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Space Cowboys 2: Electric Rodeo
Something about the rugged individualism of the cowboy strikes a chord in us all. A certain romanticism exists in the feeling that cowboys inhabit a simpler world; one that’s clearer, brighter and makes more sense than our day to day existence. Cowboys have a certain reckless reputation and that doesn’t fade away when you move them into space and onto alien worlds. Men and women who face hardships and rope a living out of an unforgiving landscape without waiting for orders from a distant authority. They do what needs to be done and take care of their animals, their people, and themselves. Join us for ten more stories about cowboys who have headed for the stars and distant planets.
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Published March 8, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 10, 2023
Great space western anthology
All of the stories are good, well-written examples of a space western. Some of the stories are grim with violence and a body count, but westerns usually weren't a romp in the park. However, three stories made me smile: Robb's Pard, Casasent's Space Sheep, and Copley's Fox. Pard was just plain fun and heartwarming, despite the evil, conniving non-human sapients. Space Sheep was weird, sci fi fun. And Fox gave a whole new meaning to hidden talents. I enjoyed both Space Cowboy books.
All of the stories are good, well-written examples of a space western. Some of the stories are grim with violence and a body count, but westerns usually weren't a romp in the park. However, three stories made me smile: Robb's Pard, Casasent's Space Sheep, and Copley's Fox. Pard was just plain fun and heartwarming, despite the evil, conniving non-human sapients. Space Sheep was weird, sci fi fun. And Fox gave a whole new meaning to hidden talents. I enjoyed both Space Cowboy books.
August 15, 2023
This is Space Cowboys 2, and since I reviewed the original Space Cowboys recently, I'll not waste time repeating my affection for the genre. If you want to read it, you can find it here.
I discovered that almost none of the authors in the first book had stories in this volume, and at first, I didn't LIKE that; I thought that first volume was GREAT! It took a minute for me to realize that probably so many good stories were submitted that a second volume showcasing additional talent was necessary. WELL DONE!
The stories:
Rocky Rodeo, by Tuvela Thomas. Jonathan is 15, and although his age makes him a minor, he does the work of a man; it's what is required, and fortunately, he has the muscles and determination to get the job done. A different kind of job comes his way when his hidden telepath ability spots a cheater at the poker table. His talent is an asset in that situation; will he be able to succeed when the stakes are higher?
A Day in the Life, by Doug Irvin. Dreaming about the romantic life of the space cowboy is just FINE, as long as you are reading about it in a book while relaxing in your easy chair. I suspect Doug Irvin has seen reality, though, because here, he convincingly describes the attention to detail and broad-spectrum competency needed to punch cattle in space. NOTE: don't mistake this for an attempt to bring your dreams crashing down; the story is NOT a downer. It's just real.
Rodeo Libre, by Wally Waltner. Bull riders are crazy. Just reading the descriptions Waltner provides is almost enough to convince me of that, but I HAD to go to YouTube for some videos to confirm it. I suggest you do the same if there is any doubt in your mind. HOWEVER: it seems like there is always someone who wants to make it more dangerous. In this case, it's not only a competitor, but the system. An ouch is guaranteed, and death is a possibility.
Choices Left Unmade, by David Birdsall. Nobody expects life to be fair, but that doesn't mean you get to drop out of it. What can be tolerated are tough circumstances; what can't be tolerated is complete subversion of civilized rules. Even tough guys need SOME rules.
In the Ashes of Dawn, by Amanda Rein. This is the closest to a despair story in the book, a story in which no matter what you do, you are going to lose. However, keep in mind that sometimes the choices you make today will bear fruit WAY down the road.
Bad Blood on the High Plains, by Rick Cutler. Cutler is the only author to have a story in the first volume as well, and I'm glad that the editors chose to let him double-dip. Again, we are reminded that choices made today can bear fruit WAY down the road, and that not everyone is willing to be nice. What's that line, about survival triumphing over programming? It's difficult to know at all times how that is in effect.
Pard, by Sam Robb. If you encounter an economy driven by the fleecing of the poor, you need all the help you can get. Cab drivers who recognize honesty may be uniquely situated to poke the the money-grubbers in the eye.
Space Sheep and the Electric Cow, by A. Kristina Casasent. In truly wide-open spaces, expansion can bring some dramatic clashes of culture. Casasent gives us a way that space lifestock can exist and eat, and serve as a source of income as well. Is the conflict between the sheep-herders and the cattleman doomed to repeat endlessly?
The Quick Brown Fox , by James Copley. I'm not familiar with this universe, which is populated by various uplifted animals, but it seems to be well-defined. Don't tell everything you know, and don't miss an opportunity to take advantage. And always remember: different species have different rules. Not better or worse, necessarily, but different.
Homecoming, by Kelly Grayson. Leave it to Kelly Grayson to put some depth to the insult Princess Leia dumps on Hans Solo. A nerf is a gigantic herbivore, which tastes delicious, UNLESS the nerf has been spooked. Since electromagnetic radiation spooks them, those who work them have to rely on ancient gunpowder technology to defend the herd. It's a nice idea; we need to have SOME reason for being Cowboy Action Shooters in a time of advanced tech, after all. Toss in large numbers of clones, and prejudice against them, and the story emerges. (No way is the protagonist self-centered or half-witted, though.)
I discovered that almost none of the authors in the first book had stories in this volume, and at first, I didn't LIKE that; I thought that first volume was GREAT! It took a minute for me to realize that probably so many good stories were submitted that a second volume showcasing additional talent was necessary. WELL DONE!
The stories:
Rocky Rodeo, by Tuvela Thomas. Jonathan is 15, and although his age makes him a minor, he does the work of a man; it's what is required, and fortunately, he has the muscles and determination to get the job done. A different kind of job comes his way when his hidden telepath ability spots a cheater at the poker table. His talent is an asset in that situation; will he be able to succeed when the stakes are higher?
A Day in the Life, by Doug Irvin. Dreaming about the romantic life of the space cowboy is just FINE, as long as you are reading about it in a book while relaxing in your easy chair. I suspect Doug Irvin has seen reality, though, because here, he convincingly describes the attention to detail and broad-spectrum competency needed to punch cattle in space. NOTE: don't mistake this for an attempt to bring your dreams crashing down; the story is NOT a downer. It's just real.
Rodeo Libre, by Wally Waltner. Bull riders are crazy. Just reading the descriptions Waltner provides is almost enough to convince me of that, but I HAD to go to YouTube for some videos to confirm it. I suggest you do the same if there is any doubt in your mind. HOWEVER: it seems like there is always someone who wants to make it more dangerous. In this case, it's not only a competitor, but the system. An ouch is guaranteed, and death is a possibility.
Choices Left Unmade, by David Birdsall. Nobody expects life to be fair, but that doesn't mean you get to drop out of it. What can be tolerated are tough circumstances; what can't be tolerated is complete subversion of civilized rules. Even tough guys need SOME rules.
In the Ashes of Dawn, by Amanda Rein. This is the closest to a despair story in the book, a story in which no matter what you do, you are going to lose. However, keep in mind that sometimes the choices you make today will bear fruit WAY down the road.
Bad Blood on the High Plains, by Rick Cutler. Cutler is the only author to have a story in the first volume as well, and I'm glad that the editors chose to let him double-dip. Again, we are reminded that choices made today can bear fruit WAY down the road, and that not everyone is willing to be nice. What's that line, about survival triumphing over programming? It's difficult to know at all times how that is in effect.
Pard, by Sam Robb. If you encounter an economy driven by the fleecing of the poor, you need all the help you can get. Cab drivers who recognize honesty may be uniquely situated to poke the the money-grubbers in the eye.
Space Sheep and the Electric Cow, by A. Kristina Casasent. In truly wide-open spaces, expansion can bring some dramatic clashes of culture. Casasent gives us a way that space lifestock can exist and eat, and serve as a source of income as well. Is the conflict between the sheep-herders and the cattleman doomed to repeat endlessly?
The Quick Brown Fox , by James Copley. I'm not familiar with this universe, which is populated by various uplifted animals, but it seems to be well-defined. Don't tell everything you know, and don't miss an opportunity to take advantage. And always remember: different species have different rules. Not better or worse, necessarily, but different.
Homecoming, by Kelly Grayson. Leave it to Kelly Grayson to put some depth to the insult Princess Leia dumps on Hans Solo. A nerf is a gigantic herbivore, which tastes delicious, UNLESS the nerf has been spooked. Since electromagnetic radiation spooks them, those who work them have to rely on ancient gunpowder technology to defend the herd. It's a nice idea; we need to have SOME reason for being Cowboy Action Shooters in a time of advanced tech, after all. Toss in large numbers of clones, and prejudice against them, and the story emerges. (No way is the protagonist self-centered or half-witted, though.)
March 13, 2023
The Wild West, personified!
Everything that gave the old Wild West its allure is faithfully recreated in this wonderful collection of frontier stories. From futuristic herds of alien beasts to trailblazing traders plying the Deep Black, this anthology is exactly what it says on the cover...
Space Cowboys.
Everything that gave the old Wild West its allure is faithfully recreated in this wonderful collection of frontier stories. From futuristic herds of alien beasts to trailblazing traders plying the Deep Black, this anthology is exactly what it says on the cover...
Space Cowboys.
August 16, 2025
I love a good western.
I got my first horse at 3..horse not pony. My Dad was in the last horse caverly before WWII at 18. Sgt 1sr class drum major. Bought a farm at had horses, chickens and crops. I read my first SyFi at 10, loved it as much as horses. I'm 74 now, don't ride but still read. Thanks for bringing back memories.
I got my first horse at 3..horse not pony. My Dad was in the last horse caverly before WWII at 18. Sgt 1sr class drum major. Bought a farm at had horses, chickens and crops. I read my first SyFi at 10, loved it as much as horses. I'm 74 now, don't ride but still read. Thanks for bringing back memories.
March 11, 2023
Outstanding
Superb storytelling. The central theme is fun, but the individual stories carry the load across the line. I found myself making time to read this.
Superb storytelling. The central theme is fun, but the individual stories carry the load across the line. I found myself making time to read this.
March 24, 2023
A Variety of Excellent Stories
Raconteur Press does it again. Another excellent collection of cowboys operating in space, on space stations, or on new planets. If you like cowboy stories, you’ll like these. Read ‘em and enjoy.
Raconteur Press does it again. Another excellent collection of cowboys operating in space, on space stations, or on new planets. If you like cowboy stories, you’ll like these. Read ‘em and enjoy.
April 29, 2023
Fun romp, good stories. Always like it when the good guys win!
March 20, 2023
Not a bad story in the bunch
I’m proud to be a part of this one. Like the first volume, Space Cowboys II is full of stories of rugged individualists living on the frontier… of space.
Read all the stories; you won’t be disappointed.
I’m proud to be a part of this one. Like the first volume, Space Cowboys II is full of stories of rugged individualists living on the frontier… of space.
Read all the stories; you won’t be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews