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Gallow and Ragged #3
Wasteland King
The thrilling conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Lilith Saintcrow's dark fantasy series where the faery world inhabits diners, dive bars and trailer parks.The plague has broken loose, the Wild Hunt is riding, and the balance of power in the sidhe realms is still shifting. The Unseelie King has a grudge against Jeremiah Gallow, but it will have to wait. For he needs Gallow's services for a very delicate mission -- and the prize for success is survival itself.In order to save both Robin Ragged and himself, Gallow will have to do the unspeakable. . .
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2016
18 people are currently reading
511 people want to read
About the author
Lilith Saintcrow
132 books4,512 followersLilith Saintcrow was born in New Mexico, bounced around the world as a child, and fell in love with writing stories when she was ten years old. She and her library co-habitate in Vancouver, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 26, 2016
"There's nothing else like it."
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
August 10, 2016
2.5 stars
I have to be honest, this series confused me. I wanted to love it, and I do love Saintcrow's prose, but the story itself fell pretty flat until the very end, then it was pretty much just disappointing.
The series read like a 3 book chase scene written in descriptive style that felt expository. In general I didn't understand what motivated the characters other than revenge for one character and compulsion for two others, and I had no clue what they were trying to achieve throughout the entire series until the very end.
If you're looking for a happy ending, or any shipping, it ain't happenin' here.
I do love the way Saintcrow crafts a sentence, but I needed more substance from this series, and less disappointment from this book.
I have to be honest, this series confused me. I wanted to love it, and I do love Saintcrow's prose, but the story itself fell pretty flat until the very end, then it was pretty much just disappointing.
The series read like a 3 book chase scene written in descriptive style that felt expository. In general I didn't understand what motivated the characters other than revenge for one character and compulsion for two others, and I had no clue what they were trying to achieve throughout the entire series until the very end.
If you're looking for a happy ending, or any shipping, it ain't happenin' here.
I do love the way Saintcrow crafts a sentence, but I needed more substance from this series, and less disappointment from this book.
March 8, 2019
3.5 Stars
Review:
This was the third and final book of the series, so I was invested in the characters and wanted to know what would happen to them, especially Jeremiah and Alastair, but I was a little disappointed in this book.
It was kind of just the same basic plot as the others. People chasing, people being chased, people tracking down other people in order to help them, people trying to get revenge, no one trusting anybody, etc.
There was at least finally an ending to all the chasing and being chased... but the ending left so many things open and wasn't very satisfying to me. After taking some time to let it settle in my mind, and I felt better about it than I did immediately after finishing, but I still would've liked a more definite answer about the main thing that happened. I will say, however, that it was at least unexpected in a good way. Maybe kind of bittersweet, but bittersweet isn't a negative thing for me.
As I said though, it was the characters I cared about at this point. I didn't get as much depth from them as I would've liked after three whole books, and I never did warm up to Robin, but I liked Jeremiah and Alastair. Honestly I think bringing Alastair in in Book 2 and having him play a big part in Book 3 was what saved this series for me. I found him interesting, and it seemed like he had more emotional range and realistic qualities (not always good, but still realistic) than the others. And Jeremiah and Alastair's broken friendship was my favorite thing about this book. I liked seeing how they hated each other but still couldn't help but care about and risk their lives for each other.
So this book felt a bit repetitive, and the open ending left me a little unsatisfied, but overall I did enjoy the series.
Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1 and 2 in Lilith Saintcrow's Gallow and Ragged series. Anyone who likes flowery, lyrical writing, the cruel side of faeries, and gritty, flawed characters.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
---------------------
Initial Thoughts:
That... that was the ending to the series? There were all these unexpected things, and *this* happened, but then no instead *this other thing* happened, but then maybe both happened, but then maybe neither will happen? So many things were just left open. I don't even know what it was that Jeremiah asked Alastair to do? I enjoyed reading it, but I don't know if I feel very satisfied :-/ I need someone I know to read this so that we can discuss and make sense of things together lol. I'll post a full review at some point.
Review:
This was the third and final book of the series, so I was invested in the characters and wanted to know what would happen to them, especially Jeremiah and Alastair, but I was a little disappointed in this book.
It was kind of just the same basic plot as the others. People chasing, people being chased, people tracking down other people in order to help them, people trying to get revenge, no one trusting anybody, etc.
There was at least finally an ending to all the chasing and being chased... but the ending left so many things open and wasn't very satisfying to me. After taking some time to let it settle in my mind, and I felt better about it than I did immediately after finishing, but I still would've liked a more definite answer about the main thing that happened. I will say, however, that it was at least unexpected in a good way. Maybe kind of bittersweet, but bittersweet isn't a negative thing for me.
As I said though, it was the characters I cared about at this point. I didn't get as much depth from them as I would've liked after three whole books, and I never did warm up to Robin, but I liked Jeremiah and Alastair. Honestly I think bringing Alastair in in Book 2 and having him play a big part in Book 3 was what saved this series for me. I found him interesting, and it seemed like he had more emotional range and realistic qualities (not always good, but still realistic) than the others. And Jeremiah and Alastair's broken friendship was my favorite thing about this book. I liked seeing how they hated each other but still couldn't help but care about and risk their lives for each other.
So this book felt a bit repetitive, and the open ending left me a little unsatisfied, but overall I did enjoy the series.
Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1 and 2 in Lilith Saintcrow's Gallow and Ragged series. Anyone who likes flowery, lyrical writing, the cruel side of faeries, and gritty, flawed characters.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
---------------------
Initial Thoughts:
That... that was the ending to the series? There were all these unexpected things, and *this* happened, but then no instead *this other thing* happened, but then maybe both happened, but then maybe neither will happen? So many things were just left open. I don't even know what it was that Jeremiah asked Alastair to do? I enjoyed reading it, but I don't know if I feel very satisfied :-/ I need someone I know to read this so that we can discuss and make sense of things together lol. I'll post a full review at some point.
August 12, 2016
This definitely wasn't how I wanted the adventures of Gallow and Ragged to end. The action didn't really pick up until the mid point of the story and when it finally resolved itself I felt a little let down. A lovely lyrical tale full of creativity and complicated twisty fae culture and politics, but sadly it just didn't live up to the potential shown in book one, at least not for me.
August 27, 2024
It’s crazy to think I DNF’ed book one in February and then picked it back up and read the entire series back to back. It wasn’t the best ending but overall it was a great series, I wish there was more! Nothing groundbreaking or complex, but nice Summer reads. Eager to check out more of Saintcrow’s work :D
June 1, 2018
Third and last in the Gallow and Ragged dark urban fantasy series and revolving around a rebellious trio of half-human, half-fae.
My Take
This was sad, fulfilling, sad, and oh, dang, just plain sad. I need to read something upbeat after this. And I find myself hoping that Saintcrow will figure out a way to keep this going!
I loved this dark take on the fae, and I think it’s some of the best Saintcrow has written, although, Ragged’s qualms do drive me nuts.
It's a suspicious Ragged, a desperate Gallow, and a hopeful Crenn expressing their hopes and dreams…and fears through third person multiple points-of-view, and Saintcrow plays us throughout the story. There’s growth for each of them, with Ragged’s voice changing, Gallow and his epiphany, while Crenn…poor Crenn. And Saintcrow continues to pop in the odd encounter with humans with results that are sometimes good and sometimes not.
I like that bit of back history Saintcrow conjured up for Gallow and Crenn. It gave a sense of how old these two were without belaboring it. We do learn at the end what caused the Sundering, and without giving anything away, I’ll simply say that Unwinter and Summer were consistent to the end. Saintcrow did a great job of holding in those secrets and letting them out just when it had the most impact on the characters and me.
This fae world is such a contrast between what I’ve always seen as the better Seelie and the wicked Unseelie, and just the opposite of who Summer and Unwinter are. A man who holds by will while another flitters away lives. I guess it’s “okay”, since she’s keeping the childcatcher employed. *eye roll*
The Story
Summerhome is fading with rumor and plague, a plague that is cutting down the fae with the Halfs immune, and Unwinter is going to war.
The balance of power in the sidhe realms is shifting, for the land begins to suspect and wait. Even as the grudge the Unseelie King has against Jeremiah Gallow's theft must wait. For he needs Gallow's services for a very delicate mission — and the prize for success is survival itself.
To save both Robin Ragged and himself, Gallow will have to do the unspeakable…and survive the Wild Hunt.
The Characters
Robin Ragged is a Half, half-human and half-fae, with a voice that can kill. She’s also Robin Goodfellow’s daughter with some fascinating results. Pepperbuckle is the changeling Ragged changed ( Roadside Magic , 2).
Jeremiah Gallow, the former half-fae, half-human Armormaster, wrested Unwinter’s horn from him, and now the Unseelie King has set his dogs on him ( Roadside Magic ). Daisy Snow had been his human wife until she was murdered, and Gallow found her sister. Clyde had been his foreman back on the job and Panko a fellow coworker.
Alastair Crenn, a half-fae, half-human knight who is Summer's assassin, got his looks back, and now needs to win the girl. Hah. Good luck with that. He was raised in an orphanage alongside Gallow. Marrowdowne is now his swampy refuge.
The Fae
Unwinter is…
…the Unseelie side ruled by the plagued Haarhnhe, Lord of the Hunt, the former Consort of Summer, the Lion of Danur. Unwinter’s Horn calls the Wild Hunt, the sluagh. The Steward holds Unwinter’s authority inside his Keep.
Findergast is a dwarven healer of the Red Clan of dwarves who had allied with Summer.
Summerhome is…
…where the Seelie live and are ruled by Summer, a.k.a., Eaakaanthe, slowly succumbing to plague. She had been a favored handmaiden at the First Summer’s side. Broghan the Black, a.k.a., Trollsbane, is the Armormaster and Summer’s former interest. Braghn Moran is her current favorite, stolen from Ilara Feathersalt.
Robin “Puck” Goodfellow, a.k.a., the Fatherless, is no more, but does remain Robin’s father. Morische the Cobbler had made Ragged’s shoes. The Sundering was long, long ago in the past when the fae realms split.
The Human Side
Creslough Asylum is…
…where Jimmy Kamens, Jadek Kosminski as was, is a night guard. Wendy Campbell is the head nurse on D ward, the high security, solitary level. Annie Diamotti is the swing nurse. Hugo Planck, Sybil Almand, the semifamous Kelly Ashford, Henry the Happy Wanker, Pearl the Paranoid, and Marcus the philosopher are some of the Ward D inmates.
Matt Grogan is a clerk with a fracturing voice at an ancient gas station. His brother, Bobby, is the high school football savior. Cindy Parmentier is the girl who really wants Bobby and will do anything to get him. Bill Yonkovitch is a long-haul truck driver who was lucky to meet Deirdre. Pete Crespin was wounded and now works a desk in dispatch; Sandy is his es-wife. Darcy had been the hero who died. Other dispatchers include Wendy, Christina, Jenna the Butch, Rhonda, Sarah Thornton, and Sharon. Officer Paco Melendez hates having to partner up with the bigoted Adkins. Greggs in Vice later told Melendez about Adkins and his partner Harry Krjowiscz. Henry McDowell sleeps behind the Savoigh Unlimited by a Dumpster. Chuck Tennington is a search-and-rescue volunteer. Debbie is the wife wanting a divorce; Mona is their little daughter. Georgie Rankin is another volunteer who saw too much. Jenny Markham’s momma likes her happy medicine; Topper is her dealer with perversions. Mrs. Anderson is the understanding neighbor.
The Sevens are…
…a vicious abandoned neighborhood, a wasteland, where Tomtom, who has been on the streets since he was thirteen, and his gang hold sway. The others include Juice at 14, Brat, a.k.a., Eleanor Gunderson and Samantha who will become Ell Wild, is 12, Popper is an immature 16, Pinkie, Rom, Glue Clue, and Kitten (who’d rather be Tiger). The Sevens are also fae neutral ground.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a deep blue alley at night with a trashcan fire off to the left. It’s Gallow in white wifebeater and jeans, casually leaning against a partial brick wall with cracked advertising at head height, a fitting throne for the K-NG with his dwarven-inked lance of a “sceptre” as it flames down along itself and around Gallow’s tattooed arms. The author’s name is in a glowing white at the very top while the orange stenciled title crosses Gallow’s midsection. Below are testimonials in white. Do wish she’d included the series information…
The title is Gallow, a Wasteland King in so many ways, in a disintegrating world.
My Take
This was sad, fulfilling, sad, and oh, dang, just plain sad. I need to read something upbeat after this. And I find myself hoping that Saintcrow will figure out a way to keep this going!
I loved this dark take on the fae, and I think it’s some of the best Saintcrow has written, although, Ragged’s qualms do drive me nuts.
It's a suspicious Ragged, a desperate Gallow, and a hopeful Crenn expressing their hopes and dreams…and fears through third person multiple points-of-view, and Saintcrow plays us throughout the story. There’s growth for each of them, with Ragged’s voice changing, Gallow and his epiphany, while Crenn…poor Crenn. And Saintcrow continues to pop in the odd encounter with humans with results that are sometimes good and sometimes not.
I like that bit of back history Saintcrow conjured up for Gallow and Crenn. It gave a sense of how old these two were without belaboring it. We do learn at the end what caused the Sundering, and without giving anything away, I’ll simply say that Unwinter and Summer were consistent to the end. Saintcrow did a great job of holding in those secrets and letting them out just when it had the most impact on the characters and me.
This fae world is such a contrast between what I’ve always seen as the better Seelie and the wicked Unseelie, and just the opposite of who Summer and Unwinter are. A man who holds by will while another flitters away lives. I guess it’s “okay”, since she’s keeping the childcatcher employed. *eye roll*
The Story
Summerhome is fading with rumor and plague, a plague that is cutting down the fae with the Halfs immune, and Unwinter is going to war.
The balance of power in the sidhe realms is shifting, for the land begins to suspect and wait. Even as the grudge the Unseelie King has against Jeremiah Gallow's theft must wait. For he needs Gallow's services for a very delicate mission — and the prize for success is survival itself.
To save both Robin Ragged and himself, Gallow will have to do the unspeakable…and survive the Wild Hunt.
The Characters
Robin Ragged is a Half, half-human and half-fae, with a voice that can kill. She’s also Robin Goodfellow’s daughter with some fascinating results. Pepperbuckle is the changeling Ragged changed ( Roadside Magic , 2).
Jeremiah Gallow, the former half-fae, half-human Armormaster, wrested Unwinter’s horn from him, and now the Unseelie King has set his dogs on him ( Roadside Magic ). Daisy Snow had been his human wife until she was murdered, and Gallow found her sister. Clyde had been his foreman back on the job and Panko a fellow coworker.
Alastair Crenn, a half-fae, half-human knight who is Summer's assassin, got his looks back, and now needs to win the girl. Hah. Good luck with that. He was raised in an orphanage alongside Gallow. Marrowdowne is now his swampy refuge.
The Fae
Unwinter is…
…the Unseelie side ruled by the plagued Haarhnhe, Lord of the Hunt, the former Consort of Summer, the Lion of Danur. Unwinter’s Horn calls the Wild Hunt, the sluagh. The Steward holds Unwinter’s authority inside his Keep.
Findergast is a dwarven healer of the Red Clan of dwarves who had allied with Summer.
Summerhome is…
…where the Seelie live and are ruled by Summer, a.k.a., Eaakaanthe, slowly succumbing to plague. She had been a favored handmaiden at the First Summer’s side. Broghan the Black, a.k.a., Trollsbane, is the Armormaster and Summer’s former interest. Braghn Moran is her current favorite, stolen from Ilara Feathersalt.
Robin “Puck” Goodfellow, a.k.a., the Fatherless, is no more, but does remain Robin’s father. Morische the Cobbler had made Ragged’s shoes. The Sundering was long, long ago in the past when the fae realms split.
The Human Side
Creslough Asylum is…
…where Jimmy Kamens, Jadek Kosminski as was, is a night guard. Wendy Campbell is the head nurse on D ward, the high security, solitary level. Annie Diamotti is the swing nurse. Hugo Planck, Sybil Almand, the semifamous Kelly Ashford, Henry the Happy Wanker, Pearl the Paranoid, and Marcus the philosopher are some of the Ward D inmates.
Matt Grogan is a clerk with a fracturing voice at an ancient gas station. His brother, Bobby, is the high school football savior. Cindy Parmentier is the girl who really wants Bobby and will do anything to get him. Bill Yonkovitch is a long-haul truck driver who was lucky to meet Deirdre. Pete Crespin was wounded and now works a desk in dispatch; Sandy is his es-wife. Darcy had been the hero who died. Other dispatchers include Wendy, Christina, Jenna the Butch, Rhonda, Sarah Thornton, and Sharon. Officer Paco Melendez hates having to partner up with the bigoted Adkins. Greggs in Vice later told Melendez about Adkins and his partner Harry Krjowiscz. Henry McDowell sleeps behind the Savoigh Unlimited by a Dumpster. Chuck Tennington is a search-and-rescue volunteer. Debbie is the wife wanting a divorce; Mona is their little daughter. Georgie Rankin is another volunteer who saw too much. Jenny Markham’s momma likes her happy medicine; Topper is her dealer with perversions. Mrs. Anderson is the understanding neighbor.
The Sevens are…
…a vicious abandoned neighborhood, a wasteland, where Tomtom, who has been on the streets since he was thirteen, and his gang hold sway. The others include Juice at 14, Brat, a.k.a., Eleanor Gunderson and Samantha who will become Ell Wild, is 12, Popper is an immature 16, Pinkie, Rom, Glue Clue, and Kitten (who’d rather be Tiger). The Sevens are also fae neutral ground.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a deep blue alley at night with a trashcan fire off to the left. It’s Gallow in white wifebeater and jeans, casually leaning against a partial brick wall with cracked advertising at head height, a fitting throne for the K-NG with his dwarven-inked lance of a “sceptre” as it flames down along itself and around Gallow’s tattooed arms. The author’s name is in a glowing white at the very top while the orange stenciled title crosses Gallow’s midsection. Below are testimonials in white. Do wish she’d included the series information…
The title is Gallow, a Wasteland King in so many ways, in a disintegrating world.
April 16, 2025
Rate: 3.5/5
Content Warning:
Graphic- violence, drug use
Moderate- child abuse, emotional abuse, murder, cursing, alcohol
Minor- vomit, addiction
So, I have read all 3 books in the Gallow and Ragged trilogy. I enjoyed the first book, I felt the second book was an improvement, and I did feel like the third book dragged a little, but I was satisfied with the ending. It wasn't what I expected for sure, but I appreciated it more for that.
Wasteland King is a Fantasy with elements of urban fiction as well, which I very much appreciated.
Sometimes there are several paragraphs in which a lot of description takes place including lists of Dunu Folk creatures. This can be a bit confusing to read through, but it's brief and not too important to the overall plot or character development.
I found the characters very lovable. I enjoyed the character development over the three books, although I'll say the characters don't really change. Maybe a little, but they remain themselves!
I felt engaged with the relationships (general, & romantic) between the characters.
I loved the plot twist to this trilogy.
It's not like my favorite series, but it was definitely worth my time!!
Content Warning:
Graphic- violence, drug use
Moderate- child abuse, emotional abuse, murder, cursing, alcohol
Minor- vomit, addiction
So, I have read all 3 books in the Gallow and Ragged trilogy. I enjoyed the first book, I felt the second book was an improvement, and I did feel like the third book dragged a little, but I was satisfied with the ending. It wasn't what I expected for sure, but I appreciated it more for that.
Wasteland King is a Fantasy with elements of urban fiction as well, which I very much appreciated.
Sometimes there are several paragraphs in which a lot of description takes place including lists of Dunu Folk creatures. This can be a bit confusing to read through, but it's brief and not too important to the overall plot or character development.
I found the characters very lovable. I enjoyed the character development over the three books, although I'll say the characters don't really change. Maybe a little, but they remain themselves!
I felt engaged with the relationships (general, & romantic) between the characters.
I loved the plot twist to this trilogy.
It's not like my favorite series, but it was definitely worth my time!!
August 7, 2017
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: In the epic conculsion Gallow will do the unthinkable to save Robin.
Opening Sentence: The assassin and the redhaired girl burst onto the shuttered dark fairway, and Crenn almost thought they had a shot at escaping unseen-until the shadows at the far end, under the Ferris wheel’s spidery bulk, birthed a cold gleam and clawed silvershod hoofbeats rang on packed dirt.
Excerpt: No
The Review:
Crenn has just helped Robin escape from Summer, and held off Winter’s hunters. Gallow awakes in Winter, the poison gone and makes a deal with Winter in order to save her. Before he leaves Winter, he pulls out the horn and uses it to call the Wild Hunt. He then takes off running to outwit them. Robin finds her way into Winter and also makes a deal with him, she must get the Jewel of Summer with Illara’s help.
The Slaugh are loose and Gallow is on a desperate run to stay ahead of them, when he runs into Crenn. Crenn decides to help Gallow stay alive and ahead of the Hunt when yet another of Summer’s knights joins them and helps them once Gallow tells him that Puck is dead. Robin hopes that Gallow is alive, but she knows that she must help Winter in order to stop the war that is happening.
UnWinter has unfurled the black flags of war, and led Winter to war against Summer. The plague is still running rampant throughout both courts, and UnWinter suspects that Summer is behind it and he will have his vengeance no matter the cost. It all leads to a final showdown with Gallow, UnWinter, Summer and Robin. Will Gallow’s choice cost them everything? Will Robin be able to get Summer’s Jewel?
I enjoyed this one. I only have two minor complaints or make that three. First, the trilogy is kind of a slow burn, it is filled with action, but it doesn’t seem to make much progress until this book and then it all gets wrapped up in a hurry. Which, leads to my second complaint, I was a tad unsatisfied with the ending. I wanted more. My last complaint is Gallow does all this stuff to save Robin, and so does Crenn and yet zero romance… I mean none that was kind of hard. Granted Gallow and Robin spend the majority of all three books being no where near each other. I just wanted something between them.
Overall, I enjoyed every minute of this series. I enjoyed the main characters, even if I didn’t necessarily understand what motivated them. I liked the twists and changes, and I really liked that the Half were so prominent and powerful in this trilogy.
Notable Scene:
Silver-glinting, curled and chambered the Horn grew heavier, neck-chain thickening as it took its true shape. The Steward hissed and fell back, and Gallow didn’t even feel good about the way the other sidhe ran pell-mell for the interior of the Keep adn whatever precarious safety the black lacework bulk of stone could provide. He tipped the Horn back and forth, watching the play of light on its surfaces, as he stepped over Unwinter’s threshold and onto the bridge.
FTC Advisory: Orbit provided me with a copy of Wasteland King. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: In the epic conculsion Gallow will do the unthinkable to save Robin.
Opening Sentence: The assassin and the redhaired girl burst onto the shuttered dark fairway, and Crenn almost thought they had a shot at escaping unseen-until the shadows at the far end, under the Ferris wheel’s spidery bulk, birthed a cold gleam and clawed silvershod hoofbeats rang on packed dirt.
Excerpt: No
The Review:
Crenn has just helped Robin escape from Summer, and held off Winter’s hunters. Gallow awakes in Winter, the poison gone and makes a deal with Winter in order to save her. Before he leaves Winter, he pulls out the horn and uses it to call the Wild Hunt. He then takes off running to outwit them. Robin finds her way into Winter and also makes a deal with him, she must get the Jewel of Summer with Illara’s help.
The Slaugh are loose and Gallow is on a desperate run to stay ahead of them, when he runs into Crenn. Crenn decides to help Gallow stay alive and ahead of the Hunt when yet another of Summer’s knights joins them and helps them once Gallow tells him that Puck is dead. Robin hopes that Gallow is alive, but she knows that she must help Winter in order to stop the war that is happening.
UnWinter has unfurled the black flags of war, and led Winter to war against Summer. The plague is still running rampant throughout both courts, and UnWinter suspects that Summer is behind it and he will have his vengeance no matter the cost. It all leads to a final showdown with Gallow, UnWinter, Summer and Robin. Will Gallow’s choice cost them everything? Will Robin be able to get Summer’s Jewel?
I enjoyed this one. I only have two minor complaints or make that three. First, the trilogy is kind of a slow burn, it is filled with action, but it doesn’t seem to make much progress until this book and then it all gets wrapped up in a hurry. Which, leads to my second complaint, I was a tad unsatisfied with the ending. I wanted more. My last complaint is Gallow does all this stuff to save Robin, and so does Crenn and yet zero romance… I mean none that was kind of hard. Granted Gallow and Robin spend the majority of all three books being no where near each other. I just wanted something between them.
Overall, I enjoyed every minute of this series. I enjoyed the main characters, even if I didn’t necessarily understand what motivated them. I liked the twists and changes, and I really liked that the Half were so prominent and powerful in this trilogy.
Notable Scene:
Silver-glinting, curled and chambered the Horn grew heavier, neck-chain thickening as it took its true shape. The Steward hissed and fell back, and Gallow didn’t even feel good about the way the other sidhe ran pell-mell for the interior of the Keep adn whatever precarious safety the black lacework bulk of stone could provide. He tipped the Horn back and forth, watching the play of light on its surfaces, as he stepped over Unwinter’s threshold and onto the bridge.
FTC Advisory: Orbit provided me with a copy of Wasteland King. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
July 31, 2016
I wanted to like this series so much. I really, really did. Lilith Saintcrow is fantastic at world-building. Her settings are dark and devious, the descriptions vivid and surreal. I love the idea she was going with and know we're only scratching the tip of the iceberg in terms of the world. But... I just couldn't fall in love with the story and essentially just tolerated the characters. I didn't get why everyone thought Robin was so special, and Gallow made a colossally stupid decision that definitely screwed him in the end. The book was way too padded with endless descriptions and chapters that didn't focus on the main characters or the central plot. I had a hard time recalling what was going on until I was slammed back in the story. I loathed the ending. It didn't bring me any closure. Some of the dialogue was pretty good, though there were times were Saintcrow was too vague about their interactions and the message she wanted to get across. I like to let my imagination wander, but I need some hints so I don't miss the idea the author is going for. I couldn't visualize the action scenes very well and didn't think Robin and Gallow's lack of interaction warranted the ending they had. The one character I was mainly interested in was Unwinter, who stole the spotlight whenever he showed up. I really am sad that I couldn't enjoy these books as much as I wanted to, but hopefully they'll appeal to other readers.
December 13, 2023
I wanted to enjoy this book, but it honestly reads like the script for an action movie. Everyone is just running from one place to another and for the life of me I have no idea where anyone is or why they're doing what they're doing. All of the character motivations are flat and pretty much unchanged since the 1st book (except for Ragged, but that's because the boy she wanted to protect is dead now maybe). The prose is really beautiful and the descriptions are lush and vibrant, but it's hard to enjoy when I can't keep track of who these people are. The occasional description of random people being cursed/blessed by fae also didn't help with my confusion and while they made the world feel more rich and interesting, they didn't really tie into the story. And this wouldn't be a problem if there wasn't one of these every other chapter. By the time you reach the 3rd or 4th one, it gets pretty old.
September 27, 2020
I have two issues with this book 1) I suspect Unwinter being Jer's dad but while hinted at its never confirmed.
2) I'm seriously hating Robin right now. Maybe once my emotions settle I'll begin to like her again but Oh My Freaking Goodness that ending. All that stuff Jeremiah did for her wellbeing and thats what he gets in return.
2) I'm seriously hating Robin right now. Maybe once my emotions settle I'll begin to like her again but Oh My Freaking Goodness that ending. All that stuff Jeremiah did for her wellbeing and thats what he gets in return.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2016
It's an ending that doesn't quite feel like an end, maybe there will be more to the story sometime in the future.
Robin and Jeremiah are both working to save the fae world but are at cross purposes. As well as they both feel like they can't trust the other one to not betray them. Will it work out, will the plague be stopped? Will the divide between Summer and Winter be fixed before it permanently damages the mortal realm?
Robin and Jeremiah are both working to save the fae world but are at cross purposes. As well as they both feel like they can't trust the other one to not betray them. Will it work out, will the plague be stopped? Will the divide between Summer and Winter be fixed before it permanently damages the mortal realm?
August 9, 2016
I'd like this series more with a different ending. One just a tad less up in the air. It never seems fair to spend so many pages on some characters, and end without drawing a real close to the chapter of their lives. Otherwise a gripping fantasy world, with some characters that could use more development, but plenty of dark magic.
August 15, 2016
A good adventure but not the romance I expected.
June 29, 2018
Today's post is on Wasteland King by Lilith Saintcrow. It is the third in her Gallow & Ragged series. It is 313 pages long and is published by Orbit. The cover has Gallow on it with his spear and magic flowing around him. The intended reader is someone who has read the first two books and likes gritty urban fantasy. There is some foul language, no sex, and violence in this novel. The story is told from third person close of many characters moving from chapter to chapter as the story goes. There Be Spoilers Ahead.
From the back of the book- The plague has broken loose, the Wild Hunt is riding, and the balance of power in the sidhe realms is still shifting. The Unseelie King has a grudge against Jeremiah Gallow, but it will have to wait. For he needs Gallow's services for a very delicate mission -- and the prize for success is survival itself.
In order to save both Robin Ragged and himself, Gallow will have to do the unspeakable...
Review- What a show this novel ends with. Saintcrow brings everything back around from the beginning and she ends the world in an interesting place. The characters have grown, the world is better (I think) than where we started, and everything is just nicely settled. I like that the characters were traveling very different paths and they ended up in every different places but their stories still touch. I think that this trilogy maybe the tightest plotting Saintcrow has done up to this point in my reading of her. Gallow has the coolest moments in this novel and Ragged feels very secondary which was a weakest for me but in the process of the story I understand but I still would have liked to feel that Ragged was more important to the end game. Still a solid ending to an interesting urban fantasy story.
I give this novel a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.
From the back of the book- The plague has broken loose, the Wild Hunt is riding, and the balance of power in the sidhe realms is still shifting. The Unseelie King has a grudge against Jeremiah Gallow, but it will have to wait. For he needs Gallow's services for a very delicate mission -- and the prize for success is survival itself.
In order to save both Robin Ragged and himself, Gallow will have to do the unspeakable...
Review- What a show this novel ends with. Saintcrow brings everything back around from the beginning and she ends the world in an interesting place. The characters have grown, the world is better (I think) than where we started, and everything is just nicely settled. I like that the characters were traveling very different paths and they ended up in every different places but their stories still touch. I think that this trilogy maybe the tightest plotting Saintcrow has done up to this point in my reading of her. Gallow has the coolest moments in this novel and Ragged feels very secondary which was a weakest for me but in the process of the story I understand but I still would have liked to feel that Ragged was more important to the end game. Still a solid ending to an interesting urban fantasy story.
I give this novel a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.
October 9, 2017
The plague has broken loose, the Wild Hunt is riding, and the balance of power in the sidhe realms is still shifting. The Unseelie King has a grudge against Jeremiah Gallow, but it will have to wait. For he needs Gallow's services for a very delicate mission -- and the prize for success is survival itself.
In order to save both Robin Ragged and himself, Gallow will have to do the unspeakable...
In order to save both Robin Ragged and himself, Gallow will have to do the unspeakable...
September 20, 2022
Uhhh.. I like Saintcrows writing and absolutely love anything Fae but this series fell so flat. I liked the characters separately but it felt like they didn't really connect.. idk. Also that ending wtf... I hate endings that the author has us basically make it up on our own like what happened with Gallow???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2017
I thought my constant state of confusion was because it had been so long since I'd read the first book of the series. But as I finished it up and came to mark it as "read" in Goodreads, I realized my confusion is because I completely skipped book two of the series. UGH.
February 26, 2018
I loved the Kismet series. Gallow and Ragged? Book 1 was mediocre. 2 was worse. This was all atmosphere and mood, and that doesn't make any book I'd vaguely enjoy.
Bannon and Clare was also just ok. Maybe the author has only one good idea. Not sure I'll try another book from her.
Bannon and Clare was also just ok. Maybe the author has only one good idea. Not sure I'll try another book from her.
November 12, 2021
This series slapped so HARD!! I love the characters and pepperbuckle will forever and always be the bestest boy. There are 2 characters who 100% should have been gay and in love but I liked the ending so I’ll let it slide.
January 3, 2018
Fun conclusion
How do you end an epic with a cliff hanger. Oh joy and fun. Fae world run amok a great story and worthy read. Now on to the next series.
How do you end an epic with a cliff hanger. Oh joy and fun. Fae world run amok a great story and worthy read. Now on to the next series.
January 2, 2018
A satisfying conclusion to the series. It doesn't end like I might have thought, but I was pleased with it anyway! And I approve of a trilogy that's actually a trilogy, too.
April 24, 2019
Non stop action, great to read. Loved it.
December 18, 2019
Series review as a whole: As lovely for the overarch as for the wee internal tales.
December 22, 2020
A good conclusion to the trilogy.
December 27, 2020
Beautiful writing and world-building. A strong second half and a twist I didn't see coming.
Quibble: I wish the POV had been restricted to our three main characters and occasional villain.
Quibble: I wish the POV had been restricted to our three main characters and occasional villain.
Read
April 15, 2024dnf around 50% Just not a flavor for me
April 8, 2025
Really enjoyed listening to this series.
The snippets of humanity told through minor characters reactions and lives was interesting.
The snippets of humanity told through minor characters reactions and lives was interesting.
March 15, 2017
Meh.... pretty standard faire fantasy read all three books the guy does not get the girl. Interesting take on weapons on the main male character. The whole of three books revole around a simple story line of one bad faire queen "summer" and one bad (sort of faire king "unwinter") and throw in a "puck". No need to continue this series let it turn to dust and blow in the wind.
January 4, 2017
So it really was a trilogy - and a little disappointing. i would have liked a firmer finish - and yet - with a book written so cryptically - how could it be?
I was surprised by the end - I wasn't sure things would change - But Gallow as summer? Unexpected. I had thought her vision would have followed traditional lines, but no. That was a brilliant piece of work, yet, I'm thrown off by a lack of completeness - not just an air of mystery, but that it was never finished - too random.
Maybe I'm too black and white after all.
I was surprised by the end - I wasn't sure things would change - But Gallow as summer? Unexpected. I had thought her vision would have followed traditional lines, but no. That was a brilliant piece of work, yet, I'm thrown off by a lack of completeness - not just an air of mystery, but that it was never finished - too random.
Maybe I'm too black and white after all.
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