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End Trails #2
Given Names
Travel the End Trails - paths into hidden places, taking you towards the unknown and from which return is far from certain. Tales of things not believed from the comfort and safety of civilisation and only whispered about on the distant fringes of exploration, all waiting in the wilderness.
In Given Names , a Native American boy comes of age only to have the future he imagined snatched horribly away, leaving only doubt. No-one knows to what destination the path through life will lead - but one thing is for sure: you won't be the same person when you get there...
The End Trails are stories to be told around the camp-fire, dark things to unsettle the mind, before you settle down to sleep.
In Given Names , a Native American boy comes of age only to have the future he imagined snatched horribly away, leaving only doubt. No-one knows to what destination the path through life will lead - but one thing is for sure: you won't be the same person when you get there...
The End Trails are stories to be told around the camp-fire, dark things to unsettle the mind, before you settle down to sleep.
- GenresFantasy
65 pages, ebook
First published February 9, 2015
7 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Leon Hudson
22 books24 followersAndrew Leon Hudson is a technical writer by day, and is technically a writer by night as well. An Englishman resident in Barcelona, Spain, his short fiction has been published in a variety of genre anthologies and zines, most recently in Triangulation: Dark Skies and Cossmass Infinities. He is co-author of the swashbuckling alt-hist novel Archipelago, and co-editor of the SFFWorld.com anthology series. Anything else you've heard is speculation at best. For links and news, visit AndrewLeonHudson.Wordpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 7, 2015
This novella is a well written account, from a young boy’s point-of-view, of his life as a member of his tribal community. No mention of his parents is ever given, so I assumed he was an orphan adopted by the whole tribe. His name is Circling Bird, which could be construed a few different ways, since we don’t really know him yet I assume it refers to a hawk or eagle. He and three of his friends have been chosen to follow along on their first hunt. They are excited, they have been training for this experience. No one expects the tragedy that befalls them.
The story is Circling Birds healing journey, he has been renamed Three Spirits. He is taken under the wing of Wide Sky, the village shaman who has lost his son. As Three Spirits regains his strength he undergoes a process of self-discovery as he learns the healing arts from Wide Sky. As time passes, Three Spirits feels the need to confront his past and he separates himself from the tribe to head back to where he once called home alone. Prairie Wind follows and guides him in weapon use for hunting and further lessons in tracking. Until the early morning, when Three Spirits feels he must continue his journey alone.
The twist at the end of the story is shocking and totally unexpected. Whether it is believable or not depends on your own perspective and willingness to believe in the outcome. It is certainly grievous on several levels.
FYI: The author uses British spelling conventions. Given Names is Book 2 in the End Trails series and can be read as a stand alone. “The End Trails are stories to be told around the camp-fire, dark things to unsettle the mind, before you settle down to sleep.” **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** July 28, 2015
Format/Typo Issues: I found no issues with editing or formatting.
The story is Circling Birds healing journey, he has been renamed Three Spirits. He is taken under the wing of Wide Sky, the village shaman who has lost his son. As Three Spirits regains his strength he undergoes a process of self-discovery as he learns the healing arts from Wide Sky. As time passes, Three Spirits feels the need to confront his past and he separates himself from the tribe to head back to where he once called home alone. Prairie Wind follows and guides him in weapon use for hunting and further lessons in tracking. Until the early morning, when Three Spirits feels he must continue his journey alone.
The twist at the end of the story is shocking and totally unexpected. Whether it is believable or not depends on your own perspective and willingness to believe in the outcome. It is certainly grievous on several levels.
FYI: The author uses British spelling conventions. Given Names is Book 2 in the End Trails series and can be read as a stand alone. “The End Trails are stories to be told around the camp-fire, dark things to unsettle the mind, before you settle down to sleep.” **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** July 28, 2015
Format/Typo Issues: I found no issues with editing or formatting.
March 12, 2015
I really liked this story. A heartfelt tale about a boy who witnesses the death of his two best friends. No fault of the author, I didn't like where the story ended (thus, the four stars), but Three Spirits' story says something about human frailty and how quickly lives can be shattered.
The story is set in the American west and follows an unnamed Native American tribe as they try to find a new home after a devastating event. I thought the author did a great job of capturing the spirit of a culture while also saying something about how one terrible event can impact the lives it touches. The end introduces an element of weird as well as plays at how culture and miss-communication can sour the best of intentions.
A tale worth reading. Recommended.
The story is set in the American west and follows an unnamed Native American tribe as they try to find a new home after a devastating event. I thought the author did a great job of capturing the spirit of a culture while also saying something about how one terrible event can impact the lives it touches. The end introduces an element of weird as well as plays at how culture and miss-communication can sour the best of intentions.
A tale worth reading. Recommended.
September 18, 2015
Entrancing
Once again, Andrew Leon Hudson has brilliantly crafted a tale of stunning imagery and haunting emotion. As if a Native American or tribesman himself, this story of loss is also one of finding one's true self. Mystical yet somehow natural. Hudson touches on the journey of the soul of man by casting the reader into a past most are only familiar with due to history books, but does so in such a unique way as to make it instantly relatable. Brilliant. Of Hudson's work, this is by far my favorite thus far in his ever-growing collection of short pieces. Highly recommended for any audience.
Once again, Andrew Leon Hudson has brilliantly crafted a tale of stunning imagery and haunting emotion. As if a Native American or tribesman himself, this story of loss is also one of finding one's true self. Mystical yet somehow natural. Hudson touches on the journey of the soul of man by casting the reader into a past most are only familiar with due to history books, but does so in such a unique way as to make it instantly relatable. Brilliant. Of Hudson's work, this is by far my favorite thus far in his ever-growing collection of short pieces. Highly recommended for any audience.
May 12, 2016
I'm not familiar with the Weird West books so I read this set of two linked short stories as stand-alone. I loved them. Richly described, wonderfully evocative, pulled my heartstrings. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews