4 of 5 Stars
L’Amour novels are always a treat. They’re usually quick reads. You can count on solid, if not slightly underdeveloped characters, decent action sequences, and a straightforward narrative driving through the heart of the story. Good, old-fashioned, grounded storytelling.
The Californios centers on Sean Mulkerin and his Irish mother, the Senora, as they fight to save their land in Malibu, California and a runaway bride-to-be from a cadre of ruthless and unsavory characters. The story takes place in the 1840s. It involves a search for lost gold in the California mountains, a clever bait-and-switch plot to outwit the bad guys, and an overly quick (but typical for a western) climax.
What makes this story interesting is its descent into the mystical and the magical.The Mulkerins are aided in their quest by Juan, a Native American belonging to a now vanished people called the Old Ones. He may be hundreds or even thousands of years old, and his mysterious and magical ways help the Mulkerins outwit and stymie the bad guys. There’s more mystery to Juan’s magic than anything else, but it’s put to good effect and adds a fantastical flavor to the story. L’Amour doesn’t make any pretenses about or spend much time explaining Juan’s origin or powers, which is how any master writer should tackle magical or mystical powers. (Start to explain the origin of magic and you’ve got the thread by which your story will unravel.)
Overall a good, quick read, taking the reader on a mystical journey through the mountains of California.
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