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Metal and Men #1
Justice in an Age of Metal and Men
Technology has boomed in the years since Texas became independent. Antigravity’s cheap. Weapons shoot all manner of energy. Human modification has become as common as football on a Friday night.
Yet, not everyone embraces technology.
When a rancher is murdered, Sheriff J.D. Crow calls upon his old-fashioned tracking skills to find the killer. When the trail leads him to a complex conspiracy, J.D. is forced to confront the very core of his beliefs. Doing the right thing has always been straightforward, but now things don’t seem so simple.
What does it mean to hold hard the line of Justice in an Age of Metal and Men?
Yet, not everyone embraces technology.
When a rancher is murdered, Sheriff J.D. Crow calls upon his old-fashioned tracking skills to find the killer. When the trail leads him to a complex conspiracy, J.D. is forced to confront the very core of his beliefs. Doing the right thing has always been straightforward, but now things don’t seem so simple.
What does it mean to hold hard the line of Justice in an Age of Metal and Men?
202 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2014
181 people are currently reading
776 people want to read
About the author
Anthony W. Eichenlaub
33Ìýbooks45ÌýfollowersAnthony W. Eichenlaub’s stories appear in Little Blue Marble, A Punk Rock Future, and the anthology Fell Beasts and Fair. When the ground isn’t frozen solid, he enjoys gardening, camping, and long walks with a lazy dog. When it is, he would rather be indoors. He can be found at anthonyeichenlaub.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 3, 2021
This post-apocalyptic Western with a gay MC is quirky and occasionally funny, with a unique take on future Texas. It's the first in the series, but I thought it worked fine as a standalone.
October 2, 2020
Well, this certainly was different. Kind of like if Robocop were a washed out has-been that held onto his badge too long, set in a world full of barely-humans addicted to their tech so much that they turn themselves into it. There's a mystery of sorts, that doesn't get solved in anything resembling proper police procedure, but we're in a dystopian future where people prefer to have metal skin and flashing eyes than actually being human, so whatever.
If anti-heroes are your thing, you might like this more. I did appreciate the world building, such as it was, but after this year, I don't know if I'm in a mood for this type of story, where good intentions are barely discernible from bad ones, and where humans have screwed up nature so badly that we're barely hanging onto existence. Not sure if I'm going to continue this or not.
Edit: And also, I refuse to believe there's any future, I don't care how dystopian, where we use the metric system. Like, what even? Texas is its own country? Sure, why not. They already think they are anyway. People modding themselves into half-machines? That's a standard in sci-fi, so whatever. But using the metric system? I don't think so. And it's not because we aren't taught it, because we are, but for one reason or another it never took off here and I don't see that changing any time soon.
If anti-heroes are your thing, you might like this more. I did appreciate the world building, such as it was, but after this year, I don't know if I'm in a mood for this type of story, where good intentions are barely discernible from bad ones, and where humans have screwed up nature so badly that we're barely hanging onto existence. Not sure if I'm going to continue this or not.
Edit: And also, I refuse to believe there's any future, I don't care how dystopian, where we use the metric system. Like, what even? Texas is its own country? Sure, why not. They already think they are anyway. People modding themselves into half-machines? That's a standard in sci-fi, so whatever. But using the metric system? I don't think so. And it's not because we aren't taught it, because we are, but for one reason or another it never took off here and I don't see that changing any time soon.
June 14, 2021
I actually really like science fiction, but it seems that wild wild west is only ever appealing to me when featuring the considerable charms of Will Smith. So this sci fi western thing didn’t quite work for me, tried as I might. This isn’t to say there was something inherently wrong with the book. In fact, it was objectively quite good for what it was…there was some very interesting world building of a future world where Texas has finally, finally seceded from the Union after decades of war and became what it was always meant to do, a near lawless free for all desert wasteland of gun totting violent individuals with barely a glimpse of civilization to be found outside of Austin. Actually, that doesn’t sound too far from present day Texas, but the Texas of the author’s imagination went all cyberpunk, high tech, low lives.
Since it is nearly lawless there are still some who would serve the law. Such as the book’s protagonist, Sheriff J.D., a war veteran with a robotic arm to show for it. J.D. gets involved in solving a seemingly simple local case that turns out to have statewide political and economic ramifications.
Enter action, high speed chases on flying vehicles and gun fights made challenging by everyone’s enhanced bulletproof skin. It’s fun, it reads quickly, it has a properly grizzled lead (who is refreshingly gay in a subtle matter of fact way…surprising for Texas, future or not)…it’s just too dusty, too Texan, too western for my liking. Don’t let this reader/book mismatch put you off checking it out, especially if the idea of science fiction cyberpunk western appeals to you.
Since it is nearly lawless there are still some who would serve the law. Such as the book’s protagonist, Sheriff J.D., a war veteran with a robotic arm to show for it. J.D. gets involved in solving a seemingly simple local case that turns out to have statewide political and economic ramifications.
Enter action, high speed chases on flying vehicles and gun fights made challenging by everyone’s enhanced bulletproof skin. It’s fun, it reads quickly, it has a properly grizzled lead (who is refreshingly gay in a subtle matter of fact way…surprising for Texas, future or not)…it’s just too dusty, too Texan, too western for my liking. Don’t let this reader/book mismatch put you off checking it out, especially if the idea of science fiction cyberpunk western appeals to you.
August 24, 2014
Justice in an Age of Metal and Men is a rough-and-tumble futuristic dystopian sci-fi with a Western flair. It's fast-paced and exciting, with short chapters perfect for night-time reading (when I usually read for pleasure). It's not really steampunk, but it does have the same feeling as many of those novels--it is probably more appropriate to classify this as cyberpunk, though I haven't read much of that genre.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel for its imagination of one possible future (and the new/updated technologies that involves), the moral quandaries between the haves and have-nots, and the dispensation of justice in a world that largely ignores the law. JD also makes for a gritty, realistic character who keeps you turning the pages.
I'd recommend this to folks who love Westerns, shows like Joss Whedon's Firefly or Amazon's Falling Skies, and a bit of dystopian science fiction.
In future books in this world (assuming there are more coming), I'd hope to see more on the resource scarcity (water, oil, other resources) that surely impact this world, as well as the broader consequences of the second Civil War. I'd like to see how the Civil War changed this world, and better understand how it affected the rest of the world. What is the world population? Do countries communicate with each other? Have we colonized space yet?
Overall, I enjoyed this novel for its imagination of one possible future (and the new/updated technologies that involves), the moral quandaries between the haves and have-nots, and the dispensation of justice in a world that largely ignores the law. JD also makes for a gritty, realistic character who keeps you turning the pages.
I'd recommend this to folks who love Westerns, shows like Joss Whedon's Firefly or Amazon's Falling Skies, and a bit of dystopian science fiction.
In future books in this world (assuming there are more coming), I'd hope to see more on the resource scarcity (water, oil, other resources) that surely impact this world, as well as the broader consequences of the second Civil War. I'd like to see how the Civil War changed this world, and better understand how it affected the rest of the world. What is the world population? Do countries communicate with each other? Have we colonized space yet?
February 21, 2023
The wild wild west has gone so far into the future (flying transports, ingestible emotional/mind affecting nanobots in food and drink, voluntarily enhanced cyborg human population etc) that law and order in the countryside regions around the city of Austin have seemingly reverted back to the gun-toting, posse-hunting, corral shootout times of the 18th and 19th century. I have got to give full marks to the author for the world-building and futuristic technologies - impressed I am.
The plot pacing is break-neck from the very start and with intriguing characters popping up all over the place. The anti-hero MC J.D. gives off a definite Bruce Willis vibe and whilst he identifies as same-sex attracted, there's no overt M-M romance/action at all. Happy to go on to the next book to see if the series grows on me (book 2 appears to have a higher GR rating score).
The plot pacing is break-neck from the very start and with intriguing characters popping up all over the place. The anti-hero MC J.D. gives off a definite Bruce Willis vibe and whilst he identifies as same-sex attracted, there's no overt M-M romance/action at all. Happy to go on to the next book to see if the series grows on me (book 2 appears to have a higher GR rating score).
September 4, 2016
I enjoyed this book. I suspect if you enjoy either Zane Grey, or Neil Stephenson..then you should give this book a try. It had an easy pace that kept me wanting to read more. There was alot of action, more than I'm used to in a book this size, but very well written action scenes! The main character, JD is great and really keeps you invested in the outcome of the book. He's very interesting, and entertaining. I hope this will turn into a series because I want to see how the character JD develops, I would definitely read more!
June 25, 2014
I enjoyed this book and the voice of the main character. Although I haven't read books from this genre much, I found it entertaining and interesting. I felt a bit like I was reading a book in the Old West in Texas, but with a futuristic twist! I thought there were many creative aspects, such as flying cars and motorcycles. Also, the plot and story were believable and interesting and kept me reading it until the end.
June 17, 2014
A futuristic story with its roots in "Gunsmoke" and "The Rifleman."
4.5 Bees
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4.5 Bees
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April 29, 2014
I truly enjoyed reading this book. Anyone interested in this topic should give the book a shot. It's a good one! Thanks for offering the book as a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ give-away. I'm happy to own a copy!
June 14, 2014
I won a free copy from the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ First Reads Giveaway Program and think that it interesting. I would recommend it to everyone.
May 26, 2014
Good pacing, good transitions from humor to regret to fear, etc. Quirky, and the reader is not pounded with descriptions of the future tech which are still central to the story. Odd and clever.
December 10, 2016
More than meets the eye
This is one of those books that really is about more than the story.
Justice is an old west gunslinger set in a future nation of Texas, the landscape of which has been altered by global warming. The society was created in the aftermath of a civil war between urban elites and rural producers. There are lots of added goodies like mechanical body upgrades and flying cars.
The worldbuilding is top notch. I was impressed every page by the insight and thought put into creating this unlikely but fascinating future.
The minor plotline in this story follows Jasper Davis Crow, the sheriff of a small ranching town. He and his new deputy Trish (who was sent from the city, and who he dislikes) are investigating the death of a dairy farmer.
The plot thickens quickly and involves a massive conspiracy, "Big Milk," nanobots, and mind control. There are moments of brilliance, and moments that make you go "huh? What just happened?"
The ending sets up for a series with this as the sendoff.
Crow is of ambiguous sexuality but mostly gay, but there is no romance at all in this book. His sexuality is backstory.
I enjoyed the play of power against power. The city people had the power of wealth and technology and organized action, while the outlanders controlled access to food and milk (which was needed to power the nanobots that keep people going). Both sides resented the power that the other had over them, and there had already been one civil war that resulted in a draw. There are lots of parallels that could be drawn here.
And of course climate post-apocalyptic stories have new relevance in the age of Trump. This story also has something to say about religion and authoritarianism. Lots of food for thought.
I find the writing style is reminiscent of Jim Butcher, and the book has a similar mood to Dresden Files with the morally flexible and irreverent hero. The overall presentation is less polished but it's worth a read.
This is one of those books that really is about more than the story.
Justice is an old west gunslinger set in a future nation of Texas, the landscape of which has been altered by global warming. The society was created in the aftermath of a civil war between urban elites and rural producers. There are lots of added goodies like mechanical body upgrades and flying cars.
The worldbuilding is top notch. I was impressed every page by the insight and thought put into creating this unlikely but fascinating future.
The minor plotline in this story follows Jasper Davis Crow, the sheriff of a small ranching town. He and his new deputy Trish (who was sent from the city, and who he dislikes) are investigating the death of a dairy farmer.
The plot thickens quickly and involves a massive conspiracy, "Big Milk," nanobots, and mind control. There are moments of brilliance, and moments that make you go "huh? What just happened?"
The ending sets up for a series with this as the sendoff.
Crow is of ambiguous sexuality but mostly gay, but there is no romance at all in this book. His sexuality is backstory.
I enjoyed the play of power against power. The city people had the power of wealth and technology and organized action, while the outlanders controlled access to food and milk (which was needed to power the nanobots that keep people going). Both sides resented the power that the other had over them, and there had already been one civil war that resulted in a draw. There are lots of parallels that could be drawn here.
And of course climate post-apocalyptic stories have new relevance in the age of Trump. This story also has something to say about religion and authoritarianism. Lots of food for thought.
I find the writing style is reminiscent of Jim Butcher, and the book has a similar mood to Dresden Files with the morally flexible and irreverent hero. The overall presentation is less polished but it's worth a read.
August 21, 2018
Definitely worth reading! I was fascinated by the concept of a cyberpunk Western and bought the book from the author's signing table at a convention. Eichenlaub pulled off the mix amazingly, with an excellent plot that was believable and kept me guessing until the last few chapters. He included enough hints to give the reader that, "Oh, yeah! I see where that clue fits in!" or "I can't believe I missed that!" feeling that a good crime/detective story should deliver. The characters and the setting had just enough of a piece-by-piece introduction and build to keep it developing without being distracting or going into long expositions about the history and how the future came to be the way it was.
The future setting--technological, social, political, environmental, economic--is well thought out and presented as needed. This left me with some confusion at times, but held together very well and served the story over the course of the book.
There are a couple of points that threw me off a little, but nothing big. The main character gets beat up and then drives on a bit too often to remain believable, to me, but it wasn't gratuitous, action-movie nonsense; just, "After all that just happened, you can STILL get into the next scrap?" There is a lot of grit on top of the tech in a way that makes sense for the character and story. A couple of supporting characters do things that are never explained, and this goes unresolved at the end. Not big, but a couple of normal distractions. I think this is Eichenlaub's first novel, so he did a very good job on the writing, overall.
"Justice" is a book I definitely recommend. I am looking forward to reading more in Eichenlaub's series/setting.
The future setting--technological, social, political, environmental, economic--is well thought out and presented as needed. This left me with some confusion at times, but held together very well and served the story over the course of the book.
There are a couple of points that threw me off a little, but nothing big. The main character gets beat up and then drives on a bit too often to remain believable, to me, but it wasn't gratuitous, action-movie nonsense; just, "After all that just happened, you can STILL get into the next scrap?" There is a lot of grit on top of the tech in a way that makes sense for the character and story. A couple of supporting characters do things that are never explained, and this goes unresolved at the end. Not big, but a couple of normal distractions. I think this is Eichenlaub's first novel, so he did a very good job on the writing, overall.
"Justice" is a book I definitely recommend. I am looking forward to reading more in Eichenlaub's series/setting.
December 28, 2019
I got my copy at an author signing in Rochester at Collective Books and Records. How cool! Fun book. Anthony crafts an interesting future world full of tech including anti-gravity and man/machine hybrids. He incorporates it all in a plot pitting the downtrodden on the fringe of civilization against the entitled townies. His protagonist dispenses justice as Sheriff in a lawless landscape. The plot and characters are well written with clever dialogue and fast pacing. The author wraps everything up in a whirlwind ending. This reader wants to investigate Anthony's world again and will do so in Book 2.
August 23, 2023
Unlikeable and mostly incompetent protagonist depends for all his leads on his deputy, whom he hates, and keeps recklessly throwing himself into risky situations, which he only survives due to luck and/or the capabilities of his deputy, whom he hates.
Everything (read: mostly skirmishes) happens at a break-neck speed. By the 56% mark, where I stopped reading, we don’t really get to know any characters aside from 1) the MC, 2) an 11 yo boy smoking cigarettes and groping grown women, and 3) the MC’s deputy Trish who carries the whole operation on her back while having to deal with MC’s bullshit.
My favourite part of the book was the worldbuilding, but it didn’t outweigh my dislikes.
Everything (read: mostly skirmishes) happens at a break-neck speed. By the 56% mark, where I stopped reading, we don’t really get to know any characters aside from 1) the MC, 2) an 11 yo boy smoking cigarettes and groping grown women, and 3) the MC’s deputy Trish who carries the whole operation on her back while having to deal with MC’s bullshit.
My favourite part of the book was the worldbuilding, but it didn’t outweigh my dislikes.
December 26, 2019
Met the author last year and purchase the book from him. Nice guy! First time reading anything by him. It was an awesome story. One is which I can relate to. Each character I loved and I really didn't have everything figured out until the story told me. You know sometimes you can figure out who did what early on and then you have to push yourself to finish the book. I didn't have that problem in this book. I was guessing up until the last couple pages of who did what and why.
December 26, 2019
an interesting book in futuristic Texas. An old fastion sherif JD Crow prefers things slow and peaceful
but that evaporates when he is called into a murder on a local ranch. A new female deputy does not help matter much since she is much more high tech than the sherif and he resents that but justice much prevail. Humor and action all make for a good read oin the old western sense.
but that evaporates when he is called into a murder on a local ranch. A new female deputy does not help matter much since she is much more high tech than the sherif and he resents that but justice much prevail. Humor and action all make for a good read oin the old western sense.
June 23, 2021
Meh
I like westerners and I love science fiction. But I don't much like this book. The plot was obtuse. The plot holes are huge (a huge explosion and everyone shows up in the next scene? What's that?) the characters are wooden, and the locale is uninviting. I doubt I will read anything else by this author.
I like westerners and I love science fiction. But I don't much like this book. The plot was obtuse. The plot holes are huge (a huge explosion and everyone shows up in the next scene? What's that?) the characters are wooden, and the locale is uninviting. I doubt I will read anything else by this author.
June 29, 2021
This is a great read if you don't mind some over the top tech supposedly in place in the future. This is my first sci-fi western murder mystery. Didn't know that genre even existed.
The story is told in first person and MC comes across as an interesting and likeable character. First in a series but still a complete story.
The story is told in first person and MC comes across as an interesting and likeable character. First in a series but still a complete story.
July 5, 2021
The writing was good enough that I kept reading, even though I didn't like the world presented in the story. I think it is smartly put together and despite not particularly liking the world, I like the protagonist enough to get the second book, just to see what happens next. That's some good writing.
Read
June 7, 2021Sometimes you have to rely on someone who is less than perfect to come up with a solution to your problems and I'm this case J. D. is just that someone. Enough tech to do the job tempered with humanity and determination.
June 24, 2021
DNF 20%
I like sci-fi but the advanced tech in this story was too farfetched for me, e.g., bulletproof skin? It seemed more like a fantasy than sci-fi. And the twists and turns of the plot are too arbitrary, whenever some new deus ex machine tech comes along.
I like sci-fi but the advanced tech in this story was too farfetched for me, e.g., bulletproof skin? It seemed more like a fantasy than sci-fi. And the twists and turns of the plot are too arbitrary, whenever some new deus ex machine tech comes along.
November 11, 2021
The US has shattered and Texas is now a country. There are divides between the city people and the outworlders in the country.
Sheriff J.D. is investigating a murder but interference is happening - from city business and from drug business. AND most people have inbuilt tech.
Sheriff J.D. is investigating a murder but interference is happening - from city business and from drug business. AND most people have inbuilt tech.
January 27, 2025
Justice
This story was well written, with a well developed story line. It comes across as an old Texas western shoot-em-up with a sci-fi twist. Not my cup of tea, but I think many would enjoy it.
This story was well written, with a well developed story line. It comes across as an old Texas western shoot-em-up with a sci-fi twist. Not my cup of tea, but I think many would enjoy it.
March 1, 2018
An engaging adventure mystery told with old Western style and gentle humour.
June 6, 2021
Not my usual reading. Engaging and inventive. I liked main characters but sometimes got lost in the plot but it came to a satisfactory end.
July 27, 2021
Different
I Was confused about some of the tech. Ok read. It Didn’t
make me want to read the next book.
I Was confused about some of the tech. Ok read. It Didn’t
make me want to read the next book.
November 7, 2021
No romance ... the story is good. Imagine Johnny Mnemonic world mixed with the wilde west ...
May 1, 2014
Review for Justice in an Age of Metal and Men
“I wore cowboy boots and a dark brown duster made of real oilskin. I chewed snuff derived from a real fine tobacco extract. I had Texas Army-issued black metal replacing my whole left arm. I carried a modified Smith and Wesson Model 500 that had been manufactured before neural implants were even a thing. I believed in traditional Texas values, right down to my soul. Nobody was above the law and the law ought to stay out of people’s business when it’s not needed. As sheriff, my job was to keep it that way.�
This introductory paragraph from Anthony W. Eichenlaub’s book, Justice in an Age of Metal and Men, perfectly sums up the main character; Sheriff J.D. Crow. Believe me, Sherif Crow is about to have a couple of really bad days which will test both the mettle of his conviction and the metal of his army issued prosthesis. J.D. Crow is a typical hero in many ways, but with enough quirky elements to make him likeable, annoying, and extremely interesting. He’s a man trying to do his job, who doesn’t always make the best decisions, but is tenacious enough to stick it through to the very end.
I understand from my kids that the book fits a genre called Cyberpunk. I’m an old science fiction fan. I hail back to the days of the Apollo program, Heinlein, Ray Bradbury and the original Star Trek series. Space operas in other words. I have to admit I don’t know a lot about Cyberpunk, so of course I looked it up online. I didn’t know that the classic movie ‘Bladerunner� is Cyberpunk. Well, there’s a reason that my kids call me a dinosaur. However, if “Justice in an Age of Metal and Men is an example of Cyberpunk, I’ll be signing up for more.
I found the story a little confusing in a couple of places, but not enough to affect the fun I had reading it. Eichenlaub’s writing is excellent and I had no trouble immersing myself in the world that he presents and I appreciated that I didn’t need a Master’s in Science to understand what was going on. The pacing and flow of the story kept me reading to find out what would happen next. I have the feeling that Sheriff Crow’s story isn’t finished yet and I look forward to getting to know him better in the future. Most of all, I very much liked the fact that the story is complete and satisfying on its own. I hate being forced to read a series of four or five books to find out what the end of a story is. It’s one of the reasons that I stopped reading fantasy.
Justice in an Age of Metal and Men is well written and fun to read and I look forward to more writing from Anthony W. Eichenlaub. Overall, I give it a 4.5 out of five stars. Thanks Anthony!
“I wore cowboy boots and a dark brown duster made of real oilskin. I chewed snuff derived from a real fine tobacco extract. I had Texas Army-issued black metal replacing my whole left arm. I carried a modified Smith and Wesson Model 500 that had been manufactured before neural implants were even a thing. I believed in traditional Texas values, right down to my soul. Nobody was above the law and the law ought to stay out of people’s business when it’s not needed. As sheriff, my job was to keep it that way.�
This introductory paragraph from Anthony W. Eichenlaub’s book, Justice in an Age of Metal and Men, perfectly sums up the main character; Sheriff J.D. Crow. Believe me, Sherif Crow is about to have a couple of really bad days which will test both the mettle of his conviction and the metal of his army issued prosthesis. J.D. Crow is a typical hero in many ways, but with enough quirky elements to make him likeable, annoying, and extremely interesting. He’s a man trying to do his job, who doesn’t always make the best decisions, but is tenacious enough to stick it through to the very end.
I understand from my kids that the book fits a genre called Cyberpunk. I’m an old science fiction fan. I hail back to the days of the Apollo program, Heinlein, Ray Bradbury and the original Star Trek series. Space operas in other words. I have to admit I don’t know a lot about Cyberpunk, so of course I looked it up online. I didn’t know that the classic movie ‘Bladerunner� is Cyberpunk. Well, there’s a reason that my kids call me a dinosaur. However, if “Justice in an Age of Metal and Men is an example of Cyberpunk, I’ll be signing up for more.
I found the story a little confusing in a couple of places, but not enough to affect the fun I had reading it. Eichenlaub’s writing is excellent and I had no trouble immersing myself in the world that he presents and I appreciated that I didn’t need a Master’s in Science to understand what was going on. The pacing and flow of the story kept me reading to find out what would happen next. I have the feeling that Sheriff Crow’s story isn’t finished yet and I look forward to getting to know him better in the future. Most of all, I very much liked the fact that the story is complete and satisfying on its own. I hate being forced to read a series of four or five books to find out what the end of a story is. It’s one of the reasons that I stopped reading fantasy.
Justice in an Age of Metal and Men is well written and fun to read and I look forward to more writing from Anthony W. Eichenlaub. Overall, I give it a 4.5 out of five stars. Thanks Anthony!
February 21, 2016
This book has a great narrative that is delightfully sarcastic. I enjoyed the way the story unfolds.
Eichenlaub offers up a futuristic world seen through the eyes of a character that is very "old school" cowboy. You have a relatable main character in an unfamiliar world which helps guide the reader through this dystopian-like future. There are lots of interesting tech in this world. I think a lot more will be explored if there is a book two.
Eichenlaub's title character, J.D., while very cowboy-ish is also not your stereotypical cowboy. I appreciated the moments of vulnerability and growth that Eichenlaub explored with this character. I liked how the relationship between J.D. & Trish changed through the story also. I think she'll be an excellent character to explore in the future!
There are a few things I did not like. One was a cigarette-smoking 11 year old. The other was the religious fanatical element of the story. There was a good amout of religious slamming and not a good character counterpoint to the fanaticism. I had hoped more Hopi would have come in to play, and I think it will if this becomes a series. However, I tire of crazy religious leaders who have clearly not read the New Testament or anything Jesus taught.
Overall, Eichenlaub is a great storyteller. He masterfully laces subtle hints along the current of the main story to create a multi-layered plot structure. He creates unique characters and an interesting setting. I look forward to more from this author.
Eichenlaub offers up a futuristic world seen through the eyes of a character that is very "old school" cowboy. You have a relatable main character in an unfamiliar world which helps guide the reader through this dystopian-like future. There are lots of interesting tech in this world. I think a lot more will be explored if there is a book two.
Eichenlaub's title character, J.D., while very cowboy-ish is also not your stereotypical cowboy. I appreciated the moments of vulnerability and growth that Eichenlaub explored with this character. I liked how the relationship between J.D. & Trish changed through the story also. I think she'll be an excellent character to explore in the future!
There are a few things I did not like. One was a cigarette-smoking 11 year old. The other was the religious fanatical element of the story. There was a good amout of religious slamming and not a good character counterpoint to the fanaticism. I had hoped more Hopi would have come in to play, and I think it will if this becomes a series. However, I tire of crazy religious leaders who have clearly not read the New Testament or anything Jesus taught.
Overall, Eichenlaub is a great storyteller. He masterfully laces subtle hints along the current of the main story to create a multi-layered plot structure. He creates unique characters and an interesting setting. I look forward to more from this author.
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