Transmutation Texas

by R.H. Snow

In a World gone Viral, a Hero shall Arise - join the Revolution with WATCHER of the DAMNED!

The Happening wreaked havoc as Humanity got a hard reset from a deadly gender-cidal Virus - and for TransMutated Survivors like The Watcher, life in Post-Apocalyptic Texas just got a whole lot bloodier and a whole lot lonelier. In a cyberpunk Wild West gone awry, The Watcher was a Rebel without a clue under the a brutal, high-tech Social Construct engineered to serve the Enlightened and oppress the Damned. But that's all about to change, thanks to a cheeky chaos agent named Rose...

Now The Watcher must lead a Revolution to save Rose from the System He helped create, or Rose will die - and Humanity will die with her.

Fight the System - Join the Revolution - with WATCHER of the DAMNED!

277 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2020

About the author

Once upon a time in pre-apocalyptic Texas, singer, sketcher and gamer R. H. Snow fused a balladeer’s dynamic storytelling with experience as a firefighting, storm-chasing EMT to bring the sci-fi western series “WATCHER of the DAMNED” to gritty, exuberant life. Snow’s saga of post-apocalyptic Texas combines bleeding-edge action with heart and humor to create a Tall Texas Tale of life, love and liberty after pandemic world’s end. WATCHER of the DAMNED is Snow's love song to the indomitable spirit of the Survivor in us all, and a tribute to all people who fight to be free.
A seventh-generation Texan, R. H. Snow lives on a small Ranch with a loving family of redeemed Humans and rescued dogs, cats, donkeys, chickens, goats, a horse named Ranger and a Longhorn Cow named Cinnabon. Snow does not have a Chupacabra... yet.
Snow is turning the Watcher of the Damned book series into a radio dramaesque podcast. Check it out on her podcast page or anywhere you find your podcasts.

Reviews

[S. Pierzchala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been on my radar for some time, and after reading some very mixed reviews, I decided to check it out for myself. Am I glad I did! “Watcher of the Damned” is a tale of high strangeness that takes place unspecified years in the future, following a cataclysmic “Happening”. Perhaps it was an EMP, concurrent with the release of a deadly virus that killed much of humanity, maybe it was a Divine judgement. In any case, by the time humanity was stricken, there had already been some interesting tech advances, as well as the attempted establishment of the perennial One World Government bogeyman. But the “Happening” disrupted those plans, much like the scattering of humanity following the Tower of Babel.

In Snow's world, survivors have mutated to the point where they are almost different species, most with exaggerated secondary sex characteristics. They are generally long-lived and strong, but also infertile.

The trope of a bleak, brutal post-apocalyptic world of sex cults and vicious tribal politics is handled in way that completely subverted my expectations. While Snow touches on issues of totalitarianism vs freedom, she focuses mainly on the more universal theme of the complementary nature of the sexes. She does this in away that reaches levels of allegory or mythos, yet is still confined within the characters' interactions. She skillfully keeps the hero and heroine relatable and sympathetic, even as they are also larger-than-life archetypes of Male and Female.

With lyrical prose that balances much of the musky earthiness of the subject matter, the story follows The Watcher, the mute slave of the Reunion Camp, and the fairy-like Rose, a scout on a mission for a mysterious rival compound. As fate throws these two together, more questions arise for every one answered, which certainly kept me turning pages. In the Watcher's world, Rose shouldn't exist. In Rose's world, the Watcher is an animalistic demon to be pitied and manipulated.

The enfolding love story between these two lost souls becomes a dance, sometimes violent and animalistic, (but never graphic), sometimes dreamily mystical. The second half of the book contains little action other than some encounters with dangerous wildlife, but by then, the interactions between The Watcher and Rose take center stage as the voiceless mutant finds a way to communicate with his captive. Sexual tension builds as each learns more about the other's tragic history. Yet not all secrets are revealed, and trust is more fragile than a wild flower trampled by a rampaging hog on the Texas prairie.

Since the course of true love never runs smooth, the reader is left with an ending that isn't exactly a cliffhanger, but definitely has a 'to be continued' vibe as one of the pair walks alone into the sunset. I knew going into this that this is part one, so wasn't caught off-guard.

This review only scratches the surface of how unusual, rich and sensory this book is. Overall, I was so caught up by this weird world and its unique characters, that I had trouble putting the book down, and I know it's going to stay with me. I tip my hat to Snow for her impressive achievement and am definitely going to look into the rest of the series!

[John A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Fallout: Texas with a solid dash of The Virginian and Have Gun Will Travel. Labeled a Post-apocalyptic sci-fi western doesn’t do this book Justice. At its heart is the Hardy, mutated survivors of the a biogermilogical apocalypse called The Happening where the few survivors are caught in a demented social credit socialist hell called The System.
There are three characters: Centerpiece is Saul aka The Watcher. A stoic, mute man of deep thoughts and intense actions. Opposite him is the young, sassy, and resourceful pistol of a gal named Rose.
The third character is Texas itself, which has enough characterization to become to this book what Gotham City is to Batman or The Capitol Wasteland is to Fallout 3. Everything about Texas is romanticized: the flora, fauna, deadly wildlife, the literature, the mindset, the myths and legends, and it’s untamed wilderness. It comes alive thanks to an author who is a lifelong resident of the state.
At the very heart of this action packed tale is a story of man and woman on several levels. The relationship between Saul and Rose works as characters and as analogies for man and woman in general. How we are as different as we are alike, how our strengths and weaknesses contrast and compliment one another and the enduring, intangible attraction that draws us together. It indulges in the introspection that few authors would chance at the sake of the story itself drawing to a slower pace.
But Rose and The Watcher are the heart of the story and I don’t begrudge the author the necessary time to explore their burgeoning relationship with a romantic heart even as all hell breaks loose around the characters. This kind of in depth look comes from a person with genuine life experience and brings it to bear.
While some passages and the twilight of the book might move a little slow and the plot itself moseys into the sequel with a cliffhanger that makes you want to pick up the sequel, this is the kind of fun indie book and unique author voice that is missing from a lot of tradpub books.
RH Snow crafted something truly special. I implore you to partake in her love letter to Texas and Fallout. Take a chance and Fall in love

[Charles Watley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have known the family for several years. As I read the appendix, I realized the whole family contributed to the story. Becky is a great storyteller and a very knowledgeable person on a great many subjects. She used this vast knowledge to create an intriguing story with two strong characters. She has cleverly used language and slang in explaining the world. I am anxious to discuss with her how she developed the series. It maintained my interest for many days in between my daily home duties. I am looking forward to the remaining issues. I have recommended it to other aspiring authors as an example for "you can do it, too."

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Watcher of the Damned” is a universe overflowing with ideas and crazy plot lines. R.H. Snow is an author struggling to contain all the emotions and feelings flowing out onto the page. Set in a post-apocalyptic Texas, this novel is written like a log-book come literary work. This style of writing lends itself well to the story. Unlike many authors who stick to sparse and efficient writing, Snow has created a feeling unique to her books. I give her writing style 5 stars.

If you love Texas (and this is a big must), and you love a slow burning, brutal, mysterious post-apocalyptic story with a strong salute to God and Country, then this is the book for you. Snow has many books in the series (haven’t read those yet) and has a podcast with more content too. If you’re a Texan and you haven’t bought this book yet, well, shame on you! 😊

I expect an RPG video game similar to the Wasteland series based on R.H. Snow’s universe to be made at some point. Find out more here: https://www.watcherofthedamned.com/

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book seems to be written by a seasoned writer, though this is the author’s first book. She has incorporated her vast knowledge of Texas to create a land familiar, but no longer welcoming. “The Watcher” is repulsive, yet maintains enough of his humanity to be a sympathetic character, an almost good guy in this alien land. The characters are strong and well developed and I was intrigued by them. Snow’s knowledge of the Texas terrain, it’s flora and fauna, described in beautiful detail, lends credibility to the journey that she takes us on. If you’ve never been to Texas, you will feel that you have. This story grabbed me from the first sentence and held me till the end. I can’t wait for the release of the next book in the series

[blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this word of umpteen book series, it's refreshing to see a Book One that: Is interesting; Is deep; Feels like a full story; Feels like a great beginning; Feels like it's announcing an epic that not just "the same, but more of it". R. H. Snow has taken a number of different genres (science fiction, western, post-apocalyptic, even romantic-comedy) and blended them seamlessly in a way that doesn't feel like just another mashup of tropes.

I see some complaints about the world-building which I don't quite share. After a gripping start, the book does some necessary background to give us understanding about the world. If none of this comes back in later books, I might give it half a demerit, but one of the impacts of this depth is that we get so into the Watcher's head, that when he realizes the world =isn't= the way he thought it was, it has considerable more impact.

Overall, I'd say the handling is quite good: We feel like we're in the Watcher's confined reality and slowly (and sometimes abruptly!) realize he doesn't know-it-all. In other words, where exposition can often feel like an omniscient author is laying groundwork, this feel's more like our hero's imperfect (and often just wrong) viewpoint.

It's generally just the right amount to keep us interested: We're never too far from an action scene, or a character conflict, and the story taking place in Texas (in actual locations) keeps everything nicely grounded.

On top of all this, Snow has a flare for the poetic, and this reveals itself both in the Big Picture and, most refreshingly of all, in the wordcraft. The words flow and have a nice rhythm, and I could really see enjoying this in audio form, read by the author perhaps or maybe Sam Elliot.

My favorite series so far this year!

[Shannon Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

To the me the best recommendation I can give a book is that I don’t want to put it down. R. H. Snow succeeded in this goal (mostly).
The start of the book was a little slow for me. While the blurb bills the book as cyberpunk Wild West (intriguing on its own) there is almost nothing cyberpunk in the opening scenes. It is very post-apocalyptic (also mentioned in the blurb and also one of my favored genres) but also very dark. The darkness and the lack of relatability (at that point) to the characters did not hook me initially, however…
Shortly after the female protagonist, Rose, is introduced I was hooked. Then, the cyber-punk aspect was introduced and I could not put it down until I finished it.
Spoiler Alert: You will want to have Six-Gun Shiva (book 2 in the series) ready to go when you finish Transmutation Texas.
This book is an eclectic mix of a lot of things. The interplay between the two protagonists, Rose and The Watcher, is enjoyable and frustrating (in a good way). The world building is truly unique. The minutiae of Texas history and especially the botanical aspects of it are interesting and, even for a native Texas, educational. The mystery introduced and teased as the book progresses is not only unique but also intriguing, leaving the reader wanting to know more.
Push through the first few chapters even if they are not your cup of tea and you’ll be rewarded with a great read!

[Keith S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid book. It's a post-apocalyptic world with the setting in central Texas. The first part of the book is a bit of a mixed bag for me. Too much exposition for my tastes. Too much talk of sex, prostitution, mutilation, etc. but it's just giving the background of this brutal new existence. The first encounter with Rose is very well done as it really juxtaposes her understanding of the world against the Watcher. It really opens up the setting outside of Camp Reunion. It goes back in to narration mode where you get some snippets of Life Before further expanding the lore of this world There is another good scene between Rose and the Watcher adding more bits of backstory. The last third or so of the book I read at a quicker pace as I was eager to see how it all unfolded as some other parties get involved and everyone begins making plans that will clearly lead to some conflicts in the future. There is some resolution and plenty of plot threads left open to keep you interested for the next book which I will definitely be picking up at some point. One note about this book that may bother you is the plethora of syntax errors. Nothing that breaks the flow of the story, and at first it didn't bother me, but there were so many more then I'm used to that it started getting annoying. All in all, this was a good book and I recommend it.

[DS Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It's a fresh take on the post-apocalypse genre with a Texas flavor so unique, you can almost smell the mesquite smoke. The characters are well thought out, but still fictitious and larger than life enough to maintain the slight campiness. The main character is compelling and human, an imperfect man in a world gone nuts (with a great taste in music).

Really fun, warm storytelling. Bought the next one right after I finished this one.

[Sablehawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imaginative Apocalypse

Really imaginative take on the world after a strange Apocalypse. The Watcher is an interesting character, though he has so.e rough spots. Overall, a good yarn.

[Joseph L L · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the apocalypse hit, it wasn't zombie hordes that happened, it was a loss of women as a testosterone virus swept the world. Depending on how much of a person was exposed to the virus, they either became machos (Men who were super-armored and super muscled) or betas (Lighter armored and slighter). In contrast, women became Hembres (Women with masculine features.)
The Watcher is a macho who guards the gates to Reunion, keeping out the other mutated animals that have resulted.
Into this world, Rose (An Asura from Tesorio) appears, catching the attention of the watcher. Having not seen a woman in fifty years, Watcher is entranced by this vivacious woman that exudes sexuality and tragedy.
Rose is in search of a flower that can save her people.