, Lizbeth works as a “gunnie,” taking on security & protection jobs, often at high risk to her own life. When some Russian wizards try to hire her for a job, Lizbeth must make several tough decisions.

This book doesn’t belong in the lighthearted fantasy genre. It’s more of a gritty, shoot-or-die, quick action wild west story, but with an excellent plot & fantastic heroine. Lizbeth shoots fast & accurate & often, but she has high moral standards. She’s a vigilante that I can admire and abhor simultaneously. Yes, she kills a lot, but it’s often in self-defense. Even when it’s not, she has her reasons & the sacrifices she makes for her clients are inspiring.

I wasn’t a fan of a broken USA. I like the country the way it is, thank you very much, but it worked very well with the plot here & made a fascinating alternate history. Gunnie Rose makes a great wild west hero. Think guns, rifles, guns, a bit of magic, and lots more guns.