Crazy Hawk

by R.J. Stewart

"A riveting futuristic tale of global ruin and rescue...In this post-apocalyptic tale, a fierce woman sets out to rescue her kidnapped sister and exact revenge…Stewart constructs a chilling, barren world and suspensefully chronicles Deirdre’s mission…This is a thoroughly absorbing book, one filled with thrilling action and psychologically subtle character portrayal."-Kirkus Reviews

Deirdre lives for one to get her sister back. Riding her Soul Horse, Danny, she relentlessly pursues the kidnappers through an America wrecked by the Great Virus, endless civil war and a collapse of the global order called the Breakdown. She’s forced by circumstances to ally with a nomadic photographer. His gentle decency moves her to the core, but her mission leads her away from the man she’s falling in love with and toward a confrontation with the people who hold her sister. To defeat them, she’ll need the help of the powerful Nations, a league of indigenous tribes. But there’s a problem. The Nations consider Deirdre a deadly enemy. They've even given her a nickname that signifies their grudging respect for this ferocious adversary. Crazy Hawk.

Genres: Dystopia, Fiction

439 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2024

About the author

R.J. Stewart is best known for writing the Duane Johnson movie, The Rundown, the Pierce Brosnan classic series, Remington Steele, and developing, writing and producing the Lucy Lawless ground-breaking series, Xena, Warrior Princess. He presently lives on a San Diego County horse ranch with his wife, Kat O'Connor. Various horses and dogs have been kind enough to share their ranch with R.J. and Kat, including Danny, a beautiful palomino who inspired the creation of the buckskin character in Crazy Hawk, R.J.'s first novel.

Reviews

[John (JC) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this post-apocalyptic novel there are four main groups. The Hussars are horse people of Indian descent. They are known for their robbing, fighting and horsemanship. The Nations are a combination of the Indian tribes that have no respect for the Hussars. The Trogs are a unorganized group that are often used by the Bees as cannon fodder. The Bees is a group which are capturing young children of good genes to help produce the perfect society. They are the best armed with efficient organization. They preach peace but do not hesitate to slaughter all in their way. There problem is the Bees kidnapping Deirdre’s, aka Crazy Hawk, sister. Her reputation as a fighter precedes her and she is on the hunt.
The characters are believable. Personalities clash often but others form strange alliances. Romance, anger, despair, resolution, sacrifice, faith and vengeance is common. The enemy of my enemy is my friend is very fitting.
There is a great amount of action with just an occasional dry spot. This writing has an acceptable ending. I feel my GR friends will enjoy this rollercoaster ride of literature.

[Tom Bookbeard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A post-apocalyptic pseudo-western written by one of the brains behind Xena: Warrior Princess. Do you even need to read the rest of this review? (Please read the rest of this review)

Let’s pause for a second. You’re reading this on one of your devices. Your device is probably backed up to the Cloud, right? Do you want to consider for a moment what would happen if the Cloud just … evaporated? That’s more or less all we get as for a reason behind the apocalyptic event in Crazy Hawk. And boy, that’s all we need.

See, it’s clear RJ Stewart has written for TV. Crazy Hawk simply feels like a TV show at times. Chapters are short and sharp, which keeps the plot moving along at a great pace. It's incredibly bingeable is what it is.

Step forward Deirde, a tribeswoman and the titular Crazy Hawk of the book. Our protagonist shares a bond with Danny, her soul horse, and is a mean shot with her rifle. She’s also a complete and utter badass. True Grit is referenced a few times in this novel and with good reason. There's a definite throwback to a classic in our heroine.

If you feel you'd enjoy a modern day western story with a kickass female protagonist then this is an absolute must-read.

[V.M. Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Crazy Hawk" by R.J. Stewart is a gripping post-apocalyptic thriller that masterfully combines intense action with deep psychological character development. The narrative follows Deirdre, a fierce and determined woman on a relentless quest to rescue her kidnapped sister. Set in a future America devastated by the Great Virus and civil war, Stewart constructs a chilling, desolate world known as the Breakdown. Deirdre's journey is fraught with danger and moral dilemmas, especially when she teams up with a nomadic photographer whose gentle nature contrasts starkly with her ruthless drive. The suspenseful plot kept me turning the pages as Deirdre navigated a treacherous landscape. Ultimately, it's a story of resilience and determination.

[Daniel Williams]

Unexpected and Complex

R.J. Stewart's "Crazy Hawk" is a gripping post-apocalyptic thriller that follows Deirdre Buford's relentless quest to find her kidnapped sister. Set in a ravaged America, the story blends intense action with unexpected alliances. Stewart, known for creating "Xena: Warrior Princess," crafts a unique protagonist in Deirdre - a complex, philosophical warrior with a dangerous edge. The bond between Deirdre and her horse, Danny, adds a touching dimension to this gritty tale. While the plot is intricate, Stewart's vivid storytelling and character depth keep you invested. If you enjoy post-apocalyptic adventures with a twist, "Crazy Hawk" is definitely worth a read.

[Lynne Krichbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book from start to finish. It's a mix of post apocalypse/western/love story/action-a little bit of everything. The main character is a badass woman who has honed her survival skills to survive in a very dangerous world. There are a lot of interesting characters in the book and some awesome battles that take place as the different tribes try to survive. I think the door was left wide open for a sequel, which I will want to read if and when it comes out.

[Linda Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different apocalyptic story

I REALLY liked this book! The story was very well written and I read it pretty quickly. Definitely got involved with the characters and how things played out. Lots happening to keep you interested!

[Joseph Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Post Apocalyptic

If you love Post Apocalyptic and Westerns, this is a book for you.

Deidre better known as Crazy Hawk has vowed to find her sister Mindy that has been kidnapped and kill anyone associated with the kidnapping. During this trial she falls in love with a man named Jube, and feelings are tugging at her center. Deidre loves Jube but cannot settle until she finds Mindy.

Carlyle and his group of kidnappers find and kidnap children. The children are then taken to what is known as The Bee Hive. A well fortified base that wants to start the world over. But at what cost?

[Phyllis Aitken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today's headlines are tomorrow's devastation.

What will the future be.. Grid is gone, self reliance reborn. Gathering of nations? Learn from histories repeated mistakes. Will the next generation sustain?

[Karen Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Lots of action in this story. It reminds one of westerns and war stories combined. There is hardly a dull moment. There is a love story but that is not the main part of the story. If you like science fiction then this is a great story.

[Diane Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

I love post apocalypse stories. Stewart is a wonderful storyteller. Better than most out there publishing right now. Highly recommend

[James Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Crazy Hawk: A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller" by R.J. Stewart is an electrifying ride that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish! Set in a vividly imagined future America devastated by war and disease, this novel follows the fierce and complex Deirdre Buford on her relentless quest to rescue her kidnapped sister.

From the get-go, this story grabbed me and didn't let go. Deirdre, also known as Crazy Hawk, is a kickass heroine who is as tough as nails yet emotionally layered, making her journey both gripping and relatable. Her battles against hostile tribes and human traffickers are intense, and her sharp wit and resilience add a refreshing depth to her character.

The world-building is spectacular. R.J. Stewart crafts a post-apocalyptic Southern California that feels both inevitable and imaginative. He brings the setting to life with vivid descriptions and authentic details, especially about horses and life in the American Southwest—no surprise given Stewart's background and love for equestrian life.

But what truly sets "Crazy Hawk" apart is its emotional depth and the richly developed relationships among the characters. Deirdre's interactions with her tribe, the Hussar, and her loyal steed, Danny, are heartwarming and engaging. The male co-lead, Jube, and the "lost" sister, Mindy, add further layers to the story, making the reader deeply invested in their fates.

Stewart's writing style is sharp and cinematic, a testament to his experience as a TV showrunner for XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS. This novel reads like a high-stakes adventure movie, complete with a rogue's gallery of villains and thrilling action scenes that are brutal and beautifully described.

In short, "Crazy Hawk" is a must-read for fans of post-apocalyptic thrillers, strong female leads, and epic adventures. With its mix of relentless action, emotional storytelling, and rich world-building, it's not just a page-turner—it's a book you'll want to see on the big screen someday. Here's hoping for a sequel to continue the adventures of Deirdre Buford!

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

This should have been longer and some of the backstory should have been part of the actual story itself.
Now the characters are great, Deirade especially. Unfortunately whenever the characters interacted, it felt slightly flat unless we are talking about the relationship between Deirande and Danny. Now I said that the backstory should have been apart of the story and I stand on that. I feel like I would have felt the stakes more if we had seen the before of Mindy’s kidnapping, the aftermath, and thennn 60 pages in, meet Jube. The start of the book felt abrupt and the ending felt abrupt as well. Jube and Deirande’s relationship felt odd at times and the pregnancy??? It didn’t raise the stakes, nor did I feel like it was urgent to protect the child. That’s not because they weren’t in a dangerous setting but it was because the writing didn’t make me feel like Deirande or the baby were in danger. It’s hard to explain.
The big battle didn’t feel like the battle for the valley, which was a really well written fight but the big battle was not the best. We were climbing, and climbing and hyping the Bees up and then we just really easily defeat them. I like the concept of this, very western, and some parts are well written. But then comes the part of the book I disliked the most : the “ please get my kids back” letter. It was supposed to be emotional but it felt like a to-do list. The only emotional part where I felt that strong emotion was when Danny went over the waterfall. I think exploring more of Danny and Deirande’s relationship would have added to the western element that is breaking out here. Maybe horses could have been even more of a tie in than they were, but maybe that’s just my inner horse girl. Overall, a good effort but I think more page time and more time working on the story was needed

[Donnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not great. It's a pretty cliche take on the post-apocalyptic genre, with your expected factions like raiders, psychos, the high-tech institute that is a little too interested in eugenics, and native tribes.

I have a lot of qualms with the writing. It's generic and flat. The characters are tropey and one-dimensional. It's very much a tell, not show, situation. Like, two characters who are polar opposites in personalities fall in love in one chapter and we're just supposed to believe that? Most of the scenes that should be the most action-packed and emotionally punchy are resolved in about one or two sentences with minimal detail. I read that the author has written for a bunch of movies and TV shows, and that kind of tracks for me, because it feels more like a loose script than a novel.

The other thing (and this may be a personal dislike) is that the book has this habit of skipping to the end of the scene and then describing the build-up in the next chapter. As an example, you'll see that a character that has been missing will show up out of nowhere to save the day, and then in the next chapter, you'll get a few sentences on how they managed to arrive there. It's not an awful technique, I think Stephen King uses it really well, but here it just kills all the suspense, I think.

One last nitpick, I thought the animal spirits were kind of a weird inclusion. Like, it was unclear whether or not they were truly supernatural, and I think it would've worked a lot better if it was 100% clear that this was only a reflection of the faction's spirituality.

Can't really recommend this one. If you want a mishmash of post-apocalyptic Western tropes, just go play Fallout New Vegas.

[Christian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Starts incredibly strong, then gets bogged down by cartoonishly evil, stupid archetypal villains—which is disappointing, given that the author does add significant depth to the early antagonists. I don’t understand why this pattern is so pervasive; it destroys suspense and undermines the realism of human nature, particularly how we justify evil and how that justification propagates and compounds.

What, am I supposed to believe that Crazy Hawk will not triumph over the empire of evil? Am I supposed to take, at face value, that an empire could stand on the shoulders of morons? Empires are built by disciplined, competent people, who share a vision and a ruthless will to impose it. That's what makes them scary - not the mustache twirling, or the evil plans for world domination. Part of what makes Andor so great, is how terrifyingly capable the ISB is ans how that capability is informed by experience and complete buy-in by its participants.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow as slow 🐢 can be except maybe the last 100-150 pages. I was puzzled by the high ratings. The above rating was probably generous. I was determined to finish this book because I asked my local library to order it. The book does not give you any idea why or what caused the apocalypse or really go into any detail. Also, unless you are a horse lover or cowboy, there are a lot of horse related terms you probably will not recognize. Unfortunately, my library could only get the printed form not the ebook, so I was not going to disrupt my reading to constantly look up words.

[Chelsi Ulrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a steady 3.5 ⭐️ for me throughout the duration. However, it won that half star in the end. Camaraderie, poetic justice, brutality, suspense, thrill, love, desire. It had it all. I didn’t love the whole Wild West, horse back riders, tribal aspect. Some of it was great. I also got a little freaked out because is this the future of the US? 👀 however, overall a great read. Also who doesn’t love bada** women who run the show!? 😏

[james baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a little different than the regular kind of dystopian novels but the characters are just as wooden as in most of them. Not much in the way of nuance here and the plot is pretty ridiculous not to mention the weird spiritual stuff. Not recommended. Hard to understand why anyone would give this 5 stars.

[bonny french · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read and enjoyed several post -apocalyptic thrillers...

but this is the best one I've read in well over a decade. What a great story and not from just one perspective. The way that everyone is changed by their relationship with Crazy Hawk is or was fascinating. Hope to hear more from R.J. Stewart. Very interesting.

[Melissa Burla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

I really enjoyed this unique take on a post apocalyptic world. The main character experiences a lot of change and grows from her experiences. The depiction of the various tribes formed after the world fell apart are believable, and the story is well-paced. Highly recommend.

[Emmeline Everdeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Characters

Fun read. I enjoyed the characters a lot. The adventure was exciting and the ending tied everything up nicely.
Definitely different then my usual apocalypse read but I enjoyed my time spent reading it.

[Sko Buffs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting take on the dystopian world we are heading to. The hero is a girl with a horse who is her best friend. Several different groups of people have banded together to form alliances. Well written, not a lot of gratuitous violence.

[Karla Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a world!

An amazing view into a post apocalypse world including a bit of back story on the forces that shaped it. The bond between Hawk and Danny was both mystical and physical as the story unfolds.

[Rachel Hester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drags you right in!

Great novel! Fantastic setting, characterization, plotting, pace, and dialog. This Stewart dude can WRITE!

I truly hope to read more about Crazy Hawk's adventures. And her family's.

[Jacob Arvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy the jumping around at the beginning of the book, but once every character was established it was a fun ride.

[Michael Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably more of a 3.5 for me

[Melissa Cutler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved- I could read a series with this woman. Felt like a quick end.

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. Read like I was watching it, very much like a screenplay.

[Dan Spettle · Rating 4 out of 5]

R.J. wrote a really good book.

The three main characters were described well. I developed real feelings for them. None were prefect in there views. The was nice. Read this book

[Wyatt Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting twist

Interesting tale of mixing ancient and modern technology and ideals. In the end, we all want the same thing, acceptance and love.

[R Deluna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was ok, I did want to know how story turned out. I gotta say was pretty pretentious.