It is an interesting book. It does flow well. The protagonists inner conflict sis great but his story repeats is repetitive. Those who love action heavy books should check this out. It is a good weird west story.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

elves fairies gnomes its all here in this book...i kept getting lost in it but on the whole a pleasant read...one to read if you are interested in this sort of book plus it a bit of a western ...

Rafael West steps off a ship upon reaching North America, elven ears hidden beneath a hat, guns that burn his half-elven skin at the ready. Returning from the Old World to the New World, enemies behind him, enemies ahead, West is a half-elven, half-human gunslinger not fully accepted by any species except perhaps a gypsy gnome gunsmith who has been pining for him for years, nearly given him up for dead. This is a New World with reservations and railroads reaching across the continent, but unlike anything in our history because it’s been settled by refugees from the Old World: elves, dwarves, gnomes, pixies, and others. Great concept! Nevertheless, it often comes off as a top-cute Disney version of LOTR rather than a hard edged fantasy sword and six-shooter legend.

From the first page, I did not like this story. It's just not something I would ever read. I just couldn't get interested.

So in all honesty, I am not a fan of the western. My dad tortured us by watching westerns on tv all the time. I'm not sure what prompted me to even request this book given my feelings. Obviously I wasn't paying enough attention. However, despite that I really enjoyed this book. For me this was more alternate reality/UF. Very interesting world. The characters were well developed and complex. The story had plenty of action and twists and turns to keep me reading. The ending made me a little mad, but will definitely have me looking for the next book of this series! Great start.

A really great fantasy read, is reminiscent of Butcher, Hearne, and Briggs. A story of a gunslinging, magic wielding half-fey druid set in the Old West. With lovable pixies and devious ancient fey all around him what lengths with Rafe go to in an effort to save his core self? Put this book on your to-read list!

Rafael West is a gunslinger in the Old West. He is a half breed, part elf, part human. He just can't hide his pointed ears which gives him away. It seems that everyone wants to kill him. He left home to protect his friends and family. Now he is going to return home but is called to go and see the High Fairy. He owes her a favor which he can't refuse.. He goes home taking the danger and threats with him. Telethia is a danger to all his friends. It's a story full of excitement and adventure. Old West gunfights, cold iron and deceit. I loved this book. Just waiting for next one. I received this book from Net Galley and Bell Bridge Books for a honest review and no compensation otherwise.

A wonderful mix of western and fantasy. It's an enjoyable and fascinating read.
I loved the word building and the style of writing.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Bell Bridge Books and Netgalley for this ARC

What a surprising paranormal read. Think cowboys and indians, but with dwarves and elves. Half breeds, the railroad in its infancy, bartering with hostile elves to bring the rail coast to coast. Sprinkle in air and stone elementals, pixies, magic, mystery, tragedy, gunslinger lore, traveling gnome wagons...the author got the old west with fae just right. I loved it!
Rafael West is considered an abomination being half elf and half druid. He is a gunslinger with a heart. He is bound to take a job protecting dwarves working on the railroad when he is saved from death in prison. Forced to try to treat with the elves for permission to cross the land with rail, his friends lives hang in the balance if he doesn't succeed. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC from Netgalley.

Westerns are not normally my thing, but when I read the description of Fey West, I just had to read the novel.  Wow! Fey West is an amazing fantasy/western that shows just how good mashups can be when they are done well. There is action, magic, drama, and even a touch of humor and romance to balance out the more serious aspects.  


Rafael West barely escaped the Old World with his life.  Coming back to the New World is just as dangerous, perhaps more so now that he owes a powerful fae a favor.  As a half-elf and a Druid/gunslinger Rafael is viewed as an abomination by elves and mages alike. He’s used to people trying to kill him.  Rafael left his home because he felt it put his friends at risk, without realizing the price they paid for his disappearance. Now, everyone he cares about is in danger because a powerful fae wants him to protect a Dwarven railroad being built with iron as it travels across the New World.  If he doesn’t help the railroad, his friends will die. If he makes a wrong move in negotiating passage, war may break out. Not too mention there are plenty of elves who would sooner kill Rafael than speak to him - including an elf who won’t stop coming after him, despite being defeated numerous times. Rafael is in over his head, but he has friends including a newly freed pixie and a gnome gunmaker that he is falling in love with.


Fey West is an action packed extravaganza set in a uniquely imagined world.  You’ve never experienced an old west anything like this. My only disappointment is that I have to wait to read Michael J Allen’s next novel - Fey West is simply that good.


5 / 5


I received a copy of Fey West from the publisher and NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


— Crittermom

I always feel a little bad when I get a Netgallery arc and I can’t give it a glowing review.
This one has such a fascinating concept. Instead the New World (America) being settled by pilgrims etc, it’s instead been settled by mythological “refugees”.
Growing human populations forced out dwarves, gnomes, centaurs, and the snooty, stuck up elves who are still very cranky about it. Oh, and Druids, who I guess were a religious persecution?
Anyway, basically forget the whole Manifest Destiny thing. Oh, and a lot of these species quite hate each other, and elves in particular are pretty unhappy with any mixed race people. Like the protagonist. Yeah.

So, world building is great. The internal life of the narrator is pretty good. He is constantly at war with himself, with his Druidic side of peace and healing, and his anger and rage and I suppose elvin side (aka the ones who hate and despise him and killed his mother).

The reason that I can’t rave about the book is that it gets a little repetitive. Hero has fight, falls unconscious, wakes up somewhere strange. Has fight, falls unconscious, wakes up somewhere strange. Has fight, falls unconscious.......
The only thing that changes why he falls unconscious is if he’s beat up, or beat up AND healing people.

Plus that was a pretty brutal cliffhanger.

So, much potential, but just needs a little more trimming to blossom