Book Reviews

Book Blurb

August Hayling went west following the discovery of gold in California. While most prospectors were hoping to strike it rich, August was more interested in a place big enough to let him get lost. Sitting alone in a saloon, he is approached by a peculiar man named Georgios Cappadocia, who offers August a fortune in gold if August will come along and help him fetch it. August soon learns that his strange new employer is engaged in some kind of ancient dispute. And when they arrive at their destination, both men will realize that not all treasures are golden—and sometimes destinies can be changed.

 

Book Review

August Hayling, of 'The Tale of August Hayling' by Kim Fielding, has no idea why the odd man at the end of the bar is staring at him, checking him out. August watches as the man walks up to August to ask if he's a prospector. The man's name is Georgios Cappadosia. August calls him George. It seems he needs a guide and some protection and thinks that August will be the perfect person to help him.

August is puzzled by this eccentric man with a strange accent, but it takes a lot to rattle August so he accepts the offer. George explains that there is gold a two-day walk from where they are and George desperately wants to get to it. His idea of provisions is as odd as he appears to be, not at all the normal gear for a mining expedition. Through their many conversations, August learns that George is driven by an old vendetta that he's determined to fulfill, regardless of the outcome. When they get close to the location, inexplicably, George wants to wait until morning to finish their journey. The next morning George and August continue their trip, quickly end up where they are headed. At this point, George tells him that he's there to kill his rival, Sarkany. George tries to engage Sarkany in a fight, but Sarkany refuses, not wanting to go down a path they have obviously been down before. He's tired of the fight. August speaks up and tells George that he is not going to help him steal the gold and he's certainly not going to shoot an unarmed man. When George drew back his sword, August fires his gun, stopping George from killing Sarkany.

Kim has created an intriguing story with a provocative cast of characters. Each one is a puzzle within a puzzle. The theme appears to have been inspired by the legend of George the Dragon Slayer but with several unique twists, making it much more interesting. The “moral” of it is: if you continually make the same mistakes, you are destined to repeat them. It's only when you change direction that you make progress. Thanks, Kim, for giving August and Sarkany a chance.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. The anthology this short story was published in has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Short Story, 21 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	16-December-2016
Price	$6.99 ebook, $17.99 paperback, $17.99 bundle
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/once-upon-a-time-in-the-weird-west-7894-b