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Odd Billy Todd
11-30-14
This book has been completely re-formatted and edited for a third time. I believe I have managed to correct the errors, and the new version will be uploaded in a new format that should (fingers crossed) eliminate the structure errors.
*****
Billy Todd has always been different. Most people called him odd, and those were the nice people. Born with a learning disability, Billy's parents never allowed him to consider himself disabled. Raised to be self-sufficient, Billy might not be as smart as some, but he's a lot smarter than people realized. So, when the entire world is devastated by a plague that kills over ninety-five percent of the population, Billy is not helpless. Believing he may be the only survivor in his town, he manages to place himself in a good position to survive alone in a new world.
But Billy isn't alone, as he soon finds out. There are others. Some are people he knows, and even likes. Some aren't so friendly. As survivors gather around him, Billy increasingly finds himself called on to help others survive in a new world that many are simply not capable of dealing with. Though struggling with his own issues, Billy manages to help his friends, new and old, make their way in a harsh new environment, using the 'old ways' his parents have taught him. He's prepared for almost anything thanks to his parents' foresight, but almost leaves out a few things. Like how to deal with women, how to care for teenagers now in his care, and how to interact with strangers who find themselves dependent on Billy and his friends for survival.
Billy's 'odd' ways are about to get a work out the likes of which even his parents never imagined.
Odd Billy Todd is a novel of approximately 250,000 words at last count.
This book has been completely re-formatted and edited for a third time. I believe I have managed to correct the errors, and the new version will be uploaded in a new format that should (fingers crossed) eliminate the structure errors.
*****
Billy Todd has always been different. Most people called him odd, and those were the nice people. Born with a learning disability, Billy's parents never allowed him to consider himself disabled. Raised to be self-sufficient, Billy might not be as smart as some, but he's a lot smarter than people realized. So, when the entire world is devastated by a plague that kills over ninety-five percent of the population, Billy is not helpless. Believing he may be the only survivor in his town, he manages to place himself in a good position to survive alone in a new world.
But Billy isn't alone, as he soon finds out. There are others. Some are people he knows, and even likes. Some aren't so friendly. As survivors gather around him, Billy increasingly finds himself called on to help others survive in a new world that many are simply not capable of dealing with. Though struggling with his own issues, Billy manages to help his friends, new and old, make their way in a harsh new environment, using the 'old ways' his parents have taught him. He's prepared for almost anything thanks to his parents' foresight, but almost leaves out a few things. Like how to deal with women, how to care for teenagers now in his care, and how to interact with strangers who find themselves dependent on Billy and his friends for survival.
Billy's 'odd' ways are about to get a work out the likes of which even his parents never imagined.
Odd Billy Todd is a novel of approximately 250,000 words at last count.
803 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2015
427 people are currently reading
632 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 276 reviews
July 25, 2024
WOW...WHAT A GREAT BOOK!
If you haven't had the chance to read anything by N.C. Reed, 'ODD BILLY TODD' is a great book to start with.
If you are into books that are full of action, suspense, drama, family values, sacrifice, and determination, this book is a must-read. The characters are clearly defined and you will find yourself glued to the pages to see what is on the next page as well as seeing how Billy Todd, Rhonda, Jerry, Toby, Shelly, and Emma work through the struggles they face in the aftermath of an unknown and unnamed virus that kills the majority of the population worldwide leaving those that have survived fighting to fend for themselves from everything from finding food, shelter, allies, and battling those who would take everything from those who have including their freedom and their lives.
I really can't tell you just how great this book is. N.C. Reed has a voice that he uses in his books that will have you believing you are part of the storyline yourself. The morals of his main characters in his books leave most of us to feel lacking, to say the least. I only hope that I could find myself surrounded by the likes of Billy, Rhonda, and the rest of Billy's group if I were to find myself in the same predicament they have.
This, as well, of all the other books I have read by N.C. Reed, are so much more than a post-apocalyptic story. It's a story of family, friends, loved ones, and neighbors that band together not only for survival but because that its the right thing to do.
I highly recommend this book and really hope that N.C. Reed will take pen to paper and write additional books in this story. It's got a lot of potential to be a very great series.
I hope you will enjoy reading this book as much as I do.
If you haven't had the chance to read anything by N.C. Reed, 'ODD BILLY TODD' is a great book to start with.
If you are into books that are full of action, suspense, drama, family values, sacrifice, and determination, this book is a must-read. The characters are clearly defined and you will find yourself glued to the pages to see what is on the next page as well as seeing how Billy Todd, Rhonda, Jerry, Toby, Shelly, and Emma work through the struggles they face in the aftermath of an unknown and unnamed virus that kills the majority of the population worldwide leaving those that have survived fighting to fend for themselves from everything from finding food, shelter, allies, and battling those who would take everything from those who have including their freedom and their lives.
I really can't tell you just how great this book is. N.C. Reed has a voice that he uses in his books that will have you believing you are part of the storyline yourself. The morals of his main characters in his books leave most of us to feel lacking, to say the least. I only hope that I could find myself surrounded by the likes of Billy, Rhonda, and the rest of Billy's group if I were to find myself in the same predicament they have.
This, as well, of all the other books I have read by N.C. Reed, are so much more than a post-apocalyptic story. It's a story of family, friends, loved ones, and neighbors that band together not only for survival but because that its the right thing to do.
I highly recommend this book and really hope that N.C. Reed will take pen to paper and write additional books in this story. It's got a lot of potential to be a very great series.
I hope you will enjoy reading this book as much as I do.
February 6, 2020
I am baffled that this book has such high reviews. I love apocalypse books but this one was chalked full of some right wing gun-happy self reliance bullshit for sure. Was there even a single woman who reviewed this book before publication? This should be titled: Really boring account of post apocalypse folksy justice and hundreds of boring details about guns and trucks that you never wanted to know. Why the hell are all the women left to cook, garden, and tend the children? Even Rhonda who is supposedly this empowered spitfire happily does all the housework while the men are out making decisions. Plus they're too fragile to say the words "TAMPONS" or "RAPE" even though they come up frequently in the book. Hideous. I almost never stop reading part way through a book, but I didn't make it half way through this one.
February 9, 2015
To be honest I didn't want to put this book down and spent about 7 hours reading it almost non stop before realising that i actually needed to get some sleep.
Unlike some authors N.C. Reed ensures that all of the characters in the book have a reason for being there and that there is consistent character growth throughout. Billy is the main character and is considered an Odd man who was "born out of his time" before the SHTF and most of the world is killed by a virus, however thanks to his parents training from the time he was young he is well prepared for the new world he finds himself in.
Over time people come to rely on him and lessons are learnt about the true value of a person. He is honest, hard working, fair and would do anything (and often proves it) for those he cares about and sees as family.
Well worth a first and second read.
Unlike some authors N.C. Reed ensures that all of the characters in the book have a reason for being there and that there is consistent character growth throughout. Billy is the main character and is considered an Odd man who was "born out of his time" before the SHTF and most of the world is killed by a virus, however thanks to his parents training from the time he was young he is well prepared for the new world he finds himself in.
Over time people come to rely on him and lessons are learnt about the true value of a person. He is honest, hard working, fair and would do anything (and often proves it) for those he cares about and sees as family.
Well worth a first and second read.
February 10, 2018
Survivalist fantasy. Ninety-five percent of population dies of a virus; those surviving come to a kill or be killed mode of living. Guns, guns, and more guns. The author clearly has a fixation on guns as he goes into minute detail about every make and model, how it shoots, the ammo it uses, etc., etc. I glossed over that to move the story along.
Initially Billy Todd is an interesting, well-developed character before the author descends into survivalist mode. By the middle of the book, the original Billy is only a faint memory and becomes more patriarchal and quietly dictatorial on each successive page.
Rhonda, his survivalist partner, begins as a strong character who is quick to voice her opinions. This strong character is slowly eroded by Billy's changing character.
I was reading this on my e-book reader when I was alerted to recharge my battery. Broke the spell I was under from the compelling story line, so I have been disinclined to return to it.
Initially Billy Todd is an interesting, well-developed character before the author descends into survivalist mode. By the middle of the book, the original Billy is only a faint memory and becomes more patriarchal and quietly dictatorial on each successive page.
Rhonda, his survivalist partner, begins as a strong character who is quick to voice her opinions. This strong character is slowly eroded by Billy's changing character.
I was reading this on my e-book reader when I was alerted to recharge my battery. Broke the spell I was under from the compelling story line, so I have been disinclined to return to it.
January 29, 2016
In all fairness this book was a bit of a letdown. In other words, it wasn't my kind of read. From the book-blurb I expected a better story and more refined writing, but what I got was a repetitive story about a simple young man, who thanks to his practical nature and resourcefulness becomes the reluctant leader of a small community in rural Tennessee, trying to survive after a plague hit and wiped out most of earth’s population.
When I say repetitive, I mean - for instance the mention of Billy Todd being different, being slow, being not-so-smart recurs about 100 times in the book. Enough already, we know this.
The rest of the book is some sort of guide-book on how to form a new community, who to trust, which basic needs are to be met. It all made sense to me, so it was not all bad, but the way I see it this story could be told in a much more concise way. The same dialogue between the same protagonists was repeated over and over again: how they would tackle this or that - their exchanges were basically identical every time, word for word. Except for the 50 last of the 800 pages when they face off the villains. At that point there was more action and at least something different.
My experience when finishing a book is that I like to walk away with either having been moved, or having learned something – or at least some kind of feeling or lingering thought. Here I felt nothing. Also I couldn't believe the editing mistakes - the names being mixed up - or the many spelling errors.
As I said, not my thing really - and honestly a 2 star is generous (in all sympathy and kindness).
When I say repetitive, I mean - for instance the mention of Billy Todd being different, being slow, being not-so-smart recurs about 100 times in the book. Enough already, we know this.
The rest of the book is some sort of guide-book on how to form a new community, who to trust, which basic needs are to be met. It all made sense to me, so it was not all bad, but the way I see it this story could be told in a much more concise way. The same dialogue between the same protagonists was repeated over and over again: how they would tackle this or that - their exchanges were basically identical every time, word for word. Except for the 50 last of the 800 pages when they face off the villains. At that point there was more action and at least something different.
My experience when finishing a book is that I like to walk away with either having been moved, or having learned something – or at least some kind of feeling or lingering thought. Here I felt nothing. Also I couldn't believe the editing mistakes - the names being mixed up - or the many spelling errors.
As I said, not my thing really - and honestly a 2 star is generous (in all sympathy and kindness).
March 9, 2017
What a book, didn't want it to end.
I very rarely read a book twice and
Usually if I do it's only skim reading to my favorite bits.
This book completely absorbed me so much so I gave up sleep to read on.
Don't know if I can read anymore dystopian novels as this pretty much
Nailed the whole genre.
Read it twice now and it still absorbs me.
Would love to see a sequel a there seems to be more stories for Billy.
I very rarely read a book twice and
Usually if I do it's only skim reading to my favorite bits.
This book completely absorbed me so much so I gave up sleep to read on.
Don't know if I can read anymore dystopian novels as this pretty much
Nailed the whole genre.
Read it twice now and it still absorbs me.
Would love to see a sequel a there seems to be more stories for Billy.
October 20, 2014
Great book
I have read many books over my lifetime and this one goes right up there with the best. I didn't want it to end. I have read so many serial books on kindle and was beginning to think I'd never see a real novel without spending more money than I can afford. For the first time in a long time, I wish there was a sequel.
I have read many books over my lifetime and this one goes right up there with the best. I didn't want it to end. I have read so many serial books on kindle and was beginning to think I'd never see a real novel without spending more money than I can afford. For the first time in a long time, I wish there was a sequel.
October 22, 2020
Not sure who came first, but it was like reading the walking dead, but with no zombies. Some of the story ideas were so similar it made me think there are no original ideas left.
Billy Todd was initially a cool character, and things started out interesting, but the book took the whole men’s issues and women’s issues and made a clear divide between the two and their roles. As if that was just the way it had to be. That in itself started the smoke wanting to pour from my ears. I wanted to really like the book, based on who recommended it to me, but the more I read, the more I felt betrayed that they did not get as disgusted as I did by the 1950s gender roles, and the dumbing down of women characters that had started out pretty brilliantly. There were a couple of times I wanted to chuck the book at the wall, and I miss the ability to do that, not chucking my iPad.
I started skipping whole lines of text trying to find the good stuff In the last third of the book. I’m amazed I actually finished it.
Billy Todd was initially a cool character, and things started out interesting, but the book took the whole men’s issues and women’s issues and made a clear divide between the two and their roles. As if that was just the way it had to be. That in itself started the smoke wanting to pour from my ears. I wanted to really like the book, based on who recommended it to me, but the more I read, the more I felt betrayed that they did not get as disgusted as I did by the 1950s gender roles, and the dumbing down of women characters that had started out pretty brilliantly. There were a couple of times I wanted to chuck the book at the wall, and I miss the ability to do that, not chucking my iPad.
I started skipping whole lines of text trying to find the good stuff In the last third of the book. I’m amazed I actually finished it.
July 12, 2018
Very interesting book
I got lost in this book at the beginning, which means I hope the rest of the book would not disappoint. It did not. This was a post apocalyptic story, which revolved around one main character Billy Todd. After a plague destroyed the world and most of all the people, Billy was one of a few to survive. Even though he was known as “being slow”, which was a stigma he carried throughout his life, he was destined to be a leader. His struggles with pain, mentally and physically was a problem he tried to overcome. However, being able to prepare himself as his parents had taught him, he was able to save a bunch of worthy people and start a brand new community with the help of others. Finding love, on top of gaining the respect of his neighbors, showed Billy the self respect that he had always craved.
Not only was this book very exciting during all the trials and tribulations of everyday life, but it was very helpful in teaching how to be ready for every possible turn of the day. Hopefully, this story would never happen in the U.S.A., but that’s what Billy thought too!
There was only one criticism that I had for the book. There were a lot of misspelled words and grammatical mistakes. Even those idiosyncrasies did not keep me from continuously turning the pages.
I recommend this book highly.
I got lost in this book at the beginning, which means I hope the rest of the book would not disappoint. It did not. This was a post apocalyptic story, which revolved around one main character Billy Todd. After a plague destroyed the world and most of all the people, Billy was one of a few to survive. Even though he was known as “being slow”, which was a stigma he carried throughout his life, he was destined to be a leader. His struggles with pain, mentally and physically was a problem he tried to overcome. However, being able to prepare himself as his parents had taught him, he was able to save a bunch of worthy people and start a brand new community with the help of others. Finding love, on top of gaining the respect of his neighbors, showed Billy the self respect that he had always craved.
Not only was this book very exciting during all the trials and tribulations of everyday life, but it was very helpful in teaching how to be ready for every possible turn of the day. Hopefully, this story would never happen in the U.S.A., but that’s what Billy thought too!
There was only one criticism that I had for the book. There were a lot of misspelled words and grammatical mistakes. Even those idiosyncrasies did not keep me from continuously turning the pages.
I recommend this book highly.
June 6, 2019
The characters are likeable and the narrative is fast paced. I really liked it. There are, however, major flaws.
The phrases "women folk" and "men folk" need to be erased from this genre entirely. "Women folk" especially grates as it comes off as patronly. Yes, men and women in dire situations do tend to go into traditional gender roles. There's no reason to go overboard with it. Rhonda was a good reminder of this. Until she went off on a two page monologue about how good it felt to have a man take care of her.
Also, women are not genetically programmed to know how to can and sew. Just needed to point that out.
A random phrase hit me like a ton of bricks. Maria apparently came from a "Latin Ghetto.". What? WHAT? Is she a rose from Spanish Harlem or what? What was the purpose?
This book is also a good example why professional proofreaders are a thing. It's "ninos" not "ninios". "Payed" isn't a word but "paid” is. The list goes on and on.
And the book does fall prey to one really irritating convention of the genre:. Folksy Speech. Oh Lord, spare us this contrivance. A phrase here and there would do the trick of establishing the place and background of the main characters.
And yet I was compelled to give the book 4 stars. The narrative carries it even while the flaws distract.
The phrases "women folk" and "men folk" need to be erased from this genre entirely. "Women folk" especially grates as it comes off as patronly. Yes, men and women in dire situations do tend to go into traditional gender roles. There's no reason to go overboard with it. Rhonda was a good reminder of this. Until she went off on a two page monologue about how good it felt to have a man take care of her.
Also, women are not genetically programmed to know how to can and sew. Just needed to point that out.
A random phrase hit me like a ton of bricks. Maria apparently came from a "Latin Ghetto.". What? WHAT? Is she a rose from Spanish Harlem or what? What was the purpose?
This book is also a good example why professional proofreaders are a thing. It's "ninos" not "ninios". "Payed" isn't a word but "paid” is. The list goes on and on.
And the book does fall prey to one really irritating convention of the genre:. Folksy Speech. Oh Lord, spare us this contrivance. A phrase here and there would do the trick of establishing the place and background of the main characters.
And yet I was compelled to give the book 4 stars. The narrative carries it even while the flaws distract.
September 18, 2017
Wow
New favourite author his stories are descriptive interesting and complete that is very satisfying to me ,thanks it's been a while
New favourite author his stories are descriptive interesting and complete that is very satisfying to me ,thanks it's been a while
May 3, 2019
The author used the vernacular of his area which made it seem authentic when the characters were speaking. However, it was annoying while the author or narrator spoke, because then it seemed as though a cover-up for lack of self-editing skills. Despite it's obvious need of an editor, I really did enjoy this book during the first half. It should have been left as a short story as the second half felt very much like filler material. Repetitive. I am glad the 'non-existent writer' NC Reed continued writing and began employing an editor because the series I am reading now is much better and his characters are so well developed. I look forward to finishing the series I am on now.
January 7, 2020
Where is the editor here? Repetitive scenes are an earmark of this book. And the descriptive minutiae of the various firearms, or how to create hydro power, etc...made my eyes cross. I really can't imagine reading this book. I instead listened to the audio book which made the characters more interesting then they were depicted. Cardboard characters in stereotypical roles.
I don't understand this rating at all, but it was the basis of why I chose to spend 25 hours and 17 mins listening to it. Considering 95% of the population was wiped out, there was a lot of killing going on.
I don't understand this rating at all, but it was the basis of why I chose to spend 25 hours and 17 mins listening to it. Considering 95% of the population was wiped out, there was a lot of killing going on.
April 11, 2020
I have mixed emotions regarding this book. I was so looking forward to it based on the reviews but sadly it fell short from being great. When it finished I said “Thank God” because it was over. I spent the last hours looking forward to my next read then enjoying my current one. It was too predictable and dragged in. I felt the author spent a lot of time to educate the reader on what to do during post apocalyptic times and am now worried that my gun arsenal is inadequate and I will be ill prepared.
October 26, 2017
Y'all come back now, ya hear?
Another apocalypse book. In this one, a young man survives the plague and is worried that he may be the last person left alive. Billy Todd is a simple sort of southern man, who has an automobile repair shop in a small town. Billy had a learning disability, and most people thought he was slow, but he has some excellent skills perfectly suited for living through the apocalypse.
One thing I really liked was that this is a more or less 'book-length' book, and not part of a trilogy. (Something I wish more authors would try.)
This is set in rural Tennessee, and all the characters have a strong southern accent, something that occasionally gets on your nerves. Although if there were no tv or radio for a very long time, I expect that regional accents would become more pronounced. Being from Georgia I do hear southern accents, but I would have preferred a little less.
Anyway, it's a very decent first book. There were a few errors, but I could live with them.
Results: although a little more colloquial than I would have liked, it's an interesting story.
Another apocalypse book. In this one, a young man survives the plague and is worried that he may be the last person left alive. Billy Todd is a simple sort of southern man, who has an automobile repair shop in a small town. Billy had a learning disability, and most people thought he was slow, but he has some excellent skills perfectly suited for living through the apocalypse.
One thing I really liked was that this is a more or less 'book-length' book, and not part of a trilogy. (Something I wish more authors would try.)
This is set in rural Tennessee, and all the characters have a strong southern accent, something that occasionally gets on your nerves. Although if there were no tv or radio for a very long time, I expect that regional accents would become more pronounced. Being from Georgia I do hear southern accents, but I would have preferred a little less.
Anyway, it's a very decent first book. There were a few errors, but I could live with them.
Results: although a little more colloquial than I would have liked, it's an interesting story.
February 26, 2020
I cannot believe how much I didn’t enjoy this book. I really should’ve dropped it about a third in but I have issues with leaving things unfinished. The last half I listened at 3x the speed just to be done with it. There’s nothing actually “odd” about Billy Todd. He goes from an interesting character dealing with an apocalyptic world while having a disability to being the perfect man basically circle jerked by everyone around him. Not literally though, for the author won’t use dirty words regarding sex or even... tampons.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2021
Interesting to read at the end that this was Reed's first work. I think it was extremely well done and recommend it highly.
"Odd Billy Todd" was long and lagged a bit in some parts but made up for it in a believable story line with realistic, well developed characters. One of the failings of many post-apocalyptic, dystopian pieces of fiction is the author's manufacture of a main character with almost super-human capabilities. Not so with this one. I think there's a bit of odd Billy Todd in most of us.
It's a good yarn. There aren't a lot of books that can make that claim.
"Odd Billy Todd" was long and lagged a bit in some parts but made up for it in a believable story line with realistic, well developed characters. One of the failings of many post-apocalyptic, dystopian pieces of fiction is the author's manufacture of a main character with almost super-human capabilities. Not so with this one. I think there's a bit of odd Billy Todd in most of us.
It's a good yarn. There aren't a lot of books that can make that claim.
July 23, 2020
(DNF) This was pretty bad. I might have out more effort into getting past 20% if it weren't so long. Cutting out the times it was pointed out that Billy wasn't considered smart in conventional ways, but was brilliant in useful ways would probably cut the book down by a third. It wouldn't make it good though. Shallow characters, insulting gender tropes, and a lot of unrealistic everything else makes this not worth the effort. Sorry, Billy.
June 17, 2025
Love Billy Todd! Nice spending a few days with Billy, a literary original. My best description of him is 2/6 Redneck Robinhood, 2/6 Farmer Forest Gump, 2/6 Sweetheart Superhero. Lots of action within, and the slow parts are full of life lessons and McGyver-ish inspirations. Will read again and again.
October 1, 2023
I’m surprised by the overall high rating of this book. I had to pick this book up many times over several months in order to finish. There’s some great parts, but a decided lack of suspense. I’ll try to hit some of the things that kept my enjoyment of the book being higher.
There is quite a bit that happens in the hundreds of pages of this book, but it all just happens without much adversity. There’s some to like from this book, and quite a bit that left me scratching my head.
Starting with the character of Billy Todd, I’m perplexed. He’s described as odd even in the title, but as the book wears on he doesn’t seem to be very handicapped by any condition. He goes into some thought spirals, has something like a panic attack early on, and then seems overwhelmed by large crowds and noise. However, none of that seems to hamper his ability to take part in combat. In the end he turns out to not be all that odd. Toby and Shelly’s character arcs and changes were more compelling than some sort of unseen handicap that really was never an issue.
There’s a lot of characters in this story. Many are just two dimensional. Many just appear exactly when they’re needed and make things go more smoothly for the crew. The one I’m most disappointed by was Rhonda. She had promise, but in the end just seemed to whine anytime Billy needed to do something. She would have been capable of joining him and doing everything he did, but in the end, she just stayed home.
The main antagonists of the story are the militaristic group on a train. I was waiting and waiting for a showdown that left me feeling flat. I think there were more pages devoted to situation with Debby coming off her meds, or the drama with the kids caregivers. We got a great few chapters on the conflict with the group in Franklin, I hoped for something similar with the main big bad guys that were built up for 95% of the novel.
The farms were interesting, but there was never a lack of anything. They found everything they needed and then some. Everything always seemed to work. Nothing ever broke, nothing went wrong. Then there was the building and the fortifications that ultimately never got used for anything. For all the danger teased through hundreds of pages they never had to defend the farms. No one ever died, and rarely was anyone ever hurt.
I am willing to bet I’m not the only one bothered by language and vernacular. The author did a good job of conveying accent, but it was annoying to read.
Finally, I’m perplexed by the author’s reluctance to speak with any candor about feminine hygiene products. But more confusing was the fact that he never used the word rape, despite it being an ever present danger, and something that was clearly happening and part of the plot. I understand that there is no need need to be gratuitous or crass, but the way it was handled was very awkward.
Some things I did like about the book included the early trips into Franklin. That offered some great insight into larger communities pulling together. The moral dilemma, however short, and then forgotten around dispatching the pedophile entering the community. The chapters where Billy and Pete were liberating Franklin were great. Though I’m bothered that we didn’t get to hear the end of Big John, the only bad guy that was slightly more than two dimensional.
I’m a fan of this genre. This book promised something different with the main character, but it never delivered on that. It also didn’t deliver a compelling climax. Overall, this one wasn’t one of my favorite.
There is quite a bit that happens in the hundreds of pages of this book, but it all just happens without much adversity. There’s some to like from this book, and quite a bit that left me scratching my head.
Starting with the character of Billy Todd, I’m perplexed. He’s described as odd even in the title, but as the book wears on he doesn’t seem to be very handicapped by any condition. He goes into some thought spirals, has something like a panic attack early on, and then seems overwhelmed by large crowds and noise. However, none of that seems to hamper his ability to take part in combat. In the end he turns out to not be all that odd. Toby and Shelly’s character arcs and changes were more compelling than some sort of unseen handicap that really was never an issue.
There’s a lot of characters in this story. Many are just two dimensional. Many just appear exactly when they’re needed and make things go more smoothly for the crew. The one I’m most disappointed by was Rhonda. She had promise, but in the end just seemed to whine anytime Billy needed to do something. She would have been capable of joining him and doing everything he did, but in the end, she just stayed home.
The main antagonists of the story are the militaristic group on a train. I was waiting and waiting for a showdown that left me feeling flat. I think there were more pages devoted to situation with Debby coming off her meds, or the drama with the kids caregivers. We got a great few chapters on the conflict with the group in Franklin, I hoped for something similar with the main big bad guys that were built up for 95% of the novel.
The farms were interesting, but there was never a lack of anything. They found everything they needed and then some. Everything always seemed to work. Nothing ever broke, nothing went wrong. Then there was the building and the fortifications that ultimately never got used for anything. For all the danger teased through hundreds of pages they never had to defend the farms. No one ever died, and rarely was anyone ever hurt.
I am willing to bet I’m not the only one bothered by language and vernacular. The author did a good job of conveying accent, but it was annoying to read.
Finally, I’m perplexed by the author’s reluctance to speak with any candor about feminine hygiene products. But more confusing was the fact that he never used the word rape, despite it being an ever present danger, and something that was clearly happening and part of the plot. I understand that there is no need need to be gratuitous or crass, but the way it was handled was very awkward.
Some things I did like about the book included the early trips into Franklin. That offered some great insight into larger communities pulling together. The moral dilemma, however short, and then forgotten around dispatching the pedophile entering the community. The chapters where Billy and Pete were liberating Franklin were great. Though I’m bothered that we didn’t get to hear the end of Big John, the only bad guy that was slightly more than two dimensional.
I’m a fan of this genre. This book promised something different with the main character, but it never delivered on that. It also didn’t deliver a compelling climax. Overall, this one wasn’t one of my favorite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2022
How refreshing to have a full-length book that is a stand-alone story as well. First my quibbles: Billy starts out as someone who has "challenges" and almost seems like a Forrest Gump-like person in the beginning of the story. It became clear that he had a learning disability and was not intellect challenged, but it became a little tedious how often the other characters had to comment on how amazing Billy was and how he could see solutions others could not. It was a bit surprising how many actually obvious solutions former soldiers, farmers etc missed until Billy said it. I also found it rather against the odds that so many people from one family and so many people from a group of friends would have survived this pandemic, especially in Franklin. There are also writing errors in grammar, word usage (read face instead of red face) and phraseology. It took me a bit to get used to what appears to be a regional dialect in Tennessee in the dialogue but there were a lot of phrasing and language issues outside of the dialogue. A good editor could have helped all that. While that all sounds negative, I found this to be a first rate story. It is not a high octane action novel but moves long as the characters have to figure out how to solve some problems and improvise and I really enjoyed that a lot. There is a lot of this gun vs that gun but some of the other items that they had to think about in the new environment was very interesting. While the gender roles tended to break down along somewhat traditional lines (very possible in a real scenario, I'm afraid), the women are also good at seeing and solving community problems. I would have loved to have given 5 stars, but the editing issues made that a tough call.
February 22, 2020
I've never read N.C. Reed before, but this came in the window of deals for post-apocalyptic stories last month. I'm very pleased with the results of picking this. The characters are engaging and the plot of how a young man some call dumb is able to help a community rebuild after a devastating plague. I love stories where people have to find a way to rebuild after a post-apocalyptic event, and this is one of the best I've read. I don't often read those stories without zombies, but this one had such great character interest and steps to what the community would need next that I enjoyed the story without the horror bent. In that way, if you're looking for a post-apocalyptic survival story without the horror, this would be a top recommendation. The narrator is world class, with spot-on accents for the southern twang and various other characters, including an Apache, which I don't hear very often and was a pleasant surprise. If I had a drawback it was that it ended and I don't know if there will be more stories or if that was it. There is conclusion, but I hope there will be more. I can see how there might not be, though, so I guess I'll wait. With the quality of writing and story telling I experienced, I'd be glad to pick up another N.C. Reed title, even if it isn't in my preferred genres.
March 19, 2021
I love a good apocalypse. This is a pretty good apocalypse, so it has that going for it. I like a good prepper list, it also has that. It's unfortunately also so very sexist. All the women vacillate wildly between being reactionary assholes and subjugating themselves when they get The Look from a proper male authority who has Had Enough. I have also never known a farm family (and I come from farming people) where the women just cooked and canned? They still have all their modern conveniences, it's not like she needed to spend 5 hours actively doing laundry.
Another downside was that if you removed every paragraph where someone mentally or verbally patted Billy on the back for being so smart (even though he's "different"), so wise (for trotting out one of his daddy's proverbs), or so savvy (for pointing out obvious solutions that honestly the rest of the cast of characters were blind not to see) the book would be half as long.
Also, it was the gay plague? Zero gay characters, although to be honest I'd probably have quickly gone my own way after meeting these folks unless I were willing to toe their patriarchal straight/binary line.
And there's this conversation that happens twice a chapter.
random farm denizen: I sure do wish we had _______ still.
Billy: Well, can we build _______?
random farm denizen: Well, dang! Why I ain't never think of that? You're so smart, Billy.
Another downside was that if you removed every paragraph where someone mentally or verbally patted Billy on the back for being so smart (even though he's "different"), so wise (for trotting out one of his daddy's proverbs), or so savvy (for pointing out obvious solutions that honestly the rest of the cast of characters were blind not to see) the book would be half as long.
Also, it was the gay plague? Zero gay characters, although to be honest I'd probably have quickly gone my own way after meeting these folks unless I were willing to toe their patriarchal straight/binary line.
And there's this conversation that happens twice a chapter.
random farm denizen: I sure do wish we had _______ still.
Billy: Well, can we build _______?
random farm denizen: Well, dang! Why I ain't never think of that? You're so smart, Billy.
June 24, 2022
Post-Apocalyptic Red Neck Utopia
As a self-confessed liberal red neck, I must say I found this book a guilty pleasure. It has nothing to do with reality, since the good guys are bulletproof. None of them dies. Very few are even injured. PTSD manifests as little more than the occasional head cold, unless you count the rationalization of cold blooded murder masquerading as self defense.
In truth, I really think this book could be better placed in the genre of propaganda. The author makes no attempt to show- this book is all telling- making sure that there is absolutely no shadow of ambiguity about what people think or feel. Reality itself is constantly explained so that every atrocity enacted by the good guys is somehow justified. Black people are missing from this apocalypse in the middle of Tennessee. One Mexican who can’t speak good English and one Native American who sounds a bit like Tonto. The women’s voices are whiny or shreaking ad nauseum. Made me wonder if that must be the voice the narrator hears in his head whenever any woman talks.
Still, there is a good set of bones in the plot. A good basic story. Would’ve been nice if this book had gone through a second and third round of editing to cull out the constant instructions to the reader about what to think and feel about every last detail.
As a self-confessed liberal red neck, I must say I found this book a guilty pleasure. It has nothing to do with reality, since the good guys are bulletproof. None of them dies. Very few are even injured. PTSD manifests as little more than the occasional head cold, unless you count the rationalization of cold blooded murder masquerading as self defense.
In truth, I really think this book could be better placed in the genre of propaganda. The author makes no attempt to show- this book is all telling- making sure that there is absolutely no shadow of ambiguity about what people think or feel. Reality itself is constantly explained so that every atrocity enacted by the good guys is somehow justified. Black people are missing from this apocalypse in the middle of Tennessee. One Mexican who can’t speak good English and one Native American who sounds a bit like Tonto. The women’s voices are whiny or shreaking ad nauseum. Made me wonder if that must be the voice the narrator hears in his head whenever any woman talks.
Still, there is a good set of bones in the plot. A good basic story. Would’ve been nice if this book had gone through a second and third round of editing to cull out the constant instructions to the reader about what to think and feel about every last detail.
May 16, 2020
I have mixed feelings about this book. My Mom has the audiobook and told me to read it. On one hand I couldn’t put it down. On the other I found it to be infuriatingly bad. So basically I’ve decided this book is a prepping right-winger’s masturbatory fantasy. We learn everything about guns but we can’t read the words pads/tampons. Those words are just too sensitive. Lots of killing and Jesus is totally cool with it. Rape is a major theme but of course the word rape isn’t in the book at all. Again the word is too sensitive. But we get all the intricate details of the justified killing of rapists.
I’m also not a fan of the traditional gender roles. Women defer everything to the men folk. We keep getting told everyone has to work and learn new skills. If that’s the case then I think the men need to learn how to cook, clean, care for the kids, do all of the domestic stuff they expect from the women. Throughout the story women are weak. I’m just not here for that BS. Several things that needed doing could have been done by women.
With all that said it was entertaining. It’s not meant to be a comedy but I laughed at several points. I’m not ashamed to say I’ll probably read Reed’s other work. This is like the literary equivalent of a bad SyFy channel movie.
I’m also not a fan of the traditional gender roles. Women defer everything to the men folk. We keep getting told everyone has to work and learn new skills. If that’s the case then I think the men need to learn how to cook, clean, care for the kids, do all of the domestic stuff they expect from the women. Throughout the story women are weak. I’m just not here for that BS. Several things that needed doing could have been done by women.
With all that said it was entertaining. It’s not meant to be a comedy but I laughed at several points. I’m not ashamed to say I’ll probably read Reed’s other work. This is like the literary equivalent of a bad SyFy channel movie.
February 14, 2019
I found the different approach to dealing with survival after an apocalyptic event refreshing because the author didn't feel the need to have unnatural monsters as the main menace. But there was what could be called monsters. However, after the first 200 pages of this 400+ page book I was getting very bored with the huge amount of time spent recounting the similar everyday tasks that the survivors had to do. I like to read slowly to savor what I read. For the last half of the book I gradually read faster and faster and for the last 100 pages was reading each page in about 1 minute by only reading the first sentence in each paragraph. On occasion there would be something that wasn't every day repetitive events. I would read all of those 2-3 pages and then return to the 1 sentence technique for a lot of pages. I see a lot of 5 star reviews so obviously some people will enjoy this book. For people who like books that provide a feeling of "I could hardly put the book down because I wanted to know what would happen next", you will be bored to tears.
September 8, 2018
Wow. Just wow.
Incredible that this was the authors’ first work and he originally meant it to be a short story. The characters, the storyline completely captivated me. I’ve read a lot of apocalyptic novels, but I rank this one at the top of the list.
I too have some “Odd Billy Todd” characters in my life. Never underestimate them! Billy is a character I’ll never forget. No spoilers, but if you finish this story, you’ll feel like celebrating afterwards. I did.
Debbie was another unforgettable character, because I could relate to her plight. Paxil, the devils drug of choice. I was on it once. Managed to wean myself off it with no help, but I went through mortal hell in the process.
Overall this is one of the most suspenseful, realistic, and entertaining novels I’ve ever read. Since I’ve only read 25,000 or so, maybe I’m not an authority, but do believe I know a good book when I find one. This is it.
Incredible that this was the authors’ first work and he originally meant it to be a short story. The characters, the storyline completely captivated me. I’ve read a lot of apocalyptic novels, but I rank this one at the top of the list.
I too have some “Odd Billy Todd” characters in my life. Never underestimate them! Billy is a character I’ll never forget. No spoilers, but if you finish this story, you’ll feel like celebrating afterwards. I did.
Debbie was another unforgettable character, because I could relate to her plight. Paxil, the devils drug of choice. I was on it once. Managed to wean myself off it with no help, but I went through mortal hell in the process.
Overall this is one of the most suspenseful, realistic, and entertaining novels I’ve ever read. Since I’ve only read 25,000 or so, maybe I’m not an authority, but do believe I know a good book when I find one. This is it.
June 4, 2024
While I wait (impatiently) for book #6 of the Sanders Saga, someone suggested I read this stand-alone novel. I'm glad they did.
This one came close to five stars, which I rarely give. Great unusual characters, skillfully developed and a well thought out plot. Once I started reading this, I gave up on all my chores & just binge read the entire book. An excellent mix of prepper and post-apocalyptic story
Editing: some errors, rarely so glaring that it stops the flow of the book
Sex: Implied, not graphic
Violence: There is fighting, skirmishes, death. Only a couple scenes would I put into the possible gory category
Page Turning Factor: Extremely High
Other notes: I don't remember the cursing being a huge factor in the book - sure there was some, but not constant. Religion - yeah, Christianity/Bible was in there, but not so much that it will turn folks who don't like that theme against the book. More just a couple of paragraphs here and there, easy to skim/skip.
This one came close to five stars, which I rarely give. Great unusual characters, skillfully developed and a well thought out plot. Once I started reading this, I gave up on all my chores & just binge read the entire book. An excellent mix of prepper and post-apocalyptic story
Editing: some errors, rarely so glaring that it stops the flow of the book
Sex: Implied, not graphic
Violence: There is fighting, skirmishes, death. Only a couple scenes would I put into the possible gory category
Page Turning Factor: Extremely High
Other notes: I don't remember the cursing being a huge factor in the book - sure there was some, but not constant. Religion - yeah, Christianity/Bible was in there, but not so much that it will turn folks who don't like that theme against the book. More just a couple of paragraphs here and there, easy to skim/skip.
June 7, 2018
This book drew me in and left me wanting more
I clicked on this book and went to read the description but ended up reading the about the author instead. N.C. Reed's personality drew me in and so I began to read this book. I fell in love with the characters and the story. It really had me thinking too, about what living in Billy Todd's world would be like. I was truly invested in his little ragtag community. Each struggle and battle,i was fascinated to see how they would get through it. I wish this was a series but then again i feel like it was exactly the right length. The only negative thing I have to say is that the book needed proofread a bit more. Lots of little spelling mistakes. But in closing I want to say, i will miss these characters and wonder how they are doing now. But isn't that what you want in a good book?
I clicked on this book and went to read the description but ended up reading the about the author instead. N.C. Reed's personality drew me in and so I began to read this book. I fell in love with the characters and the story. It really had me thinking too, about what living in Billy Todd's world would be like. I was truly invested in his little ragtag community. Each struggle and battle,i was fascinated to see how they would get through it. I wish this was a series but then again i feel like it was exactly the right length. The only negative thing I have to say is that the book needed proofread a bit more. Lots of little spelling mistakes. But in closing I want to say, i will miss these characters and wonder how they are doing now. But isn't that what you want in a good book?
October 9, 2017
Very good book
This book was well written without all the fluff you usually get in longer books. I loved the details of the everyday survival. I found billy to be your regular small town guy. I liked that he had issues and not perfect, most handsome, strongest or even smartest.
I was glad to find the writer did not put them in danger every other chapter. Taking time to detail their lives. Only a brief chapter with cannibalism in it, but really for any age. This surprised me greatly because I prefer adult books. Kept my attention which is not an easy task being a very selective reader. Something about this story just rings true if we had a post apocalypse event happen
Well done mr. Reed but I want more Billy !! Sequel please.....or even a movie.
This book was well written without all the fluff you usually get in longer books. I loved the details of the everyday survival. I found billy to be your regular small town guy. I liked that he had issues and not perfect, most handsome, strongest or even smartest.
I was glad to find the writer did not put them in danger every other chapter. Taking time to detail their lives. Only a brief chapter with cannibalism in it, but really for any age. This surprised me greatly because I prefer adult books. Kept my attention which is not an easy task being a very selective reader. Something about this story just rings true if we had a post apocalypse event happen
Well done mr. Reed but I want more Billy !! Sequel please.....or even a movie.
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