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The Brittle Star
When his mother's ranch is attacked, sixteen-year-old John Evert is wounded and left to die. But John Evert is no ordinary young man. He's a frontiersman's son, a rancher who's lived his whole life in the untamed Southern California wilderness of 1860.
In a journey that will take him from the bustling young city of Los Angeles to Texas to Missouri and back, to the front lines of the American Civil War and home again, John Evert will learn the cost of vengeance and the price of forgiveness.
In a journey that will take him from the bustling young city of Los Angeles to Texas to Missouri and back, to the front lines of the American Civil War and home again, John Evert will learn the cost of vengeance and the price of forgiveness.
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 9, 2017
3 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 25, 2018
Bar-room brawls, brothels, and bounty hunters – all the tropes of the traditional Western novel are here in an adventure story of vengeance and redemption to suit any aficionado of the genre. Los Angeles is a Wild West town in this coming of age story of frontier life at the time of the American Civil War, where every young boy needs to prove himself a man - and a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do!
Reviewed for Whichbook.net
Reviewed for Whichbook.net
January 22, 2017
Excellent book! Thoroughly enjoyed this. It would make a wonderful film
March 23, 2018
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway, having entered because I thought my husband would like it as it is set in a period of American history that is a particular interest of his. I was lifting it out recently for him to take on a trip, opened it and out of curiosity read the first page.
That was it, I was captivated. I always say I don't enjoy Westerns. I can no longer say that! This book has converted me. It's not all gun slinging and cattle rustling, it's about real, believable people with all their complications and insecurities, their hopes, dreams, ambitions and relationships.
There are some excellent characters in it, especially the central character John Evert, and his relationships with the other people -and animals- in the story are handled beautifully.
Just one little niggle stays with me after finishing it. What happened to Casey?
That was it, I was captivated. I always say I don't enjoy Westerns. I can no longer say that! This book has converted me. It's not all gun slinging and cattle rustling, it's about real, believable people with all their complications and insecurities, their hopes, dreams, ambitions and relationships.
There are some excellent characters in it, especially the central character John Evert, and his relationships with the other people -and animals- in the story are handled beautifully.
Just one little niggle stays with me after finishing it. What happened to Casey?
September 11, 2017
Stars and scars
Commencing in California in the early days of its union with the US, the story ranges from encounters with Indians, Bounty Hunters, and brutal Civil War battles to tell a tale of revenge and redemption. This is high adventure at its best and it is clear that the author enjoyed herself writing it. It is well written, full of thrills and excitement, and has a cast of varied and sympathetic characters. I enjoyed reading this novel and look forward to more from the author.
Commencing in California in the early days of its union with the US, the story ranges from encounters with Indians, Bounty Hunters, and brutal Civil War battles to tell a tale of revenge and redemption. This is high adventure at its best and it is clear that the author enjoyed herself writing it. It is well written, full of thrills and excitement, and has a cast of varied and sympathetic characters. I enjoyed reading this novel and look forward to more from the author.
April 21, 2021
Davina Langdale is not shy of putting her young protagonist through the mill in this beautifully written, thoroughly satisfying Western. 15 year old John Evert teams up with a roguish ranger to track down his abducted mother, but that's only the start of it. Over the course of five years, John Evert learns life's hard lessons, gets embroiled in the Civil War (the battle scenes are thrilling and gruesome), deals with love and loss, loyalty and betrayal. Right until the final page Langdale piles on the tragedy; I was in floods before then. There are shades of True Grit here, and also Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver, and much more. I loved every page and I'm bereft to have finished it!
February 19, 2017
Westerns are not my normal choice for reading material, but I enjoyed this one.
Set about the period of the American Civil War, this is a story of a young man subject to an attack on his family ranch and his subsequent adventures. John Evert hooks up with a mysterious older guy and they end up fighting in the war, forcing John Evert to revalue his assumptions and to grow up in the worst of times.
This keeps core to four or five central characters, there are some quite interesting asides (especially one with Masonic links) but the author chooses not to really pursue them. The focus her is on John Evert and the experiences that take him from age 15 to his early twenties. It often doesn’t go the way you want or expect it to, but also takes some interesting directions you weren’t expecting, but certainly fleshes out the main characters and captures the times very well.
Good debut from a British author who has definitely found an American voice to tell this tale with. An enjoyable diversion indeed.
Set about the period of the American Civil War, this is a story of a young man subject to an attack on his family ranch and his subsequent adventures. John Evert hooks up with a mysterious older guy and they end up fighting in the war, forcing John Evert to revalue his assumptions and to grow up in the worst of times.
This keeps core to four or five central characters, there are some quite interesting asides (especially one with Masonic links) but the author chooses not to really pursue them. The focus her is on John Evert and the experiences that take him from age 15 to his early twenties. It often doesn’t go the way you want or expect it to, but also takes some interesting directions you weren’t expecting, but certainly fleshes out the main characters and captures the times very well.
Good debut from a British author who has definitely found an American voice to tell this tale with. An enjoyable diversion indeed.
August 9, 2019
I have not read a Western for some time. always associate them with my teenage years now.. But this book got good reviews so I jumped in.
Firstly.. I found it annoying that the author has this thing where she always refers to the lead character by his full name// Its full of things like "John Evert drank his liquor" John Evert mounted his horse" "John Evert" awoke" " John Evert replied..." The Author only does this when she is referring to John Evert. All other characters are referenced by their first name only. Now I assume this is a device to re enforce that the book is about John Evert... But I knew that, It is very clear from the plot and the action who is the central character. Anyway.. Once I got over this annoying habbit (it soon became amusing rather than annoying, but I could never just ignore it) The book is quite good.
The book covers some years from opening to closing.. and is billed as a young mans epic search for his mother taken in a raid at the beginning of the book. But to me, it all felt a bit rushed at times, The passage of time did not feel like years had passed since the previous chapter. The end too was a bit rushed. The final denouement deserved a bit more flesh) on the bones ( no spoilers here) In my opinion
However all in all an easy read (apart from the "john Evert" nonsense) and a good tale and some great characters
Firstly.. I found it annoying that the author has this thing where she always refers to the lead character by his full name// Its full of things like "John Evert drank his liquor" John Evert mounted his horse" "John Evert" awoke" " John Evert replied..." The Author only does this when she is referring to John Evert. All other characters are referenced by their first name only. Now I assume this is a device to re enforce that the book is about John Evert... But I knew that, It is very clear from the plot and the action who is the central character. Anyway.. Once I got over this annoying habbit (it soon became amusing rather than annoying, but I could never just ignore it) The book is quite good.
The book covers some years from opening to closing.. and is billed as a young mans epic search for his mother taken in a raid at the beginning of the book. But to me, it all felt a bit rushed at times, The passage of time did not feel like years had passed since the previous chapter. The end too was a bit rushed. The final denouement deserved a bit more flesh) on the bones ( no spoilers here) In my opinion
However all in all an easy read (apart from the "john Evert" nonsense) and a good tale and some great characters
September 17, 2017
This was such an adventure of a story to read, travelling across the United States through war, but so much more. The characters, each and every one memorable and filled with life, the relationships between them completely emotionally engaging.
This has been a real pleasure to read. The writing so beautiful at times I reread passages to fully appreciate how well they have written.
Even as the book drew to a close, I was struck by the way the characters continued to grow - right to the last page!
This was won as a Goodreads Giveaway, thanks to the author and publisher.
This has been a real pleasure to read. The writing so beautiful at times I reread passages to fully appreciate how well they have written.
Even as the book drew to a close, I was struck by the way the characters continued to grow - right to the last page!
This was won as a Goodreads Giveaway, thanks to the author and publisher.
March 14, 2017
I received this book to read and review
John Evert lives on a ranch with his spanish mother . There have been rumours of home steads being attacked by indians but they think they are safe until one night when it happens to them. John is wounded, the house is burned to the ground, two ranch hands that were there to help guard the place have been murdered and his mother is missing.
John's every thought turns to finding her. He tried to get help at the bank, gets a job, works with a bounty hunter , all in the name of finding his mother alive. But will he succeed ? Especially as he doesn't know where they have taken her.
Meanwhile at the neighbouring rasnch the owner is trying his utmost to take over John's far. He wants the cattle and the land - but why ? The real reasons are a mystery to John. The landowner even seems to think he has some rights over his mother by wanting to marry her - John doesn't think he should believe him and wonders if he is behind this kidnapping.
The author takes you on a western trail across America with old shack towns and tumble weed country . It's just like watching a movie through the pages of a book.
A good read which sees you turn the pages with a longing to find John's mother alive and well and with hopes for a good ending for them both.
John Evert lives on a ranch with his spanish mother . There have been rumours of home steads being attacked by indians but they think they are safe until one night when it happens to them. John is wounded, the house is burned to the ground, two ranch hands that were there to help guard the place have been murdered and his mother is missing.
John's every thought turns to finding her. He tried to get help at the bank, gets a job, works with a bounty hunter , all in the name of finding his mother alive. But will he succeed ? Especially as he doesn't know where they have taken her.
Meanwhile at the neighbouring rasnch the owner is trying his utmost to take over John's far. He wants the cattle and the land - but why ? The real reasons are a mystery to John. The landowner even seems to think he has some rights over his mother by wanting to marry her - John doesn't think he should believe him and wonders if he is behind this kidnapping.
The author takes you on a western trail across America with old shack towns and tumble weed country . It's just like watching a movie through the pages of a book.
A good read which sees you turn the pages with a longing to find John's mother alive and well and with hopes for a good ending for them both.
June 28, 2019
The publishers bought this on the strength of the first three chapters. And they are PERFECT. Sadly after that things go downhill, the story meanders, characters are barely fleshed out and the whole thing is like a so so written Young Adult. Langdale is capable of some wonderful sentences, but far too many average ones!
May 13, 2021
This book is utterly captivating. It is a classic hero's journey story. The goodies are good and the baddies are bad. The book includes all the elements that are touch points for human emotions as well as good dose of modern morality. It is beautifully written with some evocative descriptions and captured (as far as I could tell) the time and place of 1860s America.
June 15, 2018
I got through this very quickly - one of those books you just can't put down. I'm not someone who reads Westerns - so even if you aren't, you should still give this book a read. 5 stars don't quite seem enough... 100% recommended.
May 29, 2017
I really found this book hard going my be because there so many same old same old westerns out there but this one didn't hold my attention more like a old tv western show like Gunsmoke or Bonanza
July 25, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It would make a great film.
February 13, 2017
Absolutely gripped by this book, unable to put it down until I was finished. An extremely accomplished debut by the author, and such a refreshing change of subject matter!
December 17, 2017
I received this book in a goodreads giveaway.
I don't usually read westerns but this book grabbed my eye. To begin with I felt it was a little slow and at one point it felt as if a whole chunk of the story (after the initial attack, when John Evert was recuperating) was removed in editing for whatever reason. The second part of the book sped up and introduced more characters who I grew to love, also growing to enjoy the book far more.
Although things might not happen completely how you want them to this book is a good depiction of life not doing as you wish and taking its own course. Over all I'm satisfied with the book and can't quite bring to mind anything that needs significant work.
I will say that the feel of the era and character progression were both strong points in the book. Especially the brutal descriptions of battle.
I don't usually read westerns but this book grabbed my eye. To begin with I felt it was a little slow and at one point it felt as if a whole chunk of the story (after the initial attack, when John Evert was recuperating) was removed in editing for whatever reason. The second part of the book sped up and introduced more characters who I grew to love, also growing to enjoy the book far more.
Although things might not happen completely how you want them to this book is a good depiction of life not doing as you wish and taking its own course. Over all I'm satisfied with the book and can't quite bring to mind anything that needs significant work.
I will say that the feel of the era and character progression were both strong points in the book. Especially the brutal descriptions of battle.
February 8, 2017
This is one of my favourite novels of all time, which enriched my life no end. A real treat to read; it takes the reader on the most wonderful journey and I was so sad when I finished it (I STILL miss it!). Absolutely gripping from start to finish, with a brilliantly constructed story, characters you care so much about and beautifully worded sentences that just keep on rolling! A traditional Western wouldn't normally be my choice of read but I just loved it. A must read.
February 10, 2017
Quite an extraordinary and beautiful novel. The sort of book whose characters live on, talking in your mind, when you put it down. A must read.
February 8, 2017
365 days in a year - simply not enough
365 pages in this book - simply not enough
This is a brilliant book. One that I wish I could read again for the first time, over and over again.
365 pages in this book - simply not enough
This is a brilliant book. One that I wish I could read again for the first time, over and over again.
March 29, 2020
An epic Western which brings vividly to life the West of the early 1800s. A page turner full of cowboys, Indians and the Civil War so get ready to lose yourself in its imagery. Take it to the beach but I prefer my hero flawed and other characters less idealised, an imagery more akin to Clint Eastwood than John Wayne, the Western of High Noon rather than the Searchers.
December 21, 2016
Review to come.
April 6, 2017
This book was entertaining and featured well-developed characters. I enjoyed the setting and Davina Langdale's crisp, clear prose. A book that's published in 2017, a book set in the wilderness, a novel set during wartime.
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November 7, 2018No
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews