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Deadlands #2
Thunder Moon Rising
The newest book based on the hit Weird West RPG franchise Deadlands.
Fear is abroad in the Deadlands as a string of brutal killings and cattle mutilations trouble a frontier town in the Arizona Territory, nestled in the forbidding shadow of the rugged Thunder Mountains. A mule train is massacred, homes and ranches are attacked, and men and women are stalked and butchered by bestial killers who seem to be neither human nor animal. Meanwhile, a ruthless land baron tries to buy up all the surrounding territory—and possibly bring about an apocalypse.
Once an officer in the Union Army, Tucker Bringloe is now a worthless drunk begging for free drinks at the corner saloon. When he's roped into a posse searching for the nameless killers, Tuck must rediscover the man he once was if he's to halt the bloodshed and stop occult forces from unleashing Hell on Earth . . . when the Thunder Moon rises.
Fear is abroad in the Deadlands as a string of brutal killings and cattle mutilations trouble a frontier town in the Arizona Territory, nestled in the forbidding shadow of the rugged Thunder Mountains. A mule train is massacred, homes and ranches are attacked, and men and women are stalked and butchered by bestial killers who seem to be neither human nor animal. Meanwhile, a ruthless land baron tries to buy up all the surrounding territory—and possibly bring about an apocalypse.
Once an officer in the Union Army, Tucker Bringloe is now a worthless drunk begging for free drinks at the corner saloon. When he's roped into a posse searching for the nameless killers, Tuck must rediscover the man he once was if he's to halt the bloodshed and stop occult forces from unleashing Hell on Earth . . . when the Thunder Moon rises.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2016
15 people are currently reading
585 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 13, 2016
MY THOUGHTS
This isn't the wild west, it's the weird west. The author not only gives you the gunfighters of the west in Arizona territory but you get scientists that are on the edge of reality and then we get the un -explainable evil forces that exist everywhere.
The Arizona town is deep in the rough Thunder Mountains. This isn't your normal cowboy shoot 'em up with the lawman. The author has the lawman and the outlaws working together and they aren't up against another outlaw. They are fighting the creatures. I thought what creatures, wild animals, perhaps? Oh no, the author is talking about non-human, non-animal. This author gives us a rather supernatural wild west, which makes it a weird west.
The reader gets the impression at first that this is all normal, people being killed brutally and cattle being mutilated. That happened in the "wild" west. But this was different and everyone soon started to realize that.
One character, Tucker Bringloe, is a fall down drunk. All he does is look for someone to buy him a drink at the town's saloon. Too bad, he used to be an officer in the Union Army. The author shows how someone who appears hopeless and worthless can turn it around. Tucker did just that. He found out he was the same man he used to be when he goes in search of the killers. But the occult is at work and that's a tough one to stop. Tucker is about to face an earthly hell and this all will happen when the Thunder Moon rises.
The author gives the reader a fast paced story of the way the old days were kill or be killed. You not only get a part of the good ole western, but you get a part of the future in them there days. It didn't exist back then or at least, no one realized it, until.........
I couldn't stop reading, the pages turned as fast as I could. What a mix the author treats us to. The book was different and refreshing. Something on the other side of the regular western read. I liked the fact that Tucker was used as the one to actually lead the search. It sent a message while giving the reader a character that you wouldn't ever expect to have the guts and the character to do what he did.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Night Owl Reviews and voluntarily decided to review it.
This isn't the wild west, it's the weird west. The author not only gives you the gunfighters of the west in Arizona territory but you get scientists that are on the edge of reality and then we get the un -explainable evil forces that exist everywhere.
The Arizona town is deep in the rough Thunder Mountains. This isn't your normal cowboy shoot 'em up with the lawman. The author has the lawman and the outlaws working together and they aren't up against another outlaw. They are fighting the creatures. I thought what creatures, wild animals, perhaps? Oh no, the author is talking about non-human, non-animal. This author gives us a rather supernatural wild west, which makes it a weird west.
The reader gets the impression at first that this is all normal, people being killed brutally and cattle being mutilated. That happened in the "wild" west. But this was different and everyone soon started to realize that.
One character, Tucker Bringloe, is a fall down drunk. All he does is look for someone to buy him a drink at the town's saloon. Too bad, he used to be an officer in the Union Army. The author shows how someone who appears hopeless and worthless can turn it around. Tucker did just that. He found out he was the same man he used to be when he goes in search of the killers. But the occult is at work and that's a tough one to stop. Tucker is about to face an earthly hell and this all will happen when the Thunder Moon rises.
The author gives the reader a fast paced story of the way the old days were kill or be killed. You not only get a part of the good ole western, but you get a part of the future in them there days. It didn't exist back then or at least, no one realized it, until.........
I couldn't stop reading, the pages turned as fast as I could. What a mix the author treats us to. The book was different and refreshing. Something on the other side of the regular western read. I liked the fact that Tucker was used as the one to actually lead the search. It sent a message while giving the reader a character that you wouldn't ever expect to have the guts and the character to do what he did.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Night Owl Reviews and voluntarily decided to review it.
December 27, 2021
I want more Weird Wild West stories like this! I thought the first book in this series (Deadlands:Ghostwalkers) was good, but it pales compared to this book. The complexity of the story & how Mariotte tied all the individual characters together. There were several chapters I kept wondering where this book was going. There was some great references towards actual historical events in the Arizona territory as this story “takes place” while the Earp’s (Virgil, Wyatt & Morgan) are living in Tombstone & Sheriff Behan makes an appearance. My only complaint was the ending felt slightly rushed & a few plot ends were left unfinished.
June 9, 2019
This is the second book based on the role playing game called Deadlands.
A former military man turned town drunk gets one more chance at redemption when he joins a posse chasing a killer of one of the saloon girls. He is the only survivor of that posse and ends up becoming the new sheriff of the town. But he might have gotten in over his head with mysterious murders starting to occur. He has to battle both his own demons and what appears to be demons killing the townspeople.
While there are 3 books in the Deadlands stories series, they are all stand alone novels and are written by different authors. This was my favorite of the 3 stories. It balanced the game aspects with the story aspects so they blended seamlessly. It is a horror story but it is not dismal as the third book in the series was. When there is so little hope that you can't imagine why the characters even keep trying makes a dismal read. Thankfully, this book held a little touch of hope so it was totally depressing. As I already stated it balances elements fro the game with the story very well. The first book in the series had a tendency to lapse into segments where it read like, oh we need to include this form the game in the book even if it didn't fit the story that well.
A former military man turned town drunk gets one more chance at redemption when he joins a posse chasing a killer of one of the saloon girls. He is the only survivor of that posse and ends up becoming the new sheriff of the town. But he might have gotten in over his head with mysterious murders starting to occur. He has to battle both his own demons and what appears to be demons killing the townspeople.
While there are 3 books in the Deadlands stories series, they are all stand alone novels and are written by different authors. This was my favorite of the 3 stories. It balanced the game aspects with the story aspects so they blended seamlessly. It is a horror story but it is not dismal as the third book in the series was. When there is so little hope that you can't imagine why the characters even keep trying makes a dismal read. Thankfully, this book held a little touch of hope so it was totally depressing. As I already stated it balances elements fro the game with the story very well. The first book in the series had a tendency to lapse into segments where it read like, oh we need to include this form the game in the book even if it didn't fit the story that well.
December 7, 2024
Deadlands, being based on an RPG, has a lot of elements. These elements make the game fun and give Marshals a lot of adventure options. Unfortunately, some authors try to fit in all of the various elements that make Deadlands unique into the story whether it fits or not. Mariotte uses only what’s needed. He also name drops occasionally as a reminder that we are in Deadlands but never to the amount that it feels forced. As the story progresses, more of Deadlands’ unusual traits are added but never over used or shoehorned in.
In the middle of the book, for around 50 pages or so, the story dramatically slows down. Thankfully it picks up as the multiple plot threads come together for the last 100 pages.
Overall, this is a great book. I recommend it to any Deadlands fan.
In the middle of the book, for around 50 pages or so, the story dramatically slows down. Thankfully it picks up as the multiple plot threads come together for the last 100 pages.
Overall, this is a great book. I recommend it to any Deadlands fan.
March 8, 2025
This book starts out right in the action, but it took me over half way through to really get into it and start caring.
I don't have negative things to say about it, but it just took me a while to want to read it. I read an entire book before picking it up again.
That said if you like Deadlands then you will likely enjoy reading this one.
Bringloe is your classic Civil War officer with PTSD that turned into an alcoholic that is redeemed by needing to be the Hero. The other characters are clearly supporting and less developed, but they aren't cardboard except for the BBEG he is a stereotype western villain.
I don't have negative things to say about it, but it just took me a while to want to read it. I read an entire book before picking it up again.
That said if you like Deadlands then you will likely enjoy reading this one.
Bringloe is your classic Civil War officer with PTSD that turned into an alcoholic that is redeemed by needing to be the Hero. The other characters are clearly supporting and less developed, but they aren't cardboard except for the BBEG he is a stereotype western villain.
June 19, 2023
Exciting horror Western story.
Bought this after a session playing the actual game with friends.
Was interesting getting closer into the setting.
Dark and gruesome, with lots of blood and gore.
Oppressive atmosphere.
A „ loser“ hero.
Pacing was also well done and kept you reading.
I however thought the plot was a bit predictable and it pretty much turned out as I expected it would. Including the showdown against the villains.
Still, an entertaining read.
Bought this after a session playing the actual game with friends.
Was interesting getting closer into the setting.
Dark and gruesome, with lots of blood and gore.
Oppressive atmosphere.
A „ loser“ hero.
Pacing was also well done and kept you reading.
I however thought the plot was a bit predictable and it pretty much turned out as I expected it would. Including the showdown against the villains.
Still, an entertaining read.
May 20, 2017
A Long Ride to Into Terror
If you are familiar with Deadlands you will love the payoff, but it will take a while to get there. Could have been a short story but the development of the characters is great.
If you are familiar with Deadlands you will love the payoff, but it will take a while to get there. Could have been a short story but the development of the characters is great.
July 7, 2017
Decent read, though not spectacular. Nice callouts to various characters in the Deadlands lore.
September 19, 2017
Good fun read. Enjoyed it better than Ghostwalkers. As a Deadlads fan I'm looking forward to #3.
January 11, 2021
I very much enjoyed this book. The characters and the plot are all very true to the Deadlands setting. Some of the lore was really cool.
March 17, 2017
I really had fun reading Thunder Moon Rising! Mr. Mariotte did an excellent job of capturing many facets of the Deadlands RPG setting and using them to frame an independent story. A dedicated Deadlands player can track many of the pieces of the game's lore, as well as some of the rules and gameplay structure, but it doesn't feel forced. The way the 'players' are gathered feels organic... independent stories that weave together to give them cause to work together. The ending feels a little hurried, but it was still entertaining, engaging, and very enjoyable.
October 19, 2016
This is an excellent book. Definitely well into the Deadlands Genre. It has the feel as if the Reckoning just happened and people aren't aware of all the supernatural threats that have been created. Which made the book even more interesting. Not everyone reads, or believes, the Tombstone Epitaph.
The horror isn't the up front kind of horror like in Nightmare on Elm street or Halloween movies. Its the kind of creeping dread and terror of a good horror book. Overall, Mr. Mariotte, gives great detail of the world around the characters. The detail adds to the suspense and horror, especially towards the end. All around, this is a very good book. Well worth the read.
This isn't your daddy's western. Be prepared for anything. If you are a Deadlands fan, you already know what to expect.
The horror isn't the up front kind of horror like in Nightmare on Elm street or Halloween movies. Its the kind of creeping dread and terror of a good horror book. Overall, Mr. Mariotte, gives great detail of the world around the characters. The detail adds to the suspense and horror, especially towards the end. All around, this is a very good book. Well worth the read.
This isn't your daddy's western. Be prepared for anything. If you are a Deadlands fan, you already know what to expect.
January 3, 2020
Wasn't bad, just didn't grab me the way other Deadlands novels have.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews