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Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen
In an alternate Old West, monsters rule the land—but one deadly duo is humanity’s last hope.
Melinda West is a sharpshooter with a steady hand, a cool head and a no-nonsense attitude. Her partner, Lance, brings the charm—and the firepower. Together, they’ve made a living hunting supernatural threats. But when a strange illness leaves a trail of corpses in its wake, they realize they’re about to face their greatest challenge yet.
As the bodies pile up, a swarm of gremlins—smarter, faster and deadlier than anything they’ve encountered before—are hellbent on destruction. Unless Melinda and Lance can uncover the truth behind these mysterious creatures, everything they know will be torn apart.
Fast-paced, gritty, and packed with supernatural thrills, Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen blends the rebellious charm of Bonnie and Clyde with the high-stakes action of Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
This is book two in a standalone interconnected series—ideal for both new readers and returning fans looking for dark fantastical westerns with a twist.
Melinda West is a sharpshooter with a steady hand, a cool head and a no-nonsense attitude. Her partner, Lance, brings the charm—and the firepower. Together, they’ve made a living hunting supernatural threats. But when a strange illness leaves a trail of corpses in its wake, they realize they’re about to face their greatest challenge yet.
As the bodies pile up, a swarm of gremlins—smarter, faster and deadlier than anything they’ve encountered before—are hellbent on destruction. Unless Melinda and Lance can uncover the truth behind these mysterious creatures, everything they know will be torn apart.
Fast-paced, gritty, and packed with supernatural thrills, Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen blends the rebellious charm of Bonnie and Clyde with the high-stakes action of Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
This is book two in a standalone interconnected series—ideal for both new readers and returning fans looking for dark fantastical westerns with a twist.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2025
About the author
K.C. Grifant
39 books66 followersKC Grifant is a Southern Californian author who writes internationally published horror, fantasy, science fiction and weird west stories for podcasts, anthologies and magazines.
Her writings have appeared in magazines and podcasts including: Andromeda Spaceways Magazine (cover story for issue #70), Unnerving Magazine, Aurealis Magazine, Fission Magazine, Cosmic Horror Monthly, Dark Matter Magazine, Tales to Terrify, the Lovecraft eZine, Sley House Podcasts, and many others.
In addition to a Weird West horror novel, MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER (Feb 2023), she has also written stories for dozens of anthologies, including: Chromophobia; Dancing in the Shadows: A Tribute to Anne Rice; Musings of the Muse; Field Notes from a Nightmare; The One That Got Away; Six Guns Straight From Hell; Trembling with Fear: Year One; Shadowy Natures; Beyond the Infinite: Tales from the Outer Reaches; and the Stoker-nominated Fright Mare: Women Write Horror.
In addition, she is a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), as well as the co-founder of the Horror Writers Association (HWA) San Diego chapter, an organization that helps to connect writers and fans of horror literature.
Her writings have appeared in magazines and podcasts including: Andromeda Spaceways Magazine (cover story for issue #70), Unnerving Magazine, Aurealis Magazine, Fission Magazine, Cosmic Horror Monthly, Dark Matter Magazine, Tales to Terrify, the Lovecraft eZine, Sley House Podcasts, and many others.
In addition to a Weird West horror novel, MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER (Feb 2023), she has also written stories for dozens of anthologies, including: Chromophobia; Dancing in the Shadows: A Tribute to Anne Rice; Musings of the Muse; Field Notes from a Nightmare; The One That Got Away; Six Guns Straight From Hell; Trembling with Fear: Year One; Shadowy Natures; Beyond the Infinite: Tales from the Outer Reaches; and the Stoker-nominated Fright Mare: Women Write Horror.
In addition, she is a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), as well as the co-founder of the Horror Writers Association (HWA) San Diego chapter, an organization that helps to connect writers and fans of horror literature.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 5, 2025
Although I was charmed by Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger, I was also wary. I want to challenge myself when it comes to the subgenres I read, yet I recognize I often have good reason for not reading those subgenres—and there is nothing wrong with having preferences! That might be the case here. On the other hand, I also think this is a novel that could be much, much stronger. I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley.
Spoilers for the first book but not for this one.
This book picks up some time after the first leaves off. Melinda and Lance have retired from the monster hunter lifestyle—or so they think. Melinda is struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, seeing monsters where she thinks there is none. Then someone from another town arrives seeking their help, spinning a tale of gremlins running roughshod. At first, Melinda and Lance balk. But then, of course, they agree to do this One Last Job. And with that, the plot is off to the races. Soon, Melinda and Lance are joined by a pregnant woman and her protector and an ornery scientist with a shady past.
The actual premise for this plot might be superior to the first book: the gremlins are a more concrete adversary than the soul-snatching demon who was largely off-stage during the first book. Once again, Grifant offers up a great balance of exposition and suspense, accompanied by some intense action scenes. The plot moves at a brisk pace, the stakes rising accordingly. Indeed, probably my favourite thing about this novel is its structure.
I also enjoy how Grifant is working at the worldbuilding. Again, we seldom get as much exposition as one might desire, and that’s to the good. I’m sure she has far more about this world worked out than she has let on in these two books, and one of the joys for readers of this series will be seeing that evolution over time. This book brings us to a new setting, one mentioned in the first book but not visited.
The themes are variations on what we saw in the first book: Melinda is once again stubborn, once again offered power with strings attached. She’s a great protagonist. However, I think I’ve identified one of the reasons this series doesn’t hit for me: she and Lance are supposed to be this amazing team, both as husband and wife and as monster hunters. But in the first book, Lance is sidelined because he’s got part of his soul sucked away … and in this book, well, Lance gets sidelined for much of the action again. Indeed, most of the other characters get more development than Lance, and that feels like a problem.
The denouement also represents a pretty interesting hard reset on Melinda and Lance’s circumstances. That’s all I will say about that. Gutsy move for Book 2—then again, I understand why Grifant might choose to go this route. I don’t know if I would describe the ending as satisfying. Much like my reaction in my first review, I might just shrug and say … it’s fine?
After reading Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen, I’ll reluctantly conclude that maybe the problem is me—I don’t think I am the audience for these books. That’s OK! I gave it a try. If you like weird west and stories of monsters that are more than they seem, you might want to give these a try too. Alas, I cannot rave about them the way I might like.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews.
Spoilers for the first book but not for this one.
This book picks up some time after the first leaves off. Melinda and Lance have retired from the monster hunter lifestyle—or so they think. Melinda is struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, seeing monsters where she thinks there is none. Then someone from another town arrives seeking their help, spinning a tale of gremlins running roughshod. At first, Melinda and Lance balk. But then, of course, they agree to do this One Last Job. And with that, the plot is off to the races. Soon, Melinda and Lance are joined by a pregnant woman and her protector and an ornery scientist with a shady past.
The actual premise for this plot might be superior to the first book: the gremlins are a more concrete adversary than the soul-snatching demon who was largely off-stage during the first book. Once again, Grifant offers up a great balance of exposition and suspense, accompanied by some intense action scenes. The plot moves at a brisk pace, the stakes rising accordingly. Indeed, probably my favourite thing about this novel is its structure.
I also enjoy how Grifant is working at the worldbuilding. Again, we seldom get as much exposition as one might desire, and that’s to the good. I’m sure she has far more about this world worked out than she has let on in these two books, and one of the joys for readers of this series will be seeing that evolution over time. This book brings us to a new setting, one mentioned in the first book but not visited.
The themes are variations on what we saw in the first book: Melinda is once again stubborn, once again offered power with strings attached. She’s a great protagonist. However, I think I’ve identified one of the reasons this series doesn’t hit for me: she and Lance are supposed to be this amazing team, both as husband and wife and as monster hunters. But in the first book, Lance is sidelined because he’s got part of his soul sucked away … and in this book, well, Lance gets sidelined for much of the action again. Indeed, most of the other characters get more development than Lance, and that feels like a problem.
The denouement also represents a pretty interesting hard reset on Melinda and Lance’s circumstances. That’s all I will say about that. Gutsy move for Book 2—then again, I understand why Grifant might choose to go this route. I don’t know if I would describe the ending as satisfying. Much like my reaction in my first review, I might just shrug and say … it’s fine?
After reading Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen, I’ll reluctantly conclude that maybe the problem is me—I don’t think I am the audience for these books. That’s OK! I gave it a try. If you like weird west and stories of monsters that are more than they seem, you might want to give these a try too. Alas, I cannot rave about them the way I might like.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews.
August 13, 2025
A thrilling adventure that blended the Old West with Supernatural vibes! The story was action-packed and full of daring high stakes situations.
I enjoyed the uniqueness and liked Lance and Melinda’s characters. They were monster hunters and partners.
On their hunt to help others they ended up tangled in quite a bit of problems from flesh eating monsters to evil outlaws! The book is sure to keep you on your toes until the very end and even then… let’s just say there’s more to come for sure!
I enjoyed the uniqueness and liked Lance and Melinda’s characters. They were monster hunters and partners.
On their hunt to help others they ended up tangled in quite a bit of problems from flesh eating monsters to evil outlaws! The book is sure to keep you on your toes until the very end and even then… let’s just say there’s more to come for sure!
Read
April 14, 2025*Huge thanks to KC Grifant for a digital ARC of this one!*
Back in December of 2022, I read the first book in this series, ‘Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger.’ If you know me, you’ll know that from the title alone it would be right up my alley, but to add to the joy of reading a book with that title, KC Grifant vibrantly and viciously brought Melinda and the world she occupies to life, making for a truly fun read.
To my sheer excitement, KC emailed me last month to ask if I’d be game to check out part two – and I never even hesitated. Even with diminished reading time and a huge reduction in taking on review requests, I couldn’t say no. KC is a wonderful writer, amazing supporter to so many and the Melinda West character just might be one of the best characters you’ll ever be introduced to. Even better – she has a six-shooter and monsters run amok.
Saying all of that – this is definitely a book you need to have read part one for – though you could get away with not having read it, you’ll definitely feel more connected and in the know if you have.
What I liked: The book picks up a little while after the first one. Melinda and her partner, Lance, have settled down, saying goodbye to the gunslinger/magic days. Content to have a garden and keep adrenaline rushes and gun/magic battles to a minimum.
That all gets thrown out the window when stories make it tp them that something is killing people and as the bodies pile up, soon Melinda can’t push aside the idea of staying out of it. So, her and Lance saddle up and head out.
It should be noted, that from here, the story is pretty straight forward – and I don’t mean that in a negative way – not at all. We get an adventure, cherished characters live, cherished characters die, there are hideous events, action-packed moments and everything leads to a major showdown where we see if good can overcome evil. And it’s perfect. It’s exactly what you want in a book like this. It’s practically why you read it. You want to see just what type of crap Melinda can overcome and how she can successfully save as many people as possible and none of it feels stale or ‘done to death’ because Grifant has done such a magical job (no pun intended… well maybe a dash of pun!) of bringing this world to life and making Melinda West such a powerful and fantastic character. This is the type of character that would this have been an 80’s Saturday morning cartoon instead of a 2020’s novel, people would have Melinda West posters up on all of their walls and the action figures would be flying off the shelves. It’s BraveStarr meets She-Ra the Princess of Power and it works so very very well. And that’s because Grifant takes it seriously.
Judging by how this one ends, I can only assume we’ll be getting a third in the series and I sure hope that happens.
What I didn’t like: I will say, I’m not totally sure if I felt that the Gremlin Queen was as huge of an opponent as I was expecting. Sure, it was horrible, ruthless and violent, but from what I pictured in my mind to what we ended up seeing as Melinda brought things home, it just wasn’t as crushingly brutal as I thought we’d see. Or maybe that’s my issue and I overinflated it? Could very well be!
Why you should buy this: If you loved book one, this is a no-brainer. If you love Grifant’s writing – again no-brainer. But otherwise, if you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced, dusty, western-magic-horror mashup, look no further. Melinda West is a phenomenal character, this world and landscape is perfectly balanced between being accessible and absolutely terrifying and at the end of the day, Grifant writes with such a joyful glee, it’s infectious and you can feel it flowing from the page.
This one’s a winner and so, so much fun.
Back in December of 2022, I read the first book in this series, ‘Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger.’ If you know me, you’ll know that from the title alone it would be right up my alley, but to add to the joy of reading a book with that title, KC Grifant vibrantly and viciously brought Melinda and the world she occupies to life, making for a truly fun read.
To my sheer excitement, KC emailed me last month to ask if I’d be game to check out part two – and I never even hesitated. Even with diminished reading time and a huge reduction in taking on review requests, I couldn’t say no. KC is a wonderful writer, amazing supporter to so many and the Melinda West character just might be one of the best characters you’ll ever be introduced to. Even better – she has a six-shooter and monsters run amok.
Saying all of that – this is definitely a book you need to have read part one for – though you could get away with not having read it, you’ll definitely feel more connected and in the know if you have.
What I liked: The book picks up a little while after the first one. Melinda and her partner, Lance, have settled down, saying goodbye to the gunslinger/magic days. Content to have a garden and keep adrenaline rushes and gun/magic battles to a minimum.
That all gets thrown out the window when stories make it tp them that something is killing people and as the bodies pile up, soon Melinda can’t push aside the idea of staying out of it. So, her and Lance saddle up and head out.
It should be noted, that from here, the story is pretty straight forward – and I don’t mean that in a negative way – not at all. We get an adventure, cherished characters live, cherished characters die, there are hideous events, action-packed moments and everything leads to a major showdown where we see if good can overcome evil. And it’s perfect. It’s exactly what you want in a book like this. It’s practically why you read it. You want to see just what type of crap Melinda can overcome and how she can successfully save as many people as possible and none of it feels stale or ‘done to death’ because Grifant has done such a magical job (no pun intended… well maybe a dash of pun!) of bringing this world to life and making Melinda West such a powerful and fantastic character. This is the type of character that would this have been an 80’s Saturday morning cartoon instead of a 2020’s novel, people would have Melinda West posters up on all of their walls and the action figures would be flying off the shelves. It’s BraveStarr meets She-Ra the Princess of Power and it works so very very well. And that’s because Grifant takes it seriously.
Judging by how this one ends, I can only assume we’ll be getting a third in the series and I sure hope that happens.
What I didn’t like: I will say, I’m not totally sure if I felt that the Gremlin Queen was as huge of an opponent as I was expecting. Sure, it was horrible, ruthless and violent, but from what I pictured in my mind to what we ended up seeing as Melinda brought things home, it just wasn’t as crushingly brutal as I thought we’d see. Or maybe that’s my issue and I overinflated it? Could very well be!
Why you should buy this: If you loved book one, this is a no-brainer. If you love Grifant’s writing – again no-brainer. But otherwise, if you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced, dusty, western-magic-horror mashup, look no further. Melinda West is a phenomenal character, this world and landscape is perfectly balanced between being accessible and absolutely terrifying and at the end of the day, Grifant writes with such a joyful glee, it’s infectious and you can feel it flowing from the page.
This one’s a winner and so, so much fun.
October 23, 2026
I received this advance review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is supposed to be a standalone interconnected series, but I really feel like you need to have read the first book to really get into it. It felt like I was missing quite a bit of backstory.
I still really enjoyed it though, and it was an all around good fantasy gunslinger book. The worldbuilding was a little on the light side, but the balls to the wall actions more than made up for it. There is plenty of violence, gore, and badassery to go around. The characters were solid, and even the side characters were interesting.
Although this wasn't a terribly deep book, it was so much fun. It reminds me of a really good horror B-movie that doesn't take itself seriously.
This is supposed to be a standalone interconnected series, but I really feel like you need to have read the first book to really get into it. It felt like I was missing quite a bit of backstory.
I still really enjoyed it though, and it was an all around good fantasy gunslinger book. The worldbuilding was a little on the light side, but the balls to the wall actions more than made up for it. There is plenty of violence, gore, and badassery to go around. The characters were solid, and even the side characters were interesting.
Although this wasn't a terribly deep book, it was so much fun. It reminds me of a really good horror B-movie that doesn't take itself seriously.
March 22, 2025
Two words. Bad Ass! That's how I felt about the first book in this series' and that continues in this one. A take no prisoners horror western with monsters galore and fantastic characters.
Melinda and Lance have retired after the events from the first novel. They're monster hunters but the physical, emotional, and mental damages have added up over the years. But when a desperate plea for help from a town reaches them, they reluctantly agree to take care of the town's monster problem. Things aren't all that easy though.
Gremlins are attacking and killing people en masse. These horrific swarming creatures not only kill anyone in their path, but take up residence in the mangled insides of the dead in order to lay eggs. There's something different about these creatures though and Melinda and Lance will have to enlist the aid of some odd characters if they want to stop something world changing from happening.
Just like in the first book, this one has all those awesome western vibes, fast paced narrative, bloody scenes of violence, and quirky characters which add a colorful flair to the grisly proceedings.
Melinda West herself is a great character. Tough as nails, never misses a shot, yet is sympathetic to those in need, often sacrificing herself for the greater good of humanity. In this one, the Gremlin Queen along with her brood and creatures called edglings are more horrific than ever making this a fun but tense read because you never know who's going to make it or not.
Yeah, bad ass! And I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book from the author. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Melinda and Lance have retired after the events from the first novel. They're monster hunters but the physical, emotional, and mental damages have added up over the years. But when a desperate plea for help from a town reaches them, they reluctantly agree to take care of the town's monster problem. Things aren't all that easy though.
Gremlins are attacking and killing people en masse. These horrific swarming creatures not only kill anyone in their path, but take up residence in the mangled insides of the dead in order to lay eggs. There's something different about these creatures though and Melinda and Lance will have to enlist the aid of some odd characters if they want to stop something world changing from happening.
Just like in the first book, this one has all those awesome western vibes, fast paced narrative, bloody scenes of violence, and quirky characters which add a colorful flair to the grisly proceedings.
Melinda West herself is a great character. Tough as nails, never misses a shot, yet is sympathetic to those in need, often sacrificing herself for the greater good of humanity. In this one, the Gremlin Queen along with her brood and creatures called edglings are more horrific than ever making this a fun but tense read because you never know who's going to make it or not.
Yeah, bad ass! And I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book from the author. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
September 23, 2025
💣 A sharp-shooting, monster-slaying western with bite 💣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Ain’t nothing in this world uglier than something that thinks it owns it."
Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen by KC Grifant is a rollicking, gritty ride through an alternate Old West where bullets and bravery are the only things standing between humanity and the nightmare creatures clawing at its edges. With her steady aim and no-nonsense wit, Melinda makes for a heroine you can’t help rooting for, while Lance’s charm and firepower keeps the duo balanced in both danger and banter.
The gremlins are a deliciously nasty invention—vicious, clever, and perfectly suited to push our heroes to their limits. The action is relentless, and Grifant captures that dust-swept, lawless frontier atmosphere beautifully, where every town hides secrets, and every trail might lead to something worse than death.
That said, while the pacing keeps the pages flying, at times I wished for a little more room to breathe. The plot can occasionally barrel forward so hard it skims over the emotional beats that would make certain moments hit even harder.
Still, this is a hugely entertaining blend of weird west grit, monster-hunting mayhem, and sharp-shooting heroics. Fans of Supernatural or Buffy will feel right at home in this world, and newcomers can jump straight in without missing a beat.
Verdict: A gritty, action-packed supernatural western that delivers thrills and monsters in spades—just a touch more depth would have made it a perfect shot.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Ain’t nothing in this world uglier than something that thinks it owns it."
Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen by KC Grifant is a rollicking, gritty ride through an alternate Old West where bullets and bravery are the only things standing between humanity and the nightmare creatures clawing at its edges. With her steady aim and no-nonsense wit, Melinda makes for a heroine you can’t help rooting for, while Lance’s charm and firepower keeps the duo balanced in both danger and banter.
The gremlins are a deliciously nasty invention—vicious, clever, and perfectly suited to push our heroes to their limits. The action is relentless, and Grifant captures that dust-swept, lawless frontier atmosphere beautifully, where every town hides secrets, and every trail might lead to something worse than death.
That said, while the pacing keeps the pages flying, at times I wished for a little more room to breathe. The plot can occasionally barrel forward so hard it skims over the emotional beats that would make certain moments hit even harder.
Still, this is a hugely entertaining blend of weird west grit, monster-hunting mayhem, and sharp-shooting heroics. Fans of Supernatural or Buffy will feel right at home in this world, and newcomers can jump straight in without missing a beat.
Verdict: A gritty, action-packed supernatural western that delivers thrills and monsters in spades—just a touch more depth would have made it a perfect shot.
March 18, 2025
I was drawn to this book by the synopsis - supernatural monsters , the Old West
and a pair of Hunters ........... what's not to like ?
Melinda and her partner Lance are hunters of supernatural monsters but after
30years they feel the need to slow down ........ let someone else deal with the monsters .
But when a new threat arises , leaving dead bodies behind they are drawn into
the challenge ......... just what is leaving the bodies behind because it/they are smarter
and deadlier than anything they have fought before
This was an interesting take on the Old West where everything / anyone outside
the norm becomes a potential enemy ............ people are becoming more insular ,
defending their own towns - outsiders suspect from the start
Our central characters are sharpshooters , worn down by years of travelling to defeat
and rid communities of supernatural threats .......... but the threats are much more
dangerous than before - can they find the truth of the deaths ?, can they defeat
the Gremlins ?
This is an entertaining , fast paced book with an interesting premise - enjoyable
from the start to the finish
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
and a pair of Hunters ........... what's not to like ?
Melinda and her partner Lance are hunters of supernatural monsters but after
30years they feel the need to slow down ........ let someone else deal with the monsters .
But when a new threat arises , leaving dead bodies behind they are drawn into
the challenge ......... just what is leaving the bodies behind because it/they are smarter
and deadlier than anything they have fought before
This was an interesting take on the Old West where everything / anyone outside
the norm becomes a potential enemy ............ people are becoming more insular ,
defending their own towns - outsiders suspect from the start
Our central characters are sharpshooters , worn down by years of travelling to defeat
and rid communities of supernatural threats .......... but the threats are much more
dangerous than before - can they find the truth of the deaths ?, can they defeat
the Gremlins ?
This is an entertaining , fast paced book with an interesting premise - enjoyable
from the start to the finish
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
May 29, 2025
I'm gonna say 3.5 stars but I'll round up to four.
The overall writing was good, its an interesting take on a fantasy western.
But I had concerns about the characters and how they were portrayed. I felt that conversation between characters was lacking. Melinda is going to always choose to go it alone, or reluctantly agree to partner up. But then she does everything the way she wants. She's always talking about Lance being her partner, and aside from always going back for him when he's kidnapped, I don't really see her as seeing him as an equal. They never discuss anything really just give "knowing glances" which for me is her just assuming he's gonna defer to her. And the queen.... The gremlin queen is in the title, so I expected her to be a way bigger part of the plot and they weren't. I was expecting a whole plot twist about the gremlins and gremlin queen since they never showed up til the end, and was surprised it didn't happen. And then the actually ending plot twist made me sad :/ and I felt like what happened, again, made the whole Melinda/Lance connection not as strong as it's always written to be in the book.
Thanks to the author and ink slinger PR for my ARC. This is my honest opinion which I am leaving voluntarily.
The overall writing was good, its an interesting take on a fantasy western.
But I had concerns about the characters and how they were portrayed. I felt that conversation between characters was lacking. Melinda is going to always choose to go it alone, or reluctantly agree to partner up. But then she does everything the way she wants. She's always talking about Lance being her partner, and aside from always going back for him when he's kidnapped, I don't really see her as seeing him as an equal. They never discuss anything really just give "knowing glances" which for me is her just assuming he's gonna defer to her. And the queen.... The gremlin queen is in the title, so I expected her to be a way bigger part of the plot and they weren't. I was expecting a whole plot twist about the gremlins and gremlin queen since they never showed up til the end, and was surprised it didn't happen. And then the actually ending plot twist made me sad :/ and I felt like what happened, again, made the whole Melinda/Lance connection not as strong as it's always written to be in the book.
Thanks to the author and ink slinger PR for my ARC. This is my honest opinion which I am leaving voluntarily.
June 1, 2025
Once again, KC Grifant offers up an entertaining, genre bending read. I had the fortune of reading the first installment of the Melinda West series over a year ago, and this second installment is just as imaginative as the first with an obvious tease for a third installment at the end.
I do recommend picking up Melinda West, Monster Gunslinger and reading it first in order to get to know the main characters and the weird West world that they live in. It also sets up some important elements about Melinda’s backstory and her struggle with PTSD that might be confusing if you go into book two blind. But if you’re a series reader, this mashup of Wild West, Horror and even SciFi promises to have some longevity.
As with the first, this installment is plot centric and pulpy, and I feel like it pulls its story from a wellspring of pop culture Scifi reimagined for a Wild West world, with the obvious hat tip to Gremlins. There are touches of Alien, and the Borg in Star Trek comes to mind, but the story is still its own story and not some rehash dressed in Western duds. Also, Grifant populates the piece with a diverse cast.
I want to thank Brigids Gate and Grifant for approving this ARC request via NetGalley. And one final shoutout for the striking cover!
I do recommend picking up Melinda West, Monster Gunslinger and reading it first in order to get to know the main characters and the weird West world that they live in. It also sets up some important elements about Melinda’s backstory and her struggle with PTSD that might be confusing if you go into book two blind. But if you’re a series reader, this mashup of Wild West, Horror and even SciFi promises to have some longevity.
As with the first, this installment is plot centric and pulpy, and I feel like it pulls its story from a wellspring of pop culture Scifi reimagined for a Wild West world, with the obvious hat tip to Gremlins. There are touches of Alien, and the Borg in Star Trek comes to mind, but the story is still its own story and not some rehash dressed in Western duds. Also, Grifant populates the piece with a diverse cast.
I want to thank Brigids Gate and Grifant for approving this ARC request via NetGalley. And one final shoutout for the striking cover!
July 10, 2025
Full disclosures - I read and loved KC Grifant's debut novel, Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger and am reviewing an ARC version of the follow up, Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen. It is nice, but not necessary, to read the first book before diving into this one. That said, the connections between the two novels add depth and gravitas to Melinda and her partner Lance's saga. Grifant is adept at both Weird West and Horror, and uses the latter to really put the "Weird" into Weird West. The story starts with some action set pieces and then settles into a slow burn of uneasy creepiness. Before facing the Gremlin Queen, Melinda and Lance first have to battle the encroaching gremlin minions. If only things were that simple, as it turns out that the relationship between gremlins and human townsfolk is, um, complicated. Along the way, there are also some 'jump scare' scenes that definitely ratchet up the gross or 'ick' factor, but in a manner that moves the story along. At the end, the 'boss battle' with the titular Gremlin Queen and its denouement seems a bit abrupt. But the final passages do indicate that Melinda and Lance still have plenty more monsters and baddies to fight. And yes, I'll definitely be riding along for those adventures.
June 16, 2025
This story was the perfect blend of horror and science fiction set within a unique yet immersive wild west setting.
The concept of the two monster hunters was well executed and added to the adventure and mystery aspect within the story- fighting to save towns and people for the greater good against supernatural monsters and utter destruction.
Secondly, the additional characters (both major and minor) within the story really stood out and held their own throughout the groups journey across varying towns with their objective being to destroy the gremlins along with other creatures they influenced whilst saving innocent people along the way from becoming breeding vessels for the gremlins- the burning of bodies being the only method of eradication of the breeding.
I found this book to be packed with action, adventure and with the right amount of horror and fantasy sci/fi to keep me enthralled from start to finish and I would gladly read more books by this author in the future.
A huge thankyou to both Brigid's Gate Press as well as Net galley for an early ARC of this book
The concept of the two monster hunters was well executed and added to the adventure and mystery aspect within the story- fighting to save towns and people for the greater good against supernatural monsters and utter destruction.
Secondly, the additional characters (both major and minor) within the story really stood out and held their own throughout the groups journey across varying towns with their objective being to destroy the gremlins along with other creatures they influenced whilst saving innocent people along the way from becoming breeding vessels for the gremlins- the burning of bodies being the only method of eradication of the breeding.
I found this book to be packed with action, adventure and with the right amount of horror and fantasy sci/fi to keep me enthralled from start to finish and I would gladly read more books by this author in the future.
A huge thankyou to both Brigid's Gate Press as well as Net galley for an early ARC of this book
May 10, 2025
I had read the first book in this series, so I was happy to read the next one, this one. Melinda and Lance are partners who hunt monsters and have lost people along the way. This time there’s a new monster in town, and they need to destroy them before it’s too late. With a very Wild West feel, this alternate history is a fun one with a lot of gore, killing, and trying to survive the harsh situations this world has. The end of this book kinda hit hard. I can’t say much or I’ll spoil it, but I feel so much for Melinda and Lance at the end and wonder what will be next with them besides killing more monsters. If you enjoyed the first one, you’ll definitely enjoy this latest. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
September 20, 2025
First off what an amazing cover picture this book has, a horror western which is a whole new genre for me and I have to say I enjoyed this book so much.
I read the first book too which also has a fantastic cover picture and title too, ‘Melinda West Monster Gunslayer’.
The character Melinda West is a badass, but with empathy and sympathetic to those in need, and along with Lance they hunt monsters, in this book as the title suggests Gremlins make an appearance. With lots of action I found the book moved at a really good pace and the descriptions really brought this world alive.
I’ll definitely be looking out for the next book in the series
Thank you @zooloosbooktours for having me on this tour
@kcgrifant #kcgrifant #melindawestandthegremlinqueen #zooloosbooktours
I read the first book too which also has a fantastic cover picture and title too, ‘Melinda West Monster Gunslayer’.
The character Melinda West is a badass, but with empathy and sympathetic to those in need, and along with Lance they hunt monsters, in this book as the title suggests Gremlins make an appearance. With lots of action I found the book moved at a really good pace and the descriptions really brought this world alive.
I’ll definitely be looking out for the next book in the series
Thank you @zooloosbooktours for having me on this tour
@kcgrifant #kcgrifant #melindawestandthegremlinqueen #zooloosbooktours
May 13, 2025
This is book two in a standalone interconnected series. I have not read book one.
With that being said I really enjoyed this one. I have recently discovered that I enjoy a good western. Being that I love anything supernatural I knew I had to give this one a shot.
Melinda West is a badass sharp-shooter who doesn’t have much patience for B.S.
Lance is her partner in crime and from what I could put together her partner in life. Who have recently put their life of kicking supernatural butt behind. Or have they? Gremlins are out and about and causing havoc.
It was a fast paced, gory, and kept me interested the whole time.
Thank you K.C. Grifant for the ARC.
With that being said I really enjoyed this one. I have recently discovered that I enjoy a good western. Being that I love anything supernatural I knew I had to give this one a shot.
Melinda West is a badass sharp-shooter who doesn’t have much patience for B.S.
Lance is her partner in crime and from what I could put together her partner in life. Who have recently put their life of kicking supernatural butt behind. Or have they? Gremlins are out and about and causing havoc.
It was a fast paced, gory, and kept me interested the whole time.
Thank you K.C. Grifant for the ARC.
September 11, 2025
It’s no secret that I love nearly everything that Brigid’s Gate Press puts out but the original Melinda West novel was one of my favourites. Supernatural vibes in a Western setting? What more could you want? Well actually you could want the second Melinda West novel. Now we know I don’t spoil the plot but I will say this is fast-paced and action packed with supernatural thrills to boot. Melinda is a dream protagonist who I love and it’s great to see her back once again and with Lance by her side it’s one fun filled ride.
This is perfect for those that are fans of westerns, horror and supernatural. You won’t be disappointed at all.
This is perfect for those that are fans of westerns, horror and supernatural. You won’t be disappointed at all.
April 15, 2025
3.5 🌟
This book was a fantastic way to get introduced to western fantasy! It moves quickly and is full of action and unforgettable characters, making it an easy read. However, because it goes so fast, I felt like there wasn’t enough time to explore the fascinating world it created. This quick pace also meant some important conversations were missed, which affected the development of the characters and their relationships.
Thank you to Brigids Gate Press, LLC and NetGalley for letting me read this early copy and share my honest thoughts
This book was a fantastic way to get introduced to western fantasy! It moves quickly and is full of action and unforgettable characters, making it an easy read. However, because it goes so fast, I felt like there wasn’t enough time to explore the fascinating world it created. This quick pace also meant some important conversations were missed, which affected the development of the characters and their relationships.
Thank you to Brigids Gate Press, LLC and NetGalley for letting me read this early copy and share my honest thoughts
May 29, 2025
What we have here is an alternative Wild West where monsters abound. Melinda West and her partner Lance are retired monster hunters, but a gremlin swarm puts humans at risk and the pair need to take up the fight once more. During their adventures they are joined some others, including a pregnant woman, all striving to understand what the gremlins are really after. The book’s title gives the hint as to where the story will end, but it’s quite fun and the alternative Wild West has some interesting world building.
April 29, 2025
First, thanks to Brigids Gate Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am a sucker for supernatural westerns and this one did not disappoint. It was really fast paced from the beginning and I was hooked from the first chapter. It was a nice change of pace from some of the longer books, slower paced books that I am currently reading. The ending definitely left me looking forward to new books in this series.
May 20, 2025
Well this was as much of a fun ride as book one. Melinda and Lance just can NOT catch a break 😂
The main monster in this one was quite the critter. :: shivers :: and that queen. eek! the whole band of side characters were fun in this one, and really helped to fill out the world/story. and little sam 😍
I do hope we get more stories in this world - I want to see more Melinda and Lance - maybe a little rehab for one 😆
thank you so much InkSlinger PR for the eARC.
The main monster in this one was quite the critter. :: shivers :: and that queen. eek! the whole band of side characters were fun in this one, and really helped to fill out the world/story. and little sam 😍
I do hope we get more stories in this world - I want to see more Melinda and Lance - maybe a little rehab for one 😆
thank you so much InkSlinger PR for the eARC.
March 20, 2025
What a wild ride.
This is a fast paced read following our FMC Melinda West, Gunslinger and Monster hunter.
Wanting nothing more to retire from monster hunting and perhaps settle down. She gets convinced for one the job. But with monsters, nothing is ever that simple.
One thing keeps leading to the next, and the stakes continue to rise.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
This is a fast paced read following our FMC Melinda West, Gunslinger and Monster hunter.
Wanting nothing more to retire from monster hunting and perhaps settle down. She gets convinced for one the job. But with monsters, nothing is ever that simple.
One thing keeps leading to the next, and the stakes continue to rise.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
March 31, 2025
Review: This follows (again) Lance and Melinda West through a land riddled with monsters that are slipping over the "Edge". The story lines are wildly divergent and Ms. West is built with enough personality to stake a claim beside Hettie Alabama (V.S. McGrath).
I received this ARC for an honest review.
4.6/5
I received this ARC for an honest review.
4.6/5
April 13, 2025
If you loved Supernatural, this one’s right up your alley. Monster hunting with a Wild West twist? Yes, please.
Creepy creatures, cult vibes, and humans being easily manipulated—what’s not to love? Melinda and Lance have that ride-or-die bond that hits you right in the feels. Gritty, spooky, and surprisingly sweet. I’m hooked. What new monsters will come for them next??
Creepy creatures, cult vibes, and humans being easily manipulated—what’s not to love? Melinda and Lance have that ride-or-die bond that hits you right in the feels. Gritty, spooky, and surprisingly sweet. I’m hooked. What new monsters will come for them next??
November 8, 2025
Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen was an exciting and terrifying read. The characters, new and old, pulled me in and kept me reading. The monsters were complex and well imagined, and the story was a great continuation of the first Melinda West novel. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a taste of the Weird West.
March 26, 2025
Melinda and Lance are back in this action packed weird west adventure! It was a great sequel to the first book and I couldn’t put it down. Creepy monsters, lots of gunslinging, and a great cast of characters. Highly recommend!
June 7, 2025
Riveting second entry in the Monster Gunslingers series! These books are so much fun. This time around, there are new monsters, new complex characters, and a twisty final act. More, please!
September 18, 2025
How could I resist grabbing this book with such a brilliant front cover image and a title like that!?
This was my first encounter with this author and I was so pleased to get the chance to read both the first book and this, the second book in the Monster Gunslinger series.
See, how amazing does even the series name sound!
Melinda and Lance are back and still shooting and what a great pair they make.
I loved Melinda and her relationship with Lance. They just work perfectly together to get the job done with no fuss.
In this book, the humans are at risk from a swarm of deadly gremlins, who I have to say, really jumped off the page.
This was so packed with action and adventure and I was rooting for our deadly duo from the start.
The writing was perfect and transported me to this crazy western other world and had me hooked from the first page - I couldn't put this down!
I really hope that there will be more supernatural adventures to come soon.
This was my first encounter with this author and I was so pleased to get the chance to read both the first book and this, the second book in the Monster Gunslinger series.
See, how amazing does even the series name sound!
Melinda and Lance are back and still shooting and what a great pair they make.
I loved Melinda and her relationship with Lance. They just work perfectly together to get the job done with no fuss.
In this book, the humans are at risk from a swarm of deadly gremlins, who I have to say, really jumped off the page.
This was so packed with action and adventure and I was rooting for our deadly duo from the start.
The writing was perfect and transported me to this crazy western other world and had me hooked from the first page - I couldn't put this down!
I really hope that there will be more supernatural adventures to come soon.
April 28, 2025
3.5 Stars
Another solid entry in the life and times of Melinda West, gunslinger extraordinaire who never misses her mark!
Last we saw Melinda and her partner Lance, they had accomplished their last job before retiring, but it was not without some heavy losses. It’s been a year, and they have finally found some peace, running the ranch of their dreams and maintaining a low profile. However, their reputation precedes them, and though they want to say no to a neighboring town’s cry for help, they just can’t do it. Something is killing their townsfolk rapidly, and it's spreading quick.
What Melinda unravels is a horrifying new monster that has leaked from the Edge, a crack between dimensions that released a slew of creatures big and small over the years. This time, these “gremlins” aren’t like the typical animal type critters they’ve encountered before, but beings with an unsettling sinister intellect. If Melinda didn’t know better, these gremlins have an agenda that soon will threaten the preservation of all humankind.
Overall, this has remained consistent in violent action, grim and dire circumstances, all with touches of gory horror. Melinda, Lance, and the various people they enlist for help are a solid group of characters to root for. If you have a problem or challenge to overcome that’s monster related, then one would definitely want Melinda on their side for she will never ever give up. Again, this delivers great Wild West vibes, high stakes monster slaying, and a stalwart heroine who will never let you down!
Thank you to the author and Brigids Gate Press via NetGalley for an ecopy to review honestly.
Monster Gunslingers Series
1. Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger - 3.5 Stars
2. Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen - 3.5 Stars
Another solid entry in the life and times of Melinda West, gunslinger extraordinaire who never misses her mark!
Last we saw Melinda and her partner Lance, they had accomplished their last job before retiring, but it was not without some heavy losses. It’s been a year, and they have finally found some peace, running the ranch of their dreams and maintaining a low profile. However, their reputation precedes them, and though they want to say no to a neighboring town’s cry for help, they just can’t do it. Something is killing their townsfolk rapidly, and it's spreading quick.
What Melinda unravels is a horrifying new monster that has leaked from the Edge, a crack between dimensions that released a slew of creatures big and small over the years. This time, these “gremlins” aren’t like the typical animal type critters they’ve encountered before, but beings with an unsettling sinister intellect. If Melinda didn’t know better, these gremlins have an agenda that soon will threaten the preservation of all humankind.
Overall, this has remained consistent in violent action, grim and dire circumstances, all with touches of gory horror. Melinda, Lance, and the various people they enlist for help are a solid group of characters to root for. If you have a problem or challenge to overcome that’s monster related, then one would definitely want Melinda on their side for she will never ever give up. Again, this delivers great Wild West vibes, high stakes monster slaying, and a stalwart heroine who will never let you down!
Thank you to the author and Brigids Gate Press via NetGalley for an ecopy to review honestly.
Monster Gunslingers Series
1. Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger - 3.5 Stars
2. Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen - 3.5 Stars
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