By Robert J. Alvarado
Publisher: Sierra Press – Queen Creek Arizona
This is the second book in the saga of Rafael Ortega de Estada and the author has once again managed to spin a good plot. I started to read the story and immediately it grabbed me – just like the first novel. If this saga doesn’t eventually make it into the big screen one day it would be disappointing. It is that good.
The setting takes place during the expansion westward of the United States, which includes Texas and New Mexico. The author not only rolls history and excellent storytelling into a seamless story, but he created a world that I want to continue knowing. He makes the reader feel as if they were right in that timeline and this is a great testament to magnificent writing.
The story begins with Chiwiwi, Rafael’s beloved, being killed and what he will do to avenge her death. In addition, he wants to rescue his mother and sister who he left behind in a hacienda owned by don Bernardo Reyes and who raped his sister. The story is filled with intrigue, killings, and captures the essence of people and their prejudices during that time in our American history.
The reader will become involved with each character, good or bad, and this is just simply good writing at its best. The author’s descriptions, dialogue, and conversations are so right on that it will make the reader feel as if they were right there in the midst of all of it.
The book is written in third person and is perfect for this story. The author moves between narrative and dialogue with such smoothness that you forget you may be reading it – it almost feels as if you were watching a movie.
In addition, Mr. Alvarado brings in another set of characters such as John B. Sutton, the prostitute he loves, the wretched men that work for him, the Mexican people that live in these small towns, and all the factions that go with the wild-wild west.
I just can’t say enough about this novel. I would highly recommend getting the first novel if you can before reading this one because both books are excellent. I recommend it only because the story is so good that you don’t want to miss any of the details; however, the story stands on its own. All I can say to the author is ‘keep them coming.’ You sir, are a great story teller! I am so anticipating the next book – just like Avatar!
Book was supplied by author and reviewed by Corina Martinez Chaudhry.
