Road to Reckoning by Robert Lautner

Road to Reckoning by Robert Lautner is a novel set in the early pioneer America era. It is written with such detail that you get the feeling like you are there, and seeing it play out, without overdoing it.

Book Description

“Twelve -year -old Thomas Walker has never left New York City. His father, a traveling salesman hoping to earn money by selling Samuel Colt’s recent invention, the “Improved Revolving Gun,” takes young Thomas with him on the road. But even the world’s first true revolver cannot save them from danger, and what starts as an adventure soon turns into a nightmare.

Thomas soon finds himself alone, and must rely on his own wits, courage, and determination, as well as a wooden replica of the Colt revolver, to protect himself. Luckily, an encounter with a surly ex-ranger, Henry Stands, leads to an improbable partnership, and the two set out in perilous pursuit of vengeance. That is, if they can escape the thieves who lurk around each trail, river, and road—and who have already stolen so much from Thomas.

In the spirit of The Sisters Brothers and True Grit, this spare, elegant, and emotionally resonant story conveys, through a boy’s eyes, a beautiful father-son story, as well as the fascinating history of how the birth of the revolver changed the course of violence in America. Road to Reckoning offers a window into the history of the American West and the heart of a boy yearning for love.” – Road to Reckoning

My Thoughts

Road to Reckoning is a beautifully written coming of age story. Thomas Walker is the type of character that you truly want to succeed and accomplish, even if it is vengeance. This story is sad, adventurous, and compelling with every turn of the page. The characters will stay with you long after you finish, and don’t be surprised if you want to read it for longer periods of time than you originally intended.

Although I loved the story, I especially have to give the author props on his fine attention to historical detail and setting. This is my favorite part of the book, and makes me want to read more that the author has written. He shows what a great writer he truly is with his fine use of detail.

I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves a good story.

* Thank you to the publisher of Road to Reckoning, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.