Tread of Angels

Tread of Angels is a novella length fantasy/wild west/historical/whodunnit by powerhouse fantasist Rebecca Roanhorse. Released 15th Nov 2022 by Simon & Schuster on their Gallery/Saga Press imprint, it's 208 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out in 2nd quarter 2023 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

The author is one of the most lauded and peer-respected living authors (in any genre) today. This is a well written shorter form in a different subgenre than her other work. The pacing is quite a departure (because of the shorter length?), but it's engaging and readable all the same. Classism in the old west is alive and well. The races in this novel are literally angels and demons, who can (and do) hybridize with humans. Two products of these unions, sisters, are in different situations because one sister can pass in the Elect society, whilst the other sister remains with their mother in the Fallen society. When Mariel is accused and arrested for murder, wellborn sister Celeste chooses to stand with her.

The setup, essentially a murder mystery in an alt-earth setting, is well constructed. There is a lot of pithy and all-too-relevant social commentary throughout. 

Four stars. Ms. Roanhorse is a talented and capable author. This wouldn't go amiss in a pleasure reading TBR list as well as a more formal analysis/literature classroom setting for secondary or post secondary instruction. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.