Review: A Boy Turns Into A Warrior (Or, a Futuristic Cowboy Story)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 30, 2014
- Review First Written - April 30, 2014 -Mr. Terry McDonald's newest of the epic struggles of how people will survive if (when) the SHTF is actually quite Marvelous. Simply wonderful, in fact. By the end of the book I felt that I had been afforded an insight into the mind and life of a teen who had to grow up fast, beginning in his early childhood due to having been orphaned, a man not born to be great but rather THRUST into the act of BECOMING (a) Great Man. A man among men, a man any honest person would be PROUD to call "Friend", a man any criminally inclined person should rightfully fear crossing paths with.I have read every one of Mr. McDonald's works and can truthfully say that I feel great hope in the thought that should the world as we know it change, should things go from bad to worse, should we revert to some sort of modern day Frontier, there would, no doubt, be the chaotic scenarios described within this book - BUT - there will also be people like BOOTS that will act against the Beasts of that time.  Mr. McDonald gives HOPE in an unlikely place, hope for our own future should we find ourselves in a true life situation as described within this book. Furthermore, he wordlessly challenges all "good" men (and Women, too) to Take A Stand against, not just for their own selves but if they see an injustice done to others  as well. This story, in particular, has within it a parable type of ambiance, a lesson to be learned about Human Nature and how to deal with the scum of the Earth... Quickly, without hesitation, and if there were no law of the land to call upon anymore - completely leave no option for them to return to pay you back for your lessons against cruelty towards others.Of course, we do NOT live in a time like the story frame... or do we? We read about the atrocities performed by men, women, and yes, even teens and children, harming other humans... We sometimes even read about how a person has taken the law into their own hands to put a stop to any further horrors... But, usually those acts are performed because of resentments and anger... Here, in this book, Jeremy, AKA BOOTS, acts alone to right the wrongs of all who cross his path or of who he HEARS about having done wrongs to other human beings, not because he KNOWS the people who were harmed but because in his young, very early adult life he was asked to help keep the roadways clean of trash by someone whom he cared for.Mr. McDonald has been able to give us, his readers, a very LIVELY look at the life of a very good man. A man thrust into being a great man, a man whom I wish I could meet. A man whose very presence makes me feel safer in my sleep... even if he is simply a fictional character. Rather like the Duke did for me when I was young... Only less good looking. <Smile>Looks, aside, I seriously would have no problem caring deeply for the human being described in this book. I DO care very deeply for him, and I sure would like to prepare a nice dinner for him to thank him for his keeping those imaginary highways of my mind safer.Instead, though, I will thank the author, Terry McDonald, for another VERY F-I-N-E book. I am extremely happy that you have found your pleasure in writing. For you, yourself, and for everyone who opens one of your books. And, to THINK, not a single Zombie is involved in THIS End Times Scenario!- UPDATE on Original Review - May 23, 2014About the Ending of Boots:In another of Mr. McDonald's books I was introduced to "Twister", an elderly midwife who decided to set her feet towards New York City in her old age, to pay respects to the New York that had been - the New York her grandfather had told her about. In "Boots", I saw that story included  at the end and I thought I had already read it. I was MISTAKEN. The story  about Twister, included in Boots, is revised, and intertwines Boots with the lady named Twister.THAT, dear Mr. McDonald, was VERY cool. Absolutely! I have been hoping all along that the people in your stories would somehow be connected, as much as possible without turning them into 'Fairy Tales', and YOU DID IT!! I am a very happy reader. Now I am seriously wanting to purchase the revised story out ofAPOCALYPTIC ODDITIES, now a stand alone short,TOAST: Apocalyptic Ending, to see what has changed in it... I hope to remember to come back on payday... Some days I feel as old as Twister was in the story and twenty times as forgetful.