A retelling of the story of Lewis and Clark’s expedition west. Told through the eyes of Sacagawea’s son over a campfire to some very famous descendants. Discover the hidden world in the west as Lewis and Clark with the company of Sacagawea battle creatures from the depths of the shadows. Meet the new tribes of the western world that Lewis and Clark befriend and others they have conflict with.
I do not typically read werewolf stories or frontier stories, so I was surprised by how much much I enjoyed Blood Moon Rising. There were editing issues, but H.W. Gomez is an indie author, so I will forgive them for the sake of this review. Gomez is a good storyteller, and he is able to flesh out his ideas with ease. The characters in Blood Moon Rising are well developed, and his story within a story approach worked well.
A fantastical alternate version of Lewis & Clark's expedition
Many people have heard or read about Lewis and Clarks journey west. But, I have to say I have never read a version of their travels like this before. The author of this rendition gave the telling of this tale a refreshing supernatural spin as told through a story told around a campfire to children. There are many unique characters in this book which I soon became emotionally attached to in the recanting of the tale. The author infused a variety of action, romance, horror, suspense and wistfulness throughout his novel wonderfully. A great read for anyone that is looking for an alternative to the traditional Lewis and Clark biographical books.
Out into the wild, a group of kids sit tight to listen to the history of America from their Camp Counsellor, The stories of another time, of the times where horses were not animals but the mode of conveyance, times when the world was yet in the dark and discovery was a passion everyone followed. These stories and much more garnered the children with awe, curiosity and a lot of why's, ones Mr Pompi was not yet ready to unfold. Things that were connected to the destiny of these selected few, things their father's from a distant time have bestowed upon them. Things in the dark but yet of golden significance.
Out in the 1800s when America was still young, the badlands still unventured and districts unconquered. The Government set up an expedition to seek the river flowing out from the wild west and into the sea, a prospect of high profit and propensity for great improvement for a climbing nation. Holding this in mind our protagonists set out into the wildlands of unconquered America to achieve their mission, truth be told they shall come in contact with forces of nature that ought to remain in the dark. History meets fantasy when Lewis and Clark, our protagonists in their venture are accompanied by a mother and her child who have been abandoned by their tribe. Sacagewea joins the duo in their excursion along with her infant son to steer our rovers towards their purpose. Their expedition takes them through the thick of it, being hunted by a tribe of hungry werewolves, disputes within the tribes and a full cast civil war between the people of the wildlands. On the other side of the stories, the children hear what the counsellor has to narrate with eager ears but otherwise unaware of the consequence of the legend being told. What is the darkness that looms around these children, is it the deeds of their dead ancestors that have come to haunt them after waiting for 2 centuries? Know all of this and more when you read cover to cover.
A story of ancestry, of werewolves and other creatures unknown, this is a narrative that has spun a great white web of native American folklore that is impressive as well as singular to unfold. The author has successfully predicated a well-structured account of the ancestry and the detailed subplots of the shaman rituals, the tiki gods and the native imagery which ensnare your senses. Although the whole facade of werewolf storytelling doesn't sit well with me, as is the case for many people because of the commonality of the subject. Even so, this particular narrative has been encapsulated within many layers of subplots which enhance the contours of the different layers thus integrating the entire account into one binding myth.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of the ebook!
Everyone knows about the adventures of Lewis and Clark, but a supernatural twist changes the history. The narrator is telling these tales through campfire stories, but little do the campers know, he was a friend of Lewis & Clark.
The duo meets Sacagawea and her son, Pompy, and become fast friends. Clark and Pompy form a strong bond—they share the same secret. She joins them in their explorations, but danger lingers at every turn. Witches, werewolves, and spirits are abundant in the land. The werewolves are ravenous and do not trust the humans, and of course the humans don’t trust the wolves. The group gets help from tribes they encounter along the way, but the wolves are still hunting. However, a bigger threat comes along and the werewolves and humans have to decide how to tackle the problem.
I really enjoyed all of the characters! The author provided enough background for each character, so I felt like I understood their stories well. The character development could have pushed a bit further with some people. Lewis is one of the main characters, yet I felt like I didn’t know much about him. A few other characters—specially Piers and Clark—had captivating development and storylines. I also wish we got more information about the narrator. We know who he is, but we don’t exactly know why he’s telling the story, or why he takes the kids on a field trip at the end. There is a sequel coming out, so I assume there will be answers, but I wish there was a little more info in this book.
There were parts of the story that I felt moved a little too fast (I thought the final battle could have been drawn out more), but overall it was a good pace. I really liked the fact that the narrator skipped around or went on tangents—it made it feel more like he was talking to me rather than I was reading from a page. When people tell stories, they get off track so it felt more natural. The language was simple, but it flowed well because it’s a campfire story.
Overall, this was a different, but fun read! I definitely recommend this if you’re into supernatural stories. I felt like I was one of the campers listening to the counselor’s tales.
As someone who enjoys history, Blood Moon Rising was right up my alley. Taking the Lewis & Clark expedition and turning it into an alternate supernatural retelling was such a fun idea, and H.W. Gomez absolutely nailed the execution. The book does a great job blending real historical figures like Sacagawea and Pompy with folklore, mythology, and supernatural creatures in a way that feels creative instead of gimmicky. What really stood out to me was that the creatures weren’t just the usual fantasy staples either. Seeing things like Pukwudgies, Grindylows, Moosemen, and other folklore-inspired beings made the world feel fresh and unique.
One of my favorite parts of the story was how much attention was given to the different tribes and legends along the journey. Even though the book obviously strays from actual history because of the supernatural elements, it still felt respectful to the real people and events it was inspired by. Sacagawea and Pompy especially still felt true to the figures they were based on while also fitting naturally into this darker fantasy-adventure setting. The whole “campfire storyteller” vibe with Pompy and the children added a lot of charm and atmosphere too. It gave the story this feeling of listening to an old frontier legend being passed down through generations.
The pacing kept me invested the whole way through, and while there are horror elements throughout the book, I’d say it leans much more into fantasy adventure than outright horror. That balance worked really well for me because it kept the story exciting without becoming overly dark. The action scenes were easy to follow, the mythology added depth, and the adventurous tone fit the setting perfectly.
By the time I finished, I was immediately ready for book two. After reading the sneak preview at the end, I’m really excited to see where Pompy’s story goes next. This is definitely a series I’ll revisit before the sequel releases, and I’d easily recommend it to anyone who enjoys history mixed with fantasy, folklore, and supernatural adventure.
Huge thanks to H.W. Gomez for sending me a review copy—this wasn’t my usual genre, but I’m glad I gave it a try. If you’re into military thrillers with supernatural twists, this one is going to hit right where it counts.
Summary: Blood Moon Rising explores what happens when modern members of the Corps of Discovery are thrust into a deadly supernatural mission. With the backdrop of the iconic Lewis & Clark legacy—echoed in the title Corps of Discovery—this novel blends tactical combat with darker forces lurking in the shadows. It’s fast-paced, high-stakes, and packed with action.
Why It Stood Out: The pacing is relentless. I flew through it in under a day.
The military detail felt authentic and gave the story solid momentum.
The supernatural elements are woven in smoothly—just dark enough to make it thrilling without derailing the plot.
While this book might not be for everyone, I believe it has a clear audience. If you love a well-written adventure that mixes real-world grit and paranormal danger, check it out.
Vibe: Intense, action-packed, and capable of giving you just enough chills to keep you up reading late.
Who I’d Recommend It To: Fans of thrillers that take a turn into darkness. Ideal for readers who want military precision + mysterious suspense + a dash of the paranormal.
We start this interesting and unique story with the words from someone totally integral to the story, Sacagawea's son, Pompey. He's talking to the direct descendants of the amazing Lewis and Clark.
This isn't your usual historical fiction though. Far from it!
The book is chock full of action and suspense, with a very imaginative retelling of the age old story of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Totally unexpected twists and turns leave you turning the page as frantically as you can, just to see what comes next.
Beneath all the drama and the suspenseful journey, Gomez weaves together strong relationships, great character developments and an awesome world that just draws you in until the last word. With supernatural elements, it's hard to keep that historical accuracy. But the author uses such a light touch with these small, significant details, that throughout you are slowly reminded that this is based on a real historical event, accented by the fantasy of it all.
Witches, werewolves and magic all play a part in this utterly unique retelling.
I highly recommend this author and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
A retelling of the story of Lewis and Clark’s expedition west. Told through the eyes of Sacagawea’s son over a campfire to some very famous descendants. Discover the hidden world in the west as Lewis and Clark with the company of Sacagawea battle creatures from the depths of the shadows. Meet the new tribes of the western world that Lewis and Clark befriend and others they have conflict with.
~ My Reading Experience
This is the turning point of the book where it shows various phases and emotions a person goes through when they loose someone they loved so much. This book has a sense of grief and chaotic beauty at the same time. I absolutely loved the tone and language the author has used , it's very simple yet cohesive. If you're a beginner in reading you can definitely pick up this book as it will grip your attention and you will surely complete reading it.
Overall it was an amazing Fiction read for me. Special attention to the cover , it's just perfect with the context and the title. I recommend this one guys ✨❤️
"Corps of Discovery: Blood Moon Rising" has been written by the author H. W. Gomez. In this book, author has retold the story of Lewis and Clark's expedition west. The story is told by Sacagawea’s son over a campfire to famous descendants.
Story will take readers back in time to the year 1800. Lewis and Clark are two old friends. Clark rode to tell Lewis that President Jefferson need them. They decided to ride to meet the president in Monticello. President Jefferson told Lewis if he will agree for the mission, he will be the first to discover the flora and fauna of the west.
Lewis and Clark were on adventure from past 2 weeks. Suddenly, they heard a cry of pain coming from distant village. Read this book to know more about the adventures of Lewis and Clark. Language of the book is simple. Book needs a little formatting. Cover photo of the book is nice. I am glad to read about the adventures of Lewis and Clark. Find out more about it by reading this book.
I’m usually not one to leave “lengthy” reviews about a book. But something about this one is different, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. The story completely engulfed me. When I wasn’t able to read, I couldn’t stop thinking about the storyline and where it would go next. I seriously debated finishing the last chapter because I didn’t want the story to end. After much debate and finishing the book, I’m anxiously awaiting the next to know more about the cliffhangers left in the last few pages. Hurry up Gomez, I’m waiting.
The way Gomez presents the story is brilliant in my mind. Weaving history with supernatural in the best way, and adding humor and modern references perfectly. A great first novel, and such a great read. 10/10 highly recommend
I absolutely loved Blood Moon Rising by H. W. Gomez. The way it reimagines the Lewis and Clark expedition with a supernatural twist is bold, creative, and completely immersive. The frontier feels alive with danger, mystery, and ancient forces, turning a familiar piece of history into something dark and epic. I was hooked from the beginning and genuinely excited to see how the journey would unfold. What really stood out to me was the atmosphere and sense of adventure. The pacing kept me engaged, and the mythic tone added depth that made the story feel larger than life. It’s the perfect mix of historical setting and fantasy elements. For anyone who enjoys imaginative twists on history with suspense and action, this is easily a five-star read.
Not being from North America, I was unaware of the story of Lewis and Clark’s historic journey. This paranormal version of the story was a fun introduction.
I enjoyed the narrative structure of a story within a story, which I felt was well handled. While I didn’t get much of a sense of the characters from the modern timeline, the main characters from the historic story were well drawn. Lots of teasers for the coming books were included in the plot that kept us engaged in the story.
An easy to read book with interesting mythological references.