Hey, Readers. Happy Tuesday. In 2021, I read a book co-written by Marcha Fox and Pete Risingsun titled The Curse of Deadhorse Canyon. I was intrigued not only by the story, but Pete Risingsun is a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.
I’ve been interested in learning about Native American culture for a while, so I enjoyed learning a bit about them. (As many of you know, I’ve since been reading a series of books that features Native Americans.)
I purchased the second book Return to Deadhorse Canyon when it was released late last year and it just now came to the top of my TBR list. It didn’t disappoint.
My Review:
Return to Deadhorse Canyon is the second book of a trilogy. The action picks up where the first book left off.
Sara Reynolds is determined to carry out her husband’s wishes to expose corrupt government officials. After she goes on television, her life is in more danger. Someone doesn’t want the truth told.
Charlie Littlewolf also wants to avenge his friend’s death. He takes a job with an oil drilling firm, even though he feels they are violating the earth. An accident leaves him severely injured, and he returns to his Cheyenne family in order to heal and learn the ways of his people.
Like the first book, I enjoyed the parts that told of Native American customs. The action is also well-paced throughout most of the book. I did feel it bogged down a bit on the scenes with Sara’s astrologer.
The only other issue I found was the use of regional dialect by two characters from Texas. I’ve lived here all my life and never heard the term “y’all” used when speaking to one person. It was confusing to me.
Other than those two items, this was an enjoyable read. I don’t normally like serial fiction—preferring books of a series have a satisfactory conclusion—but I look forward to the conclusion in book three. There’s also an interesting twist at the end of this one that further entices me to read more.
You can purchase a copy of Return to Deadhorse Canyon by clicking the link above. If you haven’t read the first book, I highly recommend doing so first.
26 Responses
It’s so easy for writer to go astray with regional dialect
It is, Liz. My critique partners are from the northeast. Every once in a while one will use a term that I don’t have a clue what they’re trying to say. I’ve done the same thing with them. I mean, we know what we’re trying to say. 🙂
Well thought out review.
Thanks, Craig!
I tend to avoid using regional dialects, especially Cornish … few would understand that! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Joan. This sounds like an enjoyable series. Hugs 💕🙂
I try to limit my use as well, Harmony. Some are just too difficult for nonresidents to understand. They do make for interesting conversations, however.
Thanks for sharing your review, Joan. Y’all is what it means. You all (however many there are). Not just you. I had to laugh out loud when as a volunteer in San Antonio the leader was explaining expectations. She said, “Y’all need to bring y’all’s lunch with y’all.”
Some of us were talking several days ago about regional sayings. “You guys,” “Youse guys,” “Yous.” I think I’ll stick with y’all, but I do say “You guys” on occasion. I never add the “s” to it.
“Hey, you guys” is one of our favorites around here.
I love the cover of this one, Joan. How beautiful. And an excellent and thoughtful review. I sometimes notice regional differences in language (soda versus pop, bag versus sack). There are a bunch of them. Small things but interesting. Thanks for the reading recommendation!
Around here we call everything “Coke.” 🙂 I try to avoid too much vernacular in my stories. Some regions, especially, use words and phrases that make things too difficult for readers to understand. I had to give up on reading a book earlier this year because I didn’t have a clue what the characters were trying to say. A shame because otherwise it was a good story.
Isn’t that funny. It was soda in the east. Yeah, best to limit venacular. It can pop a reader out of a story if it’s regionally incorrect or over emphasized. (Good SE post if you’re ever inclined).
Actually, that topic is on my list of ideas for next year. Great minds think alike! 😉
Excellent. Should be a good post!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this one, Joan. I’ve had it in my TBR pile for some time. I look forward to reading it! Congrats to Marcha and Pete!
I’m totally invested in this story and look forward to the third installment.
Great review, Joan 🙂 I enjoyed this one too and look forward to the third book.
I look forward to it as well! Hopefully soon!
Great review, Joan. I have been addressed as “y’all,” but I’m trying to remember where it was. Either a small town in OK or VA, not in TX. Maybe it’s just isolated pockets of the population that use it for a singular person.
Could be. Having not heard it addressed as singular, it got confusing to me. But the book was great!
The regional dialect issue aside, it sounds like you enjoyed this one, Joan. A thoughtful review!
I did enjoy it, Mae, and look forward to the third installment.
I don’t like feeling as though I need to buy the next book in order to reach the conclusion, but this sounds like an interesting series.
It is an interesting series. Thanks, Jacquie.
I always pay attention when a reader likes a book or author enough to continue a series or try more of the writer’s backlist. Thanks for sharing, Joan.
You know that I like series books with satisfactory endings in each volume. But this one has intrigued me. Looking forward to book three.