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Prodigies
In a land ruled by gunfire and greed,three gifted souls will rewritethe legend of the West...
In a world on the cusp of change, three extraordinary teens are bound by fate.
A street urchin with uncanny eyes and hands. An orphan girl who can speak to animals.A sharecropper’s son who sees numbers in everything.
Their gifts set them apart—and make them targets. From the crime-ridden alleys of New York’s Five Points to the lawless sprawl of Deadwood, their paths collide with forces that threaten to shape the future of America itself.
A ruthless mining baron dreams of remaking the nation in his image. A messianic wolf hunter vows to wipe out the predators he believes haunt the land. And in the shadows, a street gang led by a muscle-bound thug and his deceptively “kindly” benefactor waits to strike.
As the gold rush fuels fortunes and bloodshed, these prodigies must navigate circuses, rail camps, and the terror of night riders in a country torn between progress and greed, labor and capital. To survive, they’ll have to decide whether their powers are a curse to hide—or the only hope for a new kind of future.
Part Western odyssey, part steampunk fable, Prodigies captures the grit, wonder, and danger of an America on the edge of transformation.
In a world on the cusp of change, three extraordinary teens are bound by fate.
A street urchin with uncanny eyes and hands. An orphan girl who can speak to animals.A sharecropper’s son who sees numbers in everything.
Their gifts set them apart—and make them targets. From the crime-ridden alleys of New York’s Five Points to the lawless sprawl of Deadwood, their paths collide with forces that threaten to shape the future of America itself.
A ruthless mining baron dreams of remaking the nation in his image. A messianic wolf hunter vows to wipe out the predators he believes haunt the land. And in the shadows, a street gang led by a muscle-bound thug and his deceptively “kindly” benefactor waits to strike.
As the gold rush fuels fortunes and bloodshed, these prodigies must navigate circuses, rail camps, and the terror of night riders in a country torn between progress and greed, labor and capital. To survive, they’ll have to decide whether their powers are a curse to hide—or the only hope for a new kind of future.
Part Western odyssey, part steampunk fable, Prodigies captures the grit, wonder, and danger of an America on the edge of transformation.
371 pages, Library Binding
Published July 21, 2021
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5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 11, 2021
I'm not normally a fan of westerns, but I'd heard good things about this book so I gave it a try. It does not disappoint! It surely has all the guts and all the history that fans of westerns will enjoy, but its three extraordinary protagonists, the "prodigies", have this book teetering on the edge of fantasy! And if that's not your preference, well the deft way these characters are developed, their uncommon individual stories and how they relate to each other, will please fans of realistic fiction too. Really, it's a must read. Suitable for YA readers and beyond, this unique and rollicking tale, so rich in language and history, will keep you turning pages and hoping for a sequel. (Please let there be a sequel!)
October 1, 2021
“Prodigies” by Bob Armstrong
My readings of choice have mostly been British cozies, description of cabbage roses patterned chintz prints on settees and parlour draperies, cups of tea and a dead body here and there stuffed up chimneys or ending up on an estate doorstep.
‘Prodigies,” set in the 1800s, reflected the reality of the era and reality was often harsh. By the end of the first chapter, I was certain there were to be no butlers, doilies and small sandwiches. As each colourful character was introduced there came a sense of anticipation or foreboding that something was going to change their world. The good and the evil proved engaging. Individual personalities were artfully created by an author who demonstrated keen awareness of the quirks of the human condition and history of the era. Everyone was easily identifiable throughout. Like all favourite books, the characters became familiar and the good ones, well, I didn’t want to leave them.
A lot of interesting facts were imparted chapter by chapter - mathematics, physics, geography, history. The amount of research that must have been carried out was translated to facts and a story line that caused me to eagerly turn page after page. One character had said “All shall be well.” As I kept reading, becoming more drawn into the characters’ travails and hopes, I wished till the last word was written that, indeed, “All shall be well.”
Looking forward to Bob Armstrong’s sequel to this book and my only question is – “Shall all be well’?
My readings of choice have mostly been British cozies, description of cabbage roses patterned chintz prints on settees and parlour draperies, cups of tea and a dead body here and there stuffed up chimneys or ending up on an estate doorstep.
‘Prodigies,” set in the 1800s, reflected the reality of the era and reality was often harsh. By the end of the first chapter, I was certain there were to be no butlers, doilies and small sandwiches. As each colourful character was introduced there came a sense of anticipation or foreboding that something was going to change their world. The good and the evil proved engaging. Individual personalities were artfully created by an author who demonstrated keen awareness of the quirks of the human condition and history of the era. Everyone was easily identifiable throughout. Like all favourite books, the characters became familiar and the good ones, well, I didn’t want to leave them.
A lot of interesting facts were imparted chapter by chapter - mathematics, physics, geography, history. The amount of research that must have been carried out was translated to facts and a story line that caused me to eagerly turn page after page. One character had said “All shall be well.” As I kept reading, becoming more drawn into the characters’ travails and hopes, I wished till the last word was written that, indeed, “All shall be well.”
Looking forward to Bob Armstrong’s sequel to this book and my only question is – “Shall all be well’?
May 24, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded down.
* Enjoyed the first half more than the second half.
* The author introduces and fleshes out each of the main characters (prodigies) very well. Most if not all characters, major and minor, are vividly drawn with interesting backstories and motivations.
* As the prodigies converge on Deadwood, ironically it felt like the story and pace actually bogged down a bit.
* Some events felt a little rushed and broadly sketched, and the actions/intentions/outcomes of characters in these moments were unclear. For example:
* After a reader investment of 350+ pages, the ending was a mild disappointment in ending with several detracted from any sense of satisfaction which would accompany the last page of a good read.
* Enjoyed the first half more than the second half.
* The author introduces and fleshes out each of the main characters (prodigies) very well. Most if not all characters, major and minor, are vividly drawn with interesting backstories and motivations.
* As the prodigies converge on Deadwood, ironically it felt like the story and pace actually bogged down a bit.
* Some events felt a little rushed and broadly sketched, and the actions/intentions/outcomes of characters in these moments were unclear. For example:
* After a reader investment of 350+ pages, the ending was a mild disappointment in ending with several detracted from any sense of satisfaction which would accompany the last page of a good read.
August 24, 2021
Prodigies should be your next great read! With an interesting historical foundation and arresting characters that develop and grow along with the rollicking plot you will be transported to the old west. With a bit of magic realism and the eternal struggle of good against evil, Prodigies ,is satisfying and fun. You will learn a lot and root for the good guys and there are many satisfying twist and turns along the way. Highly recommended!
July 10, 2021
Prodigies is the story of three amazing young people - each with a special skill - who take on an evil mining baron. It's a Western with a twist. Set in the 1870's, and eventually in the legendary town of Deadwood, the plot gallops along like a runaway horse. Part Oliver Twist, part Sisters Brothers, this one's a great summer read.
August 22, 2021
This book follows three young prodigies through the wild west. It explores the death of the reconstruction era and its hopes for racial reconciliation, wealth and poverty, the destruction of the great herds of bison and the wolves who stalked them and the horrifying effects of the civil war. But, it is also funny and touching and you will love it!
August 21, 2021
A delightful and suspenseful story. The harsh reality of the lives of the 19th century underprivileged in America is seamlessly juxtaposed with flights of fancy. A fresh approach that I enjoyed.
November 10, 2021
Excellent book! Armstrong clearly did his research for this period piece. The characters feel real and authentic. Wall to wall action. Can't wait for the sequel!
August 1, 2023
An entertaining read. An adventure with interesting and engaging characters. The book is set in the late 1800's brings to life the places the story travels trough
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews