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The Longest Thirst: A Splatterwestern
The Quick and the Dead meets Carmilla.
When Lillian killed her father, getting the blood out of her dress was the least of her worries. The young Native woman to her left would soon prove to be a blessing or a curse. Just as hope is all but evaporated on the cracked earth of the Mojave, a beacon of light beams in the center of Calico.
Born into the rigidity of classism, Lillian struggles to trust the welcoming hospitality of the town and its inhabitants. Convinced this respite is brief, Lillian prepares to return the woman to her people, and flee from her crime. Even so, Calico softens her heart and Lillian soon feels truly at home.
But a stranger gallops into Calico. His presence commands obedience and soon he finds what he is looking for, Lillian.
And they have unfinished business.
When Lillian killed her father, getting the blood out of her dress was the least of her worries. The young Native woman to her left would soon prove to be a blessing or a curse. Just as hope is all but evaporated on the cracked earth of the Mojave, a beacon of light beams in the center of Calico.
Born into the rigidity of classism, Lillian struggles to trust the welcoming hospitality of the town and its inhabitants. Convinced this respite is brief, Lillian prepares to return the woman to her people, and flee from her crime. Even so, Calico softens her heart and Lillian soon feels truly at home.
But a stranger gallops into Calico. His presence commands obedience and soon he finds what he is looking for, Lillian.
And they have unfinished business.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2023
1 person is currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Roxie Voorhees
20 books126 followersRoxie Voorhees (she/he/they) is a tangled threesome of Gag me with a Spoon, Welcome to the Darkside, and Catch me Outside. When she isn’t writing, she is hyperfocusing on whichever of the many hobbies her ADHD demands.
A California native, he resides with his service dog, Bellatrix, in Little Rock, where he refuses to use the word fixin’, battles pollen, and fantasizes of using a public bathroom without it being a political stance.
Instagram: @the.book.slayer
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/rvthebookslayer
Website: www.roxievoorhees.gay
Roxie has come out as gender fluid! She prefers any pronouns and doesn't mind being included in women specific lists, but he asks you please note their fluidity.
A California native, he resides with his service dog, Bellatrix, in Little Rock, where he refuses to use the word fixin’, battles pollen, and fantasizes of using a public bathroom without it being a political stance.
Instagram: @the.book.slayer
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/rvthebookslayer
Website: www.roxievoorhees.gay
Roxie has come out as gender fluid! She prefers any pronouns and doesn't mind being included in women specific lists, but he asks you please note their fluidity.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 26, 2023
Happiest of release days!
Massive thanks to Roxie Voorhees for a copy to review; this title will be out September 26th.
I loved this gritty, feminist tale of bloody vengeance in the west. The Longest Thirst hits and never really stops, readers galloping along after protagonist Lillian in the wake of a violent showdown.
The story begins with Lillian escaping her family home, blood on her hands and a tortured Indigenous woman at her side. Their journey across the desolate landscape is mental as well as physical, with Lillian evaluating her life choices and planning her next moves.
But what she doesn't realize is that the past won't always be moved on from - it can follow the bloody trail you leave.
I really commend this splatter western. It was full of blood, sapphic longing, violence, contradictory feelings about family - the full spectrum of human experience in a novella-length story. I was so glad Wyanet was given a name, and her transformation during the book, instigated by violent trauma, was so satisfying to read through. The tidbits of lore were great, sprinkled through like breadcrumbs.
There is a specific vibe going on through the story, and I hope readers pick up on what the author is doing here, because just when I thought eh, I'm not sure I like the message going on here - Voorhees sticks a wrench into this plot and twists it so hard. I was so impressed. The author notes at the end were a nice icing on the cake, explaining exactly what I hoped they would. I'm certainly going to read more of Roxie's work now.
TW for sexual violence, racial violence, stillbirth, gore, and specifically genital mutilation.
Massive thanks to Roxie Voorhees for a copy to review; this title will be out September 26th.
I loved this gritty, feminist tale of bloody vengeance in the west. The Longest Thirst hits and never really stops, readers galloping along after protagonist Lillian in the wake of a violent showdown.
The story begins with Lillian escaping her family home, blood on her hands and a tortured Indigenous woman at her side. Their journey across the desolate landscape is mental as well as physical, with Lillian evaluating her life choices and planning her next moves.
But what she doesn't realize is that the past won't always be moved on from - it can follow the bloody trail you leave.
I really commend this splatter western. It was full of blood, sapphic longing, violence, contradictory feelings about family - the full spectrum of human experience in a novella-length story. I was so glad Wyanet was given a name, and her transformation during the book, instigated by violent trauma, was so satisfying to read through. The tidbits of lore were great, sprinkled through like breadcrumbs.
There is a specific vibe going on through the story, and I hope readers pick up on what the author is doing here, because just when I thought eh, I'm not sure I like the message going on here - Voorhees sticks a wrench into this plot and twists it so hard. I was so impressed. The author notes at the end were a nice icing on the cake, explaining exactly what I hoped they would. I'm certainly going to read more of Roxie's work now.
TW for sexual violence, racial violence, stillbirth, gore, and specifically genital mutilation.
September 27, 2023
When I woke up this morning, I didn’t expect to be killing my father by sunset, but here we are.
That’s the first sentence of the book and the hook was set. I thought this might be a good one, but I wasn’t prepared for how good. I love the dark side of life, but if you are a bit squeamish, you might want to think twice. We have brutality, racism, rape, torture…
Lillian had had enough when she took her father’s life. She rescued the woman tied to the stake, and has been on the run ever since. I love her thought, ‘I am so sick of men sticking their penis where it isn’t welcome.’ I would think twice, if I were a man, about putting it in an unwilling woman’s mouth. Could you resist the temptation to give him a what for?
I cringed, laughed and was shocked at the the levels of depravity…and that ending… WHAT…WHAT…marvelous, simply marvelous. Roxie Vorhees doesn’t hold back. It’s a short book, at 111 pages, and you won’t want to quit once you start.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Longest Thirst by Roxie Voorhees.
That’s the first sentence of the book and the hook was set. I thought this might be a good one, but I wasn’t prepared for how good. I love the dark side of life, but if you are a bit squeamish, you might want to think twice. We have brutality, racism, rape, torture…
Lillian had had enough when she took her father’s life. She rescued the woman tied to the stake, and has been on the run ever since. I love her thought, ‘I am so sick of men sticking their penis where it isn’t welcome.’ I would think twice, if I were a man, about putting it in an unwilling woman’s mouth. Could you resist the temptation to give him a what for?
I cringed, laughed and was shocked at the the levels of depravity…and that ending… WHAT…WHAT…marvelous, simply marvelous. Roxie Vorhees doesn’t hold back. It’s a short book, at 111 pages, and you won’t want to quit once you start.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Longest Thirst by Roxie Voorhees.
May 4, 2023
I would like to thank the author for sending me an ARC of this splatterwestern novella.
When Lillian kills her father, she wants to get as far away from him and his men as she can. But with an injured Native woman by her side, surviving the Mojave desert might prove difficult. Until they arrive in the town of Calico, a place where they can both be safe. Unless the past catches up with her...
The Longest Thirst is like a fever dream under the blistering hot sun, after not having a single sip of water while shambling aimlessly over the sand hoping to find a place that will heal your bleeding heart.
Everything that happens in this story is violent and cuts deep. The circumstances are as cruel as the desolate landscape, and the men are even worse. After all, nature is harsh because that's how the cycle of life turns. But the motivations of men are mostly greed and control, a way to exert pain to keep women in line.
This, unfortunately, is Lillian's life and no matter how far she runs, or how fast she tries to escape, the past always has a way of finding you. And in her case, offering kindness and understanding to someone very different to herself, might not be enough.
Asides from Lillian's peach-coloured dress, there's nothing pretty in this story. The situation is grim and the reality raw enough to make you squirm. Yet, it's hard to turn away from what's going on because I wanted to know where Lillian's story was going to take her.
The memories of her mother are a lovely addition. I loved Obsidian and Rembrandt. And the people who live in The Painted Cat are a refreshing bunch to spend time with.
If you're squeamish, this might be a hard read. There are a lot of triggers in this tale of survival, and the narrative never shies away from the true horror. No matter how crude or bloody. And that final scene was great, it really got me. Yikes!
I really enjoyed this brutal story, and the way it was written really drew me in.
When Lillian kills her father, she wants to get as far away from him and his men as she can. But with an injured Native woman by her side, surviving the Mojave desert might prove difficult. Until they arrive in the town of Calico, a place where they can both be safe. Unless the past catches up with her...
The Longest Thirst is like a fever dream under the blistering hot sun, after not having a single sip of water while shambling aimlessly over the sand hoping to find a place that will heal your bleeding heart.
Everything that happens in this story is violent and cuts deep. The circumstances are as cruel as the desolate landscape, and the men are even worse. After all, nature is harsh because that's how the cycle of life turns. But the motivations of men are mostly greed and control, a way to exert pain to keep women in line.
This, unfortunately, is Lillian's life and no matter how far she runs, or how fast she tries to escape, the past always has a way of finding you. And in her case, offering kindness and understanding to someone very different to herself, might not be enough.
Asides from Lillian's peach-coloured dress, there's nothing pretty in this story. The situation is grim and the reality raw enough to make you squirm. Yet, it's hard to turn away from what's going on because I wanted to know where Lillian's story was going to take her.
The memories of her mother are a lovely addition. I loved Obsidian and Rembrandt. And the people who live in The Painted Cat are a refreshing bunch to spend time with.
If you're squeamish, this might be a hard read. There are a lot of triggers in this tale of survival, and the narrative never shies away from the true horror. No matter how crude or bloody. And that final scene was great, it really got me. Yikes!
I really enjoyed this brutal story, and the way it was written really drew me in.
August 15, 2023
Honoured to have received an ARC version from the author. This review is entirely my own unbiased view.
Very few books can stop me in my tracks. Multiple times I had to put the book down just to collect my thoughts on what I read. This book utilises raw brutality that just makes you stop and think - about your own viewpoints, your own place in this world and exposes you to harsh realities you may never have considered. It can be so easy to just fall into violence for violence's sake, yet this book doesn't fall into that trap, every word and every event has a purpose and it sticks with you. A tale of survival and bloody justice that is impossible to forget.
Very few books can stop me in my tracks. Multiple times I had to put the book down just to collect my thoughts on what I read. This book utilises raw brutality that just makes you stop and think - about your own viewpoints, your own place in this world and exposes you to harsh realities you may never have considered. It can be so easy to just fall into violence for violence's sake, yet this book doesn't fall into that trap, every word and every event has a purpose and it sticks with you. A tale of survival and bloody justice that is impossible to forget.
May 6, 2023
A raw, brutal western tale of survival and violence trail blazed by a narrative of fierce female spirit.
I devoured this book in one sitting. It's a great length to dedicate a couple hours to for reading, but the themes that arise in this book will stay with you for much longer. This story brings to the table a lot to chew in regards to race and narrative (be sure to read the author's note AFTER you finish, it contains huge spoilers and introduces you to the conversation this book wants to engage you in.) I can honestly see a reading club having a good nuisanced discussion about the book and its larger themes.
This book feels feverish. Between the melding of dreams, memories, violent present happenings, and the anger that radiates off the pages, this book is hot to the touch!
That all being said, this book definitely is not for the squeamish or the faint of heart. The author does not shy away from graphic and gritty scenes. Make sure to check the content warnings when you grab your copy September 2023! (I would like to add here in my review an additional content warning for genitalia mutilation)
Thank you Roxie for trusting me with an ARC of THE LONGEST THIRST!
I devoured this book in one sitting. It's a great length to dedicate a couple hours to for reading, but the themes that arise in this book will stay with you for much longer. This story brings to the table a lot to chew in regards to race and narrative (be sure to read the author's note AFTER you finish, it contains huge spoilers and introduces you to the conversation this book wants to engage you in.) I can honestly see a reading club having a good nuisanced discussion about the book and its larger themes.
This book feels feverish. Between the melding of dreams, memories, violent present happenings, and the anger that radiates off the pages, this book is hot to the touch!
That all being said, this book definitely is not for the squeamish or the faint of heart. The author does not shy away from graphic and gritty scenes. Make sure to check the content warnings when you grab your copy September 2023! (I would like to add here in my review an additional content warning for genitalia mutilation)
Thank you Roxie for trusting me with an ARC of THE LONGEST THIRST!
May 24, 2023
I was so honored when the author reached out to me to see if I would accept an ARC of this book. I adore Roxie's writing style and patience as I worked through some technical difficulties with my e-reader.
There is so much to dig into with this title, which achieves a tremendous amount in a short time. With the technical difficulties and the fact I ended up having to read this from my computer at my desk, I was really surprised that I got through it in a single sitting. It feels like a longer journey that I went on with Lilly.
First, for context reasons, I feel like I should begin by saying I may not have been the target audience for this book. In a few ways, it was right up my alley; I love the writing style, the female rage, the subversion of one of my most-encountered problematics tropes. I would also consider this to have plenty of extreme horror elements. Those are all things I look for and will be praising more thoroughly later on the in the review.
On the other side of that coin, there were a couple big hurdles for me with this book. One is that I'm not quite a convert into the Western genre. I think this is the third one ever that I've read, and I while I really enjoyed the horror elements there were some phrases and bits of dialogue that I had trouble contextualizing just because I don't have the best frame of reference. While all the conversations felt very natural in-world, there was a learning curve for me.
The other issue I had was actually addressed in the back matter for the book, and that was the narrative's approach to racism. Race was a big theme in this title, and I was very consciously aware that it's not really my place to comment on those themes in reviews. There are many, MANY books in my personal library that have served as gateways for me to read more diversely and learn more about racial issues that I have later found out are viewed as largely problematic. Now race is something that I prefer to see addressed in my nonfiction, or directly from marginalized genre authors. While taking notes for this review I wasn't sure if it was something I'd want to address at all, until I saw that Voorhees actually addresses some of that herself. I was moved by her words regarding the inspiration for the book and her own struggles in writing a narrative like this.
While I still don't feel like it's my place to say if she handled it well or not, I can say that I got something positive out of how race was addressed. Obviously I can't guarantee that will be everyone's experience.
Now, onto the things I do feel more qualified to talk about.
I loved the sapphic element of this. I struggle a lot with romance plots/subplots in fiction sometimes, especially in shorter books like this. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the sort of love Lilly experiences in this book was portrayed in a way that was believable even though it escalates very quickly. The fact that the audience has so much empathy for Lilly as a character already helped me feel more in tune with her desires and sell that element of the story.
Lilly was probably my favorite part. I loved her so much. Even though she was incredibly flawed, she was brave and as selfless as she knew how to be, which made her mistakes easy to understand and usually forgive.
I also really adored the "splatter" part of the splatter western. THE LONGEST THIRST deals with some rough themes and is very extreme in some places. I was impressed and moved by the fact that both of those things can be true in the book without it seeming like the hard elements were just there for shock value, to add to the extreme nature. There were things in the book like assault and miscarriage that were written in a very haunting, poignant way. I liked that the pulpier, more detailed moments of the story went into action scenes and other types of violence.
If I had one critical complaint (outside of just personal genre preference) it was that the beginning was hard to follow. This was a double-edged sword, because I liked that the story kicks off in the midst of action. Usually I'm a fan of non-linear storytelling, but there were a couple times when I was already struggling to get my bearings in the setting and then I was also confused as to when in the story we were. Likewise, there were a couple instances where pronouns would be used to refer to someone and I would get mixed up as to which character was being talked about. (This actually led to a big misunderstanding in an early chapter and I had to backtrack a little and re-read when I realized my mistake.)
That's sort of the curse of prose that is both fast-paced and lyrical. While it makes for quick reading and is something I find enjoyable, it's also easy to get tripped up sometimes.
If you are a fan of Westerns, or extreme horror, or definitely splatterwesterns, this is a must-read. If you're someone who, like me, is slowly being converted into horror westerns, this is a huge point in the genre's favor. I would also recommend this to anyone who is looking for sapphic horror, or any period piece with strong prose.
I hope I get the chance to read more work from Voorhees sooner rather than later, because I know she knocks it out of the park every time -- even with the stuff that would normally be a hard sell for me.
There is so much to dig into with this title, which achieves a tremendous amount in a short time. With the technical difficulties and the fact I ended up having to read this from my computer at my desk, I was really surprised that I got through it in a single sitting. It feels like a longer journey that I went on with Lilly.
First, for context reasons, I feel like I should begin by saying I may not have been the target audience for this book. In a few ways, it was right up my alley; I love the writing style, the female rage, the subversion of one of my most-encountered problematics tropes. I would also consider this to have plenty of extreme horror elements. Those are all things I look for and will be praising more thoroughly later on the in the review.
On the other side of that coin, there were a couple big hurdles for me with this book. One is that I'm not quite a convert into the Western genre. I think this is the third one ever that I've read, and I while I really enjoyed the horror elements there were some phrases and bits of dialogue that I had trouble contextualizing just because I don't have the best frame of reference. While all the conversations felt very natural in-world, there was a learning curve for me.
The other issue I had was actually addressed in the back matter for the book, and that was the narrative's approach to racism. Race was a big theme in this title, and I was very consciously aware that it's not really my place to comment on those themes in reviews. There are many, MANY books in my personal library that have served as gateways for me to read more diversely and learn more about racial issues that I have later found out are viewed as largely problematic. Now race is something that I prefer to see addressed in my nonfiction, or directly from marginalized genre authors. While taking notes for this review I wasn't sure if it was something I'd want to address at all, until I saw that Voorhees actually addresses some of that herself. I was moved by her words regarding the inspiration for the book and her own struggles in writing a narrative like this.
While I still don't feel like it's my place to say if she handled it well or not, I can say that I got something positive out of how race was addressed. Obviously I can't guarantee that will be everyone's experience.
Now, onto the things I do feel more qualified to talk about.
I loved the sapphic element of this. I struggle a lot with romance plots/subplots in fiction sometimes, especially in shorter books like this. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the sort of love Lilly experiences in this book was portrayed in a way that was believable even though it escalates very quickly. The fact that the audience has so much empathy for Lilly as a character already helped me feel more in tune with her desires and sell that element of the story.
Lilly was probably my favorite part. I loved her so much. Even though she was incredibly flawed, she was brave and as selfless as she knew how to be, which made her mistakes easy to understand and usually forgive.
I also really adored the "splatter" part of the splatter western. THE LONGEST THIRST deals with some rough themes and is very extreme in some places. I was impressed and moved by the fact that both of those things can be true in the book without it seeming like the hard elements were just there for shock value, to add to the extreme nature. There were things in the book like assault and miscarriage that were written in a very haunting, poignant way. I liked that the pulpier, more detailed moments of the story went into action scenes and other types of violence.
If I had one critical complaint (outside of just personal genre preference) it was that the beginning was hard to follow. This was a double-edged sword, because I liked that the story kicks off in the midst of action. Usually I'm a fan of non-linear storytelling, but there were a couple times when I was already struggling to get my bearings in the setting and then I was also confused as to when in the story we were. Likewise, there were a couple instances where pronouns would be used to refer to someone and I would get mixed up as to which character was being talked about. (This actually led to a big misunderstanding in an early chapter and I had to backtrack a little and re-read when I realized my mistake.)
That's sort of the curse of prose that is both fast-paced and lyrical. While it makes for quick reading and is something I find enjoyable, it's also easy to get tripped up sometimes.
If you are a fan of Westerns, or extreme horror, or definitely splatterwesterns, this is a must-read. If you're someone who, like me, is slowly being converted into horror westerns, this is a huge point in the genre's favor. I would also recommend this to anyone who is looking for sapphic horror, or any period piece with strong prose.
I hope I get the chance to read more work from Voorhees sooner rather than later, because I know she knocks it out of the park every time -- even with the stuff that would normally be a hard sell for me.
June 29, 2023
A huge thank you to the author for trusting me with an ARC of this fabulous story.
"The Longest Thirst" is an excellent novella, a brutal and visceral addition to the splatter western genre, and a very satisfying story. Voorhees masterfully builds dread, crafts a vibrant world, and authentically grapples with the stain of racism and white privilege.
My deeper thoughts:
Voorhees (She/He/They) does a VERY good job at building dread, and his narrative masterfully dances between grim hopelessness and glimmers of fortune. As the protagonist Lillian overcomes one obstacle, a new, somehow even WORSE one rears its head, pushing her to her absolute limits and beyond. Even in moments of "safety" I never felt as though she or the people around her were ever truly out of harm’s way. It felt as though anything could happen at any moment, and more than likely it would be something truly, deeply awful.
Voorhes describes their crafted world beautifully. Having grown up in SoCal I'm familiar with the "wild west" culture and aesthetic, and I think she absolutely nails it on the head. Beyond that, the way his words carry the narrative is rich and really pulled me in. Transparently, I’m not well-versed in the splatter western genre, but this served as a great entry. If you’re like me, and haven’t touched this genre yet, I think you’ll be in good hands.
Lastly, I appreciate Voorhes' effort to tackle racism within the context of Western America in an authentic way. I think this is a difficult subject for any author, and as a multiracial person (who is light skinned), I'm still figuring out my own place in the conversation. Ultimately, I'm not sure if my voice is the most valuable in commenting upon whether or not Voorhes’ approach is good. But I will say I found it to be incredibly earnest, and I resonated with their author’s note explaining the context of the narrative.
Thank you again Voorhes for this wonderful work, and congratulations for this wonderful story taking flight soon. Everyone should definitely get their hands on this one!
"The Longest Thirst" is an excellent novella, a brutal and visceral addition to the splatter western genre, and a very satisfying story. Voorhees masterfully builds dread, crafts a vibrant world, and authentically grapples with the stain of racism and white privilege.
My deeper thoughts:
Voorhees (She/He/They) does a VERY good job at building dread, and his narrative masterfully dances between grim hopelessness and glimmers of fortune. As the protagonist Lillian overcomes one obstacle, a new, somehow even WORSE one rears its head, pushing her to her absolute limits and beyond. Even in moments of "safety" I never felt as though she or the people around her were ever truly out of harm’s way. It felt as though anything could happen at any moment, and more than likely it would be something truly, deeply awful.
Voorhes describes their crafted world beautifully. Having grown up in SoCal I'm familiar with the "wild west" culture and aesthetic, and I think she absolutely nails it on the head. Beyond that, the way his words carry the narrative is rich and really pulled me in. Transparently, I’m not well-versed in the splatter western genre, but this served as a great entry. If you’re like me, and haven’t touched this genre yet, I think you’ll be in good hands.
Lastly, I appreciate Voorhes' effort to tackle racism within the context of Western America in an authentic way. I think this is a difficult subject for any author, and as a multiracial person (who is light skinned), I'm still figuring out my own place in the conversation. Ultimately, I'm not sure if my voice is the most valuable in commenting upon whether or not Voorhes’ approach is good. But I will say I found it to be incredibly earnest, and I resonated with their author’s note explaining the context of the narrative.
Thank you again Voorhes for this wonderful work, and congratulations for this wonderful story taking flight soon. Everyone should definitely get their hands on this one!
August 7, 2023
Oh, wow, where to even start with this!? THE LONGEST THIRST is a gritty, violent horror western novella that bleeds vengeance and empowerment. It is written in a way that invites you to keep digging deeper into the blistering hot story at hand. The journey might be quick, but it is laced with fiery characters, blood soaked encounters, and some welcomed spicy Sapphic love. I really enjoyed the elements of family at work here: some memories filled with compassion while others, and the present, are darkened with hatred and betrayal. Roxie Voorhees is able to launch an assault on white saviorism and colonialism all at the same time, too. I read this one sitting; I could NOT stop. The writing, style, and all the wit and sass sprinkled throughout had me flying through and I cannot wait for what Voorhees does next!
And these horses have my full heart! <3
And these horses have my full heart! <3
August 19, 2023
Thank you to Roxie Voorhees for sending me an ARC for this!
This book grew on me. While the first few chapters felt a bit clumsy for my taste, it slowly built to a final scene which was very well executed. A controversial ending, but one I think Voorhees handled quite well, and I highly suggest all readers make sure to not skip the Author's Note, for Voorhees' own opinion as well. I also generally really enjoyed the description here, and the way Voorhees created such a visceral environment for our main character Lillian to rampage through. If you like incredibly gory, gives no fucks horror, be sure to check this out in September!
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
This book grew on me. While the first few chapters felt a bit clumsy for my taste, it slowly built to a final scene which was very well executed. A controversial ending, but one I think Voorhees handled quite well, and I highly suggest all readers make sure to not skip the Author's Note, for Voorhees' own opinion as well. I also generally really enjoyed the description here, and the way Voorhees created such a visceral environment for our main character Lillian to rampage through. If you like incredibly gory, gives no fucks horror, be sure to check this out in September!
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
May 11, 2023
This is a wonderful book that succeeds in its writing style, in fulfilling the requirements of its genre, in having an emotional impact on the reader, and in making important points. You absolutely should pick it up.
June 11, 2023
The Longest Thirst by Roxie Voorhees is a gritty and fierce splatter western novella with a kick ass MC, a horrid backstory and a jaw dropping ending! It’s multilayered, brutal and intense. Not only does Voorhess deliver the blood and gore that we all want from a splatter western, there are some seriously dark undertones going on here 😯. It’s damn good!
Thanks so much @the.book.slayer for this ARC. The Longest Thirst publishes in September. I loved it!
Thanks so much @the.book.slayer for this ARC. The Longest Thirst publishes in September. I loved it!
March 10, 2024
I know the modern audience prefers new works that can be easily described as X meets Y, with X and Y being known, famous even, qualities, and okay, there are some elements of the Quick and the Dead and Carmilla here, but an outright comparison is a real stretch.
The book tries, it is, to its credit, ambitious, but it falls short of its goal, however well-meaning. There are balanced, clever ways to put messaging into fiction—this novella didn’t quite manage. Thus are the limitations of most self-published fiction—not enough checks and balances for proper quality control. Subsequently, most self-pub work comes out desperate for an editor or two. In this case, the story would be much improved by both developmental (to tighten the meandering pace and crystalize the plot) and editorial (to fix the typos, etc.) edits.
Perhaps during that editorial process someone would have also mentioned that the sociopolitical message in the story is oh-so-heavy-handed and yeah, it does kind of ruin the ending. Aside from completely overwhelming the plot, the message quite literally kills it.
The writing itself is actually rather decent, but overall, the book didn’t quite work for me. At least it was a random Kindle freebie and a very quick read, so no money and not a lot of time was wasted. User milage may vary.
The book tries, it is, to its credit, ambitious, but it falls short of its goal, however well-meaning. There are balanced, clever ways to put messaging into fiction—this novella didn’t quite manage. Thus are the limitations of most self-published fiction—not enough checks and balances for proper quality control. Subsequently, most self-pub work comes out desperate for an editor or two. In this case, the story would be much improved by both developmental (to tighten the meandering pace and crystalize the plot) and editorial (to fix the typos, etc.) edits.
Perhaps during that editorial process someone would have also mentioned that the sociopolitical message in the story is oh-so-heavy-handed and yeah, it does kind of ruin the ending. Aside from completely overwhelming the plot, the message quite literally kills it.
The writing itself is actually rather decent, but overall, the book didn’t quite work for me. At least it was a random Kindle freebie and a very quick read, so no money and not a lot of time was wasted. User milage may vary.
September 27, 2023
The Longest Thirst is a provocative blend of revenge, justice, violence, triumph, and disaster. Throughout this book, I connected with Lillian and her desire to get closure with her past. She’s a tough-as-nails heroine with complicated, messy morals, and I absolutely love her.
Voorhees also does an excellent job with the setting. In splatter Westerns, it's difficult to make a town feel like its own character. Calico feels rough, raw, and real—the perfect backdrop for the bloody events that unfold in this dark tale.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book. If you’re looking for a diverse splatter Western to sink your teeth into, snag a copy of The Longest Thirst.
Voorhees also does an excellent job with the setting. In splatter Westerns, it's difficult to make a town feel like its own character. Calico feels rough, raw, and real—the perfect backdrop for the bloody events that unfold in this dark tale.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book. If you’re looking for a diverse splatter Western to sink your teeth into, snag a copy of The Longest Thirst.
September 25, 2024
I have been saying this for the last year, I want to read gay fucked up westerns! I feel that you can only pick two: gay romance, splatterpunk, western. This has it all baby!!
I will admit part of the climax lost me a little, but the ending made me smile. I was expecting a white savior story, but oh... I'm smiling! That is all I'll say :^)
Also, LOVELY DESCRIPTIONS. I love love love the genital mutilation scene. A part of me wishes the climax had a bit more rawbess like the beginning, but I still enjoyed it. I like the description of the head kissing the boot, so lovely. Also describing biting into balls as biting in heavenly plums... OHhh! Such good visuals
I will admit part of the climax lost me a little, but the ending made me smile. I was expecting a white savior story, but oh... I'm smiling! That is all I'll say :^)
Also, LOVELY DESCRIPTIONS. I love love love the genital mutilation scene. A part of me wishes the climax had a bit more rawbess like the beginning, but I still enjoyed it. I like the description of the head kissing the boot, so lovely. Also describing biting into balls as biting in heavenly plums... OHhh! Such good visuals
August 31, 2024
Where to start? This was my first western splatterpunk and though i have nothing to compare it to, I absolutely enjoyed it. I want to thank the author for sending me a copy in our Books of Horror exchange. I'm embarrassed it took so long for me to read but it was worth the read. It's a quick pace story of Lily and Wyanet and the monsters people create. The ending left me feeling empty in the best way possible. Highly recommend.
May 17, 2023
The Longest Thirst is a bloody, brutal Western with punk sensibilities. Roxie Voorhies takes aim at the racist, colonialist history of the American West and the white savior complex and does not miss. The resulting take is fast-paced and haunting, like an extended nightmare warning against trying to be the hero of someone else’s story.
Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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