This was a visceral and sometimes horrific read that lost its way a little for me. I found the opening part following Magdala and her father absolutely gripping. The descriptions of the desert landscapes were stunning and the creatures they encountered (both human and otherwise) were truly horrific. The way in which this part played out was shocking and brutal and for me, the following two parts just didn't quite match up. Overall, I enjoyed my time with the book, but I just wish it could have maintained the quality of the first act.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was amazing!

I really enjoyed this post-apocalyptic, dystopian horror novel set in the Mojave Desert. The setting came alive with the author's writing. I thought Magdala was a fantastic protagonist, both young and innocent but wise and thoughtful, and really in particular, enjoyed her interactions with Dulcinea (whom I do wish we could've seen more of because her journey seemed equally horrifying). While there is substantial horror, and the author is skilled at weaving it together, I wouldn't say this is an outright jumpscare type of horror novel, or even one that leaves you with chills, but one that brings the horror more quietly, more lyrically, which is emphasised by the author's use of imagery and POV in such an inventive way.

Desert Creatures is a truly weird western-dystopia novel taking place in the desert surrounding Las Vegas. A deadly sickness has swept across the desert (and presumably a good chunk of the continent at least), sending the whole place into a dystopian scrabble for survival. Once you get the desert sickness then there is no cure, only preventative measures to prolong your life. A variety of horrible things could happen to you at the end, from cacti hijacking your skeleton as a walking frame to grow off, or being absorbed into one of the gruesome creatures that appears to be an amalgamation of ex-humans and animals. The surviving locals have turned to folklore and superstition as a coping mechanism for the horrors that stalk the desert.

Belief plays a huge part in character survival, and many characters follow either traditional religious beliefs, or newly anointed saints who they believe can heal them or save them from their surroundings. Our lead protagonist Magdala for example firmly believes that one particular holy saint in Las Vegas can heal her club foot, which puts her at a real disadvantage in the harsh climate. Throughout the three acts of the book, we see characters with different relationships to religions old and new – some are ardent disbelievers intent on pure survival, others force themselves to believe even if they know deep down that they're kidding themselves.

The imagery in Desert Creatures is wonderful, and really paints the picture of a hostile and uncaring world where no-one is particularly trustworthy. I’m really pleased to find that this book wasn’t just a simple western dystopia, but in fact had an interesting literary angle that will stay with me for much longer.

I enjoyed what I read of this, but it was archived before I got to finish it… I will be purchasing this so I can find out how it ends!

NetGalley ARC in return for an honest review

This book follows Magdala throughout her life split into 3 sections. This is a story of self discovery tied to a deeply unsettling post apocalyptic world.

It had an interesting mix of body horror and all around horrific plot points yet it never felt to dark or to desolate there was always a light almost poetic nature to the horrors unfolding.

I really enjoyed how the plot of the novel was intertwined with flashback story telling which gave you the context to what Magdala was learning without taking away from the story its self.

However I do wish there was more content overall as to why the world is how it is now and a bit more explanation as to why different plot points occurred as the narrative felt a bit jumpy at times

Overall I would recommend this book and am interested in checking out more work by the author.

Desert Creatures has the genesis of an interesting story about faith and survival in a post-apocalyptic desert world filled with horrors. Unfortunately, it never really reaches its potential.
The story about the pilgrimage of a young girl, Magdala, looking for hope in a dystopian world full of sand and sickness - told across three time periods - is a fantastic premise bogged down by a slow pace and lack of any real rising tension.
Should have been better than it was.

I read it some years ago and re-read in 2023. Time change things and changed this review
Not a light or entertaining story but thought provoking and well plotted even if a bit too slow in the first two parts.
We are in a world where something happened and we are in a desert where violence is quite common.
Religion and fanatism are a way to survive and Magdala is trying to read a holy town (Las Vegas) and be healed.
It's a slow burning story and you have be patient as there's a big change in the third part and it felt like a different book because it's the most interesting and fast paced part.
The apocaliptic background is interesting, some more details would make it more intriguing
Be patient and you will be rewarded.
Recommended
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

This might be one of the first if not only books I've read with no descriptions of characters physical appearance. It threw me a bit to begin with, not being able to envision the characters as the author might have when writing, until I decided it was an interesting take- letting the reader choose to imagine those details themselves.

Creatures is probably the only word befitting of the horrors that trawl the sands of this novel, I love a good survival horror and what's more brutal than a desert? Chronicler weaves a sinister tone into every thread of the book; the environment, the humans and of course the creatures are all to be feared. Especially for young Magdala, disadvantaged by her clubfoot.
However, the 'horrors' of the desert don't really do anything at all, they are just... there. Our characters watch them shamble past on occasion but are never particular concerned about them.

Whilst I enjoyed the arc of the main character as she changes vastly throughout her life it doesn't flow at all. Desert Creatures is told in three sections and at each time jump there are massive unexplained changes leaving the reader disjointed and breaking down the connection to Magdala.

Chronister creates a wonderfully unique dystopian desert, the description of this being my favourite part of the novel, but the plot itself is plodding and upon reaching Vegas becomes pointless and meandering. I did like the role reversal as Magdala eventually becomes the adult encumbered with protecting a child herself but did not care at all for any of the heretic storyline and the excessive preaching throughout.

Told mainly from the perspective of Magdala, in past and present with various side characters and campfire tales. The story began strong and had so much potential, but I feel the blurb was misleading. I cannot recommend this book and without the cover to draw me in I likely would not have picked it up.
An extremely slow burn, bleak dystopia with wonderful world building but little substance, purposefully vague and confusing.

Desert Creatures is a juicy hybrid of genres that puts me in mind of one of its very own chimeric creatures. To me, it has the gritty, desperate locations, characters and tone of Gold Fame Citrus, The Last of Us (both parts). and the Voices series, with the fascinating bio-horror of Annihilation sprouting up throughout.
Telling the story in three parts during different periods of the main character's life was effective at showcasing the world and moving the story at a realistic pace. Part 2 was a great switch in perspective and suited the middle portion of the story, the newly introduced character having a distinct voice from the MC that kept things interesting before transitioning into the final part.
I really have very little constructive criticism, only that I think I could have been more invested in the characters' survival if it had been slightly longer and more fleshed out, The writing was smooth but I would have liked even more atmosphere; the juxtapositional dystopian Vegas and Sonoran wilderness being such visceral settings, At times the nuance and insight of the writing struck me however and I loved the ideas surrouding faith and folklore. I especially enjoyed the ending. A strong debut novel.
I will be watching for more from this author! Many thanks to Netgalley and Titan books for the ARC!

I really enjoyed Desert Creatures. I’m a fan of Dystopian fiction in general and liked the way the author tackled this well used trope. It made me laugh thinking about Las Vegas as a Holy City and reminded me a little of people flocking to Flagg in Stephen King’s The Stand. The book is told through the eyes of Magdala as she searches for a cure and becomes embroiled in the lives of strange people she meets along the way, passing through strange cities and sights. This is a powerful, evocative read. I thought it was terrific.

Desert Creatures is ultimately the sum of all of its influences - the pilgrimage this book endeavours to take you on is well worn and weirdly comforting but unfortunately missing that special spice that made its forebears so gripping.

I'd like to thank the publisher, author and NetGalley for the eArc of this book provided in exchange of an honest review.

Okay, so let's start with this: I'm usually a generous reviewer - I'll forgive small things I don't like and dish out 4 and 5 star ratings if I actually enjoyed the book. But after reading Desert Creatures I truly wish I weren't, so the 5 stars I'll be giving it would feel extra special. Or that there was a special 6 star category unlocked just for this book. Just, woah.

There are three things I absolutely love that this book reminded me of: Fallout New Vegas, with its theme of a wanderer through the post-apocalyptic Mojave desert; The Dark Tower and its gunslinger; and botanical/nature horror, especially Jeff VanderMeer's. Mash those themes together, pass it through the incredible lens of Kay Chronister's eye and you'll have a gut-wrenching, captivating story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

This started off really well. I thought it was going to be a new Apocalyptic read and I was excited to settle in. Meeting Magdala and her father they are on the search for food and a place to find shelter. Instead they stumble across a small community which isn't quite what they expected. There is talk of the desert Creatures but there are only short scenes that feature them. I felt this could have been expanded more and become really scary but the idea kind of fizzled out towards the end of the book.
The first part of the book is Magdalas view point which I enjoyed, then the next part changes and that is where I started to lose interest. This book started off with some real excitement and a good storyline and then it changed and it wasn't quite what I was after.