Title: Ride On
Author: Gwen Cole
Series: ?
Genre: YA, Western
Page Count:
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Review Word Count: 400
Type of Book: ARC, Netgalley, Kindle Ebook
Rated: 4/5 stars
Notes:
“Ride on, ride on…” His father’s last slurred words before he was killed by ruthless bandits, Seph is a boy on the run with nothing but his horse and his wits to rely on. With the earth nearly too harsh for humans to live on, and the sky a deep cloudy gray almost black all the time, and food nearly impossible to come by…the wild west is a harsh, unforgiving place for those with weak hearts and weak wills. Seph is determined to find someplace safe that he can call his own, and live the remainder of his life. He doesn’t want revenge, but he wouldn’t hesitate to kill the man that killed his father either.
Avery wants the same thing as Seph; a place that doesn’t have killers or robbers or anyone else with an attitude of ‘kill or be killed’. She wants her family safe, and if that means working every day then so be it. She’s a kind soul, but also a ruthless one when it comes to survival.
So unfolds a hard young adult western novel that features two different character POVs, and their exciting adventures. At times, there was so much bloodshed that I almost didn’t bother finishing the book, but I was curious to see where the characters would go from there. Fans of the adult tv show Westworld might really enjoy this one; while there aren’t as many shocking plot twists, it’s still a dark western filled with survival, blood, and a unique world that’s seen better days.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, though there were several characters that I found aggravating and wanted gone. I loved the horses, the gun fights, the characters. The writing was fast paced, and every chapter delivered a scene that had me hooked. It was a pretty awesome book, and I can’t believe that I waited as long as I did to read and review this.
Between the two characters, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the story as it plays out. There’s plenty of action, adventure, and survival within this dark ya western novel that will surprise you and make you think of the future, and how things can turn out if we don’t start taking better care of the planet that we live on.
In the end, I give this book 4/5 stars, because there were times when I thought seriously of quitting reading, due to its violence. Aside from that, I rather liked it.
Until next time,
-Pass Me That Book
Pass Me That Book 