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Rattlesnake Wind
A teenager must rely on deadly magic taught by an elderly neighbor to protect her family in this coming-of-age story.
After the death of their abusive patriarch, sixteen-year-old Desiree “Dez” Sarpe and her family moved to the high plains of Wyoming for a fresh start. Life is quieter now, but peace doesn’t put food on the table. Unable to get a job, Dez reluctantly stays home—before following a track in the long grass and finding Granny Iyaga.
Granny hires Dez for housecleaning, and also begins teaching her peculiar things. School starts, winter approaches, and for the first time, Dez begins to relax.
But there are dangers other than lightning and rattlesnakes out on the plains, and one has targeted the Sarpes. Dez has learned a thing or two about protecting her family . . .
. . . but it might not be enough.
Praise for Rattlesnake Wind
“Mixes daring magic with teenage romance . . . Saintcrow’s writing is sharp and poignant. . . . The magic provides a satisfying backdrop for the family drama that unfolds. Longtime fantasy readers will enjoy Saintcrow’s take on the magic-tinged bildungsroman.” —Publishers Weekly
After the death of their abusive patriarch, sixteen-year-old Desiree “Dez” Sarpe and her family moved to the high plains of Wyoming for a fresh start. Life is quieter now, but peace doesn’t put food on the table. Unable to get a job, Dez reluctantly stays home—before following a track in the long grass and finding Granny Iyaga.
Granny hires Dez for housecleaning, and also begins teaching her peculiar things. School starts, winter approaches, and for the first time, Dez begins to relax.
But there are dangers other than lightning and rattlesnakes out on the plains, and one has targeted the Sarpes. Dez has learned a thing or two about protecting her family . . .
. . . but it might not be enough.
Praise for Rattlesnake Wind
“Mixes daring magic with teenage romance . . . Saintcrow’s writing is sharp and poignant. . . . The magic provides a satisfying backdrop for the family drama that unfolds. Longtime fantasy readers will enjoy Saintcrow’s take on the magic-tinged bildungsroman.” —Publishers Weekly
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2018
40 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Lilith Saintcrow
141 books4,510 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 18, 2024
This book was wild and unexpected. For me, it falls under the category of books that you need to hold all judgements until you’ve finished that final page.
It began really interesting, the middle was a mixture of some frustrating moments and “wtf is going on here”, but, the tail end of the book I was smacked in the face with unexpected outcomes! I did get a little teary near the end as well. Taking the time to fully digest this story, I personally feel that there wasn’t really any other ending that would have been as satisfying. Not many books are able to have a non-traditional ending such as this…Lilith Saintcrow really created such a gritty, tragic, and difficult to swallow “coming-of-age” story with Rattlesnake Wind.
As long as you don’t have a soft center, I think this book will make you feel a symphony of emotions as it did for me.
Some minor notes of critique though, I read the ebook and the formatting was a little odd for me. And there were some unexpected grammatical errors. But, as I mentioned above, once completing that final word in this book, I thought it was incredible. Very original, and I felt it down to my bones.
It began really interesting, the middle was a mixture of some frustrating moments and “wtf is going on here”, but, the tail end of the book I was smacked in the face with unexpected outcomes! I did get a little teary near the end as well. Taking the time to fully digest this story, I personally feel that there wasn’t really any other ending that would have been as satisfying. Not many books are able to have a non-traditional ending such as this…Lilith Saintcrow really created such a gritty, tragic, and difficult to swallow “coming-of-age” story with Rattlesnake Wind.
As long as you don’t have a soft center, I think this book will make you feel a symphony of emotions as it did for me.
Some minor notes of critique though, I read the ebook and the formatting was a little odd for me. And there were some unexpected grammatical errors. But, as I mentioned above, once completing that final word in this book, I thought it was incredible. Very original, and I felt it down to my bones.
April 15, 2019
Painful, scary, wonderful writing
The magic sneaks up on you in between the poverty, love, and abuse. Old tales come alive and almost save you.
The magic sneaks up on you in between the poverty, love, and abuse. Old tales come alive and almost save you.
June 27, 2023
*No Spoilers* Standalone book, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic,
Familiar with this author and have loved her work and this is no exception but it did take me by surprise completely as a Dante Valentine and Jill Kismet fan and this is different. Only recently come across this gem so late to read and review.
So, a slower read that centers around our young FMC Desiree Sarpe who has, with her Mother and older brother just settled on the Wyoming plains.
Life is harsh for Dez and about to add a ''otherworldliness'' that will change her.
Descriptors were subtle, nuances of rural life and poverty just there and not over played but more powerful for it. I could taste the air and desolation, feel the loneliness, fear, hopes and shattered dreams.
The simplicity of the writing entwined with Desiree's burgeoning abilities; steady and strong, believable and relatable character growth with a plot that deepens and tugs at all of your emotions. This is a compelling, atmospheric read that will stay with you for a long time.
Could see this on the big screen with the right Director and Producer.
Familiar with this author and have loved her work and this is no exception but it did take me by surprise completely as a Dante Valentine and Jill Kismet fan and this is different. Only recently come across this gem so late to read and review.
So, a slower read that centers around our young FMC Desiree Sarpe who has, with her Mother and older brother just settled on the Wyoming plains.
Life is harsh for Dez and about to add a ''otherworldliness'' that will change her.
Descriptors were subtle, nuances of rural life and poverty just there and not over played but more powerful for it. I could taste the air and desolation, feel the loneliness, fear, hopes and shattered dreams.
The simplicity of the writing entwined with Desiree's burgeoning abilities; steady and strong, believable and relatable character growth with a plot that deepens and tugs at all of your emotions. This is a compelling, atmospheric read that will stay with you for a long time.
Could see this on the big screen with the right Director and Producer.
December 16, 2018
Hmmm
One of my favorite things about this author is that she doesn't recycle her heroines. Whether a stand alone novel or a series, each lead character is unique from Dante Valentine to Kismet. Some I love, some frustrate me, some do both. This particular book was not what I expected. It felt a bit like reading some of Stephen King's work, like Needful Things or IT. But also uniquely NOT Stephen King. Honestly I love Lilith's Saintcrow's work because she tells a very good story REALLY well & I'm never sure exactly what I'm going to get........
One of my favorite things about this author is that she doesn't recycle her heroines. Whether a stand alone novel or a series, each lead character is unique from Dante Valentine to Kismet. Some I love, some frustrate me, some do both. This particular book was not what I expected. It felt a bit like reading some of Stephen King's work, like Needful Things or IT. But also uniquely NOT Stephen King. Honestly I love Lilith's Saintcrow's work because she tells a very good story REALLY well & I'm never sure exactly what I'm going to get........
December 13, 2018
You have to read this. So many twists and turns. Could not stop reading for anything.
The newest book by this author and you simply must read her other books. My favorite fiction book of all is her Working For The Devil. That is the first book she wrote that I read. I will never forget it. This book is unforgettable. I really liked the main character. Be brave and read this book!
The newest book by this author and you simply must read her other books. My favorite fiction book of all is her Working For The Devil. That is the first book she wrote that I read. I will never forget it. This book is unforgettable. I really liked the main character. Be brave and read this book!
January 5, 2019
Rattlesnake Wind is one of those perfect hidden gems, the precise book I was longing for and didn't know it until I picked it up. Steeped in magic and folklore, but with the heart of youth - and all its twin contradictions of innocence and experience, of having power and yet feeling powerless to fix anything - at its core, the cadence of the prose and imagery in the novel are both beautiful and haunting. I loved every page.
October 8, 2019
Oh my! How to describe this book? It’s part young adult fantasy, part re-telling of very old fairy tales and part mystery thriller. Ms. Saintcrow weaves a tale that can have you laugh out loud and then clutching your throat with suspense. Then you can’t help mourning with and for her characters. I’ve had this on TBR pile for almost a year and now I wish I had read it sooner. Just so I can recommend it to everyone I know.
March 24, 2024
Read This Book. I've read several of hers. many of them are a bit grim. All of them perceptive and follow the great Zelazny's rule of holding up a funhouse mirror to reality to make us think. This one is engrossing, liberating, has characters of great depth and shows the author has continued to refine her craft. This is the best book I've read in at least 5 years. Note: I read 100-200 new fiction books per year.
June 20, 2024
Not Recommended. I have Kindle Unlimited for a few months and tried this book out for free, I bounced off of her Gallow and Ragged trilogy (wasn't able to finish the first book) and thought I'd try Saintcrow out again.
May 21, 2020
I liked that most of the magic in this was partly left to the imagination. Things are sort of told from the side instead of straight on. It really ups the creepy side because you are left to wonder about motives and are there good intensions or not. There is a lot of emotion packed into this story. It's on the darker side but really well done.
July 5, 2023
A very deep fantasy
This started off like any teen coming of age story and then went all over the place. Secrets and half glimpsed visions and stories. I could not put this down and think I only got most of the story. There is just a lot of imagery hidden in these words and phrases. I really liked it.
This started off like any teen coming of age story and then went all over the place. Secrets and half glimpsed visions and stories. I could not put this down and think I only got most of the story. There is just a lot of imagery hidden in these words and phrases. I really liked it.
January 3, 2019
Intense, sometimes frightening about a young girl developing hidden talent and her sometimes horrifying mentor. It is a combination of horrible witchiness! Worth the read! Saintcrow seems to always deliver...
May 5, 2024
Wonderful, lyrical, sensitive writing. It's uncanny how the author described feelings, sensations and experiences that I often have felt nobody else seems to have. It's also so sad how many people ignore abuse, the soul killer, not wanting to see or feel. Thank you for putting this into words.
November 16, 2019
Want to read a dark, painful fairytale. Well gird your loins and read.
February 3, 2023
Strong sense of setting, both of Wyoming and the trailer-park poverty Des tries so hard to climb out of. I liked Dez's relationship with Baba Yaga and how she instinctively avoided the pitfalls.
April 13, 2023
Weird and creepy.
January 27, 2025
This was way sadder than I expected, but not in a way that made it a crying-book. Not sure how I feel.
February 6, 2026
Totally fell into it
Gripping story of a teenage girl and her family coming up against supernatural beings. Lovely writing and great pacing. It felt fresh.
Gripping story of a teenage girl and her family coming up against supernatural beings. Lovely writing and great pacing. It felt fresh.
May 2, 2024
It was darker than I expected! I much more enjoyed her Baba Yaga series, The Dead God's Heart!
May 3, 2023
Dez Sarpe's family--now without their domineering patriarch--is busy creating a new life on Wyoming's plains. To Dez, magic hides in the grass, and especially in the wind--and she is about to find out that magic is real, bloody, and on the hunt for the perfect victims.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews