Well, this is different. The Coilhunter, also known as Nox, is a bounty hunter, who lives and hunts in the Wild North. There is the wastelands, an empty stretch of land, or Rust Valley, where the sun is blotted out by towering scrapyard walls built of wrecked vehicles. Inside these walls live the clockwork constructs made of many pieces of metal for their numberous arms, legs, and bodies. Some have a piece for their head, but many do not bother, and some have weapons instead of hands. They live amongst huge piles of scrap metal, utilizing little trails that run through the maze of piles. So, anyone who is foolhardy enough to enter has no idea what may be waiting around the next bend. This is one place Nox has added to his list of Places Never to Visit.
Nox himself feels somewhat made of metal. Having been badly scarred in a fire, he wears a metal mask over the bottom half of his face, and has a breathing apparatus that he carries, strapped to his back for his ruined lungs. Each breath emits a small puff of smoke. That’s not all; he carts around various equipment that help keep him alive in one way or another. He is full of tricks and surprises, such as a wrist cuff with buttons that allow him to fly, move, and for location. He also has a monowheel, which he drives and can direct it to come to him if he needs a quick getaway. His quasi-duck and quasi-owl are very handy items. Well-armed with his many gadgets, he tears wanted posters off walls wherever he finds them, and runs down those unlucky bad guys.
While passing time in a bar, Nox watches everyone as a young girl runs in screaming for help. Her brother has been kidnapped. Every man simply stares at her; not one stirs to offer assistance. Nox, being a good guy, steps up to the task. He puts her in the box on the back of his monowheel, and they head out to find the trail of the kidnappers. In no time, they find the tire tracks and are led to a settlement called the Night Ranch. It is fenced in with guards who like to talk a lot. Listening, Nox discovers that they are slavers and the ranch has prisoners locked up in cells. The fight is on. Just as he is about to release them, though, he is caught and captured. Like I said, Nox is full of surprises and soon frees himself and the others, including a young boy.
This is how Nox meets Laurie and Luke, who are searching for their parents. Their mother believes the constructs are alive, so she and their father left their children for Rust Valley to prove her belief. Nox knows he must go with the two, if they are to survive. They are about to meet more constructs than they could have ever imagined.
This is a good story with lots of action, shoot-outs, fights, and crazy names, like Swill Roberts the barman, Tinhead Tom with the metal plate attached to his head, Plump Podge, and Oddman Rensley to name a few. This is just the beginning. What can you expect? The hero is the Coilhunter.
The rating:
- Genre and general reading age – Science Fiction Western for teens and adults.
- Level of sexuality – Low.
- Is there graphic language? Enough to notice, but nothing excessive.
- Did I cry? No.
- Did I laugh? No.
- Is this part of a series? Yes, this is book two of the Coilhunter Chronicles series.
- Level of character development – Nox is fully fleshed out. However, many of the others don’t last very long after an encounter with him, so it doesn’t really matter.
Caution: there is a lot of violence, so be ready when you jump in. I give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars.
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