Review: Engrossing post-apocalyptic fiction story,  good vs. evil
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 5, 2014
Engrossing story, alternates between the time right after the event that destroys modern society and 20 years into the future ( with an additional short epilogue 45 years post-event that is probably the best written and inspiring part of the story). Good and evil, black and white, right and wrong are clearly demarcated ( perhaps too clearly?).  A young boy named Jeremy evolves into a fearless gunslinger named Boots who goes around seeking out bad guys (monolithic "Beasts" and evildoers) and dispatching them, all by himself, so that good people can move on with the business of trying to reestablish civilization.  He seems to believe that going it alone, rather that inspiring like-minded people to fight in groups, is more efficient, i.e.,  it is never clearly explained why he did not think that an army of Boots might not be a more powerful force against Evil than just one guy.  No attempt is made to explain why some people (including some evil  Preppers in the story) become Beasts and others remain non-Beast.One star subtracted for oversimplifying a few things, a few typos, and some plotholes ( even 20 years out there is still ammo, gun cleaning supplies, sophisticated  IV tubing and infusion solutions, etc., at least in protected enclaves).  It was also unclear why  Helen, who was healthy enough to work out two hours a day in a gym pre-event, had a heart condition severe enough to cause trouble with exertion post-event (e.g., no indication she was on meds she'd run out of or other plausible reason)Overall, a good apocalyptic fiction book, even better than the author's other book, The Trashman.  I look forward to more.