1895. Dorado, Mexico. Antonio Sonoro is the latest in a long line of ruthless men as the once-wealthy Sonoro empire crumbles. Antonio plans a heist with his younger brother, hoping to get lucky. But the heist goes awry, and he launches into a warpath of revenge.

1964. Mexico. Renowned actor/singer Jaime Sonoro discovers a book that tells the entire history of the Sonoro family. But what will Jaime do when a mysterious figure shows up, threatening to upend his comfortable life?

BULLET SWALLOWER is unlike everything I've read before. It combines a family saga with dramatic western cowboy-style scenes, action-packed gun fights, and a pinch of magical realism, perfect for readers averse to the fantasy genre but looking for a bit of oomph.

Consisting of shifting narratives that differ significantly in style—Antonio's POV reads like a thriller/adventure, while Jaime's POV takes on a more muted lit fic/suspense vibe. There's also a third POV that gave me a lot of pause in the beginning because I wasn't sure where the story was going. But it wasn't until the 50% mark that each piece in BULLET SWALLOWER clicked in place for me.

This is the type of story where you'll have to trust the process and just enjoy the ride. I ended up loving the message about our generational "curse," and I appreciate James' examination of one's complicity when our family history isn't always a clear black and white. The author's notes also add another layer of nuance and uniqueness to BULLET SWALLOWER, and I loved reading about James' creative process in writing such a fascinating character.

I'll leave you with this quote that encompasses the spirit of BULLET SWALLOWER, "The past is not so far away as you might think. Nor the future, for that matter. No man lives free from history." Wow.

For fans of antihero stories, Wild West cowboy vibes, or unique perspectives on generational debts, give BULLET SWALLOWER a try!