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Cal Black

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No Land For Heroes: A Gaslamp & Western Fantasy (Legends & Legacies Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Cal Black (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.2 33 ratings

Book 1 of 2: Legends & Legacies

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Mildred Berry is down to her last four bullets…

In a wild west where the only things more dangerous than outlaws are dragons, Deputy Berry is struggling to protect her town and keep her family fed. As a last resort, she robs a train for ammunition only to find that the cargo she needs so badly was owned by war hero Frederic Rousseau.

The same Frederic Rousseau whom she served during the Amelior Civil War. The same Frederic Rousseau she’s been hiding from for the last five years.

Millie knows a secret that could ruin Rousseau’s life, and he’ll stop at nothing to keep her from telling the truth. With her violent past bearing down on the life she’s built for herself, Millie has to decide how far she’ll be willing to go to keep her town safe.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09SD9LJTM
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bearberry Studio; 1st edition (May 10, 2022)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 10, 2022
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3267 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 376 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1778071708

Best Sellers Rank: #591,281 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #151 in Western Science Fiction
- #423 in Gaslamp Fantasy (Kindle Store)
- #850 in Gaslamp Fantasy (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.2 33 ratings

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Cal Black

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Cal Black is a canadian writer based in Ontario who enjoys writing about messy people who make an effort to improve their situation. Cal has a short story published in an anthology, was a semi-finalist in the Writers of the Future contest, and won a Wattpad Watty award for Fantasy in 2019. After realising she prefers to write novels instead of short stories, Cal shifted gears and is now writing gaslamp fantasy, cosmic fantasy, and has a bad habit of 'trying out new genres' when already full up on projects.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5

33 global ratings

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Andrews Wizardly Reads

One of the best books I have read all year

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2022

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A serious contender for one of my top books of the year! The story and characters are engaging in a way that is truly rare to come across. I have to say that this is my new favorite fantasy western and I NEED MORE!

The way the fantasy elements are woven into this book are just beautiful and seem less. Dragons, Orcs, elf’s, and basilisks. Throw in a disgraced war hero with PTSD and A chip on the shoulder mix in some gun fights and a pithy banker. Put in the oven for 350ish pages and presto and truly delightful masterpiece.

I really LOVED THIS!!!

5/5 great world building, characters, pacing, plotting. 100% fun.

2 people found this helpful

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Derek B.

Mildred Berry...

Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2023

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I don't know if I like fantasy westerns as much as I do space westerns (having never read a fantasy western before), but I found NO LAND FOR HEROES to be a delightfully creative and engrossing story even if it's a little rough around the edges.

PLOT/TONE
The first question that might come to mind with this book is, "What is a fantasy western?" I can't really speak for the subgenre as a whole, but at least in this case, we have a very traditional western setting in which various fantastical creatures like elves or dragons happen to exist. Our main character herself is an elf, and an albino one at that, which makes her markedly different from even her own kin. She lives in a town filled with other misfits and things are going pretty well for them until a heist goes sideways and a rich banker arrives with a detective-for-hire to investigate the incident. One of the aspects of this book that I enjoyed the most is the carefully constructed plot and very deliberate pacing that the author clearly put a lot of labor into. We are immediately greeted to an exciting action scene which gives us a great sense of who our main protagonists are and what they are capable of. The main source of conflict is revealed right away, though we will later find out that there is more going on than the gang simply landing in hot water after their train heist is waylaid by a giant. blue dragon. The story is told across multiple points of view which gave the whole adventure a rather cinematic feel to it. I loved all the twists and turns as things develop and it was a treat to learn more about the colorful pasts that some characters have.

CHARACTERS
Another very strong aspect of the novel is all of the meticulous character work that Black lays out for us. There is our main character Mildred Berry, an albino elf whose albinism should make her a potent magic user, though she seems to cancel any magic out when she engages with it. She also happens to be the mother of two precious little girls who are depicted in a remarkably believable way given how hard it often is to get child characters right in fiction. Ryan, Annie, and Sweetpea are all wonderful friends to Millie as well as really interesting and nuanced characters in their own right. I think Sweetpea in particular will be a favorite for many people just as she was for me (something about a horned demon-looking creature who bakes cookies and wears fancy, frilly dresses was too delightful not to love). I'd also be remiss to omit the brave and "handsome" Fyodor who might be the goodest boy of them all (he's a dog, in case that wasn't clear). Coming from outside the borders of Scorched Bluffs are Hal and Gil, two city slickers who arrive to investigate the incident with the train. While I initially assumed these two would act as antagonists to the ladies of the bluffs, I actually found them quite compelling right away, even more so than Millie in some aspects. I was also really pleased with the role that they end up taking and the way their backstories are shared with us. With both the protagonists and the antagonists, I was so impressed that we consistently find out that no one is exactly what they seem, or that they are at least more nuanced then we may have initially imagined. My one complaint here is that I felt like certain characters went from being tirelessly antagonistic toward one another and then seem to abruptly become found family. It's not the most egregious shift I've even seen, but it did catch me off guard since everything else was so believably handled.

The Willards were also great and offered a lot more depth to the story than I originally thought they would. There are other amazing side characters on both sides of the conflict as well, including a non-binary elf. I wasn't initially sure what to make of that character, but I thought that the author handled their physical descriptions and characterization in subtle ways that made them feel extremely real whereas sometimes these types of characters can feel a little ethereal or just too vague to relate to (in my opinion at least). I was also impressed with how deeply connected all these characters were to the world that they live in, making the setting feel like much more than just a backdrop.

SETTING/WORLD
The setting takes most of it's queues from a classic western media. There are towns of different sizes connected by dusty roads or train tracks as well as vast swaths of desert land and wilderness in which natives take up residence. As I mentioned, I love how much the landscape played into the histories that each of the characters have. In real life, a place is never really just a place. They hold memories and have meaning and I definitely felt like that showed through in this story. There are absolutely some cool set pieces for the action to take in, but a burning house or a town under siege take on a much deeper meaning and you might find yourself hoping for its salvation or downfall it as much as any of the characters. While the landscape is pretty typical, I was rather surprised by how different of a feeling it has when fantastical beings are introduced. Massive beasts terrorize the skies while humans look down upon non-human races and have their own slurs for some of them. There are some aspects of the worldbuilding that I would have liked a little more definition around. For one, it's not always clear how similar or different this world is supposed to be from the historical wild west. Given that elves seem to be filling a role similar to Native Americans, I was left wondering if there were human natives as well or if this was even supposed to be America in the first place (it very well may not be). I'm not really one to harp on magic systems, though those that care deeply about them will probably want to know that the magic in this world is decidedly soft. The one thing I did want to know more about was why Millie acts as a sort of magical EMP, but I imagine that might be another story for another book. I'd also liked to have seen more fantastical elements baked into the landscape itself. In space westerns, there's usually futuristic technology intermingled with the dusty scenery and I would have loved to see crystal spires or other strange landmarks here to set the Scorched Bluffs and other locations apart from traditional western locales.

THE EBOOK
There's nothing too crazy going on in terms of the book's formatting. It's all straightforward and well done in that it nails all the basics. I think the cover is pretty good too and I like the vibrant shades of orange that were used on it. I should say though that there were more than a few typographical errors I encountered along the way. They were all pretty minor with things like one word being misspelled so that it read as another ("ease" vs. "east" for instance) or sometimes just extra words thrown in that were odd or unnecessary (like "The Ryan" vs. just "Ryan"). It's possible that these weren't errors at all, but in that case, I would say that there were maybe some odd word choices for some of the lines then. In terms of volume, it was only just enough to distract me here and there with maybe somewhere in the vicinity of a dozen times I thought something might be off. Not enough to ruin the amazing story for me, but a noteworthy enough amount to take me out of the moment from time to time. For those reading this and thinking "Ugh, indie books bad, no editing" it really wasn't that big of a deal and it was clear that quite a lot of effort was put into polishing the prose. Frankly I often have at least one or two moments in most Trad Pub titles where I get caught up and think, "Was that right?"

CONCLUSION
NO LAND FOR HEROES offers a unique adventure that can be enjoyed by fans of both fantasies and westerns, but especially by readers who happen to like both. Strong plotting, vivid characterizations, and exciting action scenes make this a must read.

(+) A thoughtfully paced and well constructed plot with tons of fun twists.
(+) Very believable child characters.
(+) There are some very cool and creative action sequences that are sprinkled in throughout.
(+) Locations that hold meaning and significance
(+) The character work is fantastic with no one really being what they initially seem
(-) Enough typographical issues to be worth mentioning.
(-) Some aspects of the worldbuilding that could have been explained a little more.
(-) Certain characters go from having antagonistic relationships to being found family rather abruptly.

2 people found this helpful

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CelticWhovian

So. Much. Fun.

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2022

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Looking for a fantasy with a unique setting and voice? This is your new favorite. Heartfelt relationships, superb action, and a vivid, colorful world fill the pages. You won’t want to put it down.

2 people found this helpful

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Tabatha Shipley

Beautiful blend of western and fantasy

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2024

What I Didn’t Like:
-Some repetition. One example is a character who continues to call his daughter “storm cloud” for no reason (other than a nickname). Cute the first time but gets old fast.
-Some of the romance sidelines were not needed, felt forced, and added nothing to the story.
-Audiobook note: some of the voices used for children and women are over-the-top and grate the wrong way.

What I Did Like:
+Excellent opening chapter. Right away we get elves, dragons, and epic world building all while engrossed in a scene that feels right out of a western. It sets up the entire story well. If you’re on the fence about this one, see if it has a preview or look inside feature and check out that first chapter.
+Banter. This can sell me on a book every time. Characters in this one, specifically Millie and Gil, have amazing banter that carry the story and make the reader laugh out loud.
+Love the levels to the story. This has multiple characters in what initially feels like separate storylines but when it all crashes together, it’s beautiful.

Who Should Read This One:
-Fantasy fans. The dragons, elves, and other fantasy creatures are just commonplace in this world. It’s wonderful!
-Western fans. Of course, take that with a caveat of fantasy being included, but the plot to this one sings as a western.

My Rating: 5 Stars
When you combine 2 genres like this you take a risk that you’ll get both very wrong. But when it works and both genres can sing in harmony, it’s amazing.

Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2023

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No Land for Heroes is a fun western fantasy. It has plenty of fun and definitely makes you think of an old western movie, with sheriffs and outlaws. But then flies in the fantasy elements that add an extra twist with a lot of action and adventure. It will definitely capture the imagination of a reader and take them on a train ride of action, wondering what could happen next.

The strength of the novel are easily the vast array of characters. They each are individual with unique abilities that make a reader want to know more about each of them. The one commonality is the support and love for family. It is a driving force for each of the characters, allowing for the end result to end in a showdown worthy of the greatest of all Westerns. The pacing was good but there were times that I felt like more would add to the story, especially as it comes to the relationships between some of the characters.

Overall, this was a lot of fun to read and it goes fast. There is barely enough time for a reader to catch their breath before the author takes you into the next twist and turn. I recommend lovers of westerns, family, and dragons to climb aboard the train of this series as it holds a lot of promise for the future as well. I, for one, look forward to spending more time with these magical characters in their next adventure.

Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Charlie Rau

Excellent read!!

Reviewed in Canada on November 14, 2022

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This novel is great easy read. Recommended for all fantasy enthusiasts!

Lauren

A brilliant story that had me hooked from start to finish!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2024

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No Land For Heroes is a gaslamp/western fantasy that takes the classical fantasy idea of elves, orcs, and dragons, and drops them in a setting you don’t see often - which was utterly refreshing!

With dragons, storm birds, and fire salamanders (is it really bad that I want one?!), this is a tale bursting with heart. There’s family, betrayals, shapeshifters, heists, deaths, stakes, shootouts, and edge-of-your-seat action set pieces.

The character work is nothing short of sensational. I adored everyone, both from our main cast and the colourful supporting characters. Mildred is absolutely brilliant, but I also loved Ryan, Sweetpea, Ayota, Di, Hal, Gilbert, and even the Willards!? They each have distinct personalities, desires, and a lot more depth than side characters have any right to have.

(Oh, and Fyodor was THE BEST)

I loved our community of women and the life they’ve built for themselves in Scorched Bluffs. There’s a strong sense of found family and community running throughout, which made this book incredibly grounded despite all the fantastical things happening.

There are some incredibly poignant descriptions of PTSD, themes of trying to be more than what people think you are, of acceptance of all the dark parts of yourself. There is magic, too, in small but powerful doses, which were wonderful to read.

Brilliantly paced throughout, with several laugh out loud moments, and somewhat reminiscent of Morgan Stang’s Murder at Spindle Manor/Murder on the Lamplight Express, and Rachel Aaron’s Heartstriker books. Extremely well-written with an engaging author voice - maximum impact with minimal words!

The audiobook was fantastic, very well narrated with a good range of voices :D

This was EXACTLY the type of story I was looking for and the perfect read to kick off 2024!

Highly recommend!

Client Kindle

Awesome

Reviewed in Canada on June 15, 2023

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A fantastic western story with a cool heroine. I loved the attention to details and the world building. An overall great read.

Meagan L

Couldn't put it down!

Reviewed in Canada on June 21, 2022

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I was hooked from the beginning! I've fallen in love with Millie and her chosen family, and I can't wait for more in the series!