What is SPFBO 9?  This is  a competition where authors of self-published fantasy can enter their work. The objective to find a winner out of the 300 entries submitted.  Ten judges (or judging teams) each receive 30 entrants.  Each judge/team will eventually submit one finalist to the second round where a winner will eventually be decided upon. Check out Mark Lawrence’s post here to look at this year’s entrants, judges and allocations list.  Also, check out this page to see all the lovely finalists and the scoreboard for Phase 2 of the competition.

Today I’m posting my review for Cold West by Clayton W Snyder.

Cold West is a story of loss and revenge set in the wild wild west where life is cheap.

As the story begins we meet Will Cutter.  Will and his two sons are burying their wife/mother after she passed away following illness.  Life is tough on the farm and not being naturally inclined to the lifestyle, and money sorely lacking, Will finds himself tempted back into his former life as a bounty hunter.  A life of violence and bloodshed.  Leaving his two boys, for what should only be a a few days, maybe a couple of weeks Will sets out with an old friend/colleague to try and claim the rather generous bounty on offer.  Of course, if something seems too good to be true, then it usually is and Will is about to reach a whole new low.

Now I will start out by saying that this is a very dour read set in a harsh and violent world.  There is plenty of violence and more heartbreak for Will along the route he has now chosen and that might not be for everyone.

In terms of the characters.  Well, I felt sad for Will but at the same time frustrated by the way he chose so quickly to return to his former life. Then again, he is grieving and isn’t really thinking straight.  His wife was his salvation.  Her love helped him to choose a new life and without her he has basically come undone.  On the other hand – he did leave his two sons behind which I have to be honest annoyed me – not like he could take them with him of course, but I think there should have been more weight behind his decision.

There is no shortage of action and the pacing is very good.  Considering this is a fairly short book the author manages to pack a lot into the story and I think this really speaks to his ability as a wordsmith, In fact, that was the winning element of the story for me.  The author’s writing is spot on. He sets the scene, he delivers characters that are easy to imagine and spins a tale of sorrow and revenge. I would mention that the story dips back and forth a little.  It’s something of a mixing pot of strange dreams, flashbacks and the action that is taking part in the current timeline, I didn’t find this a problem.

Overall, I can see why this book was chosen as a finalist.  The writing is impressive and for lovers of grimdark this book is a quick and impactful one that can’t fail to impress.

I received a copy courtesy of the author for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.

My rating 7.5 of 10