Unusual book. I don't know if I was prepared for the way it was written. I don't think that the writing is that good, either. I read the book in about 24 hours, and honestly while I was reading it that fast I was thinking this book isn't that good, but something kept me reading. It wasn't the characters, they were just whatever. I think part of me wanted to know what was going to happen to the kid. Also there is an interesting take on the justice of man, vs the justice of God, and a man dealing with his demons. Like I said I don't think that the writing is that good, but the book is fast paced and an all right read. I also wouldn't really consider this book a western. I takes place in Louisiana in the 1850's.