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The Harvesting Angel of the Plains
When you've lost all you believe in, how will you know what's worth fighting for?
An ancient villain draws Macarthy Black into its spiral as a mysterious drought overtakes the region. When legends such as the Marfa Mystery Lights and the Ghost Torch of the Chisos go missing, Macarthy returns to her witchy roots only to uncover that the enemy has set a target on her back. She finds herself in cahoots with renegade meteorologist and closet necromancer, Remy Gaumond; scholar and sassy librarian, Jonas Rodriguez; and the charmingly dark, cartel-associated Vincent Salmerón. Tensions and wit run high as this makeshift group of strangers race to uncover their villain’s weaknesses before it unleashes its world-altering Reaping.
An ancient villain draws Macarthy Black into its spiral as a mysterious drought overtakes the region. When legends such as the Marfa Mystery Lights and the Ghost Torch of the Chisos go missing, Macarthy returns to her witchy roots only to uncover that the enemy has set a target on her back. She finds herself in cahoots with renegade meteorologist and closet necromancer, Remy Gaumond; scholar and sassy librarian, Jonas Rodriguez; and the charmingly dark, cartel-associated Vincent Salmerón. Tensions and wit run high as this makeshift group of strangers race to uncover their villain’s weaknesses before it unleashes its world-altering Reaping.
420 pages, Hardcover
Published October 28, 2025
5 people are currently reading
1070 people want to read
About the author
Bladen Mercutio
1 book15 followersBladen is a scientist by day, rock star by night, writer in between, and someone who enjoys running only in dreams. A graduate in atmospheric sciences, they chase fire and tell the future for a day job. In addition to their work with the Southwest Gothic series, Bladen has written and recorded several varieties of sonic entertainment, including an accompanying soundtrack to the novels. A Desert Southwest native, they do their best writing in the ghost towns of the Texas borderland between the real and the unreal. Also a witch, the second law of thermodynamics is their magical ethos and they try to live everyday as though it were Halloween. Bladen likes cats, honey mustard, yelling at clouds while drinking scotchy-scotch and is composed almost entirely of jokes.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 6, 2025
Southwest Gothic is a dark and fascinating story that mixes mystery with Native American culture. I really liked the idea behind it and how the author brought the setting to life, it felt real and full of history. The way Bladen Mercutio tied in tradition and folklore made the book stand out from others in the gothic genre.
However, some parts of the story moved too slowly, and I think a few scenes could have been cut without losing anything important. Even so, it’s a creative and powerful read that’s perfect for anyone who enjoys spooky stories with cultural depth.
However, some parts of the story moved too slowly, and I think a few scenes could have been cut without losing anything important. Even so, it’s a creative and powerful read that’s perfect for anyone who enjoys spooky stories with cultural depth.
September 23, 2025
An original and atmospheric opener to the Southwest Gothic series. I was drawn in by the unusual blend of desert setting, folklore, and gothic undertones, which gave the book a distinctive flavor. The Southwestern landscape—haunted towns, ghost stories, and a sense of looming drought—made for a refreshingly different backdrop in fantasy.
The writing has a lyrical quality at times, and I found the characters refreshingly flawed. Macarthy’s return to her witchy roots gave her a depth I enjoyed, but it was Remy and Vincent’s dynamic that stood out most to me—the tension and unlikely camaraderie between them was compelling and made their bond one of the highlights of the story.
Although some elements didn’t fully land for me—the pacing in particular dragged in the early chapters—I appreciated the ambition behind the narrative. The mythology woven in with local legends like the Marfa Lights was creative and memorable, and the strong sense of mood kept me invested.
This is a promising start to the series, with plenty of atmosphere and character drama. I’ll be interested to see how Bladen Mercutio develops this world and its characters in the next installment.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early.
The writing has a lyrical quality at times, and I found the characters refreshingly flawed. Macarthy’s return to her witchy roots gave her a depth I enjoyed, but it was Remy and Vincent’s dynamic that stood out most to me—the tension and unlikely camaraderie between them was compelling and made their bond one of the highlights of the story.
Although some elements didn’t fully land for me—the pacing in particular dragged in the early chapters—I appreciated the ambition behind the narrative. The mythology woven in with local legends like the Marfa Lights was creative and memorable, and the strong sense of mood kept me invested.
This is a promising start to the series, with plenty of atmosphere and character drama. I’ll be interested to see how Bladen Mercutio develops this world and its characters in the next installment.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early.
September 17, 2025
An original and atmospheric opener to the Southwest Gothic series. I was drawn in by the unusual blend of desert setting, folklore and gothic undertones, which gave the book a distinctive flavour. The writing has a lyrical quality in places, and I found the characters refreshingly flawed, especially in the way Remy and Vincent’s bond was explored.
Although some elements didn’t fully land for me, I appreciated the ambition behind the story and the strong sense of mood throughout. It’s a memorable read with clear potential, and I’ll be interested to see where the series goes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early.
Although some elements didn’t fully land for me, I appreciated the ambition behind the story and the strong sense of mood throughout. It’s a memorable read with clear potential, and I’ll be interested to see where the series goes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early.
September 11, 2025
I received early access to The Harvesting Angel of the Plains in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story was engaging, and the world-building was wonderfully rich. I especially appreciated how each character came with their own flaws and struggles—it made them feel real and relatable. And I’ll admit it: I’m totally here for the complex dynamic between Remy and Vincent (don’t judge me, but I loved them!). Their interactions ended up being some of my favorite parts.
The plot follows four main characters as they work together to save the world. While the premise isn’t brand-new, the execution felt fresh thanks to strong character development. My only critique is the pacing—the beginning started off a little slow as the author set up the world and backstories, but once it picked up, I was hooked. By the end, I was already eager for the next installment.
If you enjoy fantasy with witchcraft elements and character-driven storytelling, I’d definitely recommend this one!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story was engaging, and the world-building was wonderfully rich. I especially appreciated how each character came with their own flaws and struggles—it made them feel real and relatable. And I’ll admit it: I’m totally here for the complex dynamic between Remy and Vincent (don’t judge me, but I loved them!). Their interactions ended up being some of my favorite parts.
The plot follows four main characters as they work together to save the world. While the premise isn’t brand-new, the execution felt fresh thanks to strong character development. My only critique is the pacing—the beginning started off a little slow as the author set up the world and backstories, but once it picked up, I was hooked. By the end, I was already eager for the next installment.
If you enjoy fantasy with witchcraft elements and character-driven storytelling, I’d definitely recommend this one!
November 2, 2025
Witches, magic, American folklore and history all wrapped up in a Texan basket.
Bladen does certain things in their writing that are masterful. Primary amongst them is the way in which beautiful landscapes and settings are painted into being upon the pages. Some of the descriptions are poetic and haunting in their beauty.
The cast saw a wide variety of representation, some of which I personally felt was overdone and simply not needed. Handling of non-binary (they/them/their pronouns) was a little clunky at first but swiftly smoothed out and became easy to read. The repeated mentioning of sexuality of characters felt a little forced and probably not even needed.
Macarthy, our protagonist, is likable and realistic for the most part. Her connection to her grandfather was a solid bond within the book. One I can personally relate to.
Remy is an interesting supporting character, one that probably could have been a little less caricature in nature. I felt their behaviour fluctuated between nothing and volatile too much. I guess there are people like that, but it didn’t feel very authentic.
Vincent, Jayce and Jonas all deserved a little more screen time to give the reader more time to connect. This was to the detriment of some of the climactic moments. They lacked the emotional pull they should have had because I didn’t really connect with the characters involved.
Where I feel the biggest let down of this story is, was the last 35%. There are some scenes that should have been emotionally charged and they were brushed over so quickly they lacked the impact needed. The scene with Remy and Jayce was probably the most emotionally charged but was still lacking the punch I am sure Bladen can create.
Glossing over certain events to keep the momentum on the action unfortunately didn’t pay off and instead left me rather unhappy with how this story finished. I was left with a lot of unanswered questions and no burning desire to continue reading to find out the answers.
There is a note at the end, advising of the next book which kind of has a spoiler in it. It might be worth either providing a more complete update about the character in this book, or removing the reference to them in the note.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but it can definitely hit harder. If you are interested in American folklore, Texan legends and witchcraft in a modern setting, give this one a try.
Things I noticed:
19% - Remy put a hand awkwardly on her (their) friend’s back.
37% - …shower, you’ll (have) shown yourself out,”
40% - Remy saw strength (in) the spirits shoulders…
71% - …stainless steel canisters compromised (comprised?) an assembly…
**Note: I was provided an electronic copy of this book from the Author.**
Bladen does certain things in their writing that are masterful. Primary amongst them is the way in which beautiful landscapes and settings are painted into being upon the pages. Some of the descriptions are poetic and haunting in their beauty.
The cast saw a wide variety of representation, some of which I personally felt was overdone and simply not needed. Handling of non-binary (they/them/their pronouns) was a little clunky at first but swiftly smoothed out and became easy to read. The repeated mentioning of sexuality of characters felt a little forced and probably not even needed.
Macarthy, our protagonist, is likable and realistic for the most part. Her connection to her grandfather was a solid bond within the book. One I can personally relate to.
Remy is an interesting supporting character, one that probably could have been a little less caricature in nature. I felt their behaviour fluctuated between nothing and volatile too much. I guess there are people like that, but it didn’t feel very authentic.
Vincent, Jayce and Jonas all deserved a little more screen time to give the reader more time to connect. This was to the detriment of some of the climactic moments. They lacked the emotional pull they should have had because I didn’t really connect with the characters involved.
Where I feel the biggest let down of this story is, was the last 35%. There are some scenes that should have been emotionally charged and they were brushed over so quickly they lacked the impact needed. The scene with Remy and Jayce was probably the most emotionally charged but was still lacking the punch I am sure Bladen can create.
Glossing over certain events to keep the momentum on the action unfortunately didn’t pay off and instead left me rather unhappy with how this story finished. I was left with a lot of unanswered questions and no burning desire to continue reading to find out the answers.
There is a note at the end, advising of the next book which kind of has a spoiler in it. It might be worth either providing a more complete update about the character in this book, or removing the reference to them in the note.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but it can definitely hit harder. If you are interested in American folklore, Texan legends and witchcraft in a modern setting, give this one a try.
Things I noticed:
19% - Remy put a hand awkwardly on her (their) friend’s back.
37% - …shower, you’ll (have) shown yourself out,”
40% - Remy saw strength (in) the spirits shoulders…
71% - …stainless steel canisters compromised (comprised?) an assembly…
**Note: I was provided an electronic copy of this book from the Author.**
September 14, 2025
I received an advance reader copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Harvesting Angel of the Plains, the first novel in the Southwest Gothic series. I was engaged from the start by the author’s world-building, hilarious dialogue, and realistic relationships.
Mercutio writes about the desert with a specific reverence that can only be achieved by someone who once called the place home. The settings are richly described and the atmospheres are potent throughout the book. The characters are each unique with their own voices, flaws, and motivations. I admittedly hated Vincent at first but he underwent an extraordinary amount of growth. I’m very curious to see how his relationship with Remy grows in the next installment. I enjoyed all the integration of the native folklore and found it done with respect. My one wish is that some of the relationships closer to the end of the book would have started earlier so that they could have matured more in this installment.
While there is nothing particularly unique about the plot, Southwest Gothic is still a solid and enjoyable read. It’s more about Macarthy, Jonas, Remy, Vincent, and Jayce—all their stories and how they react to the villain's chaos. The Harvest is a terrifying threat with pure motivations that most people can even relate to. As villains go, it has a simple goal but I’m hesitant to believe that we’ve seen the real end to its story.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. Mercutio has created a world that is familiar, nostalgic, magical, and gothic, with characters you will laugh with, cry with, and love. A solid and exciting newcomer to the fantasy and horror genres, Southwest Gothic will have you on the edge of your seat.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Harvesting Angel of the Plains, the first novel in the Southwest Gothic series. I was engaged from the start by the author’s world-building, hilarious dialogue, and realistic relationships.
Mercutio writes about the desert with a specific reverence that can only be achieved by someone who once called the place home. The settings are richly described and the atmospheres are potent throughout the book. The characters are each unique with their own voices, flaws, and motivations. I admittedly hated Vincent at first but he underwent an extraordinary amount of growth. I’m very curious to see how his relationship with Remy grows in the next installment. I enjoyed all the integration of the native folklore and found it done with respect. My one wish is that some of the relationships closer to the end of the book would have started earlier so that they could have matured more in this installment.
While there is nothing particularly unique about the plot, Southwest Gothic is still a solid and enjoyable read. It’s more about Macarthy, Jonas, Remy, Vincent, and Jayce—all their stories and how they react to the villain's chaos. The Harvest is a terrifying threat with pure motivations that most people can even relate to. As villains go, it has a simple goal but I’m hesitant to believe that we’ve seen the real end to its story.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. Mercutio has created a world that is familiar, nostalgic, magical, and gothic, with characters you will laugh with, cry with, and love. A solid and exciting newcomer to the fantasy and horror genres, Southwest Gothic will have you on the edge of your seat.
December 4, 2025
I won this book in a giveaway, and I'm so glad I did. This is one of my top three books I read this year (2025). It features magic in an modern setting with just enough historical references to ground the story without bogging it down.
The protagonist is very clever and likeable, and her friends are capable and interesting. It's refreshing to start a book and all the characters know and use their powers. The action is able to start immediately.
The author is very good at world-building, and I can't wait to read the next installment. If you like Charles de Lint, Pamela Dean, and Terri Windling, I encourage you to check this book out.
The protagonist is very clever and likeable, and her friends are capable and interesting. It's refreshing to start a book and all the characters know and use their powers. The action is able to start immediately.
The author is very good at world-building, and I can't wait to read the next installment. If you like Charles de Lint, Pamela Dean, and Terri Windling, I encourage you to check this book out.
January 5, 2026
I found this story an interesting story to read. It is an engaging story where the author used creative details to bring life to the story. This is a story about learning when to fight and what you are fighting for. A story that is well written with characters that will keep you coming back for more. I enjoyed all the characters in this story. They are connectable and strong. They add so much to the story from beginning to end. I also enjoyed the growth of the plot throughout which made the story easy and entertaining to read. This is a fast paced story and one you don't want to miss. I look forward to seeing what is next for this author. I highly recommend this book.
September 26, 2025
Southwest Gothic is a book about four characters trying to save a small town in Texas against an evil villain.
While it was not a type of book I normally read I did find it very enjoyable. I liked how the characters were written with different diversity. I also felt the bond between them.
The only thing for me was after part two, I felt things slowed down a little for my taste but overall it was a good read and I can see me reading future series.
I recommend this book if you enjoy about witches/necromancy
While it was not a type of book I normally read I did find it very enjoyable. I liked how the characters were written with different diversity. I also felt the bond between them.
The only thing for me was after part two, I felt things slowed down a little for my taste but overall it was a good read and I can see me reading future series.
I recommend this book if you enjoy about witches/necromancy
October 28, 2025
Bladen kindly sent me an early copy of this book, and I knew I was in for something special.
The world was vivid and layered, and it pulled me and kept me hooked from start to finish. I loved that the characters felt real.
The book follows four central characters on a mission to save their world. While the premise may sound familiar, the execution felt surprisingly fresh, thanks to strong emotional stakes and thoughtful character arcs. If I had one critique, it would be the slow start; the early chapters take their time setting the scene.
The world was vivid and layered, and it pulled me and kept me hooked from start to finish. I loved that the characters felt real.
The book follows four central characters on a mission to save their world. While the premise may sound familiar, the execution felt surprisingly fresh, thanks to strong emotional stakes and thoughtful character arcs. If I had one critique, it would be the slow start; the early chapters take their time setting the scene.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2025
I was fortunate enough to read an advanced copy. I enjoyed it immensely. I wholeheartedly recommend this book (and soon to be series) to anyone that enjoys modern fantasy and snark. The characters feel real and relatable. (Especially the spellcaster that would rather just be enjoying his immense library with a good drink.) The author also cooked up a stellar soundtrack to go along with the novel.
September 1, 2025
It is an intense, amazing, and informative tale. There's a character - or characters - for anyone to relate to. In my opinion, you don't so much read the novel as experience it. It is suspenseful in all the right ways, and an emotionally gripping rollercoaster of a story. And the legends that are touched upon and explained are awesome to learn about.
November 13, 2025
DNF ~ Goodreads wants a review.
I didn't finish this book because I couldn't take the never ending use of they\them. It made reading stutter-stop too much to allow the reader to gain any kind of flow.
The story was one I think I would like, but when I found myself stumbling through every thought, utterance, description one of the main characters had I quit the book in frustration.
I didn't finish this book because I couldn't take the never ending use of they\them. It made reading stutter-stop too much to allow the reader to gain any kind of flow.
The story was one I think I would like, but when I found myself stumbling through every thought, utterance, description one of the main characters had I quit the book in frustration.
January 5, 2026
She may need to team up with a him as an ancient villain appears to ruin everything. She has to overcome a power to find the answers of the drought hitting the area. Follow them as they try to find the answers they need to stop it
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a wonderful read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a wonderful read
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews