Book Review – A War of Daisies – The Four Horsewomen of the Apocalypse Book One by AA Chamberlynn
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Set in the late 1800s with some delightful elements of steampunk in the Old West, the story follows four women – Willow, Felicity, Penelope and Dynah. Thwarted by gender, race, time and emotion, the young women are preparing for an event in their hometown which will see a massive population explosion as well as various feats of wrangling, lassoing, and the genteel arts.
But when a violent storm and a lightning strike bind the women to each other as well as a fate they could not possibly have foreseen, will they usher in the end of times? Or will they find a way to save those who’ve oppressed them?
A magical story, I can’t think I’ve read anything like it before. There was a lot of attention to detail in the telling of the four women’s stories and, as much as the clue is in the subtitle, it came as a big surprise to this reader, without feeling in any way rushed or tacked on. A clever plot with likeable characters, loads of emotion and an impressive level of gumption from all the key players. I felt Felicity’s frustration right in my stomach.
“Felicity watched the tea kettle scream and she envied it. To be able to lose control, to let it all out… such a simple thing. Such an impossible thing. No, she was the boiling heat and the raw strength, but with no outlet.
“‘Beatrice!’ her mother shrieked. ’Take that kettle off the stove! The preacher will be here any moment!’
“Felicity hastily leaned forward and lifted the kettle off the stove. The kettle ceased its banshee call with a hiss that sounded profoundly disappointed.”
46% in, Chapter Nineteen, A War of Daisies – The Four Horsewomen of the Apocalypse by AA Chamberlynn
Petrina Binney - Author 