Customer Reviews

Crack in the Sky

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've loved Johnston's books as I have read them all; however,the books with Titus Bass have come to be a truly special experience that is rare. Titus Bass is the kind of man you what for a friend. A person to trust and count on when life isn't going perfect. It's both sad and happy to read (even though not real)about a man of the mountains that you'd wish to share his time and space; proud to call him friend. Now, excuse me while I read them again and again...

The problem with prequels is that eventually they bring you up to a time that you've already covered. Such is the sad case with "Crack in the Sky". The book is one of the best in the Titus Bass saga, and it's sad that it ends with the events that begin the first Titus Bass novel (though the fourth chronologically), "Carry the Wind". Each of the Titus Bass series are books I'll read over and over. There have been some great mountain man books in the past (A.B. Guthrie's "The Big Sky" comes to mind), but Johnston's are among the very best. Pick any Titus Bass novel and dig in--by the end of the book, you'll know this character through and through. You'll experience the harshness and reality of life on the frontier and in the Rockies during the early part of the 19th century. You'll also enjoy the simple but boisterous pleasures of that time. And you'll experience the bloody battles that were fundamental to survival. Viva Terry C. Johnston! Please find a way to give us more Titus Bass novels like this!

Terry C. Johnston has added considerably to his achievements with this 'prequel' to his original Mountain Man trilogy. This book is the last of the prequel trilogy, and goes a long way to bring his memorable character Titus Bass full circle. What is monumental is the scope and realism of this book, as well as the extremely well-written action sequences. Some writers do action scenes so that they confuse a reader, but Johnston remains focused throughout, and although it may be a cliche, a reader can almost smell the powdersmoke in his battle scenes. In addition, Johnston handles personal interactions and relationships extremely well. i am particularly drawn to Titus Bass and his musings on the women in his life, and whether he is cut out to be a loner, or should he seek companionship. It is an issue that tears at the character, and Johnston succeeds in making him three-dimensional. As in all of his novels, Johnston makes you care about his protagonists, and even fleshes out secondary characters. Historical realism is a big strength of Johnston's, and students of the fur trade era will have a tough time finding any errors in this books, or any of Johnston's work. He weaves real-life characters through his books. And they ring true. This novel ends literally where the very first novel "Carry the Wind" began, bringing us right to that first sentence of the previous work. It is a good touch for the Johnston fan, but this novel can stand on its own, so that the reader unfamiliar with his work will not feel lost. Yet Johnston does this without repeating himself to the point of tedium and distraction for readers of the previous five volumes. That speaks well of his skills to perform such a feat. I have heard that Johnston plans to start another trilogy that takes Titus Bass beyond the ending of the last chronological Mountain Man book, "One-Eyed Dream." Fans of really excellent western historical fiction can only hope this is true. --Bob C. Johnson

Author always good. Enjoyed many of his books. Hope to enjoy more. Delivery on time and book in the new shape as advertised.

Our book arrived quickly and in wonderful condition, which proves that purchasing a used item from the right seller can be a great experience, and it was with this order. Highly recommend and sending thanks!

This book, a prequel to the wonderfully written novel "Carry the Wind", is one of the best books in the 9 volume Titus Bass series. What I liked most about this particular entry in the series is that the reader experiences how Bass comes into his own as a free trapper in the Rocky Mountain West of the 1820-1830's. The period dialogue, action, and Johnston's masterful depiction of the scenery help establish a strong sense of period and place.

As with all of Johnston's works, this volume weaves fictitious characters into real historical events. The writing is captivating, action-packed, and brutally realistic. I found the depiction of the battle between Bass and a long-sought foe to be particularly violent and graphic yet it was necessary to the story. The world lost a wonderful writer and historian when Johnston died in 2001; luckily he left us with his writings. Anyone wanting to read a great work of historical fiction or anyone who is a student of the fur trade, Indian Wars, or Western American history simply can't go wrong with one of Johnston's books and "Crack in the Sky" is among the best.

Captivating, exciting,shocking, I cannot put the book down. Johnston is the master storyteller. Titus Bass is like an old friend, every book in the series is wonderful reading, giving us a realistic window into the past. I now await the sequel.