Rider's Blood, Moonlit Black

by Myka Silber

Henry’s a gunslinger, good with horses. He’s also got a secret, and he’s pretty damn sure it’s going to get him killed. He was doing well at keeping it, up until a new job – he and the Cap’n’s crew are hired to escort a magi to the capital. Nothing’s right about the job – the magi asks too many questions, she’s got a royal name, she’s travelling alone. Worst of all, she wants to detour into the Red Canyon, a place men don’t come back from.

The dark side of ambition reveals every secret of Henry and his companions as they are forced to go into the hidden depths of the canyon and face off against horrors in the darkness. Not everyone will make it out alive, but they’ve promised each other to leave no one behind. The strongest bonds are forged in blood after all.

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, LGBT

205 pages, Paperback

Published October 27, 2023

About the author

Myka Silber grew up surrounded by the forests, mountains, and ocean of the Pacific Northwest. They now live in Ontario, Canada, with a mercurial cat and a bean of a dog. Myka holds both a BA and an MA in International Relations. They have previously published a short story collection and a novel, and you can follow them on Instagram @myka.silber.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rider’s Blood, Moonlit Black is a wonderfully spun story of cowboys, magic, and looming dread. It does not flinch, capturing a hard-living reality that’s also deeply humanizing in a recognizable, yet still somehow otherworldly setting. I read nearly all of this book in a single sitting. There was always something I had to know that kept me reading to the end. Overall, a compelling story with a vibe similar to Stephen King’s The Gunslinger that, at its heart, centers the bonds you make and break as you ride through adversity together.

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-crafted western horror fantasy that took elements from all three genres and created something so unique and fun. Silber is one of my favourite writers. Their sentence structure (this is so weird to say) is...beautiful. I can tell that writing is a craft for them and they have worked on it. The characters were so life-like and their struggles and conflictions were very well done. I didn't want to leave this world at the end. I have to stop reading Silber books and begging for more because this JUST CAME OUT...but I am so ready for whatever comes next!

[Effie Stock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Gosh. 😭😭😭 I just... how do I begin. Where do I begin. Why aren't a million people reading this book???

I cant even begin to put to words what this book is. It's frightening. It's fantastical. It's rough, and gritty. It's gentle and sweet and comforting. It's a pot of coffee shared between cowboys under an open sky. It's the fear of dying, clawing at your throat, tearing you apart like the creatures around you. It's being trapped in your own skin, a soul that was misplaced. It's hidden secrets, It's hearts turned from rough dirt to shining diamonds.

The character development, worldbuilding, pacing, plot, settings, suspense, style, and dialogue was 100% on point.

Only two small details (and some of the formatting) tripped me up in the first couple of chapters but nothing I think anyone would notice and it all fell away into the masterpiece this book became.

It is not for the faint of heart or the easily offended. Read at your own risk but for heavens sake READ IT

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rider's Blood, Moonlit Black is very well-written, with great atmospherics and setting. I could easily picture the dusty towns, hot deserts, creepy canyon, and cursed city. I've never read a fantasy horror western before, so I had no clue what to expect, but it was an excellent mash-up of genres. I enjoyed seeing the relationships grow among the characters in a realistic way. The main character's voice was very compelling, and I rooted for them to become comfortable in their own skin and with their companions. The LGBTQIA aspects of the story were sensitively written. Overall, a great read that I highly recommend!

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5!

I think I wanted just a little bit more to the conflict (which idk, maybe says more about me because these characters *did* go through A LOT), but other than that, I really enjoyed this!

[Hannah Boyland · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, i LOVEDDDD this book!!! a queer cowboy horror fantasy with a pinch of romance? this book was insane. i pushed my way through a headache to finish this because it was that good! i was rooting for the characters throughout, and loved getting to know them all. the writing was gorgeous and i loved that this story wasn’t unnecessarily dragged out. an easy 5/5 for me!

[fanboyriot · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

♡ Found Family
♡ Supernatural Elements
♡ Cowboys (Western Setting)

This book was cool. A western cowboy setting with queer characters and supernatural elements, sign me up. The plot, the setting, the characters, and the found family were all written so well! The characters were all unique and I loved the queer rep between them. The found family and bonds they made through the book was really nice to read.

The atmosphere was eerie and comforting at times. There was so much action and conflict in such a small book but it all worked. The pacing of everything was perfect. There was a nice balance of magic and reality that really brought the horror moments to life.

Thank you to pridebooktours over on Instagram and the author for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧 (2/5)
POV: First Person
Release Date: 27, October 2023
Rep: LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters)

⚠️ Content Warnings:
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Cursing and Dysphoria

[Jescasreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the storyline quite interesting I was very curious with how it would progress. It's a wild ride, with likeable characters from different backgrounds. Very well written with a mixture of a western with magic and supernatural elements! There is also a bit of a mystery element too I liked how that played into the story.

The sense of dread and suspense I thought really set the scene and made you question what would happen next. The representation in this I feel was done respectfully and it felt like the author had completed research for it. The world building was done quite well, I really struggle to picture things in my head but I felt while reading this I could picture the scene quite well.


I really like the characters development and found the characters very relatable at times, and very realistic. Henry was my favourite character and I loved his story arc in this book.

[Chelsea-anne Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a western horror fantasy blend story, it perfectly encompasses all three genres. We follow Henry as they and their group assist a Magi in getting home, with a detour of course through a canyon that has horrors lurks in it. I couldn’t put this book down, the writing was a joy to read. The characters were fleshed out and interesting. The work was gritty, realistic with a tinge of darkness. I think this was a great example of blending genres to create a truly unique and engrossing story.

[Tarah Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting!!!

I’m not sure where to start. This book is a wild ride through a fantastic blend of reality and magic. The storyline is absolutely amazing and keeps you locked into your saddle from the first page. The world Myka has created is unbelievably well written and then there’s the beautifully executed characters.
Read it !!!

[David Ginsburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only put it down once. Read it in under 2 days because it just sucked me right in. Loved getting the chance to know the characters before the big stuff starts happening. Really really enjoyed the pacing, the horror and suspense, and the setting.

Really just enjoyed my whole time with this!

[Charlene Mattson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eerie and sad but with a HEA (so don't worry!).

Great characters and a really interesting setting. I'd definitely like to read more in this world.

[Alex Silvius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dare I say one of the best indie books I've ever read?

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rider’s Blood, Moonlit Black” by Myka Silber is a dark, dynamic Western fantasy you don’t want to miss. Gunslinger Henry is as good with horses as he is with a gun, but he also carries a dangerous secret that could end him. He thought the secret was buried until his new job with the Cap’n’s crew came up, which was taking Magi Rosalita to the capital. Henry senses something is wrong about this assignment. For example, she’s a royal, is too curious for his tastes, and she travels by herself. The biggest red flag is Red Canyon, a location she wants to veer off to, but it’s a place known to take men’s lives. This canyon holds dangers and illuminates the true motives of Henry and his party. Inside the canyon, horror awaits, and the question remains, who will survive? Their pact vows loyalty to one another, so they don’t intend to leave anyone behind, but how does it play out in the end?

Silber brings excitement and darkness back to the Western fantasy. Fans of Stephen King will appreciate this tale, which is clearly imagined and executed. The style evokes different emotions, from fear to wonder. It has grit, with lots of descriptive world-building. The canyon is a formidable setting, almost a character itself. There are elements of horror as well as a surprising bit of heart, but the author never lets you forget that it’s a Western. The dialogue makes this an engaging read and reveals the characters and their motivations.

This is the bold, in-your-face kind of fantasy that pulls no punches. Fans of this dynamic kind of style will discover this book to be perfect for them. This is the kind of style you want in a western of any kind, fantasy or otherwise, echoing some of the grit you find in the best westerns.

I like the unexpected blend of cowboys and magic. It makes for an intriguing juxtaposition and adds a lot of flavor and interest. The sense of dread and suspense is palpable. You just know bad things are just around the corner. I loved the length of this book–not too long, not too short, and the first-person point of view lends an immediacy to the story that puts you right in the middle of it and the characters. The theme that stood out to me and is compelling in any drama is the idea of strong bonds. Is there any power strong enough to break them? This is where you find out.

With cursed buildings and strange creatures, you never know what’s coming next. As you read about Henry, Juan, the Cap’n, and Miguel, the magi, etc., you will become invested in their stories and find yourself wanting them to defeat the opposition. For a suspenseful ride into a fantastical darkness, “Rider’s Blood, Moonlit Black” by Myka Silber should be your next read.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a bit since a book has grabbed me right from the start (thank you slump) but Rider's Blood , Moonlit Black by Myka Silber had me hooked from chapter one .

From our main MC to each member of the crew I quickly became invested in them and their potential fates. The story, while short, is well balanced and fleshed out. It didn't leave me feeling like something was missing . I was satisfied with it's ending but yes I would read another story featuring our MC in a heartbeat lol

This book smashed together some of my favorite genres - western , fantasy and horror. With a Trans MC, gritty cowboys, a cast you'll fall in love with , found family, a sprinkle of romance , danger, magic, and monsters this one is definitely worth picking up !


Favorite Qoutes :

She could take them all from me. Every secret. Every dream. My throat is tight, and I can barely breathe. What defense do I have against her magiks? Nothing.

“She existed, but she wasn’t real. I was— I was her. The Lord must have chosen a hard path for me for a reason, for he saw fit to put me in this body.

I take my time with the horses, the repetition of brushing them down soothing me. At least they don’t care about me being different. They’ll always treat me the same.

They make me feel like a child afraid of the darkness under the bed. Knowing something is there, but not knowing what exactly.

The dead, though… I pray to the Lord that our bodies will not become more warnings to future adventurers. I do not want to die here.

Cap’n moves and puts his hand on Miguel’s leg. A look of such incredible, profound loss crosses both of their faces that I have to look away, embarrassed to catch such a private moment.

We have gone through hell and survived. Elation makes me feel light— as if I could simply float away in the desert wind.

“I was hoping you’d kiss me, pretty boy.” I smile back. “I hope to keep kissing you.” “Good,” Juan says, “because I intend to kiss you for many years yet.”

[Matt McAvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short, engrossing tale, which seamlessly weaves genres into a concise, yet utterly enjoyable narrative. Although short, not epic by any means, this otherworldly story of a young, western-style gunslinger living in a mystical world inhabited by monsters and mages still manages to encapsulate complex characters and emotive depth. There is plenty of action, and pretty gripping it is, too, combining old-fashioned shootouts with magical wards and spells, but the real quality to this brief quest excursion is the layers of the characters, perhaps none more so than the ambiguous and contrary, yet you sense infallibly honourable Captain. Henry himself is also an enjoyable character, utterly human in his emotional frailty, hiding his secret identity of having been born in a female body. This particular topic may be contemporary in nature – perhaps not – but it is not generally an integral part of the story; Henry is a gunslinger who falls in love while fighting monsters on a mage’s quest – in a narrative of 40,000 words, there is no real room to get into the nuts of bolts of identity, and the author crafts this character, like the others, with sensitivity and complexity, all at the same time.

Myka Silber is a tremendous writer. I really enjoyed their style, being carried away along with the characters, feeling every bit of their fear and paranoia; their suspicions with each other and their employer, the mage who has commissioned them to get her through the dreaded canyon, for her own sinister reasons. But even the mage herself is not just fearful, but afraid. There is a distinct humanity running throughout Myka’s work, and the pacing of emotion relative to action is perfected. The book was short, but it was also a specific quest narrative; there was no filler and no real development either side of the situational context. But that’s one of the things I liked about it; it was almost like a novella or short story – one of countless tales in this world that the author has created. In fact, I would very much like to see more such stories from Myka, drawn from myths and legends based in this land – maybe even an entire volume of such stories, like the swashbuckling tales of Merlin and King Arthur; all short, snappy and engaging.

I don’t love fantasy, I’ll admit, but there is something immensely satisfying about Rider’s Blood, Moonlit Black. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to fans of fantasy, or western, or fantasy western, nor would I say fans of the LGBT genre can expect to find this element thickly applied. Rather, this is a book for everyone; adventure in its most traditional sense, and it is a perfect way to spend an evening. A wonderful novel by an author with a real talent.

[Lee Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A haunting tale of gunslingers, magic and modern themes…

Myka Silber delivers a haunting tale of gunslingers, magic and modern themes in this atmospheric western with a deep focus on human character. The messages within are plenty and contain a depth that brings the ensemble of mysterious characters to life. All of them, even those with magical ability are human and some are even fighting to become their true self.

Main character ‘Henry’ is a kind of outsider within the crew of hardened souls who are tasked with escorting a Magi through a barren place known as ‘Red Canyon’. Soon after their journey into the unknown begins, the crew face a dramatic twist and admission from ‘Henry’ which questions his trust and place within the crew. While this conflict appears another more dangerous situation begins to press which turns to a fight for survival. The shadows come to life and a dramatic chase begins where only some will live.

I’ve never read a western story quite like this one – and the themes combined here make it rather unique. The mystery, horror, foreboding and of course the haunting that surrounds ‘Henry’ alongside a personal battle within makes for a great vessel to tell a unique story. The message here is modern and centres around judging others by spirit and not what’s on the outside.

‘When I sit down at the fire, I join a circle of hollow-eyed companions. None of them look like they are fully in their bodies…’

[Emma Couette · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often I round 4.5 up to 5 but this book was so very nearly perfect that I am. my only complaint is I would've liked a few more pages to flesh things out a bit more but I like big books and I cannot lie 😅

This book was the perfect spooky season read with this eerie bone deep dread that settles on you like a heavy blanket as you read. it's short and fast paced and visceral and full of emotion and I read it in 2 sittings. it was that good.

it's not even my typical genre but I was hooked from that first page. It's too short a book to really go into further detail but Myka does an incredible job of creating an alluring plot, incredible relatable characters, and a rich (yet sinister) world with well-done themes of identity, prejudice, sexism, homophobia, ableism, and religion woven throughout.

don't read the last half of this book with the lights out

[coty ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5) the worldbuilding is interesting and engaging, if not a little confusing; i don't understand the fantasy setting when the characters speak spanish; i think this would've been fine as a 'traditional' weird horror west—but still enthralling nonetheless. a lot of character development despite the slim page length, though i wish that henry's struggle with his religion wouldn't have resolved so quickly; but i'm so grateful to see trans characters who are religious always, it's such a specific character type that i really love. some pacing issues generally but that's kind of how it goes with novellas; still a lot of promise from silber and this world, i'd love to see more stories from it.

[James Lackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark supernatural horror main plot and interesting, complex characters drew me into this book right away.

I love the idea of gunslingers and magic in a world where layers of ancient civilizations create an aura of dread.

As much as I loved the main plot, however, I found that only the identity/relationship sub-plot felt resolved by the end of the book. After the climax, I was waiting for something to show the fate/ impact of that supernatural element.

[Olivia Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a lot to love here, from LGBTQ+ rep to true found family to fantasy Western vibes, but I wanted more from the lore and world building. I wouldn’t have been angry at all if this book was twice the length. I wanted to feel more of a thematic resonance between the supernatural elements from the canyon and the emotional core of the book, which was Henry’s spiritual journey and the relationships between the cowboys. But overall, a short and surprisingly sweet book. 3.5 rounded up.

[Sam Symonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rider’s Blood, Moonlit Black is an incredibly atmospheric western/fantasy/horror story!
It’s written so beautifully and is so emotive! I loved the western setting and the cowboys and the band of misfits. I love how when Henry’s secret is revealed it’s such a heartbreaking, yet powerful moment in the story.
All of the characters are flawed, yet a tight knit found family.
There is an unsettling feeling that threads throughout the story and culminates at a pinnacle of heightened emotions that, as the reader, you can feel through the pages.
This was such a unique read and all of the elements flowed together flawlessly. If you are looking for a short read and something that sits outside the normal fantasy box, I highly recommend Rider’s Blood, Moonlit Black!