I wanted to like this queer librarians wild west tale more than I did. It's fun, but despite having so much sassiness embedded in the set-up, it's a little thin. After Esther's girlfriend is hanged for being a lesbian, Esther stows away...in a book buggy. She wants to join the librarians, delivering Approved Materials. The librarians are Esther's chance to be Good. Only, as Head Librarian Bet puts it, "Well. I've got good news for you, and I've got bad news."

Thus begins Esther's journey of self-knowledge and librarianship (transporting Unapproved Materials) with Bet, Bet's partner Leda, and Apprentice Librarian Cye, whose pronouns are they/them/their, except when they're in town. Esther has a lot to unlearn, and Cye is just the person to teach her.