This was a bit silly. Rebecca Roanhorse says in the acknowledgments that it’s a bit different from what she usually writes, so I might try one of her other books. ( )

Amazing. This hooked me from the very beginning. The plot was so compelling. The characters and their relationship dynamics were amazing. Also, I'm a huge fan of Abraxas I'd sell my soul for him. ( )

When her sister Mariel is arrested by the Virtues, Celeste knows she's innocent of murder and needs to come to her defense.

A Wild West fantastical mystery mashup that reminded me of nothing more than a Supernatural episode or two. The world-building in this novella is most intriguing, with the Elect and the Fallen - Celeste and Mariel are half and half - in a town where divinity is mined from the fallen body of a demon. The mystery itself is a little more rushed, as Celeste has only a day to investigate before she officially defends her sister, and the ending revelations are a bit sudden. But it's a fast-paced and fun ride. ( )

Interesting, and I don't mean that ironically, but just interesting. You could probably also file this exercise in "Weird West" fiction in the long Western tradition of Christian allegory, as our protagonist is trying to spring her sister from the clutches of the authorities for a crime she doesn't believe said sister committed, and I'm not going to say anything more about the plot. My basic question is to wonder whether this is the set-up for a broader story, or whether the whole concept would collapse if Roanhorse tried to stretch it out longer. However, if this turns out to be the opening segment of a novel, or one of a series of novellas, I'd certainly read those books. ( )

3 and a half stars. novella. angels and demons ascendent in a mining town in a weirdly wild west. sounds great, doesn't it? and i like the author. but it was just okay. i'm still intrigued by the possibilities, though, so if more in this vein comes along, i'll be there. ( )