I got this paperback from Better World Books. As per the cover-art, it's a "cowboys and aliens" story, set on a planet that looks a lot like the mountains and canyons of the Wild West. And our protagonists find that their adventures (polished and edited for drama) have gained quite a fandom back on Earth, though the reality is mostly dry, gritty slog. But on this trip they have a new intern, interested in the mating habits of the natives, and a native guide of indeterminate gender. So - subplots about sex and culture-clash and gender identity, yes, but also some riffs on the nature of exploration of a land already inhabited by sentient beings. Our protagonists do address things like finding the local names for landmarks rather than coming up with their own, but they work for powerful forces with their own agenda and at times things get a bit strained.

Despite all these intriguing elements, I didn't love the novel as much as I have other works of Willis; not sure if it's because it was an early effort or if it just didn't click. Still, there are some fun scenes and humorous banter. And cowboys and aliens in space!

Guidelines for safely visiting and stocking Little Free Libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic, from the LFL site here.

I left this book in the Little Free Library on this beautiful day; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in MA here.]

*** Released for the 2020 You're Such an Animal challenge, for the embedded "hart" in the title. ***

*** Released for the 2020 Science Fiction challenge. ***