Why you need to read these two novellas now:
Srsly. Read the summary and tell me you aren’t hype:
In the early 20th Century, the United States government concocted a plan to import hippopotamuses into the marshlands of Louisiana to be bred and slaughtered as an alternative meat source. This is true. Other true things about hippos: they are savage, they are fast, and their jaws can snap a man in two. This was a terrible plan. Contained within this volume is an 1890s America that might have been: a bayou overrun by feral hippos and mercenary hippo wranglers from around the globe. It is the story of Winslow Houndstooth and his crew. It is the story of their fortunes. It is the story of his revenge.
Cast is so diverse it has a token white guy.
Leading gentleman is Winslow “could have been a hero had he been properly motivated” Houndstooth, a biracial bisexual Korean/British man who came to America to find his fortune in the hippo ranching business. Needless to say, things went a little south, and now he’s out for revenge.
Along with him on this caper operation are:
Regina “no one suspects the fat lady” Archambault a genderfluid conartist badass with a meteor hammer and a killer mustache when she feels like it. She’s also in love with a U.S. Marshal.
Hero “I think I know how to create a bang” Shackleby. A black non-binary retired master poisoner and demolitions expert who charms their way into Winslow’s and everyone else’s in including mine heart.
Adelia “the best in the business” Reyes. A Latina assassin who manages to handle this whole ordeal while pregnant (or just post-pregnancy). She also insists her child will never have a father (but she’s open to her having a second mother).
Cal “I’m the token white guy with a bad mustache” Hotchkiss who is not as smooth as he thinks he is.
You will both love hippos and be utterly terrified of them by the time you are done reading this. (if you think feral hogs are bad, just wait until you read about feral HIPPOS)
Everyone in the main cast has blood on their hands, you have no idea who to trust and who not to trust (and even then, the twists will still manage to surprise you)
In addition to quality hippo chaos, you can also enjoy the wonderful tropes of starcrossed lovers, THERE’S ONLY ONE BED, FOREHEAD TOUCHES, epic reunions, surprising found family and big damn hero moments.
If you get the complete volume, American Hippo, you get two extra stories in case you needed more mayhem or hippos.
(spoiler-not-spoiler: yes people get mauled to death by hippos. yes, it is glorious and chaotic and awesome.)
Book is #ownvoices for bisexuality and genderqueer.