KC Grifant

Who remembers that old sci-fi western Wild Wild West, with Will Smith and Kevin Kline? Or if you’re really into ancient entertainment viewing, who remembers the TV series that inspired it? Well, if either of those versions of Wild Wild West were ever your cup of tea, then Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger will be a treat.

Granted, this is less of a sci-fi story and more of a pulpy horror western, but the crossover vibes are similar. This is a plot-centric piece of storytelling with a touch of steampunk flavor for fans of, say… Supernatural. And I am a fan of Supernatural.

Author K. C. Grifant has woven a tale of monster hunters, pleasantly diverse ones, in an alt western world that resonates with parallels to our own American wild West history. She creates sympathetic villains and morally gray heroes out for justice—for themselves— and against an underworld they have yet to understand for its horrific power. It’s not necessarily deep, but it’s well written and fun. A welcome diversion for fans of multi genre pulp fiction.

I want to thank the author for providing this ARC to potential HWA readers.… (meer)

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

Hello Fellow Readers,

I am so happy that Monster Westerns are a thing because they make for such fun reads, and Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger is no different. Action-packed, Grifant made an extremely interesting world, with such terrifying monsters that I am so happy I got to explore through reading. I really liked Melinda, and also Lance before *spoiler* happens and he begins to act like a jackass. Melinda was badass and an amazing shot who doesn't miss.

The book was fast-paced, which I appreciate, and made for a quick read. The one thing I didn't like was all the bad luck/ and their inability to catch a break. Things just went from bad to worse to even worse Oh My God they need a freaking miracle. It was just too many hits to take without any wins. You need to insert one somewhere so that the readers don't feel so hopeless.

Regardless of my personal feelings I really enjoyed this book.… (meer)

I was in the mood for something different, and this one? Hell yes, it scratched that itch.

This is a solid western, with just a small hint of some tech, and a lot of...well...monsters. Hey, she's a monster gunslinger, right?

Overall, a straightforward story, with enough twists and turns to keep me satisfied. If I have any complaints, they're minor. The first is, I would have liked to have seen a bit more romantic entanglement between Melinda and Lance up front. They felt more like friends and partners, and it took me a few pages to cotton to the fact that they were a couple.

The second is, most of the monsters felt buglike. I will say, there were absolutely non-insectile monsters, but I would have liked to have seen Grifant go a little wilder with the monsters.

That being said, when Melinda crosses over the Edge? This is where Grifant's writing and imagination just soar. The Edge is painted as a very strange and otherworldly reality. Aside from that, there's a fantastic cast of characters, great settings, and it checks all the right boxes for anyone who loves westerns, horror, or especially both.

God, I love a good western horror.

I will say, I would not want to be the editor highlighted at the beginning of the book. While a solid 98% of the book is very good, when it goes off the rails, it really does. There's a stretch, for example of two pages (pgs 145-146) where the Irvin character, in the span of a few paragraphs, is referred to as "Irvin" and "Irvine" and "Irwin"...which is just bad attention to detail.

But aside from that? Honestly, I really loved this novel, and I'll absolutely read more from this author.… (meer)

As someone who has been a fan of westerns since I was a kid, I'm always on the lookout for a good read that combines the genre with something extra. And that's exactly what I found in KC Grifant's Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger.

From the moment I started reading, the fast-paced action and the strong character development drew me in. Melinda, the protagonist, is a tough gunslinger who fights against monsters in a gritty old west setting. But what I appreciated most was the way Grifant gave Melinda some serious depth, allowing us to see both humanity and vulnerability as well.

The plot is tight and well-executed and kept me engaged from start to finish. Melinda and her partner Lance travel from town to town, fighting various monsters that plague the terrified residents. But when a demon is unleashed, things really heat up. The tension never lets up. Grifant manages to seamlessly combine different genres--western, horror, fantasy, and thriller--without it feeling forced or disjointed.

The settings are described in vivid detail, and the monsters are imaginative and well-crafted. The world of Melinda was both familiar and unique at the same time. For anyone who loves a good western with a twist, this is a fun, engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. As this was the first book I've read by Grifant, I have to say I didn't know what to expect. A great, fun, read that lets your mind just wander. There's a time for that, and Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger is a great escape.… (meer)