Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Crazy Hawk is a tense and involving post-apocalyptic mystery thriller with an intriguing and captivating storyline. In a world plagued by death and disease, Stewart's vision of a fractured society is spearheaded by the emotionally complex character of Deirdre Buford as she seeks to overcome brutal tribes and traffickers in a bid to find her kidnapped sister.
Prose: Stewart's text benefits from meticulous description which effectively transmits the atmosphere and personality of his characters and setting. His incredible attention to detail emphasizes the desolate imagery of a crumbling Southern California landscape as well as the characters' unique character traits and idiosyncrasies.
Originality: Crazy Hawk is a riveting post-apocalyptic mystery thriller with well rounded characters and a keen eye for detail. It features several scenes of gripping and powerful dramatic tension from the very start and rarely takes it foot off the gas.
Character/Execution: Stewart's characters are diverse and convincing, particularly protagonist Deirdre Buford, as she traverses an intimidating apocalyptic landscape in search of her kidnapped sister. The characters have real emotional depth and their interactions are bolstered by sharp and dynamic dialogue.
Date Submitted: July 08, 2024
"An exhilarating story about love and family set in a postapocalyptic landscape...The ubiquity of black-powder guns, horses, and outlaws gives this future-set novel the intriguing flavor of a Western, as do its gritty scenes of graphic violence. Though its pacing is frenetic, the story is exhilarating: bullets are shot through eyes, bones are broken, and wounds heal over time if at all. Meanwhile, people's relationships evolve in unexpected ways; all are complex."-FOREWORD CLARION REVIEWS
A riveting futuristic tale of global ruin and rescue…Stewart constructs a chilling, barren world and suspensefully chronicles Deirdre’s mission…This is a thoroughly absorbing book, one filled with thrilling action and psychologically subtle character portrayal.