“Threads West, An American Saga is a refreshingly different look at the personalities and events that shaped America. It is not the tidy, well behaved mid-1800’s tale… it is about human nature, real emotional and psychological machinations amidst an incredible journey into a wilderness. It could be said, that unlike other historic westerns, this is the unedited version of America’s history.
Rosenthal has a refreshingly different spin on the presentation of humanity in this series and a moving sensitivity to the plight of slaves and native Americans. I will not sit here and say this is like "Lonesome Dove" or "Dances with Wolves", because Threads has its own style, its own very unique and poignant message. There is an amazingly just treatment of all groups represented, with the exception perhaps of the cheeky under-current of venom directed at government,,,, whoops I digress. What i did note is the equitable audience given to all peoples, across the board. All are represented and all are unequivocally, undeniably human in their dreams, their fears, their lives and their loves. There is an undeniable thread connecting each to the other and them to us.
My favorite part — the character development of a most cruel outlaw, and how he is juxtaposed with the most noble hero. Rosenthal’s treatment of the psychological development of that (outlaw) character and the spirit of healing brought forth by an unlikely relationship is astounding, surprising, heartwarming and completely believable and consuming…my god i can’t wait for Book III: Uncompahgre.
But don’t let this talk of emotionally moving tenderness fool you. Maps of Fate is literally chock full of gut-wrenching action….be it the chase scene, Indian raid, or renegade assault, Rosenthal pulls no punches. It’s raw, uncut, unedited and in your face! Thanks to Maps, i now have a visual and audio of the grotesque feel of a scalp–and a scalping.
Aha!! but wait… this review would not be complete without a snippet of the sensual side of humanity… and yes, every angle of this is explored and presented,,, some delicate, and the other kind. No, this is not the syrupy romance of romance novels… rather, Rosenthal explores the primal raw drive which most of us are trained to pretend does not exist, yet below the surface, again, simmers undeniable. I think perhaps this is one of Rosenthal’s real talents, to cut through the pretty charades, the masks and pretenses and expose our very human humanity.”
~Tami/Lousiana
When are there going to be more of the Threads West series put out for ereaders?? I was so disappointed to find out there were only three of the series that were ebooks. I want to read one after the other. They are are wonderful. Are there going to be no more?? If there are, when? Ebooks, not books. Please let me know. Thanks!!
Sarah–Thanks for writing. First–delighted you love the series. Big smile. Second, indeed each and every book of the series will be out in ebook as well as print–without exception. In most instances the ebook will come out with the release of the print book. In some cases it may–like Uncompahgre–be available a week or two prior to the release of the print books of that novel. Going to have a blog here tomorrow on the release of Book 4, Moccasin Tracks–so keep your ears to the tracks…and remember, most big series are only one book per year–we are shooting for three or four, beginning this year. Laughing–I wish I could write them, get them edited, designed, printed, or loaded as digitals every month, but obviously neither I nor any other author or publishing group can.