Publishing Information: Kindle
Publisher: ChiZine Publications; First edition 15 April 2010
ISBN 10: 0981297862
ISBN 13: 978-0981297866
ASIN: B003ICWGX6
Series: Volume 1 of the Hexslinger Series
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson
Synopsis: "Two years after the Civil War, Pinkerton agent Ed Morrow has gone undercover with one of the weird West's most dangerous outlaw gangs-the troop led by "Reverend" Asher Rook, ex-Confederate chaplain turned "hexslinger," and his notorious lieutenant (and lover) Chess Pargeter. Morrow's task: get close enough to map the extent of Rook's power, then bring that knowledge back to help Professor Joachim Asbury unlock the secrets of magic itself.Magicians, cursed by their gift to a solitary and painful existence, have never been more than a footnote in history. But Rook, driven by desperation, has a plan to shatter the natural law that prevents hexes from cooperation, and change the face of the world-a plan sealed by an unholy marriage-oath with the goddess Ixchel, mother of all hanged men. To accomplish this, he must raise her bloodthirsty pantheon from its collective grave through sacrifice, destruction, and apotheosis.Caught between a passel of dead gods and monsters, hexes galore, Rook's witchery, and the ruthless calculations of his own masters, Morrow's only real hope of survival lies with the man without whom Rook cannot succeed: Chess Pargeter himself. But Morrow and Chess will have to literally ride through Hell before the truth of Chess's fate comes clear-the doom written for him, and the entire world."
At the heart of Book of Tongues is a strong western; however, Files has decided to add a pinch of magic and a dash of steampunk into the mix. Set just a few years after the American Civil War we have a former preacher, Asher Rook, who was hung for his crimes only to return with a vengeance. With his newfound powers which manifests itself through his bible, he has the ability to summon plagues and level whole towns. There was not much to like about this character but he is impressive. Make no mistake, he is a bad man.
Edward Murrow is the other major player in the novel. He has joined Rook's gang but is actually an undercover Pinkerton agent. He is charged with the duty to uncover just how much arcane power Rook has. The only thing I really enjoyed about this character was his double barreled eight shot shotgun. The rest of the gang is not very involved other that to fill out the group. All except Reverend Rooks, lieutenant, the vicious Chess Pargeter. He would rather spit on you than look at you. To add a twist into the early portions of the book. Chess and Rook are lovers. Very early on we have a fairly graphic discussion on gay sex and there is a scene or two that has them in a erotic embrace. While not ground breaking it was unexpected in a western.
The world building is fairly limited. While Files brings up England and China not much is really brought up as you read the book. There is also very little infodumping, the reader is left in the dark. But the background on Rook is amazing. We are slowly told how he went from upstanding preacher to the evil magic user, or hexslinger. There are a lot of loose ends as you get towards the end of this first volume. You are also left with a major cliffhanger by the time you reach the last page.
While I enjoyed Files' style of writing. She has an impressive way to keep you turning pages, the story and characters never really won me over. There is a lot of grey and black, but not a lot of white. I need someone to root for and I just never found anyone worth caring about in Book of Tongues. I would like to recommend the book as she is a very talented writer but the fact that I have no plans to continue with the series keeps me from doing so. I think you will have to make up your own mind on this one.
Plot 6/10
Characters 5/10
Style 8/10
Overall 5/10
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