Sorrow Draw

by Tim Brumbaugh

An Alternate History/Post-Apocalypse/Western genre fusion.The American Civil War ended in 1863 when a comet struck North Africa, plunging the world into an environmental disaster that survivors call The Calamity. Eighteen years later, former Union soldier Cornelius “Conny” White turned to bounty hunting for a New England warlord. Survival in a post-apocalyptic United States is hard and cruel, and Conny can feel his humanity slowly ebbing away. When a job takes him and his partner, a Bedouin exile named Farhad, on a long journey through a desolate and dust-choked South, they find themselves in Sorrow Draw, a mysterious town in what used to be the state of Texas.A violent clash between the former slave population and the ruthless Paluxy Boys gang, led by a tyrannical preacher named John Mothershed, threatens to pull Conny into the bloody fray. Haunted by the vile things he’s done in the past, Conny must choose between losing what’s left of his humanity or risking everything to find redemption and save his found family.Sorrow Draw is a Post-Apocalyptic Alternate History Western novel that reimagines a past in which the American Civil War is interrupted by an apocalyptic extinction event. The few who survive must struggle through the hardships of navigating a now barren and empty world. It's a grimdark tale of sacrifice, honor, love, and the human will to endure.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction

440 pages, Hardcover

Published April 29, 2024

Reviews

[Rachel Bays · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not normally the type of genre I would read, but thanks to book club, it ended up in my hands. It had a Lonesome Dove/Tombstone vibe for me. The characters are well presented and the story lines tie in well with each other. It read enough like a movie script that I honestly believe it should be made into a miniseries on Netflix. I’m looking forward to book two! Great read.

[natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

woah just absolutely fantastic. amazing from start to finish. every storyline was perfectly paced and the plot was so deliciously dark and well crafted. just the right amount of gothic violence and post apocalypse and love and humanity to balance it out. super quick and fast paced read i really didn’t want to finish it. highly highly recommend. super honored to have a signed copy.

[India Garms · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like books having anything to do with the apocalypse or dystopian wastelands, this one is for you. If you like books with dynamic, relatable characters with individual and fully-realized arcs, you're definitely in luck. If you like books that include alternate history, then you DEFINITELY have to check this one out.
My favorite part about this one is the world: a desolate landscape of the remnants of 1800s America, the Civil War having been interrupted by some type of natural disaster, which has covered nearly the entire country in dust. This barren wasteland is such a fitting setting for the characters that inhabit it, which included a pleasantly surprising variety of characters. The racial and gender representation was fantastic, something I definitely didn't expect from a book with western elements. The plot was steady and suspenseful.
Can't wait for book 2!

[Khristian De Laney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first ever experience I had with an indy published book, but after reading the description, I couldn’t help myself. But boy was it worth it! A very nice mix of western, post-apocalyptic, suspense, and romance. It’s a very unique and refreshing experience. I cared for these characters almost as soon as they were first introduced. And Tim did a great job making each one distinct, like real people. The use of a world that once was in a way that could have been was a fun experience and I can’t wait for book 2!

[Michael Norrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a big fan of post apocalyptic books this book was everything I wanted it to be and more, It has some of my favorite characters of any book I ever read. I feel like the end is setting book 2 up perfectly! Excited for the next one.

[David Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite reads of the last few years, and it's such a simple idea, but the complex lives of the characters and the world building around the 'Calamity' is done to perfection.

I am frankly staggered tht this is the first review for this book because it was a masterpiece and I am longing for the sequel already! I need more Conny, Nikki Free, Farhad and gang!

[Jesse Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am impressed!

Such an incredible setting, and absolutely fantastic writing. The characters are varied and interesting, and the whole feel of the world is unique. 100% recommend!

[Adrian Villescas · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Is alright to fear. Is alright. But maybe now is time to do something about it" (Brumbaugh 332)

SORROW DRAW BABY!!!!!!

I've had this book on my radar for quite a long time now. Even though I deleted Tik Tok some time ago, I redownloaded it solely to buy this novel and deleted it again. Every year I try to choose 2 or 3 "big" books that I just desperately want to get lost in and have them become my new obsession. When I say this novel exceeded every expectation I had, it just blew miles past all of them. Hands down my top 5 favorite novels I've read the past 5 years, and i truly mean it!

Now I get to yap about it! First of all, the world building. Jesus Christ I felt like I could boot this one up and play it or slide in a DVD and it would still retain its mind-blowing world building. For some reason I'm not fond of stories that have a bunch of split characters and have tons of different perspectives shooting around everywhere. However, the way Brumbaugh effortlessly weaves all these characters was astounding. I very rarely have ever seen this well put together story lines. Not only were the characters stories blended flawlessly, the fact that each of these single stories some how all met up at the same place? HELLO? Master class. Now I will say the whole "if you like Fallout, you'll like this novel" kinda thing probably played into the factor of how much I enjoyed this novel but damn, I think I would've loved it regardless. One of our main characters Cornelius, has a very interesting story arc that I didn't expect to love as much as I did. I don't wanna spoil too much but his whole relationship along the ENTIRE novel with Farhad is rather heartbreaking. Having someone so grounding as Nikki by his side finally giving him at least the smallest capacity that Farhad (someone he's been with since he was a small child) would want to preserve his father figure of his demise and run away with a women. While Cornelius felt betrayed, Farhad felt like a burden and just left. The ending seems to give the idea that Cornelius finally accepts that, it's beautiful. The antagonists in this novel are extremely effective. I have never wanted to curb stomp a reverend before but here we are. The ending fell into place so incredibly well I loved watching it unfold. If I could critique anything it was how fast the Hill Lodge assault at the end concluded but honestly, it was done incredibly well and the taking of Deliverance sets up the second part of this duology and I am READY.

Must talk about Erasmus Mothershed. Why are we the same person? While I won't have my eye plukced out of its socket or worse for being gay. I one hundred percent understand the tenacity and simultaneous trepidation in being Christian and gay. I myself have had to hide who I am out of fear of what other would say or do. Erasmus and Lupe's relationship was a very beautiful and an empathetic experience for me. Brumbaugh handled every scene with them or just Erasmus on his own perfectly. I can confidently say (idk if for better or worse) that these are very real experiences. I had a relationship unable to flourish because my ex could not come out, it was unsafe for him to do so. To see it in a novel like this was just breathtaking. Thank you, I don't even know if you'll see this, but thank you from the bottom of my heart I feel seen. Its rough out here being gay and Christian constantly fighting between your own beliefs and just trying to exist, this novel is a reminder (albeit a small one) that everything will be alright in the end) But I know how gay love goes (we just can't have nice things) so if they die in the second book
I'll still cry about it but I called it damnit!

Now what did I think? Absolutely fucking loved it! Do I recommend this novel? YES, YES, YES AND YES! It really has it all. Compelling characters, an insane world that feels beyond lived in. Intense action scenes and "gore" scenes, nothing extreme but it's done in a way where you're mind can do most of the work it's brilliant. And above all, it's incredibly well written and flows like butter. No notes.
Go read this for yourself, you will NOT be disappointed.

P.S. if Nikki Free ends up liberating Deliverance from the funeral, Hattie from her sorry excuse of a husband and, Eudora from whatever that town will do to her I will be forever grateful, Nikki and all the other women I mentioned deserve it. Need them to all have a badass moment.

[Ector Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. The premise was very unique and the story was good enough to keep me interested. If i would have read this instead of listening to it I would have probably loved this book. The narrator has a unique voice it is a very good voice for this type of book but his insistence to do character voices was infuriating. If he would have just kept to his reading voice this would have been a better listen. I am not a published author nor a narrator so these two individuals have accomplished more than I have in my station in life and I do not want this to come off as an attack on them.

Pros:
Unique premise I can not think of another book that explores this story line and I do a lot of dystopian style books.
Good Characters I was emotionally involved with at least 4 different characters in the book that is rare.
Good Storyline Once the story got going I wanted to see what happened next. This book never had a chance of it being not finished.

Cons:
Felt rushed in a few spots this book should have had more "World Building" This could be a great series but I still have so many questions on the dynamics of this post Calamity earth.
Dialog not all of it but at times it was enough to throw me off. Several times I thought to myself who would talk like that. Again this may have been the narrators voices acting.
The ending I know this was the beginning of a series but I really hoped for more in the ending.

[J.A. Barrios · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorrow Draw was fantastic!

I had a bad season, I read a couple books that I wasn't so hot on and started juggling about 4 or 5 other books that felt more like a chore than enjoyable. Then, I found Sorrow Draw.

Within the opening I fell in love and knew I discovered treasure as I was reminded why I love to read. I was sucked in as I explored the desolate world of Sorrow Draw. Early on, I could feel how much lore would be within these pages and, equally exciting, how much of it isn't. This book contains an entire universe and I loved every minute of exploring it.

The characters were great, very well-wounded, diverse people all just trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world during the 1800s. Nikki Free's introduction was one of the most badass character intros, she's a beast. Although, Farhad might be my favorite.

I enjoyed all the different perspectives we got to explore as each chapter was dedicated to a particular character. About halfway through, they begin to intertwine more as the story escalates.

Several parties are on their way to California, considered the "new Eden," and an oasis in a country rendered to a dust bowl. The story ends on a tight cliffhanger, making me eager for the next part. This was quite the journey and I loved every step of the way.

[Max Fanning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorrow Draw is a western that takes place in 1881 in an alternative telling of the history of the south eastern region. This story follows two casts of characters as they travel across Tennessee, Texas, and Louisiana taking place in a world 18 years after a world - ending event, known as the Calamity. Our narrator takes us through the journey of these characters as they battle consumption, scavengers, religious fanatics, and learning how to develop and continue living in a world that many consider to be "already dead."

Sorrow Draw from a literary structure follows a third person perspective as characters are killed, new characters are met, and the timeline of events push us towards one man's vying for complete power. The novel forces us to ponder the question of whether or not Human Nature is truly good, or evil.
True Rating: 4.25 Stars.
Waiting for the sequel to come! also currently available on Kindle Unlimited.

[Noah Fischer · Rating 2 out of 5]

My review may change if the sequel blows me away, but as it stands, Sorrow Draw is a decent start for a debut author. I found myself just wanting to get to the end, and when I did, I found almost no resolution. I understand that it's just the first half of a story, but that doesn't change my enjoyment of the book. The book did start to gain speed and get much better in the last 100 pages or so, but getting there was kind of boring for me. I feel like I would've loved this book in middle school.

The characters were mostly good, but their development seemed a little rushed to me. Not a huge problem since they are all unique and relatable enough, but it did pull me out of the story a bit. Their development was natural, yet premature.

Really, I want to give Sorrow Draw a 2.5, but I will settle for 2 stars and revisit when the sequel comes out.

[James Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple and dark alternate history idea done masterfully.

A meteor crashes into earth in the late 1800s and sends the world into disarray. The people call it the calamity. In America, this strike happens in the midst of the civil war and brings with it only blood, dust and a barren empty land.

This book drew me in from the very beginning. The pacing was perfect. It has a perfect mixture of dialogue, action, drama, love and friendship. The characters are interesting and deep, and their arcs are satisfying. The plot was engaging and interesting and kept me turning the pages.

If you're in the mood for a grimdark alt-history/post-apocalypse/western book, I highly suggest picking up Sorrow Draw and giving it a go.

4.3/5

[dannysmoroske · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good!!! This book got me back into reading after a year plus of not, and it was such a fun and quick read.

The author did such a great job with the hook and synopsis that it immediately pulled me in and he did an excellent job setting the scene throughout.

I thought he could’ve let intense moments burn more, as i felt like they happened too quickly. It felt like we spent a lot of time walking to locations and then we went through the intense moments in like 2 pages, when i would’ve loved for it to last longer. I also felt some of the relationships could’ve been a lot more of slow burn that what it was.

Overall it was super solid and I’m super excited for the next one. I’ll be on the lookout for when it releases

[Seth Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible story to wrap up my year of reading! I feel like I stumbled upon a hidden gem in Sorrow Draw. This was my introduction to Tim Brumbaugh’s writing, and it did not disappoint! I would encourage anyone that loved the Stand or Lonesome Dove to give this book a chance, because it felt like a hybrid of the two. Lots of barren dystopian landscapes, morally grey characters, as well as plenty of gunfights and intrigue. As someone from Mississippi, I also felt particularly drawn to the setting. Can’t wait for book two of the duology!

[The Bauchler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A damned impressive first novel with captivating world building - it's a broken world with broken people just waiting for it to all finally end.

It's almost a western, but it certainly isn't.

It's lurid, sometime horrific and very well-plotted, and with only a few (very minor) editorial issues.

Unfortunately the book ends, not with a satisfying climax, but by setting up future adventures westwards.

I can't wait.

[Chris Mahler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Crap! The premise of this book and the very well executed writing blew me away. Tim does an amazing job with character development in my opinion and he make you care about what is going to happen to each and every person you meet. This book is 10 out of 10 and 100% re-readable. In fact I have plans to so I can go from book 1 straight to book 2 which is in the works. If you like post apocalyptic and western this is your book.

[Blake Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchased this book from Tim Brumbaugh at a stand at Happy Valley Comicon on a Saturday. Started reading it Monday, and as of Wednesday evening, had finished it. Truly a book I was incapable of putting down and one that sets up a dreary, dead world, with just enough "light at the end of the tunnel hope" to spur the desire to know more, and an end of the world scenario I don't usually encounter. A must read for western lovers, and people tired of the zombie apocalypse norm.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark tale with a likeable (and hateable) cast of characters. Reminiscent of a grounded version of Robert McCammon's Swan Song and brighter than Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because some of the pacing around dramatic events and action seemed rushed instead of allowing us to stew in the tense moments and absorb more details.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book from an independent author online and wasn’t sure what to expect . I am in awe at how much I loved this book. The plot, the characters, the style, it was fantastic.

It’s a post-apocalyptic western set in the 1880’s. I cannot wait for book 2. I’m excited to see what else Mr. Brumbaugh does with his writing career.

[JB Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and it has been one a Future Famous Author’s Bookclub pick. What an interesting combination of characters that kept me completely engaged. This is an apocalyptic western set in 1881 and it kept my attention throughout. Want a more thorough review check out my TikTok where I did an extensive review.

[Luke Erichsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I’ve read in over 20 years. Really enjoyed the dystopian backdrop being in the antebellum south in the 1880s. Great character development and I am looking forward to the next book. Was hard to put down that’s for sure

[Chapters of bull$hit · Rating 5 out of 5]

not a reader — this book is great though!

I am NOT a reader, but when I heard about the setting of this book I knew I had to check it out, and I am SO glad that I did. Mr. brumbaugh, you have made me a fan!

[Matt D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Bad

Found this title on a Facebook ad, looked interesting, so I picked it up. The dystopian type stuff usually isn't my thing, but it's mixed a bit with old west so I liked it. Rounded up from 3.5 stars.

[Samuel King · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sorrow Draw" is a powerful and moving story that explores themes of loss and resilience. Brumbaugh's writing is both sensitive and insightful, creating characters that resonate deeply with the reader. A poignant and unforgettable read.

[Kim Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to on Audible. Not my usual reading choice but there was great character development, description of the landscape, action, and even love that kept my interest. The ending leaves you wanting more!

[Andrew Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and original, this story stood out from the start. The character development was top-notch, with personalities that felt layered and authentic. The attention to detail pulled me into the world completely. Really enjoyed this one, gripping, well-written, and genuinely fresh.

[JUNK · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyed the book much i would do my (9-5) work at 5x speed to get back into the story.

loved the different perspectives and felt like i was traveling along with them

im always a sucker for the wild west and super excited for the next part 🤠

[Mike Broccio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Loved this! Felt like I was there with all the characters. 3-4 story lines at once but all were engaging. Can't wait for book 2!

[Cameron May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. Not what I'd have expected from a western, in a good way!! Characters felt alive. 10/10 would recommend.