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The Thirteenth Koyote
An evil has returned to the town of Hope’s Hill.
When a grave robber unearths the corpse of Jasper Thurston, a piece of the body is stolen, one that will call the Koyotes from across the plains. They are a vicious company of outlaws, part madmen and part wolves. Their leader is Glenn the Dreadful, and he’s out to gather the power of the Menhir, a particle from an ancient evil.
The fate of Hope’s Hill—and perhaps the world—rests in the hands of unlikely heroes. A rugged U.S. Marshall, a teenage girl out for revenge, an emancipated slave, a nun with a dark secret, and a mysterious half-breed with the number thirteen tattooed on his neck.
The Thirteenth KoyoteGone to See the River Man and Full Brutal. Filled with gunfights as well as ghouls, it is a horror epic as big as the open range.
When a grave robber unearths the corpse of Jasper Thurston, a piece of the body is stolen, one that will call the Koyotes from across the plains. They are a vicious company of outlaws, part madmen and part wolves. Their leader is Glenn the Dreadful, and he’s out to gather the power of the Menhir, a particle from an ancient evil.
The fate of Hope’s Hill—and perhaps the world—rests in the hands of unlikely heroes. A rugged U.S. Marshall, a teenage girl out for revenge, an emancipated slave, a nun with a dark secret, and a mysterious half-breed with the number thirteen tattooed on his neck.
The Thirteenth KoyoteGone to See the River Man and Full Brutal. Filled with gunfights as well as ghouls, it is a horror epic as big as the open range.
502 pages, Paperback
First published December 29, 2020
82 people are currently reading
1795 people want to read
About the author
Kristopher Triana
67 books2,106 followersKristopher Triana is the author of Gone to See the River Man, Full Brutal, They All Died Screaming, Shepherd of the Black Sheep, Toxic Love, and more.
His fiction has appeared in countless magazines and anthologies and has been translated into multiple languages, drawing praise from Publisher's Weekly, Cemetery Dance, Rue Morgue, Scream, The Ginger Nuts of Horror and others.
Full Brutal won the Splatterpunk Award for Best Horror Novel of 2019, and Triana won the award again in 2022 for The Night Stockers, which he cowrote with Ryan Harding.
He lives in Connecticut.
His fiction has appeared in countless magazines and anthologies and has been translated into multiple languages, drawing praise from Publisher's Weekly, Cemetery Dance, Rue Morgue, Scream, The Ginger Nuts of Horror and others.
Full Brutal won the Splatterpunk Award for Best Horror Novel of 2019, and Triana won the award again in 2022 for The Night Stockers, which he cowrote with Ryan Harding.
He lives in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
January 8, 2025
So this book was very epic in its scale. It had everything in it, from ghosts, demons, sorcery, werewolf cowboys, and was action-packed, bloody and hugely entertaining. I'm not a fan of westerns, but this kept my full attention. Much like Gone to See the River Man, Kristopher Triana's writing is absolutely flawless here, too. My only critique was the amount of characters in it proved to be a bit difficult to keep track of. The entire ending sequence was absolutely bonkers (In a great way!), and with so much going on simultaneously, I found myself having to go back and forth to keep on top of each person. Another great showing by the very talented author!
February 1, 2021
This is the first Death's Head Press Review that I am writing *after* I was hired as their social media manager/publicist. So you can take this review with a grain of salt, but just know that nothing influences my reading experience and I am always totally transparent about my feelings. Death's Head Press knows this. The authors who publish books through them know this. I have a job description but 'paid reviews' is not one of them.
Casual horror readers be warned: This is brutal. Full stop. And just in case the word "brutal" has lost its edge, here's a definition,
"Savagely violent; vicious; ferocious; barbaric; punishingly hard; bloodthirsty; cruel."
Yes to all of those things and more. Trigger warnings? Sure. All of them.
Now, let's get to the meat on these bones and the marrow inside 'em, shall we?
This is an epic Splatter Western with a complex, intricately plotted storyline. There's a large cast of characters and Triana spends time developing them. There are several supporting themes like, vengeance and redemption but the central one is a classic, Good vs. Evil/Light vs. Darkness.
No time is wasted revealing the nature of the Koyotes, a band of outlaws traveling from town to town on a killing spree. Victims are brutalized in a variety of explicit, detailed ways. Readers should expect nothing to be held back. The Koyotes are more beast than human. But there is some method to the madness. Lead by Glenn the Dreadful, the Koyotes are on the hunt for a talisman of sorts that will amplify their power and ultimately bring about the destruction of mankind unleashing the power of Hell.
Meanwhile, in a small town called Hope's Hill, a convent of nuns have been protecting this talisman the wolfen are looking for with an unconventional but seemingly necessary method.
The power of the darkness attached to the Menhir is growing in intensity and calling out to the Koyotes.
As the story develops, more townspeople join together to form a small counterattack against the impending doom the Koyotes will surely bring upon them. Their reputation of violence and carnage precedes them. The chapters with the Koyotes were very dark. I’m not going to sugarcoat this. Glenn the Dreadful’s backstory is particularly disturbing and difficult to read. One of the other Koyotes, Hiram, is a pedophile/child murderer. Some scenes are just too terrible to speak of, honestly. So why didn’t quit? I have tapped out of books that are far less offensive.
Talent.
Storytelling ability.
Trust.
This is my third or fourth book I’ve enjoyed by Kristopher Triana and I’ve come to appreciate his particular, signature brand of horror. He knows what he’s doing. His books are shocking and disturbing but there is always a reason for everything--an intention behind all the graphic images. Also, if I can say this without sounding like a total pervert, Triana knows how to write explicit sexual scenes without it being awkward or lame. Pornographic, yes. Horny. Dirty. Violent.
All of those things but never out of his element. I’ve read sex scenes from authors who just seem unsure--fumbling around awkwardly with word choices that are just offputting or weird. But that isn’t the case with Triana.
This isn’t to say the sex is always sexy, because it’s not and there will be plenty of readers who will be offended by everything in this book. But I found there to be enough redeeming value to continue on. I was captivated. I was addicted. I needed to know what would happen to my heroes. I was *this close* to tweeting Kristopher Triana that 'I hated him' IF anything happened to one of my precious favorites. But I guess he throws us a bone once in awhile. I feel like he does care about us somehow--Most of the time I feel like he’s intentionally trying to hurt his audience but believe it or not, it took this savage Splatter Western to feel like Triana built into the author/reader relationship and he gave us a gift! I won’t say what, because it would be a spoiler--but he didn’t have to do it--I was expecting nothing. I was expecting the story to say “fuck your feelings, Sadie” but it didn’t. Thanks Triana. We earned it! You took us on a pretty fucked up journey at the end of the day, damn it if I didn’t enjoy it. A lot.
Casual horror readers be warned: This is brutal. Full stop. And just in case the word "brutal" has lost its edge, here's a definition,
"Savagely violent; vicious; ferocious; barbaric; punishingly hard; bloodthirsty; cruel."
Yes to all of those things and more. Trigger warnings? Sure. All of them.
Now, let's get to the meat on these bones and the marrow inside 'em, shall we?
This is an epic Splatter Western with a complex, intricately plotted storyline. There's a large cast of characters and Triana spends time developing them. There are several supporting themes like, vengeance and redemption but the central one is a classic, Good vs. Evil/Light vs. Darkness.
No time is wasted revealing the nature of the Koyotes, a band of outlaws traveling from town to town on a killing spree. Victims are brutalized in a variety of explicit, detailed ways. Readers should expect nothing to be held back. The Koyotes are more beast than human. But there is some method to the madness. Lead by Glenn the Dreadful, the Koyotes are on the hunt for a talisman of sorts that will amplify their power and ultimately bring about the destruction of mankind unleashing the power of Hell.
Meanwhile, in a small town called Hope's Hill, a convent of nuns have been protecting this talisman the wolfen are looking for with an unconventional but seemingly necessary method.
The power of the darkness attached to the Menhir is growing in intensity and calling out to the Koyotes.
As the story develops, more townspeople join together to form a small counterattack against the impending doom the Koyotes will surely bring upon them. Their reputation of violence and carnage precedes them. The chapters with the Koyotes were very dark. I’m not going to sugarcoat this. Glenn the Dreadful’s backstory is particularly disturbing and difficult to read. One of the other Koyotes, Hiram, is a pedophile/child murderer. Some scenes are just too terrible to speak of, honestly. So why didn’t quit? I have tapped out of books that are far less offensive.
Talent.
Storytelling ability.
Trust.
This is my third or fourth book I’ve enjoyed by Kristopher Triana and I’ve come to appreciate his particular, signature brand of horror. He knows what he’s doing. His books are shocking and disturbing but there is always a reason for everything--an intention behind all the graphic images. Also, if I can say this without sounding like a total pervert, Triana knows how to write explicit sexual scenes without it being awkward or lame. Pornographic, yes. Horny. Dirty. Violent.
All of those things but never out of his element. I’ve read sex scenes from authors who just seem unsure--fumbling around awkwardly with word choices that are just offputting or weird. But that isn’t the case with Triana.
This isn’t to say the sex is always sexy, because it’s not and there will be plenty of readers who will be offended by everything in this book. But I found there to be enough redeeming value to continue on. I was captivated. I was addicted. I needed to know what would happen to my heroes. I was *this close* to tweeting Kristopher Triana that 'I hated him' IF anything happened to one of my precious favorites. But I guess he throws us a bone once in awhile. I feel like he does care about us somehow--Most of the time I feel like he’s intentionally trying to hurt his audience but believe it or not, it took this savage Splatter Western to feel like Triana built into the author/reader relationship and he gave us a gift! I won’t say what, because it would be a spoiler--but he didn’t have to do it--I was expecting nothing. I was expecting the story to say “fuck your feelings, Sadie” but it didn’t. Thanks Triana. We earned it! You took us on a pretty fucked up journey at the end of the day, damn it if I didn’t enjoy it. A lot.
March 1, 2021
Where to even begin with this review? It's absolutely daunting to write a review for a book that I loved as much as I loved this one. I feel at a loss for words to describe the experience. But of course I'm going to try my best because as a reviewer my goal is to get other people to read the books I love. I want to share the experience without giving anything away, but it's so hard to do that when you are absolutely gushing over a book. Anyway, I think you can see where I'm going with this.
Reading the Splatter Western series released last year by Death's Head Press has been quite a journey. I can think of no better way to end this part of the series than with Kristopher Triana's epic THE THIRTEENTH KOYOTE. This book sincerely has all of the elements that I look for in an amazing book. Firstly, it's long and thick. Now, I love a good novella, but thick books, doorstoppers, if you will, are some of my absolute favorite books. A book over 500 pages long lets you swim around in the world you have escaped into for much longer than an average length book. And this world, the world Triana creates, is one that you are going to want to spend time in.
One thing that really stood out for me is how amazing Triana's characters are in this story. These are fully realized characters that go through so much over the course of the novel. It's wonderful to see characters that are absolutely beaten down and left with nothing finally have a chance to seek revenge. And the evil characters in this book, the Koyotes, are so evil that you will be on the edge of your seat rooting for your beloved good guys to bring them crashing down. I loved so many of Triana's characters in this one, and I felt their pain so deeply. That's fantastic writing.
And the action in this one! This book has edge of your seat, heart in your throat, full blown action sequences that leave you breathless in between. And you better believe that Triana brings the blood in this one. There are so many gory scenes and disturbing imagery that the pages practically ooze blood. Extreme horror lovers will not be disappointed. Seriously, this book is literally like the cherry topper on a blood filled Splatter Western Sundae. It's epic. It's phenomenal. It's a must read for lovers of horror. You need to pick this one up.
Reading the Splatter Western series released last year by Death's Head Press has been quite a journey. I can think of no better way to end this part of the series than with Kristopher Triana's epic THE THIRTEENTH KOYOTE. This book sincerely has all of the elements that I look for in an amazing book. Firstly, it's long and thick. Now, I love a good novella, but thick books, doorstoppers, if you will, are some of my absolute favorite books. A book over 500 pages long lets you swim around in the world you have escaped into for much longer than an average length book. And this world, the world Triana creates, is one that you are going to want to spend time in.
One thing that really stood out for me is how amazing Triana's characters are in this story. These are fully realized characters that go through so much over the course of the novel. It's wonderful to see characters that are absolutely beaten down and left with nothing finally have a chance to seek revenge. And the evil characters in this book, the Koyotes, are so evil that you will be on the edge of your seat rooting for your beloved good guys to bring them crashing down. I loved so many of Triana's characters in this one, and I felt their pain so deeply. That's fantastic writing.
And the action in this one! This book has edge of your seat, heart in your throat, full blown action sequences that leave you breathless in between. And you better believe that Triana brings the blood in this one. There are so many gory scenes and disturbing imagery that the pages practically ooze blood. Extreme horror lovers will not be disappointed. Seriously, this book is literally like the cherry topper on a blood filled Splatter Western Sundae. It's epic. It's phenomenal. It's a must read for lovers of horror. You need to pick this one up.
January 14, 2021
The latest in Death Head’s Press line of Splatter Westerns is a book that challenges the very concept of the series, in that ‘Splatter’ feels like a woeful understatement of the carnage you are in for within its pages.
The Koyotes are a brutal band of murderous outlaws, seemingly unstoppable thanks to their wolfen curse, they revel in debauchery and violence, spreading fear wherever they go. Their leader, Glenn the Dreadful, has greater ambitions, however, as he seeks to follow in the footsteps of their fallen leader, Jasper Thurston, in bringing forth a timeless evil straight from the bowels of hell.
Luther Byrne used to be a Koyote. He has fought alongside them, killed for them, and far, far worse. Still haunted by the atrocities he once committed, and in a constant fight against his wolfen nature, only he is able to stand against Glenn and his gang to put a stop to his plans once and for all. Joined by an ageing U.S Marshall, a young woman seeking retribution and an emancipated slave, Luther will make his final stand at the town of Hope’s Hill, where the fate of the West, and perhaps the world itself, will be decided.
I recently reviewed Kristopher Triana’s novella ‘Gone to See the River Man’, a dark, slow burn that oozed dread and malice. In terms of quality, ‘The Thirteenth Koyote’ is comfortably on a par with a book that I rated the full five stars and featured on my ‘Best of 2020’ list but, in terms of content, the two couldn’t be further apart as Triana’s latest is anything but a slow burn. In fact, I’m hard-pressed to name a book that is more dementedly inventive and gleefully over the top.
It is like Triana has taken the old adage of ‘throw everything at the wall and see what sticks’, and has found the secret formula to making the answer a resounding ‘All of it’. The Koyotes amass a body-count to put Rambo to shame, and that’s before things really get going. The action is non-stop and the splatter is creative and plentiful and nothing can quite prepare you for how truly chaotic things get. It is such a joyously entertaining book that you will fly through its 400 plus pages and crave more the second you’re finished.
What really elevates this from a fun, gory Western adventure, to a truly great book, however, is the characters. There is such a large cast, but every single one feels like a well-rounded and three-dimensional person, each worthy of a starring role in their own book. Even secondary or background characters are memorable in their way and ‘The Thirteenth Koyote’ balances an outlandish plot with real stakes. Despite the mayhem, you never once lose sight of the fact that it matters what happens to these characters.
Like Evil Dead the Western dialled up to eleven, ‘The Thirteenth Koyote’ is the perfect storm of a strong story with outstanding character work, wrapped up in enough of the gooey stuff to satisfy even the most jaded gore-hound. Only two weeks in and this feels like a shoo-in for a regular feature on horror fans ‘Best of 2021’ lists.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at https://www.myindiemuse.com/category/...
I also promote indie horror via Twitter - @RickReadsHorror
The Koyotes are a brutal band of murderous outlaws, seemingly unstoppable thanks to their wolfen curse, they revel in debauchery and violence, spreading fear wherever they go. Their leader, Glenn the Dreadful, has greater ambitions, however, as he seeks to follow in the footsteps of their fallen leader, Jasper Thurston, in bringing forth a timeless evil straight from the bowels of hell.
Luther Byrne used to be a Koyote. He has fought alongside them, killed for them, and far, far worse. Still haunted by the atrocities he once committed, and in a constant fight against his wolfen nature, only he is able to stand against Glenn and his gang to put a stop to his plans once and for all. Joined by an ageing U.S Marshall, a young woman seeking retribution and an emancipated slave, Luther will make his final stand at the town of Hope’s Hill, where the fate of the West, and perhaps the world itself, will be decided.
I recently reviewed Kristopher Triana’s novella ‘Gone to See the River Man’, a dark, slow burn that oozed dread and malice. In terms of quality, ‘The Thirteenth Koyote’ is comfortably on a par with a book that I rated the full five stars and featured on my ‘Best of 2020’ list but, in terms of content, the two couldn’t be further apart as Triana’s latest is anything but a slow burn. In fact, I’m hard-pressed to name a book that is more dementedly inventive and gleefully over the top.
It is like Triana has taken the old adage of ‘throw everything at the wall and see what sticks’, and has found the secret formula to making the answer a resounding ‘All of it’. The Koyotes amass a body-count to put Rambo to shame, and that’s before things really get going. The action is non-stop and the splatter is creative and plentiful and nothing can quite prepare you for how truly chaotic things get. It is such a joyously entertaining book that you will fly through its 400 plus pages and crave more the second you’re finished.
What really elevates this from a fun, gory Western adventure, to a truly great book, however, is the characters. There is such a large cast, but every single one feels like a well-rounded and three-dimensional person, each worthy of a starring role in their own book. Even secondary or background characters are memorable in their way and ‘The Thirteenth Koyote’ balances an outlandish plot with real stakes. Despite the mayhem, you never once lose sight of the fact that it matters what happens to these characters.
Like Evil Dead the Western dialled up to eleven, ‘The Thirteenth Koyote’ is the perfect storm of a strong story with outstanding character work, wrapped up in enough of the gooey stuff to satisfy even the most jaded gore-hound. Only two weeks in and this feels like a shoo-in for a regular feature on horror fans ‘Best of 2021’ lists.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at https://www.myindiemuse.com/category/...
I also promote indie horror via Twitter - @RickReadsHorror
November 2, 2024
I have not read many splatterwesterns, but Triana's The Thirteenth Koyote makes me want to check out more of this subgenre. The story centers on Hope's Hill, a small town in the territories somewhere. Triana introduces a wide range of characters in the beginning, oscillating POVs accordingly. The background, which Triana teases out in dribs and drabs, focuses upon one Jasper Thruston, dead for over a decade when the story starts. Jasper founded the Koyotes, a dastardly band of outlaws, who also happen to be werewolves. The Koyotes range wide and far, leaving destruction in their wake, along with half-eaten human bodies.
One of our main characters, Byrne, the titular Thirteenth Koyote, was raised (largely) in an orphanage in Hope Hill until he left as a teenager and ended up with the Koyotes. Several years after that, he 'betrayed' Jasper (along with a few other Koyotes) in Hope Hill. Jasper, an unholy mixture of werewolf and sorcerer, lay in his unmarked grave for years until an unscrupulous mortician from Hope Hill unearthed his body looking for plunder among the dead. Well, he found something-- Jasper's undead, beating heart encased in a gold amulet. When Jasper's heart once again in the open, the remaining Koyotes sense it like a beacon and head out to find it. It called Byrne as well.
Basically, we have our good guys and bad guys here, the good guys in Hope Hill, lead by a new marshal in town, along with Byrne and a handful of other colorful characters. On the other side, a half dozen or so mean and nasty Koyotes, lead by Glenn 'the awful'. Jasper died in Hope's Hill seeking out some evil relic that the local nunnery keeps under wraps, and that folks constitutes the main plot. If the plot is a bit thin, Triana covers this up with piles and piles of bodies and gore. Definitely not for the weak of heart, Triana sheds more blood here than 10 novels put together. I dug it, but this may not be everyone's cup of tea. 4 gory stars!!
One of our main characters, Byrne, the titular Thirteenth Koyote, was raised (largely) in an orphanage in Hope Hill until he left as a teenager and ended up with the Koyotes. Several years after that, he 'betrayed' Jasper (along with a few other Koyotes) in Hope Hill. Jasper, an unholy mixture of werewolf and sorcerer, lay in his unmarked grave for years until an unscrupulous mortician from Hope Hill unearthed his body looking for plunder among the dead. Well, he found something-- Jasper's undead, beating heart encased in a gold amulet. When Jasper's heart once again in the open, the remaining Koyotes sense it like a beacon and head out to find it. It called Byrne as well.
Basically, we have our good guys and bad guys here, the good guys in Hope Hill, lead by a new marshal in town, along with Byrne and a handful of other colorful characters. On the other side, a half dozen or so mean and nasty Koyotes, lead by Glenn 'the awful'. Jasper died in Hope's Hill seeking out some evil relic that the local nunnery keeps under wraps, and that folks constitutes the main plot. If the plot is a bit thin, Triana covers this up with piles and piles of bodies and gore. Definitely not for the weak of heart, Triana sheds more blood here than 10 novels put together. I dug it, but this may not be everyone's cup of tea. 4 gory stars!!
February 24, 2021
As you all know I am obsessed with Death’s Head Press splatter western series and the latest installment, without a doubt, is going to be in my top 20 books of the year. In this epic horror story, we encounter merciless, unsettling, unspeakable, and atrocious acts.
It didn’t surprise me that THE THIRTEENTH KOYOTE is a phenomenal book because Kristopher Triana is a brilliant author. I am in awe of his previous book, GONE TO SEE THE RIVER MAN, but I digress. The 500 pages of stellar storytelling and memorable characters make the immense length completely worth it. I never felt a lull when reading this, as I was totally and completely captivated.
The story revolves around a brutal band of outlaws which are half breeds - part wolf, part man. They are a vicious group, so I would say the savage wolf aspect readily takes over. They are looking to find the heart of their former leader, Jasper Thurston. Their current leader, Glenn the Dreadful, is looking for an ancient talisman of sorts called the Menhir as he wants to yield its evil power. These wolf-man-beasts make their way to the small town of Hope’s Hill, where they meet a group of unlikely heroes. This gang of outcasts consist of an emancipated slave, a do-gooder, a vengeful teenage girl, a US Marshall, a nun with a dark secret, and a mysterious man with the number 13 tattooed on his neck. The Wolf men are coming and will leave nothing but chaos, cruelty, and death in their wake.
THE THIRTEENTH KOYOTE is as violent, gory, horrific, and gut punching as can be. Triana did not skip anything or waste a single word to write this story. The vast number of characters did not slow him down, as each one is fully realized. My warning to you is this is a perfectly written splatter western novel with every single evil and offensive thing you can imagine, however it is masterfully written. What that means is, it was all necessary to reach the story’s conclusion, and in the end, it will destroy you.
Thank you so much Death’s Head Press for my copy.
It didn’t surprise me that THE THIRTEENTH KOYOTE is a phenomenal book because Kristopher Triana is a brilliant author. I am in awe of his previous book, GONE TO SEE THE RIVER MAN, but I digress. The 500 pages of stellar storytelling and memorable characters make the immense length completely worth it. I never felt a lull when reading this, as I was totally and completely captivated.
The story revolves around a brutal band of outlaws which are half breeds - part wolf, part man. They are a vicious group, so I would say the savage wolf aspect readily takes over. They are looking to find the heart of their former leader, Jasper Thurston. Their current leader, Glenn the Dreadful, is looking for an ancient talisman of sorts called the Menhir as he wants to yield its evil power. These wolf-man-beasts make their way to the small town of Hope’s Hill, where they meet a group of unlikely heroes. This gang of outcasts consist of an emancipated slave, a do-gooder, a vengeful teenage girl, a US Marshall, a nun with a dark secret, and a mysterious man with the number 13 tattooed on his neck. The Wolf men are coming and will leave nothing but chaos, cruelty, and death in their wake.
THE THIRTEENTH KOYOTE is as violent, gory, horrific, and gut punching as can be. Triana did not skip anything or waste a single word to write this story. The vast number of characters did not slow him down, as each one is fully realized. My warning to you is this is a perfectly written splatter western novel with every single evil and offensive thing you can imagine, however it is masterfully written. What that means is, it was all necessary to reach the story’s conclusion, and in the end, it will destroy you.
Thank you so much Death’s Head Press for my copy.
August 30, 2025
What a big story of heart and grit. I’ve only recently started getting it into Western horror. I found this one to be particular highlight in the few that I have read.
The atmosphere is perfect. It really brings to first conditions people lived in during that time. It gives an extra bit of fear with the isolation and constant danger in the area of the west.
But like every good story characters at the center of it. And like every good Kristopher Triana book intensive violence and gore.
Kristopher Triana has proving that he can write horror in all its forms. With this one sticking out as a particular original piece. If you looking for a new type and style of horror to enjoy I highly recommend this one!
The atmosphere is perfect. It really brings to first conditions people lived in during that time. It gives an extra bit of fear with the isolation and constant danger in the area of the west.
But like every good story characters at the center of it. And like every good Kristopher Triana book intensive violence and gore.
Kristopher Triana has proving that he can write horror in all its forms. With this one sticking out as a particular original piece. If you looking for a new type and style of horror to enjoy I highly recommend this one!
January 20, 2021
Bloody brilliant...
Just finished it, review to come.
Just finished it, review to come.
January 26, 2021
A No Spoiler Review
The Thirteenth Koyote
Kristopher Triana
Even white magic accepts a sacrifice
An evil has returned to the town of Hope's hill. All thanks to a grave robbing deviant. The corpse of Jasper Thurston not only leaks an evil eons old but also pulls all the remaining Koyotes toward it. The fate of the universe rest in the hands of a posse of unique heros. They are the only thing that can stop hell on earth.
This is Triana's lonesome dove on angel dust. You have werewolves, werebears *you read that right*, and hell on earth. This is a massive epic and is truly a feather in Triana's skull cap. He takes his modus operandi and creates his "The Stand" and blows it out of the water. That's right Stephen King, try topping splatterpunk werewolf insanity!
As always with a Kristopher Triana novel, you're getting awesome characters. This is a deep epic with rich characters. Such evil has never seen the light of day. Redemption has never tasted better. The price of sacrifice has never been higher. This epic werewolf novel will dead you and "poke" your corpse.
5/5 Wolf Skulls 💀
The Thirteenth Koyote
Kristopher Triana
Even white magic accepts a sacrifice
An evil has returned to the town of Hope's hill. All thanks to a grave robbing deviant. The corpse of Jasper Thurston not only leaks an evil eons old but also pulls all the remaining Koyotes toward it. The fate of the universe rest in the hands of a posse of unique heros. They are the only thing that can stop hell on earth.
This is Triana's lonesome dove on angel dust. You have werewolves, werebears *you read that right*, and hell on earth. This is a massive epic and is truly a feather in Triana's skull cap. He takes his modus operandi and creates his "The Stand" and blows it out of the water. That's right Stephen King, try topping splatterpunk werewolf insanity!
As always with a Kristopher Triana novel, you're getting awesome characters. This is a deep epic with rich characters. Such evil has never seen the light of day. Redemption has never tasted better. The price of sacrifice has never been higher. This epic werewolf novel will dead you and "poke" your corpse.
5/5 Wolf Skulls 💀
March 1, 2021
I'm probably one of the most skeptical of Splatter Westerns, especially a 500 page brick of a book but when I heard it was being written by Kristopher Triana, I was like, you son of a bitch, I'm in.
The Thirteenth Koyote exceeded my expectations. It kept my attention from start to finish and even after almost 500 pages, I still wasn't ready to say goodbye.
This book is full of terrible people and terrible situations, violence and gore but somehow Triana makes it work.
But there are also characters you'll fall in love with. Who you'll root for. Between the werewolves, magic and incredible writing, I guarantee you'll love this one.
The Thirteenth Koyote exceeded my expectations. It kept my attention from start to finish and even after almost 500 pages, I still wasn't ready to say goodbye.
This book is full of terrible people and terrible situations, violence and gore but somehow Triana makes it work.
But there are also characters you'll fall in love with. Who you'll root for. Between the werewolves, magic and incredible writing, I guarantee you'll love this one.
March 3, 2021
WHOA! This beast of a book is packed with full on brutality and brilliance! It is so difficult to even begin a review as my mind is sufficiently blown after reading this. This is the longest book in the Splatter Western Series from Death's Head Press, and it does not waste a single page. Honestly, I never wanted this book to end. The characters in this book are so fleshed out and incredible... and Triana develops them so well. I think the character development, growth, and journey aspects are some of the best in this series and some of the best I have read in a long time. The characters alone make this a 5 star read for me. The action is PACKED PACKED PACKED to say the least and you will definitely be on the edge of your seat - there's so much savage brutality and gore as well! My hands should be stained red after holding this book! Check this one out for sure!
October 11, 2023
“Some Ghosts never stopped haunting you...And some evils, it seemed, would not die, but only rest. Rest and wait.”
•
I’ve just read nearly 500 pages of a Werewolf Western and I feel as if I’ve survived the chaotic winds of a tornado.
•
A group of vicious half-wolf outlaws are on the hunt for the key that opens the door to Hell. The fate of humanity lies in the hands of an ageless nun, a sharp-shooting teenage girl, an emancipated slave, and a half-wolf outcast with the number 13 tattooed on his neck.
•
This was probably the most carnage-heavy Splatter Western in the series thus far and I will be shocked if no one feels the need to bathe in holy water after finishing this behemoth of an unholy epic. Splatterpunk as a horror sub-genre is typically known for its gore not recommended for the faint of heart, but while we definitely got a taste of blood in the other Splatter Westerns, author Kristopher Triana basically chuckled and said “hold my beer.” This 👏🏽book👏🏽 was👏🏽 brutal👏🏽 but SO good! However, the story is not just pages of slaughter. There’s an entire cast of well developed characters both noble and despicable that the readers get to follow on this insane ride of horror, fantasy, and dark mysticism.
•
I feel I should mention that this book comes with nearly all the triggers. But if you can stomach nearly 500 pages of werewolf brutality, you need this 8th addition to the Splatter Western series on your shelves.
•
I’ve just read nearly 500 pages of a Werewolf Western and I feel as if I’ve survived the chaotic winds of a tornado.
•
A group of vicious half-wolf outlaws are on the hunt for the key that opens the door to Hell. The fate of humanity lies in the hands of an ageless nun, a sharp-shooting teenage girl, an emancipated slave, and a half-wolf outcast with the number 13 tattooed on his neck.
•
This was probably the most carnage-heavy Splatter Western in the series thus far and I will be shocked if no one feels the need to bathe in holy water after finishing this behemoth of an unholy epic. Splatterpunk as a horror sub-genre is typically known for its gore not recommended for the faint of heart, but while we definitely got a taste of blood in the other Splatter Westerns, author Kristopher Triana basically chuckled and said “hold my beer.” This 👏🏽book👏🏽 was👏🏽 brutal👏🏽 but SO good! However, the story is not just pages of slaughter. There’s an entire cast of well developed characters both noble and despicable that the readers get to follow on this insane ride of horror, fantasy, and dark mysticism.
•
I feel I should mention that this book comes with nearly all the triggers. But if you can stomach nearly 500 pages of werewolf brutality, you need this 8th addition to the Splatter Western series on your shelves.
January 20, 2021
The Thirteenth Koyote by Kristopher Triana is an extreme horror entrée rich with dark fantasy and legend, seasoned with cosmic and psychological horror, and served with a heaping side of violence and gore, a true feast for fans of Splatter Westerns.
For my fellow horror sophisticates, fear not; this is not literally a literary epic, despite the wording in the synopsis and some of the reviews. Yes, it is a nice sized full-length novel as opposed to novella or shorter novel, but no, it is not a poetically presented tale of heroic deeds. Triana gives as much time and focus and evocative detail to the vicious Koyotes as the alleged heroes, and some of those heroes aren’t. They are not heroes, not driven by heroism. Some are driven by dark feelings of their own, by their inner demons, by revenge, ect., which is not heroic but another form of madness. But it is a part of the human condition, and Triana’s use of it adds a depth I think some readers miss because the action is so powerful. So yeah, in the slang adjective sense, Dude, it’s epic! But in the proper literary sense, no, it is not AN epic. It is much more than that.
Triana takes liberties and leaves nothing to chance as he imprints this complex and brutal tale onto your brain. He rips away your expectations with every turn of the page as he pulls you through the mud and blood, the snow and gore, the good and the evil and the horrifyingly unimaginable.
The Thirteenth Koyote is an impactful addition to the Splatter Western series from Death’s Head Press. But Extreme Horror Fans only, please, Triana’s content crosses boundaries and tries your sanity in ways only good extreme horror can. Not for the squeamish.
For my fellow horror sophisticates, fear not; this is not literally a literary epic, despite the wording in the synopsis and some of the reviews. Yes, it is a nice sized full-length novel as opposed to novella or shorter novel, but no, it is not a poetically presented tale of heroic deeds. Triana gives as much time and focus and evocative detail to the vicious Koyotes as the alleged heroes, and some of those heroes aren’t. They are not heroes, not driven by heroism. Some are driven by dark feelings of their own, by their inner demons, by revenge, ect., which is not heroic but another form of madness. But it is a part of the human condition, and Triana’s use of it adds a depth I think some readers miss because the action is so powerful. So yeah, in the slang adjective sense, Dude, it’s epic! But in the proper literary sense, no, it is not AN epic. It is much more than that.
Triana takes liberties and leaves nothing to chance as he imprints this complex and brutal tale onto your brain. He rips away your expectations with every turn of the page as he pulls you through the mud and blood, the snow and gore, the good and the evil and the horrifyingly unimaginable.
The Thirteenth Koyote is an impactful addition to the Splatter Western series from Death’s Head Press. But Extreme Horror Fans only, please, Triana’s content crosses boundaries and tries your sanity in ways only good extreme horror can. Not for the squeamish.
June 12, 2022
I’m not sure even how to review this. First off, I never thought I would get into the Splatter western series that Death’s Head Press has put out because I’m not a big fan of Westerns. But when I found out Triana was writing one I decided to give his a shot and ordered it. I had no idea it was that big of a book so i put it on my tbr pile and decided to read some other things first. Then I seen Triana has a sequel coming out for this one, so I had to read it before the sequel comes out. I’m so so mad at myself for waiting so long to read this book!!! It’s such a phenomenal book, id say even magical to read. I got so engrossed in the story that every time I had to put it down, because of life, I thought about it constantly and couldn’t wait to get back to it. I can’t wait for the sequel and now I’m ready to try some of the others in the series as well.
January 8, 2021
I was surprised when i first got my hands on this one. I'm a HUGE fan of Triana and was totally looking forward to this horror western, but WOW... I had no idea it would be an EPIC. I mean that literally. The book is almost 500 pages! It's also completely engrossing cause I burned right through this big boy!
Good character development is one of the author's biggest strengths and that it on full display here. From the "wolfen" outlaws to the assorted cast of heroes. The writing is both beautiful and horrific and the story is out of this world. And the details about life in the old west were really interesting to me. Triana really must have done his homework about the country in the 1800s and everything. It doesn't read like some cliche western movie. Triana also dips into Greek and Inuit mythology, religious Armageddon and other supernatural stuff pulled from history. He sure knows a lot about the origins of werewolves.
This reads like it could have been written by one of the great western authors if only they'd had a taste for some strong horror to boot. Its like Larry McMurty and Clive Barker collaborated on a novel the size of Stephen King's The Stand. I highly recommend it if you like Clint Eastwood and The Howling!
Another great book by Triana. Might even be my favorite after Gone to See the River Man.
Good character development is one of the author's biggest strengths and that it on full display here. From the "wolfen" outlaws to the assorted cast of heroes. The writing is both beautiful and horrific and the story is out of this world. And the details about life in the old west were really interesting to me. Triana really must have done his homework about the country in the 1800s and everything. It doesn't read like some cliche western movie. Triana also dips into Greek and Inuit mythology, religious Armageddon and other supernatural stuff pulled from history. He sure knows a lot about the origins of werewolves.
This reads like it could have been written by one of the great western authors if only they'd had a taste for some strong horror to boot. Its like Larry McMurty and Clive Barker collaborated on a novel the size of Stephen King's The Stand. I highly recommend it if you like Clint Eastwood and The Howling!
Another great book by Triana. Might even be my favorite after Gone to See the River Man.
March 22, 2024
"The pack had been getting restless. They'd done no killing since the Broken Ridge bank robbery. The teller had given them no trouble, but bloodlust ran like a river through the dreams of Koyotes."
Review updated as of my re-read (11.3.24-13.3.24) - Loved it even more than my first read.
It's an entirely daunting thing to review a book that is this wholly affecting. Because, how does one even begin to describe the most sickening, nauseating, unflinchingly violent of novels? It's simply not enough to say that The Thirteenth Koyote is brutal. In fact, brutal is a word that doesn't even come close to describing the savagery redefined that is this story. It's unholy. It's ruthless. The Thirteenth Koyote is an abomination of a book, a sinful monstrosity, one of the single most enrapturing and alluring books to ever grace the world of literature. Satan himself would cower before the contents of these pages.
There exist many novels that push the boundaries of wickedness far beyond what The Thirteenth Koyote does. So why is it, that this particular novel is seen as so grotesque and horrific? Well, it's down to the barbaric nature of this story - It's not just gore and violence and edgy shock tactics told with middling prose. Rather, it's intensely impactful, highly skilled, unending, maddening violence thrust deep into a biblical epic, narrated so fucking gorgeously. Cosmic horror, werewolves, and a traditional Western adventure create a sacred blend of whimsy and magic. It's rare to find a novel so utterly exhausting and so very perfect.
Be warned, casual horror fan, this punishing novel is reserved for those with rotting hearts and souls of decay. Between these blood soaked pages lie scenes too ungodly to speak of, too terrible to utter, yet so compelling is the storytelling, you'll dive headfirst into the abyss. It is the most sinister of tomes, a truly evil book, one with claws ready to eviscerate any who dare pick it up. It's a book to cast upon your worst of enemies, and to gift unto your best of friends. It's page upon page of the most violent, most twisted werewolf savagery the human mind has ever imagined.
The Thirteenth Koyote ruined my life in the best possible way. This beastly novel was the genesis for my love affair with Westerns and Splatterpunk. Triana's mind is a scary thing, a marvel that can conjure up the most beautiful of horror. Because that's what this book is, it's beautiful. It's hideous, ugly, atrocious even, but my god, is it fucking beautiful. It's also just absolutely bonkers, a ride you'll desperately want off but that will never stop. You'll never be free of the outlandish mayhem that is the Koyotes.
"Though his thoughts were failing to connect as the dementia set in, he could still comprehend his encroaching demise. The black magic only lasted so long. His stars were going out, his farm paid in full. He chuckled at the notion. After a life spent in the worship of death, he was still unprepared for it. "
Review updated as of my re-read (11.3.24-13.3.24) - Loved it even more than my first read.
It's an entirely daunting thing to review a book that is this wholly affecting. Because, how does one even begin to describe the most sickening, nauseating, unflinchingly violent of novels? It's simply not enough to say that The Thirteenth Koyote is brutal. In fact, brutal is a word that doesn't even come close to describing the savagery redefined that is this story. It's unholy. It's ruthless. The Thirteenth Koyote is an abomination of a book, a sinful monstrosity, one of the single most enrapturing and alluring books to ever grace the world of literature. Satan himself would cower before the contents of these pages.
There exist many novels that push the boundaries of wickedness far beyond what The Thirteenth Koyote does. So why is it, that this particular novel is seen as so grotesque and horrific? Well, it's down to the barbaric nature of this story - It's not just gore and violence and edgy shock tactics told with middling prose. Rather, it's intensely impactful, highly skilled, unending, maddening violence thrust deep into a biblical epic, narrated so fucking gorgeously. Cosmic horror, werewolves, and a traditional Western adventure create a sacred blend of whimsy and magic. It's rare to find a novel so utterly exhausting and so very perfect.
"Nothing's going to be all right. Not now or ever again. Not for you, my sweet delight. The boy shuddered in Hiram's embrace. One again, his breath left him. They say a gut-shot is the most painful way to die. Hiram said. But I can think of many ways worse. Can't you? The boy didn't answer. Hiram undid his coat and reached for the hunting knife in its sheath. The blade was long as his forearm and gleamed like a supernova in the backroom's shadows. Well, Willard, when it comes to pain, I'm about to expand your imagination."
Be warned, casual horror fan, this punishing novel is reserved for those with rotting hearts and souls of decay. Between these blood soaked pages lie scenes too ungodly to speak of, too terrible to utter, yet so compelling is the storytelling, you'll dive headfirst into the abyss. It is the most sinister of tomes, a truly evil book, one with claws ready to eviscerate any who dare pick it up. It's a book to cast upon your worst of enemies, and to gift unto your best of friends. It's page upon page of the most violent, most twisted werewolf savagery the human mind has ever imagined.
The Thirteenth Koyote ruined my life in the best possible way. This beastly novel was the genesis for my love affair with Westerns and Splatterpunk. Triana's mind is a scary thing, a marvel that can conjure up the most beautiful of horror. Because that's what this book is, it's beautiful. It's hideous, ugly, atrocious even, but my god, is it fucking beautiful. It's also just absolutely bonkers, a ride you'll desperately want off but that will never stop. You'll never be free of the outlandish mayhem that is the Koyotes.
"Though his thoughts were failing to connect as the dementia set in, he could still comprehend his encroaching demise. The black magic only lasted so long. His stars were going out, his farm paid in full. He chuckled at the notion. After a life spent in the worship of death, he was still unprepared for it. "
March 4, 2021
I will be submitting a 5 skull review to SCREAM MAGAZINE.
Utterly brilliant.
Utterly brilliant.
March 22, 2021
This was my first experience of the Splatter Western series and it was an epic one to begin with so probably fairly ambitious on my part!
Straight up - this is brutal and has lots of gore. Expect that going in. That said, there is a solid story underneath all this gore. It is not gore without purpose or reason which I always appreciate. This is a story about magic, cosmic horror and well fleshed out characters with stories that are equally fascinating as they are heartbreaking.
The cast is huge in this which was sometimes hard to follow, but I found myself catching up as time went on. In essence, the story centres around a group of werewolf koyotes who are on a mission to find a valuable talisman which has magic they seek for reasons I will not make known. The koyotes are brutal, and led by their leader Glenn who is an extremely dark individual with his own dark back story. This back story helped me as a reader to understand his actions and to attach meaning to my reading experience. It was greatly appreciated.
This was a dark journey but I was captivated the entire time. Triana does not hold back in terms of shock value but there was also depth and heart along the way. A little bit f magic too. There's also some girl power here which I always love. Give me strong female characters and you will have my heart.
This was my first experience reading Triana's writing and I now want to go out on a Triana reading binge. I'll also continue with the Splatter Western series but I am concerned I may have started with the best of the bunch and will possibly have high expectations. It is certainly not a bad thing though! I also heard this will be part of a trilogy which excites me to no end.
Straight up - this is brutal and has lots of gore. Expect that going in. That said, there is a solid story underneath all this gore. It is not gore without purpose or reason which I always appreciate. This is a story about magic, cosmic horror and well fleshed out characters with stories that are equally fascinating as they are heartbreaking.
The cast is huge in this which was sometimes hard to follow, but I found myself catching up as time went on. In essence, the story centres around a group of werewolf koyotes who are on a mission to find a valuable talisman which has magic they seek for reasons I will not make known. The koyotes are brutal, and led by their leader Glenn who is an extremely dark individual with his own dark back story. This back story helped me as a reader to understand his actions and to attach meaning to my reading experience. It was greatly appreciated.
This was a dark journey but I was captivated the entire time. Triana does not hold back in terms of shock value but there was also depth and heart along the way. A little bit f magic too. There's also some girl power here which I always love. Give me strong female characters and you will have my heart.
This was my first experience reading Triana's writing and I now want to go out on a Triana reading binge. I'll also continue with the Splatter Western series but I am concerned I may have started with the best of the bunch and will possibly have high expectations. It is certainly not a bad thing though! I also heard this will be part of a trilogy which excites me to no end.
March 2, 2021
"𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘴, 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭, 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺?"
☠️
The Thirteenth Koyote is the most 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐥 book I've ever read.
See that mug? That's how my face was stuck after finishing this almost 500 page chonk of a book. There's nearly every trigger warning you can think of in this werewolf western that's heavy on the gore (even for a Splatter Western), but I still liked it.
⚠️Fair warning⚠️: There's plenty of rape, terrible gruesome murders, infanticide, and racial slurs...more so than previous books in this series, but the difference with this one is Kristopher Triana can tell a fantastic fucking story!
The damn journey in this book gave me all the feelings! I was heartbroken and utterly disgusted one chapter and then there'd be a tiny cute moment that was 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 enough to make me forget I just read about a guy eating an unborn fetus.
I was afraid my favorite character would die and I'm pleased to say they survived and after all the other carnage there was nearly a pleasant end.
My big takeaway after reading The Thirteenth Koyote is basically, if you're gonna be brutal as hell, be sure to have an intense plot so there's a reason for the barbarity and mix in a little bit of sweet stuff. Triana is a master and this has forever polluted my mind.
Never did I think I'd read, let alone enjoy a hardcore horror werewolf western, but alas. Thanks for this @night_worms & @deaths_head_press
#nightwormsbookparty
☠️
The Thirteenth Koyote is the most 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐥 book I've ever read.
See that mug? That's how my face was stuck after finishing this almost 500 page chonk of a book. There's nearly every trigger warning you can think of in this werewolf western that's heavy on the gore (even for a Splatter Western), but I still liked it.
⚠️Fair warning⚠️: There's plenty of rape, terrible gruesome murders, infanticide, and racial slurs...more so than previous books in this series, but the difference with this one is Kristopher Triana can tell a fantastic fucking story!
The damn journey in this book gave me all the feelings! I was heartbroken and utterly disgusted one chapter and then there'd be a tiny cute moment that was 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 enough to make me forget I just read about a guy eating an unborn fetus.
I was afraid my favorite character would die and I'm pleased to say they survived and after all the other carnage there was nearly a pleasant end.
My big takeaway after reading The Thirteenth Koyote is basically, if you're gonna be brutal as hell, be sure to have an intense plot so there's a reason for the barbarity and mix in a little bit of sweet stuff. Triana is a master and this has forever polluted my mind.
Never did I think I'd read, let alone enjoy a hardcore horror werewolf western, but alas. Thanks for this @night_worms & @deaths_head_press
#nightwormsbookparty
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2021
Extreme Horror Western
THE THIRTEENTH KOYOTE is more than a horror western, it is an extreme horror western. There are some very extreme brutal horror scenes included in this western with well fleshed out, memorable characters. THE THIRTEENTH KOYOTE was my first novel of 2021 and is almost certainly going to be included among my favorite reads of 2021 when the year comes to a close, fantastic read.
THE THIRTEENTH KOYOTE is more than a horror western, it is an extreme horror western. There are some very extreme brutal horror scenes included in this western with well fleshed out, memorable characters. THE THIRTEENTH KOYOTE was my first novel of 2021 and is almost certainly going to be included among my favorite reads of 2021 when the year comes to a close, fantastic read.
March 1, 2022
4 AND 1/2 STARS
The book, Gone To See The River Man, was one of my favorite horror novels of the year and so when this new title came out by the same author, I had to pick it up. I'm happy to say that lightning did indeed strike twice. Kristopher Triana doesn't pull any punches, writing some truly dark violence and brutal slaughter that borders on the taboo. He really takes his time with this book, fleshing out all the characters and atmosphere, giving the reader time to know them before devastating hellfire is unleashed. While the final confrontations might have been a bit messier that I would have liked, this was still one of the best - and darkest - horror westerns I've read in years. Too bad the publisher didn't catch the half dozen or so typos in the proofreading process. I look forward to more from this new star of the genre.
The book, Gone To See The River Man, was one of my favorite horror novels of the year and so when this new title came out by the same author, I had to pick it up. I'm happy to say that lightning did indeed strike twice. Kristopher Triana doesn't pull any punches, writing some truly dark violence and brutal slaughter that borders on the taboo. He really takes his time with this book, fleshing out all the characters and atmosphere, giving the reader time to know them before devastating hellfire is unleashed. While the final confrontations might have been a bit messier that I would have liked, this was still one of the best - and darkest - horror westerns I've read in years. Too bad the publisher didn't catch the half dozen or so typos in the proofreading process. I look forward to more from this new star of the genre.
March 28, 2021
Review of “The Thirteenth Koyote by Kristopher Triana”
I finally finished The Thirteenth Koyote by Kristopher Triana almost a month later. This is no fault of the book but because of my mental stresses with work. It’s been super heavy on me lately. This book though labeled a spletterwestern is way more than that. It contains elements that I would consider to be dark fantasy with its allure of magic.
An undertaker is hustling on the side by grave robbing until one day he finds something so dark that sets off a monstrous chain of events. Hope’s Hill is about to see the darker side of the moon when a pack of Koyotes come sniffing out the events of the past.
This book contains multiple points of views and multiple backstories. With Trianas writing it's hard not to continue reading past the brutality to see where this story may lead. It’s 500 pages of pure gore, brutally and epic battles. There were so many characters I grew fond of and I’m really excited as to where this story may go next. I hear there may be 2 other books coming from this story. If it isn’t obvious I have this one 5 ⭐️ s! I also bought most books by Triana because man he sure knows how to write some deep characters.
Thank you for Deaths Head Press and Nightworms for sending me this copy for an honest review!
I finally finished The Thirteenth Koyote by Kristopher Triana almost a month later. This is no fault of the book but because of my mental stresses with work. It’s been super heavy on me lately. This book though labeled a spletterwestern is way more than that. It contains elements that I would consider to be dark fantasy with its allure of magic.
An undertaker is hustling on the side by grave robbing until one day he finds something so dark that sets off a monstrous chain of events. Hope’s Hill is about to see the darker side of the moon when a pack of Koyotes come sniffing out the events of the past.
This book contains multiple points of views and multiple backstories. With Trianas writing it's hard not to continue reading past the brutality to see where this story may lead. It’s 500 pages of pure gore, brutally and epic battles. There were so many characters I grew fond of and I’m really excited as to where this story may go next. I hear there may be 2 other books coming from this story. If it isn’t obvious I have this one 5 ⭐️ s! I also bought most books by Triana because man he sure knows how to write some deep characters.
Thank you for Deaths Head Press and Nightworms for sending me this copy for an honest review!
April 27, 2023
This book was packed with action! It stayed on track and had a great ending!
I don’t even know where to start with this review. Action packed splatter western for sure! This story is about the thirteenth Koyote, who is trying ti stop his old clan from u leashing Hell upon earth!
I enjoyed the writing and the narrator did a fantastic job. Overall I give it a 4/5 stars.
I don’t even know where to start with this review. Action packed splatter western for sure! This story is about the thirteenth Koyote, who is trying ti stop his old clan from u leashing Hell upon earth!
I enjoyed the writing and the narrator did a fantastic job. Overall I give it a 4/5 stars.
February 28, 2021
Excuse me? A werewolf splatter western?! YES PLEASE! I haven't read a werewolf story in SO LONG, but if I'm going to get back into them, this is definitely the way I want to go. This is a chonker compared to the other installments in this Splatter Western series, but each of the 500+ pages are absolutely necessary. I started this one late last night and woke up super early for a Sunday to finish it.
Welcome to the band of outlaws known as the Koyotes, led by Glenn the Dreadful... whom we get to learn a LOT about. I would have to run into any of them.( Why does their former leader, Jasper Thurston ring a bell for me?) Glenn is after the Menhir, an talisman that will give him great (evil) power. But he and his Koyotes, come across some very unlikely heroes.
There's quite the large cast of characters and I enjoyed learning about every single one. The good, the bad, the ugly and the violent. Some passages were fist biters. Graphic, bloody and everything a horror lover like myself loves. I admit this is probably the SPLATTER of all SPLATTERS compared to the first seven books in this (standalone) series. Nothing really shocks me in reading books or watching movies that are fiction... but woooooweeee, there were some doozies splattered within (see what I did there?... yeah, I'll see myself out of here in a minute 😉). And this is where we see just how genius Triana is in his writing. The story telling itself keeps the reader stuck to each and every page - the action is continuous, the blood getting stickier with each brutal meeting.
Prepare yourself for an onslaught of gory goodness... but also know that it's so much more than that. You want to know what's going to happen. You WANT to see retribution - you end up just wanting it ALL. Shocking and not for the faint hearted - horror lovers buckle in and enjoy the ride. Now excuse me, I have a tattoo I need to go get.
Welcome to the band of outlaws known as the Koyotes, led by Glenn the Dreadful... whom we get to learn a LOT about. I would have to run into any of them.( Why does their former leader, Jasper Thurston ring a bell for me?) Glenn is after the Menhir, an talisman that will give him great (evil) power. But he and his Koyotes, come across some very unlikely heroes.
There's quite the large cast of characters and I enjoyed learning about every single one. The good, the bad, the ugly and the violent. Some passages were fist biters. Graphic, bloody and everything a horror lover like myself loves. I admit this is probably the SPLATTER of all SPLATTERS compared to the first seven books in this (standalone) series. Nothing really shocks me in reading books or watching movies that are fiction... but woooooweeee, there were some doozies splattered within (see what I did there?... yeah, I'll see myself out of here in a minute 😉). And this is where we see just how genius Triana is in his writing. The story telling itself keeps the reader stuck to each and every page - the action is continuous, the blood getting stickier with each brutal meeting.
Prepare yourself for an onslaught of gory goodness... but also know that it's so much more than that. You want to know what's going to happen. You WANT to see retribution - you end up just wanting it ALL. Shocking and not for the faint hearted - horror lovers buckle in and enjoy the ride. Now excuse me, I have a tattoo I need to go get.
July 15, 2024
Quando i lupi ululano alla luna, nelle notti del vecchio west, i cuori degli abitanti si riempiono di un po' di timore.
Ma quando ad ululare sono i Koyote allora c'è solo disperazione.
Mettiamo subito in chiaro la bellezza della copertina: un richiamo potente alle locandine di vecchi film western -anche di serie B, C o Z- che presenta ai nostri occhi fin da principio i personaggi principali.
Tra le figure umane spicca la testa di un lupo mannaro, e le parti dei Koyote sono tra le più cruente lette. Questi fuorilegge sono brutali, sanguinari e cannibali, perseguono uno scopo e lo portano avanti distruggendo e fagocitando tutto ciò che si trovano di fronte. Sono uno più pezzo di merda dell'altro, portando avanti violenza psicologica oltre che manuale, e non potrete che odiarli (o amarli, dipende quanto vi piace il sadismo) ad ogni loro capitolo.
Poi abbiamo un contorno di diversi personaggi: una suora, una ragazzina e un pistolero dalle folte bassette. Loro sono sia i principali oppositori ai piani dei Koyote, sia loro vittime in un modo o nell'altro.
C'è anche uno scheletro in una bara, ma questo è uno dei misteri del libro e anch'io lo lascio misterioso lì, se volete sapere cosa c'entra allora prendete sto libro e immergetevi tra la neve (nevica tanto nel vecchio west, un po' come in The Hateful Eight), il sudore di cavallo e gli ululati notturni.
Triana ci sferza nella lettura come un cavallo al galoppo, e le sue 500 e passa pagine si leggono veloci evocando pesantemente l'odore di polvere da sparo delle numerose scene d'azione presenti (c'è anche l'assalto al treno, cazzo).
Un ottimo romanzo western e ancor di più un ottimo romanzo horror, la nuova serie di Independent Legions Publishing inizia col botto di dinamite!
Quindi mettete gli speroni ai piedi, un cappello in testa e tenete salde le pistole, il vecchio west è ancora qui.
Ma quando ad ululare sono i Koyote allora c'è solo disperazione.
Mettiamo subito in chiaro la bellezza della copertina: un richiamo potente alle locandine di vecchi film western -anche di serie B, C o Z- che presenta ai nostri occhi fin da principio i personaggi principali.
Tra le figure umane spicca la testa di un lupo mannaro, e le parti dei Koyote sono tra le più cruente lette. Questi fuorilegge sono brutali, sanguinari e cannibali, perseguono uno scopo e lo portano avanti distruggendo e fagocitando tutto ciò che si trovano di fronte. Sono uno più pezzo di merda dell'altro, portando avanti violenza psicologica oltre che manuale, e non potrete che odiarli (o amarli, dipende quanto vi piace il sadismo) ad ogni loro capitolo.
Poi abbiamo un contorno di diversi personaggi: una suora, una ragazzina e un pistolero dalle folte bassette. Loro sono sia i principali oppositori ai piani dei Koyote, sia loro vittime in un modo o nell'altro.
C'è anche uno scheletro in una bara, ma questo è uno dei misteri del libro e anch'io lo lascio misterioso lì, se volete sapere cosa c'entra allora prendete sto libro e immergetevi tra la neve (nevica tanto nel vecchio west, un po' come in The Hateful Eight), il sudore di cavallo e gli ululati notturni.
Triana ci sferza nella lettura come un cavallo al galoppo, e le sue 500 e passa pagine si leggono veloci evocando pesantemente l'odore di polvere da sparo delle numerose scene d'azione presenti (c'è anche l'assalto al treno, cazzo).
Un ottimo romanzo western e ancor di più un ottimo romanzo horror, la nuova serie di Independent Legions Publishing inizia col botto di dinamite!
Quindi mettete gli speroni ai piedi, un cappello in testa e tenete salde le pistole, il vecchio west è ancora qui.
February 1, 2021
I finished this last night and it was so frickin good, absolutely epic, and I loved everything about it 🖤 At the end I actually had a knot in my throat trying to hold back some tears. This novel just cements the fact that Triana is a force to be reckoned with and one of my favorite authors ever. All of the Deaths Head Press splatter westerns have been amazing and I've been obsessed with the entire series..but The Thirteenth Koyote is special and will now go on my list of best books I've read 💀 Definitely 5/5 Koyote skulls
January 13, 2021
What a ride! This left me breathless!! Brilliant....bloody brilliant!! 🖤💀🖤
March 6, 2021
3.5/5 rounded up for Goodreads.
If you have been following along with the splatter western series from Death's Head Press than the eighth installment, The Thirteenth Koyote is going to surpass your expectations.
This entire series started off with the Magpie Coffin which set the bar incredibly high and for me, there were some great stories and just some mediocre stories along the way. Then we get to the seventh book, Red Station and our collective socks were just knocked right off again. The Thirteenth Koyote is truly in a league of its own.
By far the longest story in the series, the book follows many characters surrounding their relationship and knowledge of an extremely villainous group known as The Koyotes. Now, don't take this title lightly but, they are a group of werewolf cowboys. A group of heinous, brutal as all hell, bandits forever is search of mayhem and seeking vindication for their fallen leader, Jasper Thurston , basically against humanity.
I never give trigger warnings in any of my reviews and just leave my door open for conversations about any content. There are many subjects touched upon in this novel that may bother some people however, Triana has found this fantastic way of communicating really horrible, unspeakable crimes without over doing the shock value. He was able to show us how truly evil this group of characters is, and honestly, he offed people in ways that I have never read before but, he did it in a way that let you imagine how brutal it was without focusing too much on every single gore drippy detail and allowed the readers imagination to take to them as far as they were willing to go.
The story itself and Triana's writing is a solid FIVE STARS. However, there were a few factors that left me with less than a five star experience.
There are so many characters in this book. So many, that at the end of the novel I still didn't quite know who a few of them were, or remember how they got tossed into the story. I felt like I spent quite a bit of time back tracking to figure out who some of them were and just gave up and kept reading. This book is just shy of 500 pages. Story length is never really a problem for me but, I struggled with the length of this one a bit. There is so much amazing and bloody action in this book and it's basically on-going. This would have been a fantastic book to just sit and binge read but, at the current length, there was no way I was going to be able to do that. It was difficult to try and jump back into the action with the same stamina after I would need to take a break.
This was my first experience reading any of Triana's work and it will not be the last. In fact, upon finishing this story, I hopped on the web and purchased another. Anyone that has been following this series is going to have a blast with this installment. If you haven't read any of the other book in the series, you need to fix that real quick. All of the books can be read as a stand-alone and you could in fact, start with this beast!
Huge thank you to the author, Death Head's Press and Night Worms for providing us with copies for our latest Night Worms book party!
If you have been following along with the splatter western series from Death's Head Press than the eighth installment, The Thirteenth Koyote is going to surpass your expectations.
This entire series started off with the Magpie Coffin which set the bar incredibly high and for me, there were some great stories and just some mediocre stories along the way. Then we get to the seventh book, Red Station and our collective socks were just knocked right off again. The Thirteenth Koyote is truly in a league of its own.
By far the longest story in the series, the book follows many characters surrounding their relationship and knowledge of an extremely villainous group known as The Koyotes. Now, don't take this title lightly but, they are a group of werewolf cowboys. A group of heinous, brutal as all hell, bandits forever is search of mayhem and seeking vindication for their fallen leader, Jasper Thurston , basically against humanity.
I never give trigger warnings in any of my reviews and just leave my door open for conversations about any content. There are many subjects touched upon in this novel that may bother some people however, Triana has found this fantastic way of communicating really horrible, unspeakable crimes without over doing the shock value. He was able to show us how truly evil this group of characters is, and honestly, he offed people in ways that I have never read before but, he did it in a way that let you imagine how brutal it was without focusing too much on every single gore drippy detail and allowed the readers imagination to take to them as far as they were willing to go.
The story itself and Triana's writing is a solid FIVE STARS. However, there were a few factors that left me with less than a five star experience.
There are so many characters in this book. So many, that at the end of the novel I still didn't quite know who a few of them were, or remember how they got tossed into the story. I felt like I spent quite a bit of time back tracking to figure out who some of them were and just gave up and kept reading. This book is just shy of 500 pages. Story length is never really a problem for me but, I struggled with the length of this one a bit. There is so much amazing and bloody action in this book and it's basically on-going. This would have been a fantastic book to just sit and binge read but, at the current length, there was no way I was going to be able to do that. It was difficult to try and jump back into the action with the same stamina after I would need to take a break.
This was my first experience reading any of Triana's work and it will not be the last. In fact, upon finishing this story, I hopped on the web and purchased another. Anyone that has been following this series is going to have a blast with this installment. If you haven't read any of the other book in the series, you need to fix that real quick. All of the books can be read as a stand-alone and you could in fact, start with this beast!
Huge thank you to the author, Death Head's Press and Night Worms for providing us with copies for our latest Night Worms book party!
March 4, 2021
Kristopher Triana has done it again and I’m speechless! Definitely not a good thing for a reviewer but here we are. I’m always in awe at Tirana’s storytelling and the depth in his novels. He’s quickly becoming a favorite author. I want/need to binge all of his stories but I have to space them out because they are so taxing on my emotions and this was no exception.
HEED MY WARNING, the KOYOTE’S are ruthless! No one is safe in their wake. Like, NO ONE! Babies, infants, the elderly, animals, towns etc. NO HOLDS BARRED! And I freaking LOVED IT. With that being said Chapter 9 wrecked me. This is where we meet the amazing Delia, one of my favorite characters. Her entrance is so heartbreaking but powerful. I sincerely needed a few hours off after said chapter.
“‘The Koyote’s will come, Luther,’ she said, ‘and Hell will follow with them.’”
This is such an intricate world and it sucks you in from page 1. We follow quite an array of characters that at the beginning sort of confuses you but that quickly works itself out as the story develops. Essentially we are following The KOYOTE’S, led by Glenn Amarok, and he is on a mission to obtain a specific object that has been discovered at the beginning of the story. They will stop at nothing. Then we have the town of Hope’s Hill. They are getting ready for this pack of ruthless beasts. They know they are coming and with a new Marahal in town he will do what it takes to protect this town. What ensues is a fantastic story of good vs evil, of revenge and perseverance that you do not want to miss!
If you love extreme horror and if you have loved any of the other Splatter Western’s in the series then I highly recommend The Thirteenth KOYOTE! I give it ALL THE STARS!!
Thank you so much to the publisher and also to Night Worms for this killer book party!
HEED MY WARNING, the KOYOTE’S are ruthless! No one is safe in their wake. Like, NO ONE! Babies, infants, the elderly, animals, towns etc. NO HOLDS BARRED! And I freaking LOVED IT. With that being said Chapter 9 wrecked me. This is where we meet the amazing Delia, one of my favorite characters. Her entrance is so heartbreaking but powerful. I sincerely needed a few hours off after said chapter.
“‘The Koyote’s will come, Luther,’ she said, ‘and Hell will follow with them.’”
This is such an intricate world and it sucks you in from page 1. We follow quite an array of characters that at the beginning sort of confuses you but that quickly works itself out as the story develops. Essentially we are following The KOYOTE’S, led by Glenn Amarok, and he is on a mission to obtain a specific object that has been discovered at the beginning of the story. They will stop at nothing. Then we have the town of Hope’s Hill. They are getting ready for this pack of ruthless beasts. They know they are coming and with a new Marahal in town he will do what it takes to protect this town. What ensues is a fantastic story of good vs evil, of revenge and perseverance that you do not want to miss!
If you love extreme horror and if you have loved any of the other Splatter Western’s in the series then I highly recommend The Thirteenth KOYOTE! I give it ALL THE STARS!!
Thank you so much to the publisher and also to Night Worms for this killer book party!
April 14, 2021
The THIRTEENTH KOYOTE by Kristopher Triana is a fantastic addition to Death’s Head Press splatter western series. All the books in the series only share the same sub genre and are not interconnected works so they can be read in any order. Listed at 404 pages (kindle edition), this is the longest book in the series that I have read.
Just like any good western, we have bad guys and good guys. The bad guys, the Koyotes, are a group of depraved werewolves who delight in the destruction and suffering that they leave in their wake. The acts that the commit are sick but these actions are not described just for shock, they are included so that the reader knows the motivations of the Koyotes. Not all of the good guys in this tale are typical good guys. For one thing, a few of them are women and one of them is an ex Koyote who took part in heinous acts himself before deciding to go straight.
This is an epic tale with a lot of characters and an intricate plot that keeps you thinking. There is tons of violence and gore so it earns its “splatter” tag. And this isn’t just a western because of its setting, it feels like a western, not just in the spoken word but also in the character work. Not only is there good/evil but also white magic and black along with supernatural creatures and elements. It doesn’t make sense that it would all work but it is seamless, a perfectly woven blend that showcases the talent of Triana.
The only negative was that the last 30% or so of the book was nonstop action, maybe it was just me, but I thought it went on a little long and I started to lose focus. With that said, it is a great book that resets the bar on the splatter western sub.
Just like any good western, we have bad guys and good guys. The bad guys, the Koyotes, are a group of depraved werewolves who delight in the destruction and suffering that they leave in their wake. The acts that the commit are sick but these actions are not described just for shock, they are included so that the reader knows the motivations of the Koyotes. Not all of the good guys in this tale are typical good guys. For one thing, a few of them are women and one of them is an ex Koyote who took part in heinous acts himself before deciding to go straight.
This is an epic tale with a lot of characters and an intricate plot that keeps you thinking. There is tons of violence and gore so it earns its “splatter” tag. And this isn’t just a western because of its setting, it feels like a western, not just in the spoken word but also in the character work. Not only is there good/evil but also white magic and black along with supernatural creatures and elements. It doesn’t make sense that it would all work but it is seamless, a perfectly woven blend that showcases the talent of Triana.
The only negative was that the last 30% or so of the book was nonstop action, maybe it was just me, but I thought it went on a little long and I started to lose focus. With that said, it is a great book that resets the bar on the splatter western sub.
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