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Space Cowboy
On the remote planet of Aletha Three, a genetically engineered creature with the unstoppable killing instinct of earth's most ancient predators has begun stalking the struggling population. Armed only with his dad's old rifle, cowboy Travis must find out where the predator came from and how he can stop it.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 19, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 15, 2010
Many of us grew up reading and loving Robert Heinlein's juveniles. Unfortunately, for a number of reasons, they just don't work with most of today's young readers, at least so I've found. Since those days, of course, YA literature has taken off into the treasure trove of riches we have today. Back when I was young, you could read everything YA on the library shelves in very little time. So one would think there's no need for a replacement for that type of story, the strong young male who is self-sufficient and bright and courageous. Yet I think there is still a strong need for such stories—especially for boys. Wow, does this one fit the bill.
The storyline is straightforward: Travis McClure lives with his family on the planet Aletha Three, which is being terraformed. There isn't a huge budget, so the scientists are more like cowboys, following the herds as the animals' daily lives help contribute to the slow change of the planet. But there's something really nasty out there attacking the cattle under cover of dark. Travis has to figure out what it is before it gains a taste for human flesh. With his friend Riane, a smart girl with talents of her own (like piloting) Travis sets out to solve the mystery. It's written in clean, easy to read prose, but here's where this book really stands out. The author is a rancher himself, so all the details about horses, cattle, the smoke off a campfire, the sounds at night just beyond the camp perimeter are so realistic and evocative that you feel you are there. Stanchfield keeps the pace snapping, the adults are not idiots, everyone's motivations make sense—and the science is terrific without the book ever falling into the "Well, son, as you should know [datadumpdatadumpdatadump]" trap. I'd recommend this one to anyone, but especially for reluctant boy readers of twelve and up.
The storyline is straightforward: Travis McClure lives with his family on the planet Aletha Three, which is being terraformed. There isn't a huge budget, so the scientists are more like cowboys, following the herds as the animals' daily lives help contribute to the slow change of the planet. But there's something really nasty out there attacking the cattle under cover of dark. Travis has to figure out what it is before it gains a taste for human flesh. With his friend Riane, a smart girl with talents of her own (like piloting) Travis sets out to solve the mystery. It's written in clean, easy to read prose, but here's where this book really stands out. The author is a rancher himself, so all the details about horses, cattle, the smoke off a campfire, the sounds at night just beyond the camp perimeter are so realistic and evocative that you feel you are there. Stanchfield keeps the pace snapping, the adults are not idiots, everyone's motivations make sense—and the science is terrific without the book ever falling into the "Well, son, as you should know [datadumpdatadumpdatadump]" trap. I'd recommend this one to anyone, but especially for reluctant boy readers of twelve and up.
March 22, 2021
Published in 2008 by Usborne Publishing, Ltd.
Travis McClure is a teenaged cowboy with a horse named Deuce. He's good at his job and starting to work more and more on his own and he really enjoys being trusted with more responsibility, even if the work is hard and mostly boring. If they make enough money his family can finally return to their own ranch on Earth and make a go of it.
You see, Travis and his family are part of a terraforming operation in a future where human beings are starting to move out into the galaxy. They are on Aletha Three, a planet with a climate and atmosphere similar to Earth's. Terraformers bring a few animals, a few planets and try to jumpstart a biosphere by spreading grass the old-fashioned way - by having animals eat the seeds and spread them in their manure. Or, as the book more delicately describes it: "On Earth, animals like wild bison and wild horses had once covered the grasslands, their hoofs churning the barren soil like a million tiny plows, spreading seed as they moved. Here, the scattered herds of hardy, more manageable cattle served the same purpose."
The planet was supposed to be confirmed lifeless before they started, but Travis has a feeling that there is something very dangerous out there. It's bigger than the coyotes that were brought along and it sometimes screeches in the canyonlands when Travis is alone moving the cows along.
When he finally sees it, everything will change...
This was an enjoyable YA novel. There is nothing here but a lot of adventure and the promise of a bit of romance, but it was still a fun read. Don't think too hard, just go along for the ride.
I rate this novel 4 stars out of 5.
Travis McClure is a teenaged cowboy with a horse named Deuce. He's good at his job and starting to work more and more on his own and he really enjoys being trusted with more responsibility, even if the work is hard and mostly boring. If they make enough money his family can finally return to their own ranch on Earth and make a go of it.
You see, Travis and his family are part of a terraforming operation in a future where human beings are starting to move out into the galaxy. They are on Aletha Three, a planet with a climate and atmosphere similar to Earth's. Terraformers bring a few animals, a few planets and try to jumpstart a biosphere by spreading grass the old-fashioned way - by having animals eat the seeds and spread them in their manure. Or, as the book more delicately describes it: "On Earth, animals like wild bison and wild horses had once covered the grasslands, their hoofs churning the barren soil like a million tiny plows, spreading seed as they moved. Here, the scattered herds of hardy, more manageable cattle served the same purpose."
The planet was supposed to be confirmed lifeless before they started, but Travis has a feeling that there is something very dangerous out there. It's bigger than the coyotes that were brought along and it sometimes screeches in the canyonlands when Travis is alone moving the cows along.
When he finally sees it, everything will change...
This was an enjoyable YA novel. There is nothing here but a lot of adventure and the promise of a bit of romance, but it was still a fun read. Don't think too hard, just go along for the ride.
I rate this novel 4 stars out of 5.
July 10, 2019
For a first novel this book is pretty darn good. Get past the title. The cover art and story summary do this book no favors. I have my issues with teen angst genre stories as being too formula driven, but the story overcomes the flaws of the market it was written for. Work around that and the overall story is very good, in fact outstanding in places. The challenge of course is how do you write a western set in futuristic setting? The plot picks up pace as the story goes on. Ending is works well enough (does the hero really have to use a flare gun?) even it has to have certain elements demanded by the age group it caters to.
August 29, 2013
The title may seem childish and not for older kids but don't judge a book by it's cover. This book tells a story about adventure, destiny, and a little heartbreak. This book was filled with mystery after mystery and I couldn't put it down. I do recommend this to older kids because some part can be a little graphic but other than that I this definitely is a must read.
December 29, 2010
I havent read the whole thing. But I think its already a good book from the beginning.
January 13, 2015
Hoofs smacking the red-dust trail while the narrow path was packed tight by the scattered bands of cattle and wild sheep.
JM
JM
February 27, 2022
No not firefly.
I enjoyed this adventure story. Sure it’s a YA book but I felt it was much better than I expected it to be.
Travis McClure is a teenage cowboy with a horse named Deuce so what’s not to like.
Travis is living on a different plant that’s being terraformed. Herding the cows wild riding the horses. Sure there’s a mix of dangerous aliens and corrupting tossed into the mix. The ending is a little silly but overall I enjoyed this adventure. I don’t think I’d read a second one because it seems like it’s all wrapped up in the end.
https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...
I enjoyed this adventure story. Sure it’s a YA book but I felt it was much better than I expected it to be.
Travis McClure is a teenage cowboy with a horse named Deuce so what’s not to like.
Travis is living on a different plant that’s being terraformed. Herding the cows wild riding the horses. Sure there’s a mix of dangerous aliens and corrupting tossed into the mix. The ending is a little silly but overall I enjoyed this adventure. I don’t think I’d read a second one because it seems like it’s all wrapped up in the end.
https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...
June 17, 2017
Cute story I would rate for a mature 14 y/o. Finished reading it in 1 day and wouldn't be tempted to read a second book (if it was in a series). I also don't think I will ever read it again, just becayse it was quite a short, easy story (bit like a kids movie) and the second time around wouldn't reveal any interesting new things I am afraid.
Cute, short story worth reading once.
Cute, short story worth reading once.
September 2, 2025
Good gap filler book
February 24, 2025
My original review was on tumblr and my book blog was one of the blogs that did not escape the purge...
I don't remember exactly what I said but I can tell you that I have a lot of fond memories of this book and while I am a diehard Scifi fan... I really dislike Westerns.
This though? This made me change my tune, honestly maybe I just had bad experiences with other Western Genre books? Because this was a wonderful marriage. I'm telling you fellow western genre skeptics, it's at least worth taking a look at.
I don't remember exactly what I said but I can tell you that I have a lot of fond memories of this book and while I am a diehard Scifi fan... I really dislike Westerns.
This though? This made me change my tune, honestly maybe I just had bad experiences with other Western Genre books? Because this was a wonderful marriage. I'm telling you fellow western genre skeptics, it's at least worth taking a look at.
August 16, 2011
This book is a book that I liked, because it keeps on building tension and it doesn't stop. Sometimes the story goes off topic but quickly returned to the track. I love the plot because it wasn't too childish and there are action scenes that are exhilarating but some were hard to understand to me. The action sometimes stops at the most interesting part but picks up a new one quickly.
March 4, 2014
It seems ridiculous, but the sci-fi concepts are captivating and the writing is outstanding/
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews