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Hungers as Old as This Land
The settlement of Grey's Bluffs is a prosperous town. An independent community dwelling in the shadows of the mountains known only as The Hungers.
Esther Foxman and Siobhan O'Clery have grown up in Grey's Bluffs, thriving out on the western territories in the aftermath of the Civil War. Devoted to one another and their home, the two set out to complete a regular pact at the Hungers to ensure that Grey's Bluffs continues to prosper.
Cyril Redstone is a man who knows death well. Becoming a mercenary after the Civil War, Cyril leads the marauding Blackhawks from one slaughter to the next. Hired to destroy Grey's Bluffs, Cyril cares little for morality, nor that he owes its founder his life.
Esther and Siobhan are left to defend the only home they have ever known from the Blackhawks, their confrontation driving them deep into the mountains.
Where the darkest secrets of the Hungers await them.
Esther Foxman and Siobhan O'Clery have grown up in Grey's Bluffs, thriving out on the western territories in the aftermath of the Civil War. Devoted to one another and their home, the two set out to complete a regular pact at the Hungers to ensure that Grey's Bluffs continues to prosper.
Cyril Redstone is a man who knows death well. Becoming a mercenary after the Civil War, Cyril leads the marauding Blackhawks from one slaughter to the next. Hired to destroy Grey's Bluffs, Cyril cares little for morality, nor that he owes its founder his life.
Esther and Siobhan are left to defend the only home they have ever known from the Blackhawks, their confrontation driving them deep into the mountains.
Where the darkest secrets of the Hungers await them.
107 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2023
13 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
March 2, 2023
In the past, I typically passed on doing both a blurb and/or review. When someone reached out, I’d either say yes to one or the other but not both. But over the last few months, I’ve seen more and more reviewers decide to either reduce the number of books they’re taking on or stop reviewing ARC’s completely. It’s a tough spot out there right now and I see it from both sides – as a reviewer and an author. At the time of writing this, I have a novel coming out in two months and (and I completely understand life and no disrespect meant) some of the reviewers I always knew would be willing to read an ARC from me are no longer taking anything on.
So, I decided to make that switch and if someone wanted both, I’d be willing to do that. Every little bit helps.
Which, was why I was excited when Zachary reached out to see if I wanted to check out an ARC of his upcoming novella. I’ve only read a short from Zachary previously, but was really eager and keen to see what he’d created with this western/folklore horror story.
What I liked: The story follows events in Grey’s Bluff, years after the Civil War. Esther and Siobhan are secret lovers, living in Esther’s fathers home and tending to the town as needed. Part of that ‘tending’ is making sure their end of the pact that Esther’s father made with those called The Hungers who live in the mountains is maintained.
I really enjoyed the interactions between Esther and Siobhan and thought they made a really solid, thoroughly crafted couple. I would suspect that they are based on a real-life couple, the little mannerisms Rosenberg adds in suggesting that.
It sets up an exciting wild-west tale and Rosenberg holds nothing back. We get topical and timely socio-political commentary interspersed within. The meat of the story occurs when an old army friend of Esther’s dad is sent to forcefully take Grey’s Bluffs.
Rosenberg uses this as a way to pack a solid quarter of the story with an action-packed sequence. It rumbles us along until we get to the ending and we get to see what happens when those who’ve not treated The Hungers kindly step into their world uninvited.
What I didn’t like: Two things nagged at me. The first is the bigotry/anti-Semitism parts. I feel like it wasn’t expanded upon enough. This is a short, snappy novella – but I would’ve been just as happy if we had another ten pages added and Rosenberg took his time digging into that deeper and making the reader feel more for the characters and less off of historical acceptance. The rise of anti-Semitism over the last few years has been unacceptable, but unfortunately it isn’t something new. I would’ve loved Rosenberg to have these characters discuss how it had impacted them more, instead of an impassioned speech that is delivered. As well, the racism/bigotry plot line could’ve been expanded a bit more too to really work as a powerful novella showcasing this. Knowing the publishers and the publishing house, I’m certain they’d have had no qualms about that.
Secondly – NOT ENOUGH HUNGERS! AH! Zachary! You’re killing me here! They are kept in the shadows and remain there and we get hardly enough description to formulate what they might look like. And they barely get involved to any formidable degree. Definitely something I would’ve loved to see more of! Maybe a sequel or prequel will hit that aspect down the road!
Why you should buy this: This novella packs a ton of emotions and action into its short page count. Rosenberg wields his pen like a master swordsman, slashing beautiful and compulsive prose in each and every paragraph. This one really does a wonderful job of playing to the strengths of what makes westerns great, but also what makes folklore horror great.
Definitely one to snag!
So, I decided to make that switch and if someone wanted both, I’d be willing to do that. Every little bit helps.
Which, was why I was excited when Zachary reached out to see if I wanted to check out an ARC of his upcoming novella. I’ve only read a short from Zachary previously, but was really eager and keen to see what he’d created with this western/folklore horror story.
What I liked: The story follows events in Grey’s Bluff, years after the Civil War. Esther and Siobhan are secret lovers, living in Esther’s fathers home and tending to the town as needed. Part of that ‘tending’ is making sure their end of the pact that Esther’s father made with those called The Hungers who live in the mountains is maintained.
I really enjoyed the interactions between Esther and Siobhan and thought they made a really solid, thoroughly crafted couple. I would suspect that they are based on a real-life couple, the little mannerisms Rosenberg adds in suggesting that.
It sets up an exciting wild-west tale and Rosenberg holds nothing back. We get topical and timely socio-political commentary interspersed within. The meat of the story occurs when an old army friend of Esther’s dad is sent to forcefully take Grey’s Bluffs.
Rosenberg uses this as a way to pack a solid quarter of the story with an action-packed sequence. It rumbles us along until we get to the ending and we get to see what happens when those who’ve not treated The Hungers kindly step into their world uninvited.
What I didn’t like: Two things nagged at me. The first is the bigotry/anti-Semitism parts. I feel like it wasn’t expanded upon enough. This is a short, snappy novella – but I would’ve been just as happy if we had another ten pages added and Rosenberg took his time digging into that deeper and making the reader feel more for the characters and less off of historical acceptance. The rise of anti-Semitism over the last few years has been unacceptable, but unfortunately it isn’t something new. I would’ve loved Rosenberg to have these characters discuss how it had impacted them more, instead of an impassioned speech that is delivered. As well, the racism/bigotry plot line could’ve been expanded a bit more too to really work as a powerful novella showcasing this. Knowing the publishers and the publishing house, I’m certain they’d have had no qualms about that.
Secondly – NOT ENOUGH HUNGERS! AH! Zachary! You’re killing me here! They are kept in the shadows and remain there and we get hardly enough description to formulate what they might look like. And they barely get involved to any formidable degree. Definitely something I would’ve loved to see more of! Maybe a sequel or prequel will hit that aspect down the road!
Why you should buy this: This novella packs a ton of emotions and action into its short page count. Rosenberg wields his pen like a master swordsman, slashing beautiful and compulsive prose in each and every paragraph. This one really does a wonderful job of playing to the strengths of what makes westerns great, but also what makes folklore horror great.
Definitely one to snag!
April 8, 2023
On the one hand, Hungers as Old as This Land, Zachary Rosenberg's debut novella, is a good and really solid horror western that feels like a complete meal. On the other hand, I also felt like I was given too small a portion to truly satisfy and wondered at how much it might be improved with some extra ingredients or a little bit more seasoning. That's not to say that Rosenberg's work is bad -- far from it, in my estimation, and I think the author has plenty of room to grow (his debut novel is due out soon from Darklit Press, and I'm quite compelled to give that a read based on this novella alone) -- but I did find myself wanting more. It didn't quite fill me up, but I was certainly happy to have had it and would suggest that you try it, too.
We're introduced to Abraham Foxman and Cyril Redstone as the two compatriots fight for their lives at the battle of Antietam during the Civil War, where Abraham saves Cyril's life. Flash forward 20 years to the American West, where Abraham has established a settlement for his fellow Jewish folk, which includes his half-Muscogee daughter, Esther, and her lover, Siobhan. Cyril is an ex-Pinkerton turned hired gun for a rich businessman, used to break up burgeoning unions and murder rabble-rousers looking for better and fairer working conditions. It's obvious right from the outset that Cyril and the clearly much more progressive Abraham are due for some violent conflict, and that Esther and Siobhan will be caught in the middle. This, of course, comes to pass when Cyril is hired to do the bloody bidding of his wealthy master and wipe out Foxman's settlement, which sits on a piece of very lucrative land. Oh, and there's a mountain full of bloodthirsty, inhuman monsters, too.
At only a 100 or so pages, Hungers as Old as This Land feels like a race to the finish almost entirely from the get-go. Rosenberg's work is a brisk and snappily-paced one, but I found myself wishing that it were longer and afforded us more time to explore and gave us more details to study. His creatures are an interesting sort, and are largely hidden from both the characters and the readers, somewhat like Jaws where we don't really get to see them until the third act. Even then descriptions are lacking, but we certainly get an eyeful of all they are capable of. I have no issue with not being able to "see" these horrors clearly and appreciate the air of mystery and gravitas Rosenberg gives them. I found myself more concerned with how and why this peculiar species, which we are told predates not only America but mankind itself, is able to converse in English and couldn't help but wonder how they learned that tongue or who taught them. Is there an ESL course for horror monsters? Wouldn't it have made more sense for them speak the language of the Muscogee Creek, whose presence in the area would have surely been more significant than the Johnny-come-lately white man, and which Esther is fluent in? It's a niggling detail, one that feels just a little too convenient, and one that confounded me. Abraham has cut a deal with these creatures to keep Grey's Bluffs safe and it's another story beat that I wish we'd gotten to learn more about. I'm genuinely curious to know what those negotiations looked like, what kind of concessions were made, and how it was all brokered, especially since these horrors seem more like the "kill first" kind of horror monster.
I'll admit, too, that was I hoping for a more extended revenge tale with Esther and Siobhan exacting bloody vengeance through the mountains, hunting Cyril and his coldblooded compatriots. What we get is good and all, but like several other areas of this book, I just wanted more from it and more of it. Much of this desire breaks down to one simple thing -- this is a neat group of people and I really wanted more time with them. Siobhan is a frisky, red-haired fighter, and her girlfriend is the more calming influence on her life. They're a great couple, both are proud and steadfast, and I believed their love was one for the ages. Cyril is as smarmy a bad guy as they come, the type of villain Walton Goggins has made a career out of on TV and the silver screen in all his lanky, big-toothed glory. Cyril cares not a whit for anything but money, and when offered the chance to betray the man who he owes his very life to and to commit an entire town's worth of mass murder his only concern is how much cash it'll earn him and then to ask for double because he knows the settlement's founder. There's still an odd charm about him, though, which is what you want in a really good bad guy.
What really helps separate Hungers as Old as This Land from the sudden wellspring of western-horrors that has found a resurgence in the last few years is its focus on Jewishness and the tenets of Judaism our heroes live by. There's a constant undercurrent of racism at play throughout the story, and the Jewish settlement of Grey's Bluffs coming under attack by those tasked with not just expelling the Jews from their land but slaughtering them wholesale echoes the very long history of similar past conflicts for Jewish peoples across the centuries and up through the modern-day. That this work comes at a time when antisemitic hate crimes are continually rising in the US, stoked by years of Trump and GOP rhetoric involving George Soros and more explicit antisemitic language, which has only grown worse since the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville in 2017, makes Hungers as Old as This Land not just timely but vital. We need more stories like this to help combat the rising tide of hate and to, maybe, just maybe, help push it back.
Frankly, for as much as I wanted more pages to live in with Hungers as Old as This Land, I want even more works from Rosenberg himself. His voice, and his injection of Otherness, as displayed here, into a field where Christianity is still so often the default, is not just important but necessary to help expand the breadth and depth of horrordom. I certainly wouldn't say no to catching up again with Esther and Siobhan sometime soon, further down the trail. I think these two have more stories to tell, and I'm all ears.
We're introduced to Abraham Foxman and Cyril Redstone as the two compatriots fight for their lives at the battle of Antietam during the Civil War, where Abraham saves Cyril's life. Flash forward 20 years to the American West, where Abraham has established a settlement for his fellow Jewish folk, which includes his half-Muscogee daughter, Esther, and her lover, Siobhan. Cyril is an ex-Pinkerton turned hired gun for a rich businessman, used to break up burgeoning unions and murder rabble-rousers looking for better and fairer working conditions. It's obvious right from the outset that Cyril and the clearly much more progressive Abraham are due for some violent conflict, and that Esther and Siobhan will be caught in the middle. This, of course, comes to pass when Cyril is hired to do the bloody bidding of his wealthy master and wipe out Foxman's settlement, which sits on a piece of very lucrative land. Oh, and there's a mountain full of bloodthirsty, inhuman monsters, too.
At only a 100 or so pages, Hungers as Old as This Land feels like a race to the finish almost entirely from the get-go. Rosenberg's work is a brisk and snappily-paced one, but I found myself wishing that it were longer and afforded us more time to explore and gave us more details to study. His creatures are an interesting sort, and are largely hidden from both the characters and the readers, somewhat like Jaws where we don't really get to see them until the third act. Even then descriptions are lacking, but we certainly get an eyeful of all they are capable of. I have no issue with not being able to "see" these horrors clearly and appreciate the air of mystery and gravitas Rosenberg gives them. I found myself more concerned with how and why this peculiar species, which we are told predates not only America but mankind itself, is able to converse in English and couldn't help but wonder how they learned that tongue or who taught them. Is there an ESL course for horror monsters? Wouldn't it have made more sense for them speak the language of the Muscogee Creek, whose presence in the area would have surely been more significant than the Johnny-come-lately white man, and which Esther is fluent in? It's a niggling detail, one that feels just a little too convenient, and one that confounded me. Abraham has cut a deal with these creatures to keep Grey's Bluffs safe and it's another story beat that I wish we'd gotten to learn more about. I'm genuinely curious to know what those negotiations looked like, what kind of concessions were made, and how it was all brokered, especially since these horrors seem more like the "kill first" kind of horror monster.
I'll admit, too, that was I hoping for a more extended revenge tale with Esther and Siobhan exacting bloody vengeance through the mountains, hunting Cyril and his coldblooded compatriots. What we get is good and all, but like several other areas of this book, I just wanted more from it and more of it. Much of this desire breaks down to one simple thing -- this is a neat group of people and I really wanted more time with them. Siobhan is a frisky, red-haired fighter, and her girlfriend is the more calming influence on her life. They're a great couple, both are proud and steadfast, and I believed their love was one for the ages. Cyril is as smarmy a bad guy as they come, the type of villain Walton Goggins has made a career out of on TV and the silver screen in all his lanky, big-toothed glory. Cyril cares not a whit for anything but money, and when offered the chance to betray the man who he owes his very life to and to commit an entire town's worth of mass murder his only concern is how much cash it'll earn him and then to ask for double because he knows the settlement's founder. There's still an odd charm about him, though, which is what you want in a really good bad guy.
What really helps separate Hungers as Old as This Land from the sudden wellspring of western-horrors that has found a resurgence in the last few years is its focus on Jewishness and the tenets of Judaism our heroes live by. There's a constant undercurrent of racism at play throughout the story, and the Jewish settlement of Grey's Bluffs coming under attack by those tasked with not just expelling the Jews from their land but slaughtering them wholesale echoes the very long history of similar past conflicts for Jewish peoples across the centuries and up through the modern-day. That this work comes at a time when antisemitic hate crimes are continually rising in the US, stoked by years of Trump and GOP rhetoric involving George Soros and more explicit antisemitic language, which has only grown worse since the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville in 2017, makes Hungers as Old as This Land not just timely but vital. We need more stories like this to help combat the rising tide of hate and to, maybe, just maybe, help push it back.
Frankly, for as much as I wanted more pages to live in with Hungers as Old as This Land, I want even more works from Rosenberg himself. His voice, and his injection of Otherness, as displayed here, into a field where Christianity is still so often the default, is not just important but necessary to help expand the breadth and depth of horrordom. I certainly wouldn't say no to catching up again with Esther and Siobhan sometime soon, further down the trail. I think these two have more stories to tell, and I'm all ears.
June 19, 2023
Zachary debut novel Hungers as Old as This Land is a solid western themed horror story with interesting characters, vile villains and creatures of ancient times.
It starts off during the civil war where we meet Cyril and Abraham. Abraham is a courageous solider and Cyril owes his life to Abraham. We skip forward and Cyril is now a mercenary for hire and Abraham and his daughter Esther and her lover Siobhan live in small town Greys Bluff. The town is flanked by mountains which contain the creatures known as the Hungers. The town is prospering due to Abraham's deal with the creatures.
Cyril is hired by a local businessman/crime figure to deal with the town and obtain its riches. What follows is a very good western story. The towns are set up well, the characters developed. Cyril in particular is a vile character with no remorse or compassion. Our main characters in this are Esther and Siobhan who are lovers and it's written with passion, realism and comes across as genuine. I really loved both of them and how Esther especially had her fathers traits of being strong willed and capable. It's not often we get strong female characters in western themed novels and in this we have two so it was a pleasant surprise.
This all leads to an ending involving an attack on the town of Greys Bluff for its riches in typical western style and then contact is made with the creatures of the mountains and the horror begins.
So I loved the western elements of this immensely but the horror was kinda a let down. There just isn't enough of the creatures in it to be honest. I couldn't really picture what they were supposed to be either other than creatures. We got descriptions of there eyes and teeth but nothing else so I couldn't really get into it on how horrific they were. The back story for the creatures was lacking as well they were just there from ancient times and would of loved to know a bit more about them and how they came to be in the area and why. I know this is a novella so it has to be short and too the point but more creature action and maybe a little less on the western elements no matter how good that bit was which it really is would have made it a higher rating from me.
It starts off during the civil war where we meet Cyril and Abraham. Abraham is a courageous solider and Cyril owes his life to Abraham. We skip forward and Cyril is now a mercenary for hire and Abraham and his daughter Esther and her lover Siobhan live in small town Greys Bluff. The town is flanked by mountains which contain the creatures known as the Hungers. The town is prospering due to Abraham's deal with the creatures.
Cyril is hired by a local businessman/crime figure to deal with the town and obtain its riches. What follows is a very good western story. The towns are set up well, the characters developed. Cyril in particular is a vile character with no remorse or compassion. Our main characters in this are Esther and Siobhan who are lovers and it's written with passion, realism and comes across as genuine. I really loved both of them and how Esther especially had her fathers traits of being strong willed and capable. It's not often we get strong female characters in western themed novels and in this we have two so it was a pleasant surprise.
This all leads to an ending involving an attack on the town of Greys Bluff for its riches in typical western style and then contact is made with the creatures of the mountains and the horror begins.
So I loved the western elements of this immensely but the horror was kinda a let down. There just isn't enough of the creatures in it to be honest. I couldn't really picture what they were supposed to be either other than creatures. We got descriptions of there eyes and teeth but nothing else so I couldn't really get into it on how horrific they were. The back story for the creatures was lacking as well they were just there from ancient times and would of loved to know a bit more about them and how they came to be in the area and why. I know this is a novella so it has to be short and too the point but more creature action and maybe a little less on the western elements no matter how good that bit was which it really is would have made it a higher rating from me.
June 27, 2023
A solid horror western with two daring sapphic heroines, hateful villains and mysterious anciemt monsters feasting on human flesh.
April 11, 2023
“Dirty business was what America was all about. It was a lesson as old as this nation, built upon lead and gun smoke: hunger drove everything.”
This book will leave you foaming at the bit. I tried to take this slow,?it was a busy weekend and I figured I’d read a little here and there. I honestly couldn’t stop thinking about it. I finished reading it in less than a 24 hour time span, I was just too compelled to get back to it. Esther and Siobhan just drew me in and the creatures living in the great mountains known as the Hungers, were so mysterious.
There is a lot of story packed into this novella. It flowed so smoothly, I’m not sure how Zachary got it all in there. Folklore, history, antisemitism, greed, sapphic love, racism, fierce strong female lead characters…oh, and a killer race of reptilian humanoid creatures that you do NOT want to cross.
“He couldn’t scream anymore.
But he tried.”
This book will leave you foaming at the bit. I tried to take this slow,?it was a busy weekend and I figured I’d read a little here and there. I honestly couldn’t stop thinking about it. I finished reading it in less than a 24 hour time span, I was just too compelled to get back to it. Esther and Siobhan just drew me in and the creatures living in the great mountains known as the Hungers, were so mysterious.
There is a lot of story packed into this novella. It flowed so smoothly, I’m not sure how Zachary got it all in there. Folklore, history, antisemitism, greed, sapphic love, racism, fierce strong female lead characters…oh, and a killer race of reptilian humanoid creatures that you do NOT want to cross.
“He couldn’t scream anymore.
But he tried.”
May 1, 2023
“All around them, the blood and brains of men too impatient and too foolish to know how to survive mingled with the wet earth.”
This was an awesome entry into the horror western category!
It told a fantastic story with protagonists who are lgbtq as well as Jewish, which is rare to see in any book, let alone in one for this timeframe. It was very refreshing and I loved the characters. Cyril was cold and cruel, I wonder how he got to be that way.
The creatures were phenomenal, terrifying and powerful. I couldn’t help feeling sorry for them though as Esther did, that the world is changing and there may not be a place for them in it.
Again, a fantastic story, and if the other decides to write more about The Hungers or Siobhan/Esther, I would definitely read any future books!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Brigids Gate Press for a copy!
This was an awesome entry into the horror western category!
It told a fantastic story with protagonists who are lgbtq as well as Jewish, which is rare to see in any book, let alone in one for this timeframe. It was very refreshing and I loved the characters. Cyril was cold and cruel, I wonder how he got to be that way.
The creatures were phenomenal, terrifying and powerful. I couldn’t help feeling sorry for them though as Esther did, that the world is changing and there may not be a place for them in it.
Again, a fantastic story, and if the other decides to write more about The Hungers or Siobhan/Esther, I would definitely read any future books!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Brigids Gate Press for a copy!
Read
May 17, 2023Zachary Rosenberg won me over with this frontier "creature feature" featuring feisty women at its center. HUNGERS AS OLD AS THIS LAND brings to vivid life shades and perspectives one doesn't typically get from a "Western" - plus it has action, gore, a sinister villain, and monsters galore!
January 29, 2023
Really excellent entry in the splatter western genre. Enjoyed the perspective
March 5, 2023
3.5 rounded to 4. Review for Horror DNA closer to publication
July 12, 2023
So I'm trying to recall the last time I read a Western in which the main character was Jewish and I honestly think this was the first. Our main character is Jewish and Indigenous and I simply loved our mix of cultures here!
The story itself is both chilling and suspenseful and features a villain who borders on iconic! The villain was so well fleshed out and I'd definitely run if I saw them coming!
Expect violence, heartbreak, and a surprisingly epic tale.
Loved this!
The story itself is both chilling and suspenseful and features a villain who borders on iconic! The villain was so well fleshed out and I'd definitely run if I saw them coming!
Expect violence, heartbreak, and a surprisingly epic tale.
Loved this!
June 3, 2025
a decent short western horror
April 24, 2023
This was unlike anything I've read before. A sort of creature feature western with passionate characters and lots of blood and gore. For me, anything set in a time period before the 1980s is considered 'historical fiction' and usually I would avoid it at all costs. I'm glad I took a chance on this action packed novella.
Whilst short, it certainly packed a lot into its mere 100 pages. When bad men come to a good place looking for trouble, Esther and Siobhan must make a decision that will save themselves and the entire town of Grey's Bluffs. This would make a great full length novel, or even a tv series.
**Thanks to Brigids Gate Press and Netgalley for my free arc.
Whilst short, it certainly packed a lot into its mere 100 pages. When bad men come to a good place looking for trouble, Esther and Siobhan must make a decision that will save themselves and the entire town of Grey's Bluffs. This would make a great full length novel, or even a tv series.
**Thanks to Brigids Gate Press and Netgalley for my free arc.
May 16, 2023
DNF’d at 80%
The premise of the book sounded amazing, lesbian western horror with terrifying creatures.
Unfortunately I couldn’t get into the story at all, even though this was just a novella I couldn’t finish it, it felt so long and boring.
I really wanted to love this but unfortunately I didn’t enjoyed it.
Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.
🍃 Publication Date: May 17, 2023 🍃
The premise of the book sounded amazing, lesbian western horror with terrifying creatures.
Unfortunately I couldn’t get into the story at all, even though this was just a novella I couldn’t finish it, it felt so long and boring.
I really wanted to love this but unfortunately I didn’t enjoyed it.
Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.
🍃 Publication Date: May 17, 2023 🍃
May 20, 2023
Hungers as Old as This Land delivers every bit of the promise of its description. Rosenberg is a rising talent in genre storytelling and his infusion of Judaism in a genre laden with overtly Christian symbology is a breath of fresh air.
What stood out to me most in the story was the character work. The villains were vile and the heroines heroic, but there was so much more to them. The banality of Cyril's evil is palpable. He isn't bad because he has a grudge or thinks something is owed to him. He's bad because he is. It keeps him comfortable, financially, and that's all the man needs. Not only is this effective writing, but it also drives home the kind of evil so often overlooked in fiction and reality.
And then there are Esther and Siobhan. I love their love and commitment to each other. I love that they share every part of their lives with each other, from their faith to their separate languages. It's refreshing to have these well-rounded characters at the center of a story where they would often be forced to the side or portrayed as semi-villains themselves.
My only complaint echoes so many others here. While the story is brilliant, I wish there was more. Hopefully, though, Rosenberg will supply that in future novellas.
What stood out to me most in the story was the character work. The villains were vile and the heroines heroic, but there was so much more to them. The banality of Cyril's evil is palpable. He isn't bad because he has a grudge or thinks something is owed to him. He's bad because he is. It keeps him comfortable, financially, and that's all the man needs. Not only is this effective writing, but it also drives home the kind of evil so often overlooked in fiction and reality.
And then there are Esther and Siobhan. I love their love and commitment to each other. I love that they share every part of their lives with each other, from their faith to their separate languages. It's refreshing to have these well-rounded characters at the center of a story where they would often be forced to the side or portrayed as semi-villains themselves.
My only complaint echoes so many others here. While the story is brilliant, I wish there was more. Hopefully, though, Rosenberg will supply that in future novellas.
April 8, 2023
I’ll be honest, I was drawn to this for Jewish lesbians, but also the premise of ancient beings making bargains with community is an intriguing premise. This was a super quick novella and it had great pacing, especially for a novella. I didn’t find this especially creepy or horror-like, though I do feel like it showed (like many good horror stories) that the real monsters aren’t the creatures of the dark but humans. This was interesting and had really good world building.
April 23, 2023
✨ ARC REVIEW. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily ✨
Over the last few months, I've had the unmitigated pleasure (both recreationally and through the magazine I run) of becoming familiar with Rosenberg's work. I'm delighted to report that his long form is just as good as his short, and can I say? I love that a western horror is his novella debut. This is only my second dip into that sub-genre pool, but I'm in love with it. I've entered my gruesome yeehaw era, and this did not disappoint!
I devoured this (ha!) in a little under a week, though honestly if I hadn't been forcing myself to savor it, I could've powered through it in an afternoon; it was just that engrossing! The story clips along at a masterful pace, driven by a tight plot and well-crafted action/battle/fight scenes. Rosenberg is a master of action, and his descriptions of the nastiness of old-time war and gunfights were delicious! You really got a sense of the grit and grime, not to mention the goriness of classic shoot-outs, fist- and knife-fights. None of it dragged on too long, as these kinds of scenes sometimes do. They were goldilocks action sequences, full of just enough tension and lead switching to keep you guessing.
Another favorite aspect of this story for me is how well integrated the occult aspects are. Rosenberg does a great job of grounding the fantastic in reality. The Hungers are such a part of the landscape and natural world that they hardly feel magical, even when you're reading descriptions of what could only be demons expressing their inhumanity in the ugliest ways; or learning of the bargain struck with them by the founders of Grey's Bluffs; or of the intricate yearly ritual that passes between them and the townsfolk. It's a classic example of a demon/mortal pact, yet it feels as common and possible as a border negotiation. The main (heroic) characters aren't at odds with the occult. They coexist with it. It's a beautifully bizarre relationship, and a treat to explore.
Speaking of relationships, the interpersonal dynamics in this are some of the best I've read in a while. The depth of feeling between Esther and Siobhan, the bedgruding respect/contension between Abraham and Cyril, the banter of the Blackhawks, how Cyril handles employers and potential victims alike... It all sparkles! Every character has so much personality, yet no one overpowers the other. They slot together perfectly, and their dances with/around each other make this for me.
Two more things before I decide I've gone on too long:
1) Cyril is my new favorite villain. Full stop. He's charming, nasty, amoral, has no fixed creed or loyalty; he's violent, he's self-serving, he's an unapologetic career climber; he's everything! Every time the story switched to his POV, I got a thrill. I loved stepping into his mind, and honestly could've read a whole other book from his perspective. I was so intrigued by his position as leader of the Blackhawks, and if Zach ever chooses to write a prequel revolving around them, I'm the FIRST in line to read it.
2) The play of identity in this story was beyond interesting, not to mention authentic. Esther's struggle with a sense of Otherness wherever she goes, as well as her attempts to balance all aspects of herself—her identity as a mixed Jewish and Native woman, and how that crosses over with her identity as a gay woman—gets a chef's kiss from me! Her grappling added such depth and sincerity to the story. It informed all of her decisions, effected how she was seen and treated, how she moved through the world, while at the same time giving her an immense amount of strength. She drew power and comfort from all aspects of herself, even those she understood less than others. Her pride and self-love was so affirming, and I really appreciate what Rosenberg did here.
The only thing I'd say was missing for me (and this is being extremely picky), was more background on The Hungers. I was intrigued by them as creatures and kept waiting for some kind of insight into their history, culture, biology, something, but that never came. They played into the story well, and I didn't feel as though they were wasted or relegated to a minor plot device or anything, but I do feel that they could've been expanded on more. It was like missing a few grinds of nutmeg in a nice cheese sauce. The story was delightful, but this would've further elevated it.
But, as I said, that's me being terribly picky. I adored this book and am eagerly awaiting the official release, as well as all future releases from Zach. If this is any indication, they're going to knock my socks off.
Over the last few months, I've had the unmitigated pleasure (both recreationally and through the magazine I run) of becoming familiar with Rosenberg's work. I'm delighted to report that his long form is just as good as his short, and can I say? I love that a western horror is his novella debut. This is only my second dip into that sub-genre pool, but I'm in love with it. I've entered my gruesome yeehaw era, and this did not disappoint!
I devoured this (ha!) in a little under a week, though honestly if I hadn't been forcing myself to savor it, I could've powered through it in an afternoon; it was just that engrossing! The story clips along at a masterful pace, driven by a tight plot and well-crafted action/battle/fight scenes. Rosenberg is a master of action, and his descriptions of the nastiness of old-time war and gunfights were delicious! You really got a sense of the grit and grime, not to mention the goriness of classic shoot-outs, fist- and knife-fights. None of it dragged on too long, as these kinds of scenes sometimes do. They were goldilocks action sequences, full of just enough tension and lead switching to keep you guessing.
Another favorite aspect of this story for me is how well integrated the occult aspects are. Rosenberg does a great job of grounding the fantastic in reality. The Hungers are such a part of the landscape and natural world that they hardly feel magical, even when you're reading descriptions of what could only be demons expressing their inhumanity in the ugliest ways; or learning of the bargain struck with them by the founders of Grey's Bluffs; or of the intricate yearly ritual that passes between them and the townsfolk. It's a classic example of a demon/mortal pact, yet it feels as common and possible as a border negotiation. The main (heroic) characters aren't at odds with the occult. They coexist with it. It's a beautifully bizarre relationship, and a treat to explore.
Speaking of relationships, the interpersonal dynamics in this are some of the best I've read in a while. The depth of feeling between Esther and Siobhan, the bedgruding respect/contension between Abraham and Cyril, the banter of the Blackhawks, how Cyril handles employers and potential victims alike... It all sparkles! Every character has so much personality, yet no one overpowers the other. They slot together perfectly, and their dances with/around each other make this for me.
Two more things before I decide I've gone on too long:
1) Cyril is my new favorite villain. Full stop. He's charming, nasty, amoral, has no fixed creed or loyalty; he's violent, he's self-serving, he's an unapologetic career climber; he's everything! Every time the story switched to his POV, I got a thrill. I loved stepping into his mind, and honestly could've read a whole other book from his perspective. I was so intrigued by his position as leader of the Blackhawks, and if Zach ever chooses to write a prequel revolving around them, I'm the FIRST in line to read it.
2) The play of identity in this story was beyond interesting, not to mention authentic. Esther's struggle with a sense of Otherness wherever she goes, as well as her attempts to balance all aspects of herself—her identity as a mixed Jewish and Native woman, and how that crosses over with her identity as a gay woman—gets a chef's kiss from me! Her grappling added such depth and sincerity to the story. It informed all of her decisions, effected how she was seen and treated, how she moved through the world, while at the same time giving her an immense amount of strength. She drew power and comfort from all aspects of herself, even those she understood less than others. Her pride and self-love was so affirming, and I really appreciate what Rosenberg did here.
The only thing I'd say was missing for me (and this is being extremely picky), was more background on The Hungers. I was intrigued by them as creatures and kept waiting for some kind of insight into their history, culture, biology, something, but that never came. They played into the story well, and I didn't feel as though they were wasted or relegated to a minor plot device or anything, but I do feel that they could've been expanded on more. It was like missing a few grinds of nutmeg in a nice cheese sauce. The story was delightful, but this would've further elevated it.
But, as I said, that's me being terribly picky. I adored this book and am eagerly awaiting the official release, as well as all future releases from Zach. If this is any indication, they're going to knock my socks off.
April 6, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Zachary Rosenberg for the chance to review an ARC of the latter’s novella ‘Hungers as Old as This Land’! This was a fantastic read. Unlike most horror westerns published previously, this one starts right in the middle of things, accepts no excuses, and goes straight to the point, showing how much potential the genre has. There’s no time wasted on social graces or profound explanations (even the dates of the events are put at the end of each chapter): this is a Western, after all, full of gritty realism, and, most significant of all, pervaded by an atmosphere of horror, charged with bloody menace, and twisted by sinister betrayals. Still, there’s the chemistry between the protagonists, the banter, the deep characterization in such a short tale, bringing some balance to Esther and Siobhan’s adventure. Overall, a fascinating story that’s not to be missed!
March 28, 2023
If you’re looking for a western that doesn’t draw from the typical well of overt sexism and racism, this will not disappoint.
Hungers follows Esther and Siobhan in the small town of Grey’s Bluffs as they navigate an agreement with unknown people (monsters??) in the hills while also trading in the corrupt city of Independence. Esther and Siobhan run up against a villain who cares only for profit and will betray even the oldest friendships for a job.
Hungers is a quick read, not entirely due to its length but also because it’s impossible to put down. Readers will root for Esther and Siobhan, while desperately craving more of Grey’s Bluffs’ lore.
Hungers follows Esther and Siobhan in the small town of Grey’s Bluffs as they navigate an agreement with unknown people (monsters??) in the hills while also trading in the corrupt city of Independence. Esther and Siobhan run up against a villain who cares only for profit and will betray even the oldest friendships for a job.
Hungers is a quick read, not entirely due to its length but also because it’s impossible to put down. Readers will root for Esther and Siobhan, while desperately craving more of Grey’s Bluffs’ lore.
April 22, 2023
"The West was still wild in many ways. Human beings believed they could tame the land, force it to obey their hungers."
.
Opening on the backdrop of the US civil war, we meet soldier Cyril Redstone fighting alongside his friend Abraham Foxman. We then jump focus and meet Ester Foxman, and her lover Siobhan O'Clery, the daughter and adoptive daughter of Abraham, who reside in the settlement of Grey's Bluff. But there is something out there, near to the settlement... Meanwhile, Cyril has become a mercenary of sorts, working with a private army known as the Blackhawks. Soon these paths begin to converge...
.
Zach very kindly offered me a chance to read this one. I like Westerns, and looked forward to seeing where Zach led with this one.
.
This one opens in quite a big way and really does capture the zeitgeist of the American Civil War nicely, and sets up a good story. The time jump is well handled and we do get a sense of the core cast quite early on, of who they are and what they are up to, and the inevitable sense of the paths will cross. The whole Hungers business too worked as well. These sort of mysterious, almost mystical beings that we get an odd glimpse of here and there with a giant ? lingering over them. I do enjoy the Jewish / Hebrew (pull me up if I misspeak by mistake there please) representation we see throughout this one, and it is great to see it shine in the characters, and the writing. The way Cyril is written as a villain works well, as he feels like a reflection of some American settlers, with a corrupted form of the 'Manifest Destiny' concept. My only issue is, and this is one I keep finding with some stories I read lately, so it might well be me being me, is I would have liked more. The closing chapters felt a tad on the short side. A bit more might have been nice. But the ending is well done, and feels like a bittersweet way to close it
.
Overall 4.5/5 ⭐
.
Opening on the backdrop of the US civil war, we meet soldier Cyril Redstone fighting alongside his friend Abraham Foxman. We then jump focus and meet Ester Foxman, and her lover Siobhan O'Clery, the daughter and adoptive daughter of Abraham, who reside in the settlement of Grey's Bluff. But there is something out there, near to the settlement... Meanwhile, Cyril has become a mercenary of sorts, working with a private army known as the Blackhawks. Soon these paths begin to converge...
.
Zach very kindly offered me a chance to read this one. I like Westerns, and looked forward to seeing where Zach led with this one.
.
This one opens in quite a big way and really does capture the zeitgeist of the American Civil War nicely, and sets up a good story. The time jump is well handled and we do get a sense of the core cast quite early on, of who they are and what they are up to, and the inevitable sense of the paths will cross. The whole Hungers business too worked as well. These sort of mysterious, almost mystical beings that we get an odd glimpse of here and there with a giant ? lingering over them. I do enjoy the Jewish / Hebrew (pull me up if I misspeak by mistake there please) representation we see throughout this one, and it is great to see it shine in the characters, and the writing. The way Cyril is written as a villain works well, as he feels like a reflection of some American settlers, with a corrupted form of the 'Manifest Destiny' concept. My only issue is, and this is one I keep finding with some stories I read lately, so it might well be me being me, is I would have liked more. The closing chapters felt a tad on the short side. A bit more might have been nice. But the ending is well done, and feels like a bittersweet way to close it
.
Overall 4.5/5 ⭐
July 30, 2023
“Dirty business was what America was all about. It was a lesson as old as this nation, built upon lead and gun smoke: hunger drove everything.”
I’ve always said I will read anything: I have loved mysteries, romance, historical fiction, nonfiction… but I was never interested in westerns. Thanks to the horror community, and especially Hungers as Old as This Land, I think I’ve changed my mind.
Esther Foxman and Siobhan O’Clery are just two of the people in Abraham Foxman’s settlement near The Hungers. It’s a thriving settlement filled with a diverse population. Everything works this way because Abraham made a pact with the creatures of The Hungers. They watch over Grey’s Bluffs for offerings in return.
This is my first story by Zachary Rosenberg, and his writing blew me away. This is a shorter book, only 100 pages or so, but the way he wrote it made it feel much longer, in a good way. It was very theatrical, and even with sparse descriptions of the creatures, I was able to fill in the blanks myself, and that made it even scarier.
Something I really enjoyed was that there was almost a philosophical statement about monstrosity: are the creatures the monsters, or are humans? For such a short book, there was a lot to ponder over at the end.
I’m writing this review months after finishing this book, and while I don’t remember everything still, I do remember how I felt reading it. It really was a pleasure. And it was queer as hell, which I definitely appreciated. Esther and Siobhan were goals.
Thank you to NetGalley and Birgids Gate Press for the chance to read this advanced review copy.
CW: violence, blood, death, gore, racism, gun violence, war, xenophobia, homophobia, death of parent
I’ve always said I will read anything: I have loved mysteries, romance, historical fiction, nonfiction… but I was never interested in westerns. Thanks to the horror community, and especially Hungers as Old as This Land, I think I’ve changed my mind.
Esther Foxman and Siobhan O’Clery are just two of the people in Abraham Foxman’s settlement near The Hungers. It’s a thriving settlement filled with a diverse population. Everything works this way because Abraham made a pact with the creatures of The Hungers. They watch over Grey’s Bluffs for offerings in return.
This is my first story by Zachary Rosenberg, and his writing blew me away. This is a shorter book, only 100 pages or so, but the way he wrote it made it feel much longer, in a good way. It was very theatrical, and even with sparse descriptions of the creatures, I was able to fill in the blanks myself, and that made it even scarier.
Something I really enjoyed was that there was almost a philosophical statement about monstrosity: are the creatures the monsters, or are humans? For such a short book, there was a lot to ponder over at the end.
I’m writing this review months after finishing this book, and while I don’t remember everything still, I do remember how I felt reading it. It really was a pleasure. And it was queer as hell, which I definitely appreciated. Esther and Siobhan were goals.
Thank you to NetGalley and Birgids Gate Press for the chance to read this advanced review copy.
CW: violence, blood, death, gore, racism, gun violence, war, xenophobia, homophobia, death of parent
April 13, 2023
I want to preface this by saying that I rarely read westerns.
My first thought when I saw the cover was "Oh, this one just isn't for me."
Then I read a description on twitter and learned there were Jewish lesbians, and I thought "maybe there will be enough in this book that is for me, despite being a western."
What I was absolutely not prepared for was to fall absolutely in love with the entire book, including the elements that I would normally shy away from.
The sense of atmosphere was so strong, and The Hungers were such an ominous presence in the world, that I found the entire experience to be incredibly immersive.
As anticipated, I also adored the characters. Siobhan was my favorite, I felt like she and Esther felt quite real and developed. The amount of personality that these two had was honestly impressive for a story of this length and I had to keep reading to find out what happened to them.
This was a spectacular piece of writing with strong characters, fascinating monsters, deep themes, and such a rich setting. I would recommend this to anyone, regardless of whether or not they typically read horror westerns. It is a good story down to its core.
My first thought when I saw the cover was "Oh, this one just isn't for me."
Then I read a description on twitter and learned there were Jewish lesbians, and I thought "maybe there will be enough in this book that is for me, despite being a western."
What I was absolutely not prepared for was to fall absolutely in love with the entire book, including the elements that I would normally shy away from.
The sense of atmosphere was so strong, and The Hungers were such an ominous presence in the world, that I found the entire experience to be incredibly immersive.
As anticipated, I also adored the characters. Siobhan was my favorite, I felt like she and Esther felt quite real and developed. The amount of personality that these two had was honestly impressive for a story of this length and I had to keep reading to find out what happened to them.
This was a spectacular piece of writing with strong characters, fascinating monsters, deep themes, and such a rich setting. I would recommend this to anyone, regardless of whether or not they typically read horror westerns. It is a good story down to its core.
March 10, 2023
I contend that a great novella is one to one adaptable to the big screen. You see it with King all the time. His greatest cinematic hits have been novellas. Shawshank. The Mist. Stand by Me.
Hungers as Old as This Land was a movie in my head. Rosenberg paints a clear setting that is immersive in its simplicity. We know what a western looks like. The image is ingrained in our cultural identity whether you watched them or not. And I'm somebody who doesn't go searching out Westerns.
Which, honestly, should change. Like buttered toast, every time I watch or read one, I'm reminded of how great the genre is and how much a fool I am for not embracing the buttery goodness more often.
Zachary excels with his characters as well. They are fully fleshed out while not causing too much bloat. These are refreshing archetypes brought to a new setting. The representation imbues what we love so much about the western—the violence, the charm, the romance—with a modern take that updates the genre in a great way.
If Hollywood makes a movie out of this, I'll be there opening night.
Hungers as Old as This Land was a movie in my head. Rosenberg paints a clear setting that is immersive in its simplicity. We know what a western looks like. The image is ingrained in our cultural identity whether you watched them or not. And I'm somebody who doesn't go searching out Westerns.
Which, honestly, should change. Like buttered toast, every time I watch or read one, I'm reminded of how great the genre is and how much a fool I am for not embracing the buttery goodness more often.
Zachary excels with his characters as well. They are fully fleshed out while not causing too much bloat. These are refreshing archetypes brought to a new setting. The representation imbues what we love so much about the western—the violence, the charm, the romance—with a modern take that updates the genre in a great way.
If Hollywood makes a movie out of this, I'll be there opening night.
April 23, 2023
Rosenberg's debut novella and first(?) foray into the town of Grey's Bluffs delivers every aspect a reader could want in a horror western. Compelling characterization, revenge, immensely easy-to-hate villains, and utterly terrifying creatures that live in the mountains. It didn't take long to realize I would follow Esther and Siobhan to the ends of the earth. Rosenberg endears the women who make up the beating heart of the story within pages, and even with the strong supporting characters and lightning-fast pacing, their relationship and characteristics ensure the reader will keep turning the pages. Hungers as Old as This Land gets to the root of greed, hate, and love, reveling in gory business when it needs to and dialing back when it serves the story.
August 1, 2023
To be fair, I went into this story with an open mind as westerns aren't typically my go-to genre. However, I had heard wonderful things about this tale, so figure I'd give it a shot. Turns out, I should have listened to my gut on this. I am not giving it a rating (as I do with indie authors), but giving it a proper review as this one wasn't for me. It felt like the story drug on for too long, and had a lot of overly descriptive writing that isn't my jam. While this is a novella, it went on for too long (but did manage to finish). I don't discourage anyone from checking this piece out.
July 19, 2023
I love both horror and westerns, unfortunately this didn’t scratch either itch. It was apparent from very early on how the story would play out, and it didn’t deviate. If I would have taken a shot each time the characters Star of David was mentioned I would have ended up hammered, would have thought the object would play a larger role than the constant reminder that the charter is Jewish.
Read
May 13, 2023First off, I have backed away from leaving stars on my Goodreads reviews, and I'm applying that approach here, as well. But I don't want to imply no stars as a value judgment, because this is a credible and propulsive debut novella from Zachary Rosenberg.
He writes cleanly and clearly, with steadfast prose that carries the reader where he wants them to go. This book radiates Rosenberg's literary ambitions, and shows his abundant confidence in tackling them.
Which is also, from my perspective, part of the problem -- this novella is jam-packed with ideas, any one of which could populate a novel's worth of narrative exploration. There is LGBTQ+ representation in the relationship of Esther and Siobhan, there's both Judaism surviving as well as antisemitism swaggering about in America, there's the Old West (in all of its plentiful permutations and complications) and there is the mysterious monstrosity of the Hungers. That's a very full plate.
Because Rosenberg's put them all into a novella, I feel that none of these concepts gets sufficient room to breathe. Again, this isn't exactly a criticism; rather, I think he might have taken the opportunity to expand this story into a novel, so things (heh, literally and figuratively) could stretch their legs a bit.
Or, he could have revised and rewritten the story to zero in on the story he truly wanted to tell, instead of juggling the plates of multiple concepts. And telling vs. showing is a big risk when there's so many ideas competing for time and attention -- especially in an Old West story, more showing carries the necessary atmosphere that the more clinical telling can't provide. It takes more time, but it's worth the journey for the reader.
Not to keep carping on it, but the novella format just isn't sufficient to showcase all of these stories -- it's like taking a four-cylinder car and flooring the accelerator for the duration of a a short road trip. I enjoy novellas, but they can only do so much, and Rosenberg's running his novella in the red on this one.
The characters are well-rendered (Cyril's a proper SOB, and Esther and Siobhan have a heartfelt rustic sweetness to them), and I think Rosenberg could have allowed those characters more freedom to explore who and what they are, and why they are. The Hungers are curious creations, and I think the reader would also benefit from a greater exploration of them, their impact on the land, what their deal is. They seemed more like a navigation hazard than the terrifying menace they ought to be, often referenced, but never fully realized in the story.
Concept creep is always a risk in storytelling, and strangely, this novella could have worked more cleanly as a straight-up revisionist Western OR as a tale of cosmic horror (?) OR as a TREMORS-type of creature feature -- by trying to touch on all of these in a shorter format, it's not quite a fully satisfying read -- it can't be all of these things at once and hold up. My advice would be to take one of those concepts and fully explore it narratively, see where the story takes you, versus zooming and swerving through all of them and hoping for the best.
That said (and this sounds paradoxical, I know), it's a solid and sincere debut effort. There's a showing of the necessary verve Rosenberg has to get the job done, but also an opportunity to expand creatively and refine the type of storyteller he wants to be in future works.
He writes cleanly and clearly, with steadfast prose that carries the reader where he wants them to go. This book radiates Rosenberg's literary ambitions, and shows his abundant confidence in tackling them.
Which is also, from my perspective, part of the problem -- this novella is jam-packed with ideas, any one of which could populate a novel's worth of narrative exploration. There is LGBTQ+ representation in the relationship of Esther and Siobhan, there's both Judaism surviving as well as antisemitism swaggering about in America, there's the Old West (in all of its plentiful permutations and complications) and there is the mysterious monstrosity of the Hungers. That's a very full plate.
Because Rosenberg's put them all into a novella, I feel that none of these concepts gets sufficient room to breathe. Again, this isn't exactly a criticism; rather, I think he might have taken the opportunity to expand this story into a novel, so things (heh, literally and figuratively) could stretch their legs a bit.
Or, he could have revised and rewritten the story to zero in on the story he truly wanted to tell, instead of juggling the plates of multiple concepts. And telling vs. showing is a big risk when there's so many ideas competing for time and attention -- especially in an Old West story, more showing carries the necessary atmosphere that the more clinical telling can't provide. It takes more time, but it's worth the journey for the reader.
Not to keep carping on it, but the novella format just isn't sufficient to showcase all of these stories -- it's like taking a four-cylinder car and flooring the accelerator for the duration of a a short road trip. I enjoy novellas, but they can only do so much, and Rosenberg's running his novella in the red on this one.
The characters are well-rendered (Cyril's a proper SOB, and Esther and Siobhan have a heartfelt rustic sweetness to them), and I think Rosenberg could have allowed those characters more freedom to explore who and what they are, and why they are. The Hungers are curious creations, and I think the reader would also benefit from a greater exploration of them, their impact on the land, what their deal is. They seemed more like a navigation hazard than the terrifying menace they ought to be, often referenced, but never fully realized in the story.
Concept creep is always a risk in storytelling, and strangely, this novella could have worked more cleanly as a straight-up revisionist Western OR as a tale of cosmic horror (?) OR as a TREMORS-type of creature feature -- by trying to touch on all of these in a shorter format, it's not quite a fully satisfying read -- it can't be all of these things at once and hold up. My advice would be to take one of those concepts and fully explore it narratively, see where the story takes you, versus zooming and swerving through all of them and hoping for the best.
That said (and this sounds paradoxical, I know), it's a solid and sincere debut effort. There's a showing of the necessary verve Rosenberg has to get the job done, but also an opportunity to expand creatively and refine the type of storyteller he wants to be in future works.
Read
December 2, 2023Even though I hail from the UK, I grew up on Western movies and loved them as a kid. Then they kind of went out of fashion, apart from modern classics like Unforgiven and No Country For Old Men, which are surely two of the greats.
However, movies are one thing, but I have to admit I had never read a Western until a year or so ago.
Recently, alongside a resurgence in the movie and series world of Westerns, there also seems to be a resurgence in the Western book genre, particularly Western Horror. I’ve recently had the pleasure of reading quite a few, including those by Coy Hall and C.S. Humble.
Zach Rosenburg became my third Western horror author with Hungers as Old as This Land, and I must say, he earns his place among solid company.
I enjoyed the post Civil War years setting, and I loved the inclusion of supernatural monsters that are as age-old as the landscape.
So, traditional Western elements, yes, but Rosenburg had also added something new to the pot with strong female protagonists who would give Mattie Ross a run for her money.
To sum up, action packed and highly entertaining!
However, movies are one thing, but I have to admit I had never read a Western until a year or so ago.
Recently, alongside a resurgence in the movie and series world of Westerns, there also seems to be a resurgence in the Western book genre, particularly Western Horror. I’ve recently had the pleasure of reading quite a few, including those by Coy Hall and C.S. Humble.
Zach Rosenburg became my third Western horror author with Hungers as Old as This Land, and I must say, he earns his place among solid company.
I enjoyed the post Civil War years setting, and I loved the inclusion of supernatural monsters that are as age-old as the landscape.
So, traditional Western elements, yes, but Rosenburg had also added something new to the pot with strong female protagonists who would give Mattie Ross a run for her money.
To sum up, action packed and highly entertaining!
July 20, 2023
A very solid 4. This has been a good year for Western Horror stories, I hope the trend continues.
Hungers does an excellent job of building the sense of place, both for the period and the location. It does a great job characterizing the three central characters (Esther, Siobhan, and Redstone), but most of the other characters were a little underwhelming. I should probably have cared more about Abraham than I did by the time I got to his point of view section. It would have been really cool to see what his deal with the Hungers' folk looked like at the start, or to see more of him boxing. I know the story isn't really about him, but I should have been less surprised in his fight scene.
I always love a good monster story, and this one was such a quick read (ignore the dates, it only took a few hours and could have been in one sitting). I can see why it was so highly recommended to me.
Hungers does an excellent job of building the sense of place, both for the period and the location. It does a great job characterizing the three central characters (Esther, Siobhan, and Redstone), but most of the other characters were a little underwhelming. I should probably have cared more about Abraham than I did by the time I got to his point of view section. It would have been really cool to see what his deal with the Hungers' folk looked like at the start, or to see more of him boxing. I know the story isn't really about him, but I should have been less surprised in his fight scene.
I always love a good monster story, and this one was such a quick read (ignore the dates, it only took a few hours and could have been in one sitting). I can see why it was so highly recommended to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2023
I'm gonna be one of those "I'm not a fan of westerns BUT" reviews. Generally when I think of westerns, I think of gruff men saving poor little weak women from other gruff men. Zach has subverted this entirely. I really loved and rooted for the sapphic protagonists, and the antagonist was cruel but still a rounded out character with his own motives who was believable.
At a line level, this is a beautiful work with so many great lines I highlighted to come back to later including: "Cyril Redstone understood some hungers were beyond all words."
Already a fan of Zach's work, this confirms him as an author to watch!
At a line level, this is a beautiful work with so many great lines I highlighted to come back to later including: "Cyril Redstone understood some hungers were beyond all words."
Already a fan of Zach's work, this confirms him as an author to watch!
March 20, 2024
Received as an ARC from Netgalley:
I feel so bad that it took me sooo long to read this book, as I loved it. This is a great horror western with a sapphic romance at its center and a deep understanding who were the TRUE villains of the old west (colonialism).
Great action, great characters, and some genuinely creepy sequence. I knew where this book was going by the second chapter, but the ride was worth going on nonetheless.
I feel so bad that it took me sooo long to read this book, as I loved it. This is a great horror western with a sapphic romance at its center and a deep understanding who were the TRUE villains of the old west (colonialism).
Great action, great characters, and some genuinely creepy sequence. I knew where this book was going by the second chapter, but the ride was worth going on nonetheless.
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