David B. Silva (1950–2013)

Contains:
Each night, each year / Kathryn Ptacek --
Mark of the loser / Gary Brandner --
Timeskip / Charles de Lint --
Resettling / Steve Rasnic Tem and Melanie Tem --
The servitor / Janet Fox --
Blanca / Thonas Tessier --
Nine gables / James Howard Kunstler --
The last cowboy song / Charles L. Grant --
The ring of truth / Thomas F. Monteleone --
Eyes of the swordmaker / Gordon Linzner --
The guide / Ramsey Campbell --
Getting back / P.W. Sinclair --
Walkie-talkie / Donald R. Burleson --
Major prevue here tonite / William F. Nolan --
The brush of soft wings / Melissa Mia Hall --
Brothers / David B. Silva --
Haunted world / Robert R. McCammon --
Afterward / Dean R. Koontz.… (meer)

WALK THE SKY is a nice little weird western tale that put me in mind of the work of Joe Lansdale. Which is another way of saying this story is a lot of fun!

We start off with George and Clay traveling by horseback and coming across a young boy who is on the verge of death. As events unfold, the reader learns the boy has narrowly escaped something in a nearby town, (DED!), a town in which George and Clay must stop for supplies. Soon after their arrival, all three end up in jail and are introduced to the mad reverend and his posse. Will they get out of jail? What does the crazy reverend want from them? Will anyone survive? You'll have to read this book to find out!

I loved the western aspects of this story as well as the bits of native American folklore which were woven in. It was nice to read something different than the same old, same old. Even though some popular western tropes can be found here, the authors seamlessly pulled them together with some unique and original storytelling, much as Joe Lansdale does in his westerns. The only thing missing was that oddball humor of Lansdale's, but this wasn't meant to be a funny tale.

I listened to this on audio and as always, Matt Godfrey brings it home with a compelling style that only brings honor to the writing.

WALK THE SKY is one of those rare pieces of work that successfully straddles genres and brings to the reader a fine sense of satisfaction at the conclusion. Recommended to any fans of westerns, weird westerns, and to horror fans alike!

*I received the audio of this book free of charge from the narrator, in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*… (meer)