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Laura Elliston/Sawbones #3
Badlands
Outlander meets post-Civil War unrest in the conclusion to Melissa Lenhardt's fast-paced historical series.
Laura's worst fears have been realized: Kindle has been taken into custody and she is once again on the run. The noose awaits her in New York, but Laura is realizing that there are some things worse than death. Finally running out of places to hide, it may be time for Dr. Catherine Bennett to face her past.
"Packs a big punch with grit and raw passion. There is mystery, murder, Indians, bounty hunters and intrigue. The women are brave, intelligent and don't take crap from anyone. Lenhardt is a talented, creative writer; she has a grand slam out of the park with Sawbones." -- RT Book Reviews (Top Pick!) 4.5 stars
"Raw, gritty and sometimes graphic, Melissa Lenhardt has crafted a page-turner. In Sawbones, the women are smart, brave and at times 'incorrigible.' The plot twists, unique characters and intriguing story of passion and betrayal make this a book well worth discovering."
-- Jane Kirkpatrick, New York Times bestselling author of A Light in the Wilderness
"Absolutely loved it! I couldn't tear myself away from Sawbones. An epic story of love and courage that sweeps from east to west, Sawbones will rip right through you." - Marci Jefferson, author of Girl on the Golden Coin
"You will fall in love with Catherine, as I did, as she struggles to assert herself in a violent and treacherous world, fighting not only prejudice but evil."
-- Sandra Dallas, New York Times bestselling author
"Sawbones is a thoroughly original, smart and satisfying hybrid, perhaps a new subgenre: the feminist Western."
-- Lone Star Literary Life
Laura Elliston novels
Sawbones
Blood Oath
Badlands
Laura's worst fears have been realized: Kindle has been taken into custody and she is once again on the run. The noose awaits her in New York, but Laura is realizing that there are some things worse than death. Finally running out of places to hide, it may be time for Dr. Catherine Bennett to face her past.
"Packs a big punch with grit and raw passion. There is mystery, murder, Indians, bounty hunters and intrigue. The women are brave, intelligent and don't take crap from anyone. Lenhardt is a talented, creative writer; she has a grand slam out of the park with Sawbones." -- RT Book Reviews (Top Pick!) 4.5 stars
"Raw, gritty and sometimes graphic, Melissa Lenhardt has crafted a page-turner. In Sawbones, the women are smart, brave and at times 'incorrigible.' The plot twists, unique characters and intriguing story of passion and betrayal make this a book well worth discovering."
-- Jane Kirkpatrick, New York Times bestselling author of A Light in the Wilderness
"Absolutely loved it! I couldn't tear myself away from Sawbones. An epic story of love and courage that sweeps from east to west, Sawbones will rip right through you." - Marci Jefferson, author of Girl on the Golden Coin
"You will fall in love with Catherine, as I did, as she struggles to assert herself in a violent and treacherous world, fighting not only prejudice but evil."
-- Sandra Dallas, New York Times bestselling author
"Sawbones is a thoroughly original, smart and satisfying hybrid, perhaps a new subgenre: the feminist Western."
-- Lone Star Literary Life
Laura Elliston novels
Sawbones
Blood Oath
Badlands
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2017
25 people are currently reading
365 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Lenhardt
10 books494 followersMelissa Lenhardt writes women’s fiction, historical fiction, and mysteries. The New York Times called HERESY an “unapologetically badass western” and “an all-out women-driven, queer, transgender, multiracial takeover of the Old West.” Heresy also won the 2022 Audie Award for Best Multi-Voiced Performance. Her debut women’s fiction novel, THE SECRET OF YOU AND ME, was the first LGBTQ+ novel published by Mills and Boon in the UK. A lifelong Texan, Melissa is currently traveling the world as a digital nomad.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
July 24, 2017
5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2017/07/23/...
Badlands is the final volume of the Laura Elliston trilogy, bringing this magnificent emotional journey that began with Sawbones to a gripping and satisfying conclusion. Still, I confess there had been a lot of initial hand-wringing on my part over how all this would end, though I really should have known better than to be worried—Melissa Lenhardt knew what she was doing and was in control the whole time, providing closure to the series while bringing things full circle.
Needless to say, if you haven’t gotten the chance to start the trilogy yet, please keep in mind that this review may contain spoilers for the previous two novels. Last we saw Laura in Blood Oath, she and her husband William Kindle had become separated, with him being taken into custody for abandoning his post in the Army to aid and abet her. Wanted in New York for a crime she did not commit, Laura is now one of the most sought after bounties in the West and is forced to go into hiding again, with only a dubious ally named Rosemond Barclay for protection and support.
As a prostitute and a past lover of her husband, Rosemond is practically the last person Laura wants to be traveling with. However, she is also claiming to be helping Laura on behalf of Kindle, and since there is no one else our protagonist can turn to now that she is alone and penniless once more, she will have to go along with the other woman’s plans—at least for now. Not that she has much of a choice, anyway. Terrified of what might happen to Kindle, Laura is desperate to be close to him again even if it means walking right into the hands of the law, and it doesn’t help that at the time she is struggling to pull herself out of a laudanum-induced haze. For better or worse, Rosemond is the only thing holding her back—serving as both her kidnapper and voice of reason. The two women end up in Cheyenne under the guise of sisters trying to start a new life, though in truth Laura is biding her time while she awaits for further news of Kindle, and Rosemond is following her own plan that only she knows about. Laura knows better than to trust the former prostitute, but after everything the two of them have been through together, neither can she bring herself to simply walk away.
For the last two books, things for Laura have been anything but easy, and so I think readers will welcome this concluding novel which finally lets our protagonist experience some semblance of peace again, even with plenty of heartbreak still in her life. It was however a nice change of pace to see her return to practicing medicine, giving care to the needy as she once did in New York before she went on the run. Despite all the horrors she has been through, at her core Laura is still the same good person—which can be either a blessing or a curse, depending on how you view things. Often she puts aside all rational thought and concern for her own wellbeing when it comes to others (especially with matters related to Kindle), leading her to make several mistakes in the first half of Badlands which she will come to regret for the rest of the novel. Laura’s willfulness in this regard is both a source of admiration and frustration, because on the one hand her empathy is what makes me love her character, but on the other her tendency to care too much has also led to a lot of tragedy for herself and those around her.
I also thought that I would be disappointed at Kindle’s severely diminished role in this novel, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was not the case. It’s true that without him, there is a lot less passion and romance in this installment, but the amazing complexity between Laura and Rosemond’s interplay more than makes up for it. In spite of all her efforts to help other women, Laura has always had a rough time making female friends, mainly because she’s met so few others who share her interests and drive. While Laura and Rosemond have little in common (besides a history with the same man), the two of them manage to strike up a solid rapport if not a true friendship, due to the fact that they both are outcasts in their own way. Rosemond is also a fascinating and enigmatic character who kept me guessing at her motives the whole time, wondering if she truly cares about Laura or if she is simply manipulating her for her own ends.
The best part about Badlands, however, is Laura’s realization that she cannot keep running anymore and that enough people have been hurt because of the choices she has made. The only thing left to do is to return to the place where all this began—except this time, she won’t be alone anymore. Our protagonist has come a long way and has proven herself capable of anything she sets her mind to in an era in which women had little to no power. She has suffered loss but also found love, and I am pleased that we got to see Laura confront her past so that she can finally have the future she deserves.
These books are really something special. I’ve said this before, but I think it’s worth saying again: the author does not pull any punches, and her rendition of the Wild West is a brutally authentic one, which sometimes makes all of the injustices and violence difficult to read. However, it also makes our characters’ struggles more heart-wrenching and their eventual triumph all the more powerful and poignant. The ending was everything I wanted, featuring a touching and joyous scenario that tied everything together perfectly. Melissa Lenhardt has accomplished a superb achievement in bringing the fantastic Laura Elliston trilogy to a phenomenal close, and I can’t wait to see what future stories she will tell.
Audiobook Comments: Suehyla El-Attar has long since won me over with her narrating work, and her performance in Badlands is even better than in Blood Oath, if that is even possible. She is a talented voice actress and a real natural with accents and inflections, adding an extra layer to the story. For instance, in sections where Laura was thinking of Kindle, I could practically hear the hopelessness and despair in her reading. This was an emotional tale, and El-Attar’s narration made the experience even more unforgettable. I highly recommend this series in audio.
Badlands is the final volume of the Laura Elliston trilogy, bringing this magnificent emotional journey that began with Sawbones to a gripping and satisfying conclusion. Still, I confess there had been a lot of initial hand-wringing on my part over how all this would end, though I really should have known better than to be worried—Melissa Lenhardt knew what she was doing and was in control the whole time, providing closure to the series while bringing things full circle.
Needless to say, if you haven’t gotten the chance to start the trilogy yet, please keep in mind that this review may contain spoilers for the previous two novels. Last we saw Laura in Blood Oath, she and her husband William Kindle had become separated, with him being taken into custody for abandoning his post in the Army to aid and abet her. Wanted in New York for a crime she did not commit, Laura is now one of the most sought after bounties in the West and is forced to go into hiding again, with only a dubious ally named Rosemond Barclay for protection and support.
As a prostitute and a past lover of her husband, Rosemond is practically the last person Laura wants to be traveling with. However, she is also claiming to be helping Laura on behalf of Kindle, and since there is no one else our protagonist can turn to now that she is alone and penniless once more, she will have to go along with the other woman’s plans—at least for now. Not that she has much of a choice, anyway. Terrified of what might happen to Kindle, Laura is desperate to be close to him again even if it means walking right into the hands of the law, and it doesn’t help that at the time she is struggling to pull herself out of a laudanum-induced haze. For better or worse, Rosemond is the only thing holding her back—serving as both her kidnapper and voice of reason. The two women end up in Cheyenne under the guise of sisters trying to start a new life, though in truth Laura is biding her time while she awaits for further news of Kindle, and Rosemond is following her own plan that only she knows about. Laura knows better than to trust the former prostitute, but after everything the two of them have been through together, neither can she bring herself to simply walk away.
For the last two books, things for Laura have been anything but easy, and so I think readers will welcome this concluding novel which finally lets our protagonist experience some semblance of peace again, even with plenty of heartbreak still in her life. It was however a nice change of pace to see her return to practicing medicine, giving care to the needy as she once did in New York before she went on the run. Despite all the horrors she has been through, at her core Laura is still the same good person—which can be either a blessing or a curse, depending on how you view things. Often she puts aside all rational thought and concern for her own wellbeing when it comes to others (especially with matters related to Kindle), leading her to make several mistakes in the first half of Badlands which she will come to regret for the rest of the novel. Laura’s willfulness in this regard is both a source of admiration and frustration, because on the one hand her empathy is what makes me love her character, but on the other her tendency to care too much has also led to a lot of tragedy for herself and those around her.
I also thought that I would be disappointed at Kindle’s severely diminished role in this novel, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was not the case. It’s true that without him, there is a lot less passion and romance in this installment, but the amazing complexity between Laura and Rosemond’s interplay more than makes up for it. In spite of all her efforts to help other women, Laura has always had a rough time making female friends, mainly because she’s met so few others who share her interests and drive. While Laura and Rosemond have little in common (besides a history with the same man), the two of them manage to strike up a solid rapport if not a true friendship, due to the fact that they both are outcasts in their own way. Rosemond is also a fascinating and enigmatic character who kept me guessing at her motives the whole time, wondering if she truly cares about Laura or if she is simply manipulating her for her own ends.
The best part about Badlands, however, is Laura’s realization that she cannot keep running anymore and that enough people have been hurt because of the choices she has made. The only thing left to do is to return to the place where all this began—except this time, she won’t be alone anymore. Our protagonist has come a long way and has proven herself capable of anything she sets her mind to in an era in which women had little to no power. She has suffered loss but also found love, and I am pleased that we got to see Laura confront her past so that she can finally have the future she deserves.
These books are really something special. I’ve said this before, but I think it’s worth saying again: the author does not pull any punches, and her rendition of the Wild West is a brutally authentic one, which sometimes makes all of the injustices and violence difficult to read. However, it also makes our characters’ struggles more heart-wrenching and their eventual triumph all the more powerful and poignant. The ending was everything I wanted, featuring a touching and joyous scenario that tied everything together perfectly. Melissa Lenhardt has accomplished a superb achievement in bringing the fantastic Laura Elliston trilogy to a phenomenal close, and I can’t wait to see what future stories she will tell.
Audiobook Comments: Suehyla El-Attar has long since won me over with her narrating work, and her performance in Badlands is even better than in Blood Oath, if that is even possible. She is a talented voice actress and a real natural with accents and inflections, adding an extra layer to the story. For instance, in sections where Laura was thinking of Kindle, I could practically hear the hopelessness and despair in her reading. This was an emotional tale, and El-Attar’s narration made the experience even more unforgettable. I highly recommend this series in audio.
February 23, 2021
4.5 stars
Possibly my favourite of the three books? An enormously enjoyable story that shifts some of the focus off the romantic relationship between Kindle and Laura, and instead focuses on a more complicated one between Laura and Rosemond.
When Kindle is taken into custody by the Army, Laura escapes to Cheyenne with the help of Rosemond. Rosemond is a former madam looking to move out West and recreate herself, but she is also an "friend" of Kindle. When Kindle is arrested, Rosemond spirits Laura away, saying that Kindle asked her to help Laura escape the bounty hunters still looking to cash in on the huge reward that has been posted.
The majority of the book is taken up with Rosemond and Laura sizing each other up, calculating their next move, and each hiding things from the other. It's clear they don't trust each other even though both women are very much alike: smart, determined, and fiercely independent.
It's impossible to say much more about the story without spoilers, but rest assured, the engaging story which has twisted over three books is brought nicely to a close.
My only complaint? I loved Rosemond so much that I was sorry we only got to know her in this last book. That said, she's given almost as much focus here as Laura. The relationship between these two amazing women is one of the highlights of the series.
Possibly my favourite of the three books? An enormously enjoyable story that shifts some of the focus off the romantic relationship between Kindle and Laura, and instead focuses on a more complicated one between Laura and Rosemond.
When Kindle is taken into custody by the Army, Laura escapes to Cheyenne with the help of Rosemond. Rosemond is a former madam looking to move out West and recreate herself, but she is also an "friend" of Kindle. When Kindle is arrested, Rosemond spirits Laura away, saying that Kindle asked her to help Laura escape the bounty hunters still looking to cash in on the huge reward that has been posted.
The majority of the book is taken up with Rosemond and Laura sizing each other up, calculating their next move, and each hiding things from the other. It's clear they don't trust each other even though both women are very much alike: smart, determined, and fiercely independent.
It's impossible to say much more about the story without spoilers, but rest assured, the engaging story which has twisted over three books is brought nicely to a close.
My only complaint? I loved Rosemond so much that I was sorry we only got to know her in this last book. That said, she's given almost as much focus here as Laura. The relationship between these two amazing women is one of the highlights of the series.
February 6, 2018
I'm not the biggest fan of Rosemund, after what happened between her and Kindle at the beginning of this book, along with her continued deception so it was hard for me to read this story without wanting to just strangle her!! Plus I think Laura let Rosemund off a little too easy & Kindle too for that matter. Maybe she'll get her just deserts from Salter- one can only hope. Lol
I think the best books are the ones that can bring your emotions to the surface and this series did an exceptional job of doing just that.
The ending was fantastic but bittersweet. I'm not ready to let go just yet. I feel like there's still so much more of this story to be told. Crossing my fingers for a book 4 and 5 and 6...lol
I think the best books are the ones that can bring your emotions to the surface and this series did an exceptional job of doing just that.
The ending was fantastic but bittersweet. I'm not ready to let go just yet. I feel like there's still so much more of this story to be told. Crossing my fingers for a book 4 and 5 and 6...lol
August 18, 2019
I enjoyed this last installment in the Laura Elliston trilogy. Less gritty, raw violence and more character-driven. The sense of time and place was really wonderful, probably my favorite part of the book.
September 29, 2017
I grabbed this in one of my "request all the books" binges and as a result, I got to "Outlander meets wild west" without reading any further. If I had, I would have realized that this was book three in a series. That it was bound to be offensive. In other words, I would not have bothered.
But I did, so I also got to learn it was historically inaccurate... something the author could have learned with minimal research. In the acknowledgments (because I did read all of it) the author mentions wanting to peel back the mythology to show the brutality beneath, but this goes beyond that. It reinforces horrific stereotypes. It needlessly kills off characters. It's racist, sexist, homophobic, and has every last character just being absolute monsters.
The worst of all was Kindle, probably because I read two hundred pages of how great he was before he shows up and is just a giant fucking piece of shit with an eye patch. Who occasionally speaks. Usually to try and coerce his wife into having sex at inopportune times.
I have nothing against "gritty" or "real" books. I just want them to actually be real. Like, really real, not whitewashed patriarchal bullshit. And if you're going to tackle multiple tough topics, do it with fucking care. Not for titillation or shock value. You can manage to write a great book that's shocking and makes you feel and think without being offensive as fuck to as many people as possible.
Basically, in closing... you might enjoy this book. If you're white and don't mind wearing your privilege like a comforting blanket, blocking out the casual hatred thrown about in the narrative.
But I did, so I also got to learn it was historically inaccurate... something the author could have learned with minimal research. In the acknowledgments (because I did read all of it) the author mentions wanting to peel back the mythology to show the brutality beneath, but this goes beyond that. It reinforces horrific stereotypes. It needlessly kills off characters. It's racist, sexist, homophobic, and has every last character just being absolute monsters.
The worst of all was Kindle, probably because I read two hundred pages of how great he was before he shows up and is just a giant fucking piece of shit with an eye patch. Who occasionally speaks. Usually to try and coerce his wife into having sex at inopportune times.
I have nothing against "gritty" or "real" books. I just want them to actually be real. Like, really real, not whitewashed patriarchal bullshit. And if you're going to tackle multiple tough topics, do it with fucking care. Not for titillation or shock value. You can manage to write a great book that's shocking and makes you feel and think without being offensive as fuck to as many people as possible.
Basically, in closing... you might enjoy this book. If you're white and don't mind wearing your privilege like a comforting blanket, blocking out the casual hatred thrown about in the narrative.
November 4, 2017
The Sawbones trilogy will appeal to many different readers because it's a whole lot of genres rolled up into one adventure series. It's part gritty western, part romance and part mystery.
Sawbones, the first book in the trilogy, remains my favourite with the books losing some of that special 'somethin' somethin' as they go on. Badlands still had that grit that I enjoyed but it didn't grab me as much as the previous books. The plot was definitely slower, we're stuck mainly in one small, podunk town in the western fringes and sadly, we miss out on the connection between Kindle and Laura. When you add in an abrupt ending (and an obvious bad guy) it just wasn't the ending I was expecting after the amazing start to the series.
Overall, this is a good series that has a strong female lead, a wonderfully varied and diverse cast of characters and I appreciate that Lenhardt doesn't hold back on the atrocities, violence and grit of the Wild West. While this wasn't as strong of an ending I still recommend this series (my Mother is quite a fan of it too!). I strongly encourage readers to read these books in order, and not too far apart, because there's a lot that goes on and the author doesn't offer her readers many hints about previous plot lines.
Disclaimer: This ARC was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Sawbones, the first book in the trilogy, remains my favourite with the books losing some of that special 'somethin' somethin' as they go on. Badlands still had that grit that I enjoyed but it didn't grab me as much as the previous books. The plot was definitely slower, we're stuck mainly in one small, podunk town in the western fringes and sadly, we miss out on the connection between Kindle and Laura. When you add in an abrupt ending (and an obvious bad guy) it just wasn't the ending I was expecting after the amazing start to the series.
Overall, this is a good series that has a strong female lead, a wonderfully varied and diverse cast of characters and I appreciate that Lenhardt doesn't hold back on the atrocities, violence and grit of the Wild West. While this wasn't as strong of an ending I still recommend this series (my Mother is quite a fan of it too!). I strongly encourage readers to read these books in order, and not too far apart, because there's a lot that goes on and the author doesn't offer her readers many hints about previous plot lines.
Disclaimer: This ARC was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
September 13, 2017
Melissa Lenhardt's Badlands (Redhook 2017) is the third in the Sawbones series. If you haven't read the earlier books and don't want any spoilers, come back to this review after you've read them! At this point in time, Kindle and Laura are separated, he in prison and she fleeing from the law with the unlikely assistance of Kindle's former mistress, Rosemond. Their goal is to make a fresh start out west where Laura can wait for Kindle and Rosemond can leaving her whoring past behind her. The book follows their adventures from the lens of two females traveling alone in a land and a time when that was rarely done. First, they need money and then they need to fulfill a few dreams. How they accomplish these is clever, unique, and completely interesting.
If I have a complaint about this book, it's that Laura can't seem to make up her mind about most anything ( I don't want to be too specific or I might give the plot away). Every time I think we've resolved an issue and are moving on, she rethinks it. Once, I wouldn't mind, but this happened over and over and over. That's why it got 4/5
If I have a complaint about this book, it's that Laura can't seem to make up her mind about most anything ( I don't want to be too specific or I might give the plot away). Every time I think we've resolved an issue and are moving on, she rethinks it. Once, I wouldn't mind, but this happened over and over and over. That's why it got 4/5
July 2, 2017
Badlands is Badass!!! I loved everything about Melissa Lenhardt’s Sawbones Series. The action, the adventure, and the angst were the elements that kept me plowing through the pages as quickly as I possibly could. I couldn’t get enough. With captivating covers, these books seem to be in a league of their own. Having read the series in its entirety, it is safe to say my expectations for Westerns has been only sub-par, Melissa Lenhard has ruined me for any other western romance probably forever. Badlands took us on a wild ride, and gave us the justice we seek. Historical Fiction is a hard genre to write and to properly execute, but it seems Ms. Lendardt may have magic in her quill.
June 17, 2017
*Source* Publisher via NetGalley
*Genre* Historical Fiction, Romance
*Rating* 3.5-4
*My Thoughts*
Badlands is the third and final installment in author Melissa Lenhardt's Laura Elliston trilogy. If you've read my first two reviews of Sawbones and Badlands, you know that this trilogy is centered around Dr. Catherine Bennett aka Laura Elliston. Bennett was accused of murdering a very well off patient at the start of this trilogy. Facing the distinct possibility of being hanged on sight because the deck was stacked against her by rich and powerful men, she chose to flee to Texas, and later changed her name to Laura Elliston. Laura's journey has been anything but easy.
*Full Review @ Talk Supe Blog
http://www.talksupeblog.com/2017/06/g...
*Genre* Historical Fiction, Romance
*Rating* 3.5-4
*My Thoughts*
Badlands is the third and final installment in author Melissa Lenhardt's Laura Elliston trilogy. If you've read my first two reviews of Sawbones and Badlands, you know that this trilogy is centered around Dr. Catherine Bennett aka Laura Elliston. Bennett was accused of murdering a very well off patient at the start of this trilogy. Facing the distinct possibility of being hanged on sight because the deck was stacked against her by rich and powerful men, she chose to flee to Texas, and later changed her name to Laura Elliston. Laura's journey has been anything but easy.
*Full Review @ Talk Supe Blog
http://www.talksupeblog.com/2017/06/g...
September 21, 2017
Excellent! Great ending to a great series! Do not wonder any longer what your next escape read will be. Make it the entire Sawbones series/ you won't be disappointed! This final offering for the series definitely brings things round to a satisfying conclusion. Remember how much you loved little badass Maddie in True Grit? Well Laura Kindle is the new #feministwestern who is as foul mouthed and smart and tough as Claire Frazier (and stubborn as Maddie), and William Kindle is just as dreamy and man enough to handle it as James Frazier. And the West is as violent as you know is true, while the East must be navigated with as much care as a rattlesnake in your bed blanket. And this narrator is superb (except for the Native and Spanish mispronunciations but there are none in this book). Go for it right now.
October 1, 2018
It's a bit draggy, and it's pretty unbelievable that SO MANY bad things would happen to one person over the course of a year. It's also unlikely that, in those times, so many common people would recognize a person from a totally outdated WANTED poster, after all the horrific happenings had taken their toll on her appearance.
June 16, 2017
Laura is once again separated from William and has been kidnapped by Rosemond. William is on trial for desertion and Laura has no money and no place to go. Rosemond claims that William asked her to look after Laura and to keep her safe. When the trunk full of their belongings is left on a train and Laura wakes from a drug-induced stupor, she has a hard time believing anything she is told. Is the whore Rosemund her friend or foe and does William have feelings for her? Who is the mysterious stranger who seems to be everywhere and is definitely interested in her past? When Laura receives a telegram that informs her that William has been executed, she realizes that it is time to return to New York City and to confront her accusers and clear her name. Reviewed at http://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogsp...
May 23, 2017
I really enjoyed the book. But I do need to read the first two.
April 9, 2021
Such a great series, although not for the faint of heart.
August 2, 2017
So I tore through this final book of the trilogy while traveling and now I'm having trouble recalling specifics. I liked it, but the first book was definitely the strongest for me. Laura and William are separated due to circumstances in the previous book and the book opens with her drugged out of her mind and at the mercy of the whore Rosamunde - who might be a friend or might be a foe. It's hard to tell, really. Anyway, they end up in Wyoming where Laura's past comes back to haunt her (again), William's fate is revealed, and Laura heads back to New York to clear her name.
The mystery wraps up mostly the way I expected (I didn't guess the main culprit but you figure out one of the players early on in this series) and Lenhardt ends her trilogy on a "up beat." Of course with all the death and destruction that has followed in the characters' wake, it's hard to totally nail this one down as a "happy ending" - but it worked.
The mystery wraps up mostly the way I expected (I didn't guess the main culprit but you figure out one of the players early on in this series) and Lenhardt ends her trilogy on a "up beat." Of course with all the death and destruction that has followed in the characters' wake, it's hard to totally nail this one down as a "happy ending" - but it worked.
April 11, 2020
Before I talk about what I dislike about this book, let me just say it’s excellently written and I really love how much hard work this writer poured into her research of this time period.
First off, I found these books by chance in a second-hand book-store and I was delighted. I love the Old West and Westerns in general. I was like, whoa! A feminist Western? Sign me the hell up!
I finished this trilogy hoping to get that happy, mind-addled book hangover, but instead I’m sitting here feeling unsatisfied and relieved that it’s over with.
It’s heart-wrenching, to be sure. I have no complaints about the main character and heroine, and I’m on her side 100%. That being said, I don’t think I’ll be rereading these books again in the future.
I think my biggest disappointment was in Kindle as a character. To have Laura endure so much, and in the end, find out her husband did, in fact, sleep with his old prostitute/lover on the boat just devastated me. Especially since Rosamund preferred women. Even though Rosamund is meant to be manipulative, it just seemed like his unfaithfulness was just an unnecessary plot device to kick to Laura while she’s down.
I could handle the dark past, but I couldn’t forgive him for marrying Laura, turning around and sleeping with another woman. I can usually handle flawed characters, flaws are good story, but I think it was the fact that there wasn’t a single memorable man among the all of the male characters in the trilogy who wasn’t a bastard in some way. Kindle was the closest one, and even he couldn’t keep faithful. I found myself rooting more for Rosamund and Portia than I did Laura and William - Rosamund didn’t break any vows, after all, and Portia, being homosexual as well, had few choices available to her. Kindle did.
Moving on! The ending is bittersweet and everything does eventually turn out okay. So there’s that. It’s a good book. I’m sure other readers are made out of stronger stuff than I am and will enjoy it. I’m going to let these three beauties sit on my shelf as a testament to an overall thrilling adventure, but it’ll be a long time before I dust them off and read them again. Who knows? Maybe I’ll donate them to another second hand bookstore so that someone else can enjoy them. ❤️
First off, I found these books by chance in a second-hand book-store and I was delighted. I love the Old West and Westerns in general. I was like, whoa! A feminist Western? Sign me the hell up!
I finished this trilogy hoping to get that happy, mind-addled book hangover, but instead I’m sitting here feeling unsatisfied and relieved that it’s over with.
It’s heart-wrenching, to be sure. I have no complaints about the main character and heroine, and I’m on her side 100%. That being said, I don’t think I’ll be rereading these books again in the future.
I think my biggest disappointment was in Kindle as a character. To have Laura endure so much, and in the end, find out her husband did, in fact, sleep with his old prostitute/lover on the boat just devastated me. Especially since Rosamund preferred women. Even though Rosamund is meant to be manipulative, it just seemed like his unfaithfulness was just an unnecessary plot device to kick to Laura while she’s down.
I could handle the dark past, but I couldn’t forgive him for marrying Laura, turning around and sleeping with another woman. I can usually handle flawed characters, flaws are good story, but I think it was the fact that there wasn’t a single memorable man among the all of the male characters in the trilogy who wasn’t a bastard in some way. Kindle was the closest one, and even he couldn’t keep faithful. I found myself rooting more for Rosamund and Portia than I did Laura and William - Rosamund didn’t break any vows, after all, and Portia, being homosexual as well, had few choices available to her. Kindle did.
Moving on! The ending is bittersweet and everything does eventually turn out okay. So there’s that. It’s a good book. I’m sure other readers are made out of stronger stuff than I am and will enjoy it. I’m going to let these three beauties sit on my shelf as a testament to an overall thrilling adventure, but it’ll be a long time before I dust them off and read them again. Who knows? Maybe I’ll donate them to another second hand bookstore so that someone else can enjoy them. ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2017
This was a tough book to read. It is complex and gritty. There is bloodshed, drug addiction, prostitution, murder, cheating, abuse, loss, lies, and love in many forms. This is not a sweet old western romance. I understand why the author labored over this series. The hero, William, is not the typical hero, he is rescued and does a little rescuing. The heroine, Charlotte/ Laura, is not your typical heroine. She is determined, faithful, caring, has a conscience, and does not one for backing down. She does not apologize for being a doctor and it is so much a part of her that it creates major problems. They both suffer in unimaginable ways. Some of the sufferings are physical, mental and emotional. There are no easy cures or simple fixes. Love is not the perfect answer. Both have to survive in order to live and love each other. I would not recommend this book to anyone under 18 or anyone that is particularly old-fashioned. This series will stay with you long after you have read the last page. You will reread it again and see more the second time you read it than you did the first time. I do not know how Ms. Lenhardt will continue after having written this but, I would like to find out. Please, keep writing Ms. Lenhardt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2020
RATING: 4 STARS
2017; Orbit Books/Redhook
After another cliffhanger, we open with Kindle being taken in by the law and Laura is now running off with Kindle's former lover, and sex worker. Neither trust each other which makes their situation so much harder. On the run, and trying to set up shop in a new town, Laura wonders if death is really the worst outcome. And if the rumours of Kindle execution are true, Laura thinks about turning herself in.
This was a great novel, concluding the western trilogy. It was jam packed with action, grit and emotions. I loved the characters - good and bad - and while the ending wasn't exactly my favourite, I did leave the Sawbones series pretty satisfied. I hope there is more to come in the future or maybe another western novel by Lenhardt (hint hint)
***I received a complimentary copy of this eBook from the publisher through Edelweiss/NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2017; Orbit Books/Redhook
After another cliffhanger, we open with Kindle being taken in by the law and Laura is now running off with Kindle's former lover, and sex worker. Neither trust each other which makes their situation so much harder. On the run, and trying to set up shop in a new town, Laura wonders if death is really the worst outcome. And if the rumours of Kindle execution are true, Laura thinks about turning herself in.
This was a great novel, concluding the western trilogy. It was jam packed with action, grit and emotions. I loved the characters - good and bad - and while the ending wasn't exactly my favourite, I did leave the Sawbones series pretty satisfied. I hope there is more to come in the future or maybe another western novel by Lenhardt (hint hint)
***I received a complimentary copy of this eBook from the publisher through Edelweiss/NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
November 18, 2017
I loved this entire trilogy. I love everything about these series of books. Everything that happened in this book was so real to me. The mood was set so well that I felt that I was really there watching all the terrible things that Catherine had to endure. I LOVED Catherine. She was so strong and fierce. .
Melissa Lenhardt is my new favorite author. She is an amazing writer and a wonderful storyteller.
I can not wait until her next novel comes out!
Melissa Lenhardt is my new favorite author. She is an amazing writer and a wonderful storyteller.
I can not wait until her next novel comes out!
August 7, 2017
WESTERN/HISTORICAL THRILLER
Melissa Lenhardt
Badlands
Redhook
Paperback, 978-0-3165-0537-6, (also available as an e-book, an audiobook, and on Audible), 416 pgs., $15.99
June 27, 2017
SPOILER ALERT: Badlands is the third book in a trilogy. Proceed at your own risk.
Laura Kindle (previously Laura Elliston, originally Dr. Catherine Bennett) is on the run again from the law, Pinkertons, and bounty hunters, after the arrest of her husband, William Kindle. She and St. Louis madam Rosemond Barclay, who claims to be helping Laura at William’s behest, wash up practically penniless in the quintessential Western boomtown of Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory. Rosemond is determined to go legit, joining proper society and leaving her past behind; Laura waits to hear news of William’s court martial, creating yet another identity in another new place. But the past catches up to both women, and Laura knows she must finally confront the New York murder charge against her or forever be a dependent pawn in other people’s games.
Badlands is the final installment in Melissa Lenhardt’s historical thriller trilogy, the first of which, Sawbones (2016), I hailed as “a thoroughly original, smart and satisfying hybrid, perhaps a new subgenre: the feminist Western.” Badlands, worthy of the established characters and ethos, does not disappoint.
Laura’s first-person narrative begins with Lenhardt’s characteristic bang. Apart from the middle third when the pace flags along with Laura’s resolve, reflecting her exhaustion and despair, the action is fast, the plot twists frequent. Though Lenhardt does a good job of integrating necessary facts from the two previous books, Badlands does not stand alone; to get the full effect you should begin at the beginning. A novels-within-the-novels device is a welcome, humorous touch of tongue-in-cheek. As always, a shout-out is due for the cover art and design of this trilogy. All three novels are gorgeous.
Lenhardt’s characters are diverse and complex. Her women and their friendships get the attention they have always deserved but so rarely receive. Prodigious research is evident in the language, settings, and situations. An unsettling many of the era’s convictions regarding social justice and gender roles remain (bizarrely) controversial today. Lenhardt also breaks out vivid similes: “Between hands I would catch sight of Salter sitting across the room at a poker table, the prostitute draped over his shoulder like a poncho.” Like a poncho.
Badlands is every bit as tough and raw as the American Wild West (which smells of “body odor, blood, horse sweat, manure, and new lumber”) and proves more authentic as it denies the genre its myths and tropes, unsparingly exposing the options of women of the era with an unflinching eye. Badlands is not for the faint of heart; Lenhardt seems to be trying to shock us, but it doesn’t feel egregious—it feels like bold truth-telling.
Originally published in Lone Star Literary Life.
Melissa Lenhardt
Badlands
Redhook
Paperback, 978-0-3165-0537-6, (also available as an e-book, an audiobook, and on Audible), 416 pgs., $15.99
June 27, 2017
SPOILER ALERT: Badlands is the third book in a trilogy. Proceed at your own risk.
Laura Kindle (previously Laura Elliston, originally Dr. Catherine Bennett) is on the run again from the law, Pinkertons, and bounty hunters, after the arrest of her husband, William Kindle. She and St. Louis madam Rosemond Barclay, who claims to be helping Laura at William’s behest, wash up practically penniless in the quintessential Western boomtown of Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory. Rosemond is determined to go legit, joining proper society and leaving her past behind; Laura waits to hear news of William’s court martial, creating yet another identity in another new place. But the past catches up to both women, and Laura knows she must finally confront the New York murder charge against her or forever be a dependent pawn in other people’s games.
Badlands is the final installment in Melissa Lenhardt’s historical thriller trilogy, the first of which, Sawbones (2016), I hailed as “a thoroughly original, smart and satisfying hybrid, perhaps a new subgenre: the feminist Western.” Badlands, worthy of the established characters and ethos, does not disappoint.
Laura’s first-person narrative begins with Lenhardt’s characteristic bang. Apart from the middle third when the pace flags along with Laura’s resolve, reflecting her exhaustion and despair, the action is fast, the plot twists frequent. Though Lenhardt does a good job of integrating necessary facts from the two previous books, Badlands does not stand alone; to get the full effect you should begin at the beginning. A novels-within-the-novels device is a welcome, humorous touch of tongue-in-cheek. As always, a shout-out is due for the cover art and design of this trilogy. All three novels are gorgeous.
Lenhardt’s characters are diverse and complex. Her women and their friendships get the attention they have always deserved but so rarely receive. Prodigious research is evident in the language, settings, and situations. An unsettling many of the era’s convictions regarding social justice and gender roles remain (bizarrely) controversial today. Lenhardt also breaks out vivid similes: “Between hands I would catch sight of Salter sitting across the room at a poker table, the prostitute draped over his shoulder like a poncho.” Like a poncho.
Badlands is every bit as tough and raw as the American Wild West (which smells of “body odor, blood, horse sweat, manure, and new lumber”) and proves more authentic as it denies the genre its myths and tropes, unsparingly exposing the options of women of the era with an unflinching eye. Badlands is not for the faint of heart; Lenhardt seems to be trying to shock us, but it doesn’t feel egregious—it feels like bold truth-telling.
Originally published in Lone Star Literary Life.
July 29, 2017
the third and final book of the sawbones trilogy brings laura and kindle's story to a close. these two are the ultimate survivors. it's like they literally reach the depths of hell and crawl their way back.
at some point, you think, what else could possibly go wrong for them? and somehow lenhardt finds ways to surprise you on how badly things go sideways. but then as we barrel toward the conclusion of the saga, things start to come full circle. i'm not interested in spoiling the end for anyone, because i think that if you've stuck it out this far, you deserve to experience the story firsthand. so i'm just going to speak about the book in generalities.
one thing i think this is so great is that everything does tie together. we literally come back to the beginning in badlands and solve the original mystery once and for all. and how we reach that conclusion really does work for me. i love that she doesn't do it alone. because one thing i've loved about laura, even as she has frustrated me as a character, is her ability to connect with others. especially other women, and how she develops relationships that while not necessarily predicated on friendship, are at least about mutual respect. as much as catherine bennett relied only on herself, laura kindle learns that she alone can't do it all, as brilliant and as resourceful as she might be. sometimes you get by with a little help from your friends.
that's a worthy lesson. and it's nice to see laura take it to heart. when you think of everything this woman has suffered and endured, it's good to see that she comes out of it, in the end, a better, a more complete person. i didn't connect with laura until blood oath, and in badlands we finally see her reach her potential.
i think that's worth something. i'm glad i stuck with the series past sawbones, it's not really easy reading, the western frontier was not an easy place to be, especially if you were a woman. and reading about it now, and seeing the fights and the struggles that women continue to have today, you realize maybe we aren't so far off from this. and then you wonder what the heck is wrong with the world. and then you are happy that there are stories of survival like this one.
**badlands will publish on june 27, 2017. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/orbit books (redhook) in exchange for my honest review.
at some point, you think, what else could possibly go wrong for them? and somehow lenhardt finds ways to surprise you on how badly things go sideways. but then as we barrel toward the conclusion of the saga, things start to come full circle. i'm not interested in spoiling the end for anyone, because i think that if you've stuck it out this far, you deserve to experience the story firsthand. so i'm just going to speak about the book in generalities.
one thing i think this is so great is that everything does tie together. we literally come back to the beginning in badlands and solve the original mystery once and for all. and how we reach that conclusion really does work for me. i love that she doesn't do it alone. because one thing i've loved about laura, even as she has frustrated me as a character, is her ability to connect with others. especially other women, and how she develops relationships that while not necessarily predicated on friendship, are at least about mutual respect. as much as catherine bennett relied only on herself, laura kindle learns that she alone can't do it all, as brilliant and as resourceful as she might be. sometimes you get by with a little help from your friends.
that's a worthy lesson. and it's nice to see laura take it to heart. when you think of everything this woman has suffered and endured, it's good to see that she comes out of it, in the end, a better, a more complete person. i didn't connect with laura until blood oath, and in badlands we finally see her reach her potential.
i think that's worth something. i'm glad i stuck with the series past sawbones, it's not really easy reading, the western frontier was not an easy place to be, especially if you were a woman. and reading about it now, and seeing the fights and the struggles that women continue to have today, you realize maybe we aren't so far off from this. and then you wonder what the heck is wrong with the world. and then you are happy that there are stories of survival like this one.
**badlands will publish on june 27, 2017. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/orbit books (redhook) in exchange for my honest review.
July 2, 2017
Pop over to my blog Books and Broomsticks to ENTER TO WIN a copy of this book:
https://booksandbroomsticks.blogspot....
As many of you know, westerns aren’t my usual reading fare. It’s true that I enjoy a wide range of genres, but I’ve never counted westerns as part of my preferred reading.
How wrong I’ve been.
This book is the third book in a series. I have not read the first two books, Sawbones and Blood Oath, but that didn’t keep me from being instantly draw into this story from the very first sentence. Lenhardt’s voice and style creates a book that is certainly a stand-alone as well as a sequel. And that’s not all that I enjoyed about her writing.
Within the gorgeous covers of Badlands lies a tale of a woman doctor struggling to make her way in the male-dominated Old West while hoping and longing to be reunited with her true love who is somewhere back east. I’ll try not to give too many spoilers here, because this book…oh, allow me to convey…this book is lavish with pain, struggle, and heartache. It is punctuated with triumph and strength. Truly, it is the story of the struggle of being a strong female.
Badlands by Melissa Lenhardt is a marvelously gritty sequel about a badass female character you’ll love to hate. From the get-go, the reader becomes the main character through whom the story is told. Through the laudanum-induced stupor, the reader begins the climb with the main character from where she’s hit rock-bottom and ends the story with her on a high note as the bad-ass she is.
All hail the Old West in all her glory!
Why, you may ask, does the story start out with the main character in a laudanum-induced stupor, and why is she separated from her fella? Well, I cannot tell you that. You’ll have to get a copy of the book and read the daylights out of it just like I did!
Even though this book reads marvelously as a stand-alone, do as I’m going to do and grab a copy of Sawbones and Blood Oath. The characters deserve to be caressed with your eyes, and I know your eyes will adore Lenhardt’s writing as much as I do!
This Texas gal hereby grants Badlands 4 ½ Bad-Ass Brooms!
https://booksandbroomsticks.blogspot....
As many of you know, westerns aren’t my usual reading fare. It’s true that I enjoy a wide range of genres, but I’ve never counted westerns as part of my preferred reading.
How wrong I’ve been.
This book is the third book in a series. I have not read the first two books, Sawbones and Blood Oath, but that didn’t keep me from being instantly draw into this story from the very first sentence. Lenhardt’s voice and style creates a book that is certainly a stand-alone as well as a sequel. And that’s not all that I enjoyed about her writing.
Within the gorgeous covers of Badlands lies a tale of a woman doctor struggling to make her way in the male-dominated Old West while hoping and longing to be reunited with her true love who is somewhere back east. I’ll try not to give too many spoilers here, because this book…oh, allow me to convey…this book is lavish with pain, struggle, and heartache. It is punctuated with triumph and strength. Truly, it is the story of the struggle of being a strong female.
Badlands by Melissa Lenhardt is a marvelously gritty sequel about a badass female character you’ll love to hate. From the get-go, the reader becomes the main character through whom the story is told. Through the laudanum-induced stupor, the reader begins the climb with the main character from where she’s hit rock-bottom and ends the story with her on a high note as the bad-ass she is.
All hail the Old West in all her glory!
Why, you may ask, does the story start out with the main character in a laudanum-induced stupor, and why is she separated from her fella? Well, I cannot tell you that. You’ll have to get a copy of the book and read the daylights out of it just like I did!
Even though this book reads marvelously as a stand-alone, do as I’m going to do and grab a copy of Sawbones and Blood Oath. The characters deserve to be caressed with your eyes, and I know your eyes will adore Lenhardt’s writing as much as I do!
This Texas gal hereby grants Badlands 4 ½ Bad-Ass Brooms!
June 27, 2017
The end of a trilogy that comes full circle for Catherine/Laura/Helen (the woman with many names).
When I first started reading this series, the grittiness and gore took me by surprise. While we know that the late 1800's in the west was not a tame period or place to be, I was a bit surprised by how detailed the books were in describing the raids on and by the indians, the whore houses and just people in general. I have heard that some compare this to Outlander. I've never read that book but would imagine is it the raw and rough scenes that cause the comparison.
This book/series holds nothing back and really entranced me as the reader, imagining what it would be like to live in those times and under those conditions. The type of medical care that wasn't really available and the charlatans that sold "snake oil" as cures for whatever ailed you.
Catherine/Laura/Helen is definitely a strong female character, but almost too strong in my opinion. I know that she never expected to fall in love and get married, and I know that this time period women were not seen as equals but almost as servants to their husband. Other women were fiercely strong too including Rosemond who is trying to make an honest living out her life and erase her own past. Laura and Rosemond may think they are different from each other, but really are alike in many ways and figure this out in the 2nd and 3rd books. I had to admire the gumption of many of the women in this book for taking their future into their own hands and not being dictated by society.
There are so many facets to this story that I thought the author did a wonderful job of exploring and leaving us with a mixed bag of emotions throughout the series.
When I first started reading this series, the grittiness and gore took me by surprise. While we know that the late 1800's in the west was not a tame period or place to be, I was a bit surprised by how detailed the books were in describing the raids on and by the indians, the whore houses and just people in general. I have heard that some compare this to Outlander. I've never read that book but would imagine is it the raw and rough scenes that cause the comparison.
This book/series holds nothing back and really entranced me as the reader, imagining what it would be like to live in those times and under those conditions. The type of medical care that wasn't really available and the charlatans that sold "snake oil" as cures for whatever ailed you.
Catherine/Laura/Helen is definitely a strong female character, but almost too strong in my opinion. I know that she never expected to fall in love and get married, and I know that this time period women were not seen as equals but almost as servants to their husband. Other women were fiercely strong too including Rosemond who is trying to make an honest living out her life and erase her own past. Laura and Rosemond may think they are different from each other, but really are alike in many ways and figure this out in the 2nd and 3rd books. I had to admire the gumption of many of the women in this book for taking their future into their own hands and not being dictated by society.
There are so many facets to this story that I thought the author did a wonderful job of exploring and leaving us with a mixed bag of emotions throughout the series.
February 1, 2020
The third and final conclusion to the epic feminist western concerning Laura/Catherine Kindle.
In this sequel, Kindle is absent throughout most of the story, having been arrested at end of the last book, leaving Laura at the mercy of ex-hooker Rosemond, drugged to her eyeballs due to her severe period cramps and bound for an arduous journey to Cheyenne.
Rosemond is by far the most fascinating, complex character in the whole series. She is untrustworthy and incredibly shady but in time, we come to know the reasons why, which made her a lot more sympathetic and fully-fledged human being, flaws and all.
The world of the Sawbones trilogy is so rigidly misogynist and racist and full of violence, condescending talk and injustice towards these two groups that it made my blood BROIL. Men women, sheriffs, priests, lawmakers and even doctors don’t think of females as anything other than wives and baby making machines, and absolutely nothing else. Society lets men run rampant with their lynchings of black people and rape of young girls, yet condone women and black people for wanting to live better lives than what they have been given.
Reading these novels has forcefully reminded me how far we have come as a society. From respecting female roles in medicine, science and maths, to confronting racial injustice in the courts. As a lesbian woman writer wanting to be with my lover and not worry about what people think of me, I realised how damn lucky I am.
And yet there is still some work to be done in those areas. Unfortunately you can’t outdo years of societal traits that force women and people of colour to be second class citizens.
If there is more to this story of Laura and William Kindle, I would love to read it.
In this sequel, Kindle is absent throughout most of the story, having been arrested at end of the last book, leaving Laura at the mercy of ex-hooker Rosemond, drugged to her eyeballs due to her severe period cramps and bound for an arduous journey to Cheyenne.
Rosemond is by far the most fascinating, complex character in the whole series. She is untrustworthy and incredibly shady but in time, we come to know the reasons why, which made her a lot more sympathetic and fully-fledged human being, flaws and all.
The world of the Sawbones trilogy is so rigidly misogynist and racist and full of violence, condescending talk and injustice towards these two groups that it made my blood BROIL. Men women, sheriffs, priests, lawmakers and even doctors don’t think of females as anything other than wives and baby making machines, and absolutely nothing else. Society lets men run rampant with their lynchings of black people and rape of young girls, yet condone women and black people for wanting to live better lives than what they have been given.
Reading these novels has forcefully reminded me how far we have come as a society. From respecting female roles in medicine, science and maths, to confronting racial injustice in the courts. As a lesbian woman writer wanting to be with my lover and not worry about what people think of me, I realised how damn lucky I am.
And yet there is still some work to be done in those areas. Unfortunately you can’t outdo years of societal traits that force women and people of colour to be second class citizens.
If there is more to this story of Laura and William Kindle, I would love to read it.
July 18, 2017
It was difficult for me to review only one book, so this is about the whole series.
It is definitely not easy to read. I was warned that these books are gritty but I still expected it to be like Ellen O'Connell's books, full of drama, high stakes and amazing characters that are complicated but easy to like. This was definitely something else.
These books were sometimes too much for me, even though after the beginning I expected poor Laura, William and everyone around them to suffer. But it seemed like Laura only had to take a breath and someone would die because of it. The author is merciless to everyone, which seemed quite realistic but it was a bit exhausting.
I appreciated the development of the characters however it was often difficult to still like them, but then I remember what they went through. The ending was a bit abrupt but the mystery was finally cleared.
I'm not sure I will read Sawbones again but I loved how it was written so I'm definitely going to check Melissa Lenhardt's other books.
It is definitely not easy to read. I was warned that these books are gritty but I still expected it to be like Ellen O'Connell's books, full of drama, high stakes and amazing characters that are complicated but easy to like. This was definitely something else.
These books were sometimes too much for me, even though after the beginning I expected poor Laura, William and everyone around them to suffer. But it seemed like Laura only had to take a breath and someone would die because of it. The author is merciless to everyone, which seemed quite realistic but it was a bit exhausting.
I appreciated the development of the characters however it was often difficult to still like them, but then I remember what they went through. The ending was a bit abrupt but the mystery was finally cleared.
I'm not sure I will read Sawbones again but I loved how it was written so I'm definitely going to check Melissa Lenhardt's other books.
August 25, 2017
Oh how I didn't want this trilogy to end, but end it must. Badlands packs a powerful punch from the first page all the way to the last. As with the first two books, the ride in Badlands is fast paced, mesmerizing, rough and gritty, and oh so exciting. I absolutely love Lenhardt's ability to develop characters who are perfectly flawed in every way. I was right up there with Laura/Helen in her love-hate relationship with Rosamond. Seriously, even the minor characters are well developed and interesting.
Laura (yes, let's just call her Laura) is brave, vulnerable, flawed, broken, and resilient. I am so impressed with her characterization throughout the entire trilogy, but Badlands has our girl struggling with drug addiction, constant fear, and excruciating sadness. But don't despair. Did I mention Laura is resilient?
If you're overly sensitive or squeamish in any way, this trilogy might not be for you. But I love the non-stop action and the every-subject-is-fair-game mentality. Lenhardt's style is boldly refreshing.
***
"You and I both know men don't want to see the real woman beneath the silks and perfume and powder." ~ chapter 14
"Sometimes we believe what we want to believe, all evidence to the contrary." ~ chapter 17
"Nothing good happens in the shadows." ~ chapter 21
"Wasn't that true friendship? Loving someone, flaws and all?" ~ chapter 26
"Goddamn, you're a fine woman, Laura Kindle." ~ chapter 32
Laura (yes, let's just call her Laura) is brave, vulnerable, flawed, broken, and resilient. I am so impressed with her characterization throughout the entire trilogy, but Badlands has our girl struggling with drug addiction, constant fear, and excruciating sadness. But don't despair. Did I mention Laura is resilient?
If you're overly sensitive or squeamish in any way, this trilogy might not be for you. But I love the non-stop action and the every-subject-is-fair-game mentality. Lenhardt's style is boldly refreshing.
***
"You and I both know men don't want to see the real woman beneath the silks and perfume and powder." ~ chapter 14
"Sometimes we believe what we want to believe, all evidence to the contrary." ~ chapter 17
"Nothing good happens in the shadows." ~ chapter 21
"Wasn't that true friendship? Loving someone, flaws and all?" ~ chapter 26
"Goddamn, you're a fine woman, Laura Kindle." ~ chapter 32
August 18, 2017
This was a really good conclusion to an interesting series. In this concluding novel, the story was focused almost entirely on Laura, which I really enjoyed. Kindle, while always present, took a backseat in this story and it actually worked for the better. This novel had 2 female protagonists (including Laura) and I really liked reading about how they fought and worked with each other throughout the course of the story. Again, the author did a great job maintaining the historical setting of the novel. All of the open ends were tied up really nice with this book. After all the negative things that occur in this novel, it still ended on a positive note, which I was happy about. This was definitely a successful Western historical fiction series and I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of this genre!
I received this novel as an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews, visit: www.veereading.wordpress.com
I received this novel as an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews, visit: www.veereading.wordpress.com
October 13, 2019
3.5* After the non-stop action, peril and chaos of bk 2 this came as a welcome respite. Here much of the turmoil was internal as Laura is still always worried about being found out as a wanted fugitive but at least she is able to have a home and a modicum of respectability in the town of Cheyenne. Eventually things happen to bring about the conclusion of the trilogy. I found a few coincidences a tad hard to believe along the way. I was happy to be introduced to a new character in wealthy eccentric Hazel Dockery who, with penny dreadful author Pope, work to prove Laura’s innocence back East. I would enjoy reading further adventures of do-gooder and champion of social justice Hazel and her assistant Mr Pope. They were such interesting characters with tons of potential.
June 5, 2017
Thank you, NetGalley and Hatchett Book Group for the free e-copy of Badlands by Melissa Lenhardt in exchange for my honest-to-goodness review of the third and final installment of the Sawbones saga.
Format: ebook
Tissue warning: possibly a few times
HEA: series, complete
Triggers: violence, death, medical procedures, same-sex scenes
Narrative: first person (following Helen/Laura/Catherine)
My reviewer rating: 4 out of 5
Recommend read: absolutely, if you can stomach the violence and racism of the time
Published: June 27, 2017
see my full review at www.iseeyoursmile.com (coming soon)
Format: ebook
Tissue warning: possibly a few times
HEA: series, complete
Triggers: violence, death, medical procedures, same-sex scenes
Narrative: first person (following Helen/Laura/Catherine)
My reviewer rating: 4 out of 5
Recommend read: absolutely, if you can stomach the violence and racism of the time
Published: June 27, 2017
see my full review at www.iseeyoursmile.com (coming soon)
June 9, 2017
Fans of the Wild West, the Open Range, and reading about women who fight to survive will love this pioneer telling by Melissa Lenhardt. Could not put this down because I had to know what was going to happen to Laura Elliston. The "Blood Oath" the previous installment ended with Kindle and Laura's separation. Laura's journey takes her to Wyoming where she struggles to evade the law, mend a broken heart and fight for her dreams. The conclusion will not disappoint so enjoy. "A copy of this book was provided to me by Orbit Books and author via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read and my comments here are my honest opinion."
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