ARC Review: "Devils Unto Dust" by Emma Berquist


Devils Unto Dust by Emma Berquist
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

Ten years ago, a horrifying disease began spreading across the West Texas desert. Infected people—shakes—attacked the living and created havoc and destruction. No one has ever survived the infection. Daisy Wilcox, known as Willie, has been protecting her siblings within the relatively safe walls of Glory, Texas. When Willie’s good-for-nothing father steals a fortune from one of the most dangerous shake-hunters in town, she finds herself on the hook for his debt. With two hunters, including the gruff and handsome Ben, to accompany her, she sets out across the desert in search of her father. But the desert is not kind to travelers, and not everyone will pass through alive.

Western meets horror for this riveting story about survival, family, and inner strength. Tense, short chapters propel readers from one action-packed scene to the next, while Willie’s distinctive, introspective voice deepens the emotional stakes with every turn of the page. High concept and character-driven, Emma Berquist’s debut will satisfy fans of The Magnificent Seven, Rae Carson’s Walk on Earth a Stranger, and HBO’s Westworld.





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REVIEW

I received an e-ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Even if this book releases on 2018 I could keep it down. The Wild West meets zombies in this engaging trip from one city to another and a girl's attempt to save her family.
Willie, her brother Micah and her twins brother and sister live in poverty in the small town of Glory. It's the 19th century and Northern America has literally abandoned everyone to the South after the terrifying disease of the shakes. If you come in contact, you turn into a zombie.

When Willie's dad leaves them with a debt and the fear of losing their house and lives, Willie will employ the hunter brothers, in order to travel through the desert and find him. The story was gripping, tragic and quite funny at sometimes. The description of the scenery and the strong physical emotions it causes are shown realistically and I could help but sympathise with Willie.

She tries everything for her family and has to be hard in order to survive. Not to mention that the name of the town Glory, reminded me of the Glory town of Rae Carson's series. In an alternative world.

There is also romance, even if it's subtle and gentle. The romance wasn't the focus of the plot but it worked perfectly. If westerns and zombies are your thing then "Devils Unto Dust" encompasses both of your preferences!





About the author:

Emma Berquist grew up in Austin, TX and currently lives in New Zealand. She likes horror movies and dogs and dislikes brushing her hair and writing bios.

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