Work has been crazy, and I've been hoping to find a fun, light weight bit of escapism to relax with in the evening. I was excited to see "A Longer Fall" offered on NetGalley for preview since I enjoyed Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books.

There are a number of similarities between our protagonist Lizbeth and Sookie: both are young, pretty, clever, from less advantaged backgrounds with strong female figures, inclined to be a bit cynical about men. These characters are both judgmental with a strong sense of right and wrong, and a tiny bit short in the department of self-examination. Lizbeth is very decisive - and guarded, compared to Sookie's frequent bouts of indecision and tendency to go with her heart over her head.

Despite missing the first book in the series, I was able to understand enough about the world that the author constructing. She didn't over-do the backstory as I noticed happening in the Sookie books. I have questions about this fictional universe, and will read the first book.

There is magic in this world, but it's the kind of magic created by trained magicians who display an early gift. There's also a conservative Bible-belt South here that resembles "Stepford" in many ways. There are automobiles, trains and telephones - but no digital technology or mobile phones. Aside from one song performed as a ritual - not a lot of music, either.

The action is well written -- I could picture this being converted to a screenplay. There were a few more disposable characters than I expected and some odd turns and twists that seemed a bit too tidy. Overall, it was a fun escape into a world full of women characters who aren't just strong but who run a wide gamut of personality and motivation, just like men, in a complex world of shifting values.

Not since Sookie Stackhouse has Harris written such a kickass heroine as Gunnie Rose. In this second book in the series Lizbeth is hired onto a crew to transport a crate to Dixie. While it should be a simple delivery, the contents of the crate draw numerous people to try to steal it, making the protection job a long string of attacks and shoot outs. I love this new series and the character of Lizbeth.

Ms. Harris has my loyalty for many years, and A Longer Fall is no exception. She's going to be doing something special here, and its going to be awesome!

Harris in true form. Lizbeth begins a new job only to have it go sideways very quickly. This book has more of a linear plot than the first in the series. More magic and a really strong romance component. The characters are really fleshed out. Left me wanting a whole lot more but the ending was satisfying.

Gunnie Rosie is back in business with a new crew. They are hired to bring a chest to a state that is known to be very backwards, male dominated and racist.
After the train they are on crashes, the chest disappears, but she meets an old friend who helps her finding it again.

What starts with action and, of course, lots of dead people, ends more in the romance compartment. And all together the story did, unfortunately, not make much sense to me.

I admire Charlaine Harris' writing. Even a book like this, where neither story nor characters really catch my interest, I am entertained enough to read without skipping pages. However, I wished it would have been a more convincing story line with more likeable protagonists.

Another hit from the author. A good mix of mystery and suspense. I will be looking forward to the next book in this series. This is certainly a book which I would recommend to others.

This is the second book in the Gunnie Rose series. Unfortunately, I had not read the first book and was a bit lost at first. I loved the relationship with Lizbeth and Eli. I didn’t find the humor, like I often found in the Sookie Stackhouse books. This series is not playful like I have enjoyed in previous books from this author but is more insightful and thought provoking. I’m going to have to go back and read the first book to catch up! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I honestly loved this book. This story was easy to fall in love with. Great Plot. Lovable characters. Heart-pounding action. Just great. Can't wait to read more from this series!

This was such a great read!
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Many many thanks to:
@sagasff
@realcharlaine
@netgalley .
For my e-Arc! I started this immediately and read it four days straight, which I very seldom do! I even stayed up late to finish it yesterday! I’m dragging, but so worth it! What was the last book you stayed up late for?
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My pithy review:
A very solid four and a half stars! I love this new world Harris created and I hope to see many more in this series! It’s such a great blend of magic, a slightly AU-western feel, and just the right amount of romance for this gal!
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Lizbeth has a new crew, and of course she meets up with the handsome as ever Eli. There’s not quite as much gunplay in this one. I felt like it was more character than plot driven, which is how I like my books!
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Fast paced and gritty thrilling read. Just love Gunnie Rose she is a very strong female lead and this is a fast fun read. Such an original story. I will definitely be reading more of this series. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

I loved it! This is one of my favorite authors. The story grips you from the start. I was just as entranced by the style of speech as I was by the recognizable yet strange world they live in. Lizbeth's job as a gunnie seems ruthless but she conducts herself with integrity and fine principles. If at times her honor starts to waver she talks herself through it and does what needs doing. Among her family and friends too. This series has me hooked!

#NetGalley
#ALongerFall
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery / Saga Press for the E-arc copy of A Longer Fall. A far better book than book one and more filled out with a good mystery. A dab of romance, but lots of western adventure.

Charlaine Harris has done it again. She waived her magic wand and created a new strong willed female character who seems to be another reincarnation of Sookie Stackhouse the protagonist of The Southern Vampire Mysteries.

Gunslinger Lizbeth Rose is smart, pretty and kind to innocents. She has mysterious magic talent that makes her outstanding for her chosen profession. Her impeccable moral compass and kindness toward others do not prevent her for from punishing evil during complex times of turmoil in alternate history of the United States in new Gunnie Rose series.

Ups and down of young love, turns and twists of the plot powered by unpredictable and powerful group of magicians going to knock you out of your seat in shock and leave you wanting for more.

I had a tough time deciding whether to give this three or four stars. I really enjoyed reading it and the world and characters are great, but I also had some issues with the way a couple of plot things were handled, and parts of ending didn't work for me.

"The Long Fall" (or "A Longer Fall", there seems to be some confusion over the title) picks up sometime after the first book. Lizbeth has joined a new crew and is on a job protecting unknown cargo on a journey to Dixie (ie, the former American Southeast). My first issue is that the book once again starts with most of Lizbeth's crew being disposed with in the first couple of chapters in an attack on the train that they are on(this isn't really a spoiler since it happens right away). On the other hand, the book really started to pick up once Lizbeth was on her own. The rest of the book involves Lizbeth and a few allies trying to figure out 1. Where the cargo has been taken and 2. What it is.

Charlaine Harris does attempt to address issues of racism in this book more directly then she has in the past. While the Sookie books did frequently use the vampires and shifters as allegories for minority experiences this series uses American racism outright. I applaud the inclusion of difficult topics like this, though it does sometimes come off as a bit clumsy. That said, I'm not the best person to judge whether Harris' attempts are entirely successful; I'd be interested to see opinions from other reviewers.

I still really like Lizbeth as a protagonist. She's capable, practical, and very loyal to her few friends. I'm certainly going to keep following this series, and I love that after so long Charlaine Harris is still producing new books that are entirely different from anything she's done in the past.