The Russian Cage, by Charlaine Harris (Gallery / Saga Press)
This is the third
installment of the “Gunnie Rose” series, featuring hired gunslinger Lizbeth
Rose in an alternate 1930s America in which the United States has fractured
into different nations, the West Coast being the Holy Russian Empire. In
previous stories (A Longer Fall is reviewed here), Lizbeth encountered, then partnered with and fell in love
with, Eli, a gregori (wizard) and
Prince of the aforementioned Holy Russian Empire. Their adventures took place
in the Southern regions, but now he’s been arrested in San Diego, and Lizbeth
sets out to rescue him. As resourceful as she is, and as keen a sharpshooter,
nothing has prepared her for the dangerous intricacies of royal court politics,
certainly not her previous life, which was poor in material goods but rich with
love.
I loved Lizbeth’s
first-person voice, a bit Southern-folksy in the manner of Sookie Stackhouse of
the True Blood series, but not the
same character. Lizbeth has little formal education but a good deal of common
sense, kindness, and life experience. While the story moves right along, I most
enjoyed the tiny details of Lizbeth’s life. No wonder Prince Eli fell in love
with her!
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