Customer Reviews

Silver Saddles (The Dakota Series)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love the three Cap Iversen gay western titles. As long as you're not reading these expecting great literature (which they're not intended to be anyway), you'll no doubt enjoy them.

Having read Arson: The Dakota Series by Cap Iversen, and enjoyed it, I then went on to find (not that easily done) Silver Saddles [Alyson Books, 1993].
In this tale, gunslinger Dakota Taylor is now happily partnered with Benjamin Colsen, whom he met in the first of the series, and all is well until he get's the news that his mother has passed away at the family's homestead. After hearing this news in town he is ambushed on his way home, and discovers that someone has posted a bounty for him, dead or alive. When he recovers from his injuries, he sets out on a nine-month odyssey to find out why someone would hate him enough to go to all this effort to see him dead.
To this point it is classic western fare, i.e. good guy v. bad guy(s), but then the author takes off on a flight of fancy that is both complex and incredible at times. It is the sort of thing that requires not only tight writing, but also tight control of the characters and events that are galloping all over the place. In this regard Iversen does quite well for the most part, and almost pulls it off...that is, almost.
Fundamentally, the story suffers from too many characters doing too many things, as well as a plot that is too clever-by-half. Still, having said that, if you read it as being a "let's pretend the West was like that," it is a fun read and an evening's entertainment. Three and one-half stars.

Gerry Burnie
"Two Irish Lads" & "Journey to Big Sky"

Dakota Taylor is a gay gunslinger in the tradition of Louis L'Amour--except that Dakota's amour is directed at other men. Don't miss Arson! and Rattler!

Sorry folks, but I just had a hard time with this one. I can accept a gay cowboy, as I've seen 'em around, and some of my friends fit that description. But a gay gunslinger in the Ol' West? Even if true (which I'm sure it was), it was just tough to accept this take on that idea.

Dakota Taylor had hung up his guns and settled down to farm with his lover on their ranch. When he received news that his mother had passed away, he headed into town to finish up some estate matters. As in all Westerns, he was waylayed by a bad guy, and then continued to get into trouble. Finishes what needs to be done and rides home to be with his man.

I admit, I'm somewhat of a Western snob. I love L'Amour's work, with his amazing detail of the land and people, with his strong, tough, and mean cowpokes who ride in to save the day. Cap Iverson does an admirable job here. Even tossing aside the gay angle, however, there's just something missing. The descriptions of people, nature, and the action are just a little less clear than they could be. Still, it's a good effort, and overall an entertaining read.