War is, as they say, Hell, but in this future dystopia our guide through the Inferno that the Disunited States has become is not Virgil, but rather a genetically modified shapeshifter named Coyote. She will get you to where you need to go and possibly save some lives on the way!
Coyote Run is stripped down storytelling, just muscle, bone and connective tissue, everything extraneous feels like it has been surgically removed! The sights, sounds and ambience is masterfully described in a text so spare, but you can still feel the dirt under your feet, the heat of the sun and the burn of alcohol that is (barely) a step up from engine degreaser. You also feel the hurt and anger that Coyote carries, as well as the burning need for revenge. This is not just a roaring rampage story, there is also empathy and heart to balance out the fury. It is so damn good!
Lilith Saintcrow is an artist; be warned though, Coyote Run is more Guernica than Sistine Chapel but it will still hold your attention while it rips your breath away!
If you are looking for something to remind you that fascists can not only be fought, they can be beaten and left hanging in a town square then Coyote Run is the book for you. It is also great if all you want is a two-fisted tale of war and retribution, and maybe even a glimmer of hope for the future!