Weird West (sci-fi and fantasy books set in the Old West or worlds inspired by it) is a genre I never expected to like, considering I’ve never had interest in westerns when it comes to movies or shows. But I do like feeling immersed in historical settings, and I like paranormals and magic, so here we are!
These are more fantasy and paranormal than sci-fi, but I tried to get some variety in here. Some are romance, whereas some have romance more in the background. Some are queer. Two are graphic novels. One is YA. And of course they’re all unique stories.
So here are ten SFF books to transport you to the Wild West!
*Note for previous visitors: I originally posted about this with five recommendations. So if any look familiar, that’s why. But this is a new post, with more books.*
*If you’re considering buying any of these books from Amazon US, I’d appreciate it if you use my links! It will help support this blog at no additional cost to you!*
Ruby Run (Tin Star Witches: The Witches of Ruby Gulch Series) by Sam Burns (Series by Various Authors)
This is a series that features m/m romance, but each book is written by a different author, and they don’t really connect, but they’re set in the same town. Oh, and they’re about witches! I enjoyed these and liked that they had some POC and disabled characters. There are also more books in the “Beyond Ruby Gulch” series.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Berserker (Berserker Series) by Emmy Laybourne
This is a YA that combines the Old West with Norse Mythology and includes non-explicit romance and imperfect but sweet family relationships. It’s the first in a series, each book about different but connected characters. I haven’t read the next book, but I enjoyed this one.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Plume by K. Lynn
This one is a complete graphic novel/webcomic about a girl in Old West set on revenge, accompanied by her paranormal guardian. It’s a fun, slightly bittersweet story, and the art is pretty with a distinct style.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Heartache & Hoofbeats (Stallion Ridge Series) by Maz Maddox
This is a sweet, slightly steamy, sometimes angsty m/m paranormal romance series set in an Old West world that is technically not ours but very similar. Each book focuses on a different couple, and all of them feature paranormal beings and shifters you don’t come across very often, like centaurs and phoenixes.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Firelands by Michael Jensen
This is a m/m romance with a Native American love interest, about strange attacks that might be from a wendigo. Also about starting over and discovering your true self. It’s vaguely horror-ish, with a lot of mystery and suspense, though the paranormal is a bit up to interpretation.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
American Hippo by Sarah Gailey
There’s no magic or paranormal creatures in this one, but there are hippos, and that counts for something. These two novellas (put together into one book) are set in an alternate history where the characters ride hippos instead of horses, which is super cool, and I love how diverse and morally gray the characters are.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Unbury Carol by Josh Malerman
This standalone is about a women who falls into a death-like state every so often and the mysterious, infamous outlaw ex-lover who comes to save her. The story sometimes blurs the line between the real and the paranormal, and it’s got some surprising twists.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
The Six-Gun Tarot (Golgotha Series) by R.S. Belcher
This series is more quintessential Weird West than some of the other books here, and it takes place in a little town called Golgotha where the residents are pretty accustomed to strange things happening. It’s got a large cast of characters, each with their own strange and/or heart-breaking secrets.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
The Devil’s Revolver (The Devil’s Revolver Series) by V.S. McGrath
This series blends the Old West with magic and is about a girl who wields a cursed revolver that kind of has a mind of its own and also makes her a year older each time she uses it to kill someone. The world is interesting, and though there’s some darkness to the story, the motley crew of characters is fun.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Hotblood! A Centaur in the Old West by Toril Orlesky
This was the first thing I read that could be called a western. It’s a M/M graphic novel/webcomic about, you guessed it, a centaur in the Old West! It’s a cute story with some gorgeous landscape artwork and more morally gray characters.
Goodreads // Webcomic // Purchase // My Review
Bonus: West of Loathing
This post is about books, but I couldn’t help but include a recommendation for a fantastic game. An RPG with puzzles and turn-based combat that takes place in an Old West kinda world filled with goblins and necromancers and demon cows and all sorts of wacky things. It’s so hilarious and so fun!
Steam // My Review
I love Weird West and was surprised to find how far back it goes ( I found some old comics with decided Weird west vibes even though I don’t THINK it was called that back then). Anyway… I remember thinking Berserker sounded good. I loved Six Gun Tarot. I didn’t love american Hippo but it got me reading more of her stuff and I love her stuff now, plus it was pretty interesting. 🙂
I guess it makes sense, it’s probably always been an interesting era for people to explore in fiction! It’s cool when a book can at least introduce you to more books by an author.
I’ve read Berserker, but I didn’t continue with the series. Have you read The Hunger by Alma Katsu? I think that book would fit on this list. It’s wild west paranormal creature horror.
I haven’t, but I’ll look it up!
What a fun subgenre!
Yep, it’s a cool mix of things!
I am very much enjoying this subgenre! I also loved Berserker. And I second AJ’s rec for The Hunger! I feel like I just read two books that would fit the bill here too- Desert Creatures, and Tread of Angels!
It’s a great subgenre! I’ve heard of Tread of Angels, but not the other, so I’ll look it up!