Fallen

by Mike Hancock

Fallen intertwines the lives of Grey Bear, in the aftermath of the Marias Massacre of 1870, and Calvin, the son of an alcoholic, abusive father, escaping to the wilderness of Northwest Montana in 1997. Central to Grey Bear's story is the relationship with his son, a strong-spirited, inquisitive boy of ten named Running Dog. After Grey Bear's tribe is decimated by a ruthless Cavalry brigade, it is up to Grey Bear and Running Dog to lead what's left of their people back to safety in the dead of winter. Calvin's tale begins with a lonely, tormented childhood riddled with abuses by his father, who ultimately abandons him. Calvin, spiraling out of control due to family tragedy, leaves his home in Texas and winds up in Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness, guiding hunters along the remote woods of Lion Creek. It's here where the fate of both protagonists meet, finding each other, and ultimately, redemption.

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing weave of history and the harshness of survival following the Marias Massacre of 1870 with a seemingly unrelated, current day story of a young victim of PTSD. Mike Hancock immerses you in both stories, leaves you numb from your brush with insanity, cruelty and death, then rudely, relentlessly, like life itself, drags you on, wondering where on earth this is leading you. Like the love between fathers and sons, Mike brings the two stories together with an ending you could never imagine.

This is a completely satisfying read.

[Cindy Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fallen a 2fer

I found the 2 storylines so separate at first would irritate me when the switch would leave me wanting more. I found the end coming together both surprising and satisfying. The writing, the background work covering the Indian tribe, Good job Mike Hancock.