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Legends of the Lost Causes #1
Legends of the Lost Causes
The thrilling first book in a new middle-grade fantasy action-adventure series set in the Old West, about a ragtag team of orphans who must fight off the risen dead
A band of orphan avengers. A cursed stone. A horde of zombie outlaws.
This is Keech Blackwood’s new life after Bad Whiskey Nelson descends upon the Home for Lost Causes and burns it to the ground.
With his home destroyed and his family lost, Keech will have to use the lessons he learned from Pa Abner to hunt down the powerful Char Stone. Luckily, he has the help of a ragtag team of orphans. Together, they’ll travel through treacherous forests, fight off the risen dead, and discover that they share mysterious bonds as they search for the legendary stone. Now it’s a race against the clock, because if Bad Whiskey finds the stone first . . . all is lost.
But Keech and the other orphans won’t hesitate. Because they’re more than just heroes.
They’re Lost Causes.
A band of orphan avengers. A cursed stone. A horde of zombie outlaws.
This is Keech Blackwood’s new life after Bad Whiskey Nelson descends upon the Home for Lost Causes and burns it to the ground.
With his home destroyed and his family lost, Keech will have to use the lessons he learned from Pa Abner to hunt down the powerful Char Stone. Luckily, he has the help of a ragtag team of orphans. Together, they’ll travel through treacherous forests, fight off the risen dead, and discover that they share mysterious bonds as they search for the legendary stone. Now it’s a race against the clock, because if Bad Whiskey finds the stone first . . . all is lost.
But Keech and the other orphans won’t hesitate. Because they’re more than just heroes.
They’re Lost Causes.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 20, 2018
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October 17, 2022Howdy, everyone! My name's Brad, and I'm the co-author of this here book, Legends of the Lost Causes. I truly hope you enjoy reading Keech's tale of justice as much as my pard Louis Sylvester and I enjoyed writing it. It's the kickoff story in a fast-paced trilogy full of magical adventure set in 1850s America -- in a place that many call "the Old West." Book 2: The Fang of Bonfire Crossing can be found where books are sold, and Book 3: The Key of Skeleton Peak is also now available! You can also order Book 3 here: The Key of Skeleton Peak.
Why did Louis and I write Legends of the Lost Causes? Well, our love for Western films really. I have a special place in my heart for the old flicks I used to watch with my dad (you might have heard them called "spaghetti westerns"). I also love the Harry Potter books and Stephen King's Dark Tower series (I'm probably not the only one, right?) and Louis and I figured that our own dark, magical world set in the real Old West would be a pure hoot to write. Turns out, we were correct! We're having so much fun exploring the old frontier, and we hope our joy translates to a book and series you'll love and cherish for a long time to come.
We haven't done any of this alone, of course. We've had a host of early readers come along for the journey, assisting us with cultural content and historical tidbits. Our appreciation especially goes to the Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center and Language Department in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, whose directors and specialists have been working with us on the cultural content of the Osage Nation since 2015. When we have questions, they give brilliant answers; when we bug them with e-mails, they go out of their way to assist. Without their help, the Lost Causes couldn't ride -- so we thank you, Osage friends, from the bottom of our hearts.
Look for occasional updates at my website, www.bradmcbooks.com, and be sure to watch for book giveaways and other exciting news. Oh, and don't forget to follow me on Twitter @bradmcbooks, and on IG @bradmclelland. I don't look like much of a cowboy, but don't let that stop ya from moseying over and saying howdy.
I'll see you on the trail, friends! Time to saddle up and get ready. The Lost Causes are about to ride.
Brad
Why did Louis and I write Legends of the Lost Causes? Well, our love for Western films really. I have a special place in my heart for the old flicks I used to watch with my dad (you might have heard them called "spaghetti westerns"). I also love the Harry Potter books and Stephen King's Dark Tower series (I'm probably not the only one, right?) and Louis and I figured that our own dark, magical world set in the real Old West would be a pure hoot to write. Turns out, we were correct! We're having so much fun exploring the old frontier, and we hope our joy translates to a book and series you'll love and cherish for a long time to come.
We haven't done any of this alone, of course. We've had a host of early readers come along for the journey, assisting us with cultural content and historical tidbits. Our appreciation especially goes to the Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center and Language Department in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, whose directors and specialists have been working with us on the cultural content of the Osage Nation since 2015. When we have questions, they give brilliant answers; when we bug them with e-mails, they go out of their way to assist. Without their help, the Lost Causes couldn't ride -- so we thank you, Osage friends, from the bottom of our hearts.
Look for occasional updates at my website, www.bradmcbooks.com, and be sure to watch for book giveaways and other exciting news. Oh, and don't forget to follow me on Twitter @bradmcbooks, and on IG @bradmclelland. I don't look like much of a cowboy, but don't let that stop ya from moseying over and saying howdy.
I'll see you on the trail, friends! Time to saddle up and get ready. The Lost Causes are about to ride.
Brad
November 5, 2021
a fun quick read. zombie body snatcher middle grade set in the mid west and includes the Osage Native Americans
September 21, 2017
HELLO ZOMBIE OUTLAWS IN THE WILD WEST!!!! Oh my gosh I loved this book so much. The action, the cast, everything... This was such a blast. And there are MORE BOOKS COMING!!!! AHHHHHH!!!
I read an advance copy of this book.
I read an advance copy of this book.
June 16, 2017
Amazing book! Thrilling and full of adventure. I didn't want it to end.
March 31, 2020
Legends of Lost Causes is full-on 100% Western awesomeness. It made me so nostalgic for the western movies that I used to watch on base as a kid. There's gunslinging, a telegraph office, the county sheriff, even a huge standoff ending. There is so much to love about this book and I'll get into the really fun, exciting parts in just a bit cause this ain't no ordinary western.
The first book begins in the Missouri Hills in 1844. Keech and his brother Sam are playing down by the river when a stranger named Bad Whisky shows up looking for their Pa. Not familiar with the shady looking man, they send him off in the wrong direction and hightail back to Carson's Home for Lost Causes, the orphanage they live at with their three siblings, Granny Nell and Pa Abner. Pa seems disturbed by the news of the man coming around asking for him and sends the boys on an urgent mission to the telegraph office in Big Timber with a message in a sealed envelope that he wants sent to St. Genevieve, Mississippi. Along the way, the boys become curious about what the telegram says and open the letter finding a coded message, a cipher of sorts that appears to make references to biblical passages.
In Big Timber, the boys find the telegraph office is under attack and the telegraph machine has been destroyed. Unable to send their message, they head home. Once there, they learn that Bad Whiskey has returned and has brought members of his gang with him. Concerned for their Pa's safety, Keech and Sam hide where they overhear parts of Pa and Whisky's conversation. Pa Abner insists he doesn't have the Char Stone and Keech hears Whiskey say something about Pa being an Enforcer, and that someone named Reverend Rose is looking for this stone. Because Pa is unable to give him what he wants, Bad Whiskey sets Keech's home on fire, killing everyone inside and leaving Keech alone.
In the second part of the story, Sheriff Turner arrives to investigate. Initially, they plan to go after Bad Whiskey together, but then four children show up who are hunting the same killers. When disagreements arise between the children and Sheriff, Keech takes off with the four kids instead. Out on the road, the children begin to piece together that they share a unique connection, that all of their fathers took on new identities and names in order to hide the Char stone from Reverend Rose. Keech also receives some valuable information about his father and his heritage.
Okay, now for the things that I loved about this story and there were so many. Everything from the setting to characters to the none stop action. There's the brotherhood that these boys share, the way that they have a code and honor about them. How they bonded over their need for revenge and to bring Whiskey to justice. I loved how Pa Abner taught his children rules for survival in the wilderness, and how Keech was able to draw from those lessons later as he was hunting after Whiskey. But as I said before, this isn't your ordinary western, this western has zombies. ZOMBIES! I can't state enough how cool that is in a western. Whiskey even controls these zombie-like thralls who are dead former outlaws forced to do Whiskey and Reverend Rose's bidding. Did I mention that this is action-packed? Their adventure takes them through the mountains, into the mouth of a cave, through the forests, while avoiding a quicksand trap and then ends in a creepy boneyard filled with rotting corpses and a huge epic final showdown ensues. And what a thrilling showdown it is. I mean seriously this is such an exciting adventure. I really enjoyed reading Legends of Lost Causes and am so looking forward to continuing with The Fang of Bonefire Crossing. I need to know more about the elusive Reverend Rose and what his plans are for the Char Stone.
**A huge thank you to the Henry Holt & Company for the review copy. **
The first book begins in the Missouri Hills in 1844. Keech and his brother Sam are playing down by the river when a stranger named Bad Whisky shows up looking for their Pa. Not familiar with the shady looking man, they send him off in the wrong direction and hightail back to Carson's Home for Lost Causes, the orphanage they live at with their three siblings, Granny Nell and Pa Abner. Pa seems disturbed by the news of the man coming around asking for him and sends the boys on an urgent mission to the telegraph office in Big Timber with a message in a sealed envelope that he wants sent to St. Genevieve, Mississippi. Along the way, the boys become curious about what the telegram says and open the letter finding a coded message, a cipher of sorts that appears to make references to biblical passages.
In Big Timber, the boys find the telegraph office is under attack and the telegraph machine has been destroyed. Unable to send their message, they head home. Once there, they learn that Bad Whiskey has returned and has brought members of his gang with him. Concerned for their Pa's safety, Keech and Sam hide where they overhear parts of Pa and Whisky's conversation. Pa Abner insists he doesn't have the Char Stone and Keech hears Whiskey say something about Pa being an Enforcer, and that someone named Reverend Rose is looking for this stone. Because Pa is unable to give him what he wants, Bad Whiskey sets Keech's home on fire, killing everyone inside and leaving Keech alone.
In the second part of the story, Sheriff Turner arrives to investigate. Initially, they plan to go after Bad Whiskey together, but then four children show up who are hunting the same killers. When disagreements arise between the children and Sheriff, Keech takes off with the four kids instead. Out on the road, the children begin to piece together that they share a unique connection, that all of their fathers took on new identities and names in order to hide the Char stone from Reverend Rose. Keech also receives some valuable information about his father and his heritage.
Okay, now for the things that I loved about this story and there were so many. Everything from the setting to characters to the none stop action. There's the brotherhood that these boys share, the way that they have a code and honor about them. How they bonded over their need for revenge and to bring Whiskey to justice. I loved how Pa Abner taught his children rules for survival in the wilderness, and how Keech was able to draw from those lessons later as he was hunting after Whiskey. But as I said before, this isn't your ordinary western, this western has zombies. ZOMBIES! I can't state enough how cool that is in a western. Whiskey even controls these zombie-like thralls who are dead former outlaws forced to do Whiskey and Reverend Rose's bidding. Did I mention that this is action-packed? Their adventure takes them through the mountains, into the mouth of a cave, through the forests, while avoiding a quicksand trap and then ends in a creepy boneyard filled with rotting corpses and a huge epic final showdown ensues. And what a thrilling showdown it is. I mean seriously this is such an exciting adventure. I really enjoyed reading Legends of Lost Causes and am so looking forward to continuing with The Fang of Bonefire Crossing. I need to know more about the elusive Reverend Rose and what his plans are for the Char Stone.
**A huge thank you to the Henry Holt & Company for the review copy. **
March 25, 2020
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Legends of the Lost Causes
Author: Brad McLelland & Louis Slyvester
Book Series: Legends of the Lost Causes Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 20, 2018
Genre: MG Fantasy/Western
Recommended Age: 12+ (fire, some death, some scary moments)
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Pages: 336
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The first book in a new middle-grade fantasy action-adventure series set in the Old West.
A band of orphan avengers. A cursed stone. A horde of zombie outlaws. This is Keech Blackwood’s new life after Bad Whiskey Nelson descends upon the Home for Lost Causes and burns it to the ground.
With his home destroyed and his family lost, Keech will have to use the lessons he learned from Pa Abner to hunt down the powerful Char Stone. Luckily, he has the help of a ragtag team of orphans. Together, they’ll travel through treacherous forests, fight off the risen dead, and discover that they share mysterious bonds as they try to track down the legendary stone. Now, it’s a race against the clock, because if Bad Whiskey finds the stone first. . . . all is lost.
Review: OMG! OMG! Where was this book when I was younger?! I loved this little zombie book so so much! I love the equal parts zombie and equal parts western book and I thought it was a genuinely fun and enjoyable book. The book is creepy, but not too creepy for younger readers and the world building was done amazingly well.
My only issue is that I wish that the characters had been a bit more developed, but they were ok for a middle grade read.
Verdict: Definitely a book series to read!
Book: Legends of the Lost Causes
Author: Brad McLelland & Louis Slyvester
Book Series: Legends of the Lost Causes Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 20, 2018
Genre: MG Fantasy/Western
Recommended Age: 12+ (fire, some death, some scary moments)
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Pages: 336
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The first book in a new middle-grade fantasy action-adventure series set in the Old West.
A band of orphan avengers. A cursed stone. A horde of zombie outlaws. This is Keech Blackwood’s new life after Bad Whiskey Nelson descends upon the Home for Lost Causes and burns it to the ground.
With his home destroyed and his family lost, Keech will have to use the lessons he learned from Pa Abner to hunt down the powerful Char Stone. Luckily, he has the help of a ragtag team of orphans. Together, they’ll travel through treacherous forests, fight off the risen dead, and discover that they share mysterious bonds as they try to track down the legendary stone. Now, it’s a race against the clock, because if Bad Whiskey finds the stone first. . . . all is lost.
Review: OMG! OMG! Where was this book when I was younger?! I loved this little zombie book so so much! I love the equal parts zombie and equal parts western book and I thought it was a genuinely fun and enjoyable book. The book is creepy, but not too creepy for younger readers and the world building was done amazingly well.
My only issue is that I wish that the characters had been a bit more developed, but they were ok for a middle grade read.
Verdict: Definitely a book series to read!
June 12, 2019
Keech never thought he would need to use his father's training, but when a band of undead bandits burns down his home and family, he takes off on a journey of revenge - and to stop them from getting their rotting hands on a mysterious artifact capable of unknown powers. McLelland begins an intriguing adventure full of action, suspense, and all the charms of the Wild West. Can Keech use what he has learned to survive, or will he end up as just another of the undead?
July 24, 2017
This is a suspenseful, thrilling, and at times creepy coming of age tale. Great pace, and lots of action! Can't wait for the rest of the series!
July 5, 2018
This was not a bad little romp. Some mystical Western action, and a solid set-up for a series.
October 3, 2017
A genuinely fun read, with just the right amount of adventure, magic, and grit to keep a young (or old, in my case) reader turning the pages.
October 15, 2018
Keech is an orphan, but he's been well taken care of by Pa Abner at the Home for Lost Causes for years with several other children. But all that changes the day a man named Bad Whiskey Nelson shows up looking for Pa. When Pa refuses to tell Bad the location of a certain stone a man named Reverend Rose wants, things get really bad and only Keech survives. The next day he meets up with a band of boys on the trail of Bad Whiskey and his thralls (zombies). It turns out they all have something in common, the band of men has killed loved ones of all of them. With the sheriff, the boys set out to try to stop Bad Whiskey from hurting more people in his search for this stone. But the boys have no idea that there's a much bigger game they are caught in the middle of.
This is definitely exciting and high action. It's also a little more serious than your average middle grade book. The boys are up against some seriously nasty bad guys. The thralls (which are basically zombies minus the desire to eat brains) are quite hard to return to their dead state. They're a bit gross and nasty. Bad Whiskey and his boss, Reverend Rose are even nastier. (And Rose does not seem to be any sort of real pastor, he's a leader of a posse, some of whom rebelled, and has gathered some nasty tricks...he wore out his welcome with the Native American tribes nearby you find out). This book basically covers round one of the boys' conflict with the bad guys, and the boys figuring out what in the world is going on and why them and their loved ones. It seems in the next book they'll be getting some training from the Osage (one of the boys is part Osage, and speaks it a little), and then launching into their next conflict. Well, at least that's the goal at the end of this one. The fantasy elements, it has been hinted, have some sort of origin in Native American mythology/folklore. I can honestly say I've never read anything quite like this before. It's like a dark Western with teen boys seeking revenge (though they get deputized so it can be called justice) against some foes with supernatural powers. This might appeal to Percy Jackson fans who have worn out that series and are ready for something a little more serious.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are several deaths, and then dead people being turned into thralls, and then thralls being killed. Some of that is gorily described and many of the supernatural elements are a bit dark. There are supernatural elements that fight the dark though too. All that to say, this is probably best for more mature middle graders.
This is definitely exciting and high action. It's also a little more serious than your average middle grade book. The boys are up against some seriously nasty bad guys. The thralls (which are basically zombies minus the desire to eat brains) are quite hard to return to their dead state. They're a bit gross and nasty. Bad Whiskey and his boss, Reverend Rose are even nastier. (And Rose does not seem to be any sort of real pastor, he's a leader of a posse, some of whom rebelled, and has gathered some nasty tricks...he wore out his welcome with the Native American tribes nearby you find out). This book basically covers round one of the boys' conflict with the bad guys, and the boys figuring out what in the world is going on and why them and their loved ones. It seems in the next book they'll be getting some training from the Osage (one of the boys is part Osage, and speaks it a little), and then launching into their next conflict. Well, at least that's the goal at the end of this one. The fantasy elements, it has been hinted, have some sort of origin in Native American mythology/folklore. I can honestly say I've never read anything quite like this before. It's like a dark Western with teen boys seeking revenge (though they get deputized so it can be called justice) against some foes with supernatural powers. This might appeal to Percy Jackson fans who have worn out that series and are ready for something a little more serious.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are several deaths, and then dead people being turned into thralls, and then thralls being killed. Some of that is gorily described and many of the supernatural elements are a bit dark. There are supernatural elements that fight the dark though too. All that to say, this is probably best for more mature middle graders.
February 6, 2019
It's like Stephen King's THE GUNSLINGER meets LONESOME DOVE for middle grade! With some John Bellairs and Tony Hillerman mixed in too. LOST CAUSES is its own awesome thing. So wish I had the sequel, THE FANG OF BONFIRE CROSSING, in my hands right now because I'm dying to know what happens next. Fast-paced, wonderfully written fantastical western that just won't let the reader go. One excellent line to share: "She played the bugle the way she ate her meals, with the fervor of a lunatic."
March 16, 2018
A fast-paced magical adventure perfect for fans of N. D. Wilson.
February 24, 2018
Disclaimer: Thanks so much to the publisher for sending me a free finished copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This will not affect my review in any way.
Legends of the Lost Causes is the MG adventure novel that I have been looking for ages. It was fun and gripping at the same time, and it had everything from zombies and gun fights to curses and mystery. It felt so refreshing to read a book that enraptured me from page one! I just could not put it down, and I found myself going “One chapter more. I need to know what happens next!” so many times. Legends of the Lost Causes places you in the midst of the fighting between the orphans and the outlaws as it takes you on a wild adventure in search of the elusive Char Stone. This story will not only make readers smile but also inspire readers, regardless of age, to continue to fight for what is right in the face of enemies and evil.
What I love about novels like Legends of the Lost Causes is that they take you to places far and wide and allow you to experience dangerous and thrilling scenarios without actually being in any danger in real life. Certainly, this novel accomplishes that. I was thrust into a world in which Bible verses are used as secret codes (very smart!) and the dead (without their souls) can be resurrected into zombie outlaws called thralls. This western fantasy felt a lot like Indiana Jones for middle grade readers, with a Native American twist. There were so many twists and turns and shocks and surprises that I sat at the edge of my seat and became engrossed in the story. I gasped and I cried (internally). I laughed and I rejoiced. I truly enjoyed every second of reading it.
McLellan and Sylvester dazzled me with their well-crafted and fantastical world-building. One doesn’t encounter many historical fantasies, let alone western historical fantasies, in the book world. I truly felt as if I was in the Wild West battling villains and trekking through rough terrains. The magic–from the curse of Edgewood to the mystical pendants–was so fascinating! I loved how the authors infused elements of the Osage culture, including Keech having Native American ancestry, into this rip n’ riding adventure, and the folklore of the tribe was very interesting. It definitely added a whole new layer of magic and mystery to the story. I am so excited to see more of the Osage culture presented in the next book!
Legends of the Lost Causes is a tale of perseverance. As outlaws and enemies fought against Keech and his ragtime gang of orphans, they never gave up without a fight. Learning from these kids has shown me that you must keep on fighting even in the toughest of situations. This book is a great example of why I believe that Middle Grade has so much power–the bravery and courage of these kids rivals those of adults, even me! Everyone, including Keech, Nat, Duck, Cutter, and John Wesley, showed their strength when they were tested. They were always there for each other, and they knew how to get out of each situation. Truly they are role models for children and adults alike! I also loved all of Pa Abner’s advice that Keech recalls throughout his ventures; readers can even apply them in their own lives in certain situations (from survival to life and death).
I am so happy that this is the first book in an upcoming series by McLelland and Sylvester! It excites me that there is going to be more of Keech and the Lost Causes soon! There are so many unanswered questions at the end of the book that I hope will be resolved in the sequels. Certainly, I will be on the lookout for book two. The Legends of the Lost Causes series is very promising and one you should not miss! It’s perfect for those who long for an adventure, and I am confident that readers will find one in this stunning MG western fantasy debut!
Legends of the Lost Causes is the MG adventure novel that I have been looking for ages. It was fun and gripping at the same time, and it had everything from zombies and gun fights to curses and mystery. It felt so refreshing to read a book that enraptured me from page one! I just could not put it down, and I found myself going “One chapter more. I need to know what happens next!” so many times. Legends of the Lost Causes places you in the midst of the fighting between the orphans and the outlaws as it takes you on a wild adventure in search of the elusive Char Stone. This story will not only make readers smile but also inspire readers, regardless of age, to continue to fight for what is right in the face of enemies and evil.
What I love about novels like Legends of the Lost Causes is that they take you to places far and wide and allow you to experience dangerous and thrilling scenarios without actually being in any danger in real life. Certainly, this novel accomplishes that. I was thrust into a world in which Bible verses are used as secret codes (very smart!) and the dead (without their souls) can be resurrected into zombie outlaws called thralls. This western fantasy felt a lot like Indiana Jones for middle grade readers, with a Native American twist. There were so many twists and turns and shocks and surprises that I sat at the edge of my seat and became engrossed in the story. I gasped and I cried (internally). I laughed and I rejoiced. I truly enjoyed every second of reading it.
McLellan and Sylvester dazzled me with their well-crafted and fantastical world-building. One doesn’t encounter many historical fantasies, let alone western historical fantasies, in the book world. I truly felt as if I was in the Wild West battling villains and trekking through rough terrains. The magic–from the curse of Edgewood to the mystical pendants–was so fascinating! I loved how the authors infused elements of the Osage culture, including Keech having Native American ancestry, into this rip n’ riding adventure, and the folklore of the tribe was very interesting. It definitely added a whole new layer of magic and mystery to the story. I am so excited to see more of the Osage culture presented in the next book!
Legends of the Lost Causes is a tale of perseverance. As outlaws and enemies fought against Keech and his ragtime gang of orphans, they never gave up without a fight. Learning from these kids has shown me that you must keep on fighting even in the toughest of situations. This book is a great example of why I believe that Middle Grade has so much power–the bravery and courage of these kids rivals those of adults, even me! Everyone, including Keech, Nat, Duck, Cutter, and John Wesley, showed their strength when they were tested. They were always there for each other, and they knew how to get out of each situation. Truly they are role models for children and adults alike! I also loved all of Pa Abner’s advice that Keech recalls throughout his ventures; readers can even apply them in their own lives in certain situations (from survival to life and death).
I am so happy that this is the first book in an upcoming series by McLelland and Sylvester! It excites me that there is going to be more of Keech and the Lost Causes soon! There are so many unanswered questions at the end of the book that I hope will be resolved in the sequels. Certainly, I will be on the lookout for book two. The Legends of the Lost Causes series is very promising and one you should not miss! It’s perfect for those who long for an adventure, and I am confident that readers will find one in this stunning MG western fantasy debut!
November 15, 2018
O, the Western! Its frontier-facing expansiveness gives it a powerful allure for someone who grew up on a housing estate in Reading. Its dominating themes - such as the struggle between order and lawlessness as a new world comes into being - give it a mythic stature in the mind of someone who grew up opposite an Asda superstore. Its Manichean dualism trickles all the way down to its depictions of social etiquette - smelly tobacco-spitting bad guys versus the kind of shiny-badged ‘Good day Ma’am’ sheriffs we seldom saw in Reading - make it both powerfully distinctive and an easy genre to parody. have written an enthralling (that’s an in-joke) mid grade ‘sins of the fathers visited on the children’ adventure which ingeniously, and respectfully, exploits and subverts the genre’s conventions to explore universal themes. And there are ZOMBIES.
Don’t want to give too much of the story away, and to be honest I’d avoid reading the sleeve blurb if I were you (I didn’t read it, and was surprised by plot developments that the blurb gives away upfront). Led by a mysterious figure known as the Reverend, a group of undead outlaws is seeking three things: the shards of a powerful amulet, a magical Char Stone which can bestow immortality, and the lives of a group of defectors who hid the Char Stone after abandoning the Reverend years ago. Now, with the Reverend hunting the defectors, the children the defectors raised (and trained to survive and fight) - including our thirteen-year-old orphan hero Keech - find themselves thrown together with some kids seeking vengeance on the Reverend’s revenants in a quest to find the Char Stone before the thralls can get their rotten hands on it.
It’s beautifully, intelligently plotted; heroes and villains range across vast landscapes while finding themselves struggling to escape from perpetual loops. History repeats itself; curses recur; the dead live, die, live again; inescapable haunted forests lead travellers in endless circles; the children, seeking both vengeance and the Char Stone, find themselves simultaneously chasing and racing against their ghoulish enemies. The story is bloody, brutal and very human (we’re even led to pity the literally rotten Bad Whiskey as he struggles to hold onto his fading childhood memories). The twists are ghastly and exciting, the ending explosive, the characters wonderful - especially Keech. Sustained by memories - memories of his training, inspiring memories of those he’s left behind - we share Keech’s need to discover the truth about himself, his past, and his Osage heritage.
Gorgeous writing. There’s a polite formality to the voice and the dialogue that’s powerful winsome. I love touches like wild onions giving a dell a ‘rowdy fragrance’, and the thralls ‘fussing at the moon’ and ‘crying their damnation’.
Modern classic. Get it and pre-order the follow-up (The Fang of Bonfire Crossing, out next Feb) now! *Shoots pistols encouragingly at your feet.*
Don’t want to give too much of the story away, and to be honest I’d avoid reading the sleeve blurb if I were you (I didn’t read it, and was surprised by plot developments that the blurb gives away upfront). Led by a mysterious figure known as the Reverend, a group of undead outlaws is seeking three things: the shards of a powerful amulet, a magical Char Stone which can bestow immortality, and the lives of a group of defectors who hid the Char Stone after abandoning the Reverend years ago. Now, with the Reverend hunting the defectors, the children the defectors raised (and trained to survive and fight) - including our thirteen-year-old orphan hero Keech - find themselves thrown together with some kids seeking vengeance on the Reverend’s revenants in a quest to find the Char Stone before the thralls can get their rotten hands on it.
It’s beautifully, intelligently plotted; heroes and villains range across vast landscapes while finding themselves struggling to escape from perpetual loops. History repeats itself; curses recur; the dead live, die, live again; inescapable haunted forests lead travellers in endless circles; the children, seeking both vengeance and the Char Stone, find themselves simultaneously chasing and racing against their ghoulish enemies. The story is bloody, brutal and very human (we’re even led to pity the literally rotten Bad Whiskey as he struggles to hold onto his fading childhood memories). The twists are ghastly and exciting, the ending explosive, the characters wonderful - especially Keech. Sustained by memories - memories of his training, inspiring memories of those he’s left behind - we share Keech’s need to discover the truth about himself, his past, and his Osage heritage.
Gorgeous writing. There’s a polite formality to the voice and the dialogue that’s powerful winsome. I love touches like wild onions giving a dell a ‘rowdy fragrance’, and the thralls ‘fussing at the moon’ and ‘crying their damnation’.
Modern classic. Get it and pre-order the follow-up (The Fang of Bonfire Crossing, out next Feb) now! *Shoots pistols encouragingly at your feet.*
January 27, 2018
Feels Like an Honest to Gosh Western
Sure, this book has action, zombie bad guys, a magical macguffin, an implacable villain, and a fantasy quest vibe. It's all good and it all works. Sure, we have a scrappy mixed gang of resourceful, nicely developed, hard charging kid adventurers. And, we have a resourceful, loyal, decent, upstanding main hero character. All the ingredients for a fine book and a good continuing series? You bet.
But here's the best part, and the thing that sets this apart and a bit above all the other middle grade fantasy quest adventures I've read recently. The book looks and feels and reads like a real western. From the opening page, when two brothers playing by a creek are approached by a creepy lone horseman, through a stand off on a lonely ranch, and on to a dusty town in search of the telegraph office, this could be Zane Grey or Owen Wister or Louis L'Amour. Lots of middle grade books go for a western feel. But most of them are sanitized and Disneyfied, or just count as westerns because there's a horse and maybe some cows.
This book is different. The scenes are well set and have an air of authenticity. It's more than just chickens in the yard, homemade furniture, and biscuits, although that's part of it. There's a way adults talk to each other, and kids talk to adults, and kids talk to and josh with each other. These kids meet up and form into a posse one by one. Each kid in the gang has to find his own place and fit in to the team. There's a way such kids size each other up, show their pride and maturity, come to terms with each other - and these authors get that right. There's a balance of pride and bluster and permitted tomfoolery and inappropriate talk and behavior. These are kids "The Virginian" would recognize and approve of.
In most books the kid characters just "become" a team and the story flows from there. Here, it all has to be played out according to the "code of the west", and respect has to be earned and courage proven. That strong undercurrent runs through the whole book as the delicate balance of the five "lost causes" kids shifts and resettles from scene to scene. Now, I may be putting too fine an edge on this. It's a zombie, action, fantasy, adventure with gunfights. But westerns still mean something and I think it's great that with this we have such an appealing middle grade variation. A neat and special find.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
Sure, this book has action, zombie bad guys, a magical macguffin, an implacable villain, and a fantasy quest vibe. It's all good and it all works. Sure, we have a scrappy mixed gang of resourceful, nicely developed, hard charging kid adventurers. And, we have a resourceful, loyal, decent, upstanding main hero character. All the ingredients for a fine book and a good continuing series? You bet.
But here's the best part, and the thing that sets this apart and a bit above all the other middle grade fantasy quest adventures I've read recently. The book looks and feels and reads like a real western. From the opening page, when two brothers playing by a creek are approached by a creepy lone horseman, through a stand off on a lonely ranch, and on to a dusty town in search of the telegraph office, this could be Zane Grey or Owen Wister or Louis L'Amour. Lots of middle grade books go for a western feel. But most of them are sanitized and Disneyfied, or just count as westerns because there's a horse and maybe some cows.
This book is different. The scenes are well set and have an air of authenticity. It's more than just chickens in the yard, homemade furniture, and biscuits, although that's part of it. There's a way adults talk to each other, and kids talk to adults, and kids talk to and josh with each other. These kids meet up and form into a posse one by one. Each kid in the gang has to find his own place and fit in to the team. There's a way such kids size each other up, show their pride and maturity, come to terms with each other - and these authors get that right. There's a balance of pride and bluster and permitted tomfoolery and inappropriate talk and behavior. These are kids "The Virginian" would recognize and approve of.
In most books the kid characters just "become" a team and the story flows from there. Here, it all has to be played out according to the "code of the west", and respect has to be earned and courage proven. That strong undercurrent runs through the whole book as the delicate balance of the five "lost causes" kids shifts and resettles from scene to scene. Now, I may be putting too fine an edge on this. It's a zombie, action, fantasy, adventure with gunfights. But westerns still mean something and I think it's great that with this we have such an appealing middle grade variation. A neat and special find.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
February 24, 2018
A band of orphan avengers. A cursed stone. A horde of zombie outlaws.
This is Keech Blackwood’s new life after Bad Whiskey Nelson descends upon the Home for Lost Causes and burns it to the ground.
With his home destroyed and his family lost, Keech will have to use the lessons he learned from Pa Abner to hunt down the powerful Char Stone. Luckily, he has the help of a ragtag team of orphans. Together, they’ll travel through treacherous forests, fight off the risen dead, and discover that they share mysterious bonds as they search for the legendary stone. Now it’s a race against the clock, because if Bad Whiskey finds the stone first…all is lost.
But Keech and the other orphans won’t hesitate. Because they’re more than just heroes.
They’re Lost Causes.
Legends of the Lost Causes marks the thrilling start to an action-packed middle grade series by debut authors Brad McLelland and Louis Sylvester.
Praise for Legends of the Lost Causes
A Junior Library Guild selection
"This is a fun and exciting story, written with the utmost respect for the Osage culture." ―Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center
"A rip-roaring adventure in the Wild West, filled with cowboys, magic, and a horde of undead villains that'll have you hunkered down in your bedroll, turning pages long after the campfire has died down." ―Heidi Schulz, author of the New York Times bestselling Hook's Revenge
"I don’t get to use the word rollicking enough but there’s no other word for this book: a rollicking adventure filled with mystery and magic that crackles like a brush fire." ―Emma Trevayne, author of The House of Months and Years
"Thrilling, dark, and full of heart, this is a Western like none I’ve ever read. I loved it." ―Stefan Bachmann, author of The Peculiar and The Whatnot
"McLelland and Sylvester imbue the adventure with a Louis L’Amour-esque flair refreshed for today’s readers by the thoughtful incorporation of American frontier history and Osage culture. This is an easy read for fans of Westerns like Bowman’s Vengeance Road." ―The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
This is Keech Blackwood’s new life after Bad Whiskey Nelson descends upon the Home for Lost Causes and burns it to the ground.
With his home destroyed and his family lost, Keech will have to use the lessons he learned from Pa Abner to hunt down the powerful Char Stone. Luckily, he has the help of a ragtag team of orphans. Together, they’ll travel through treacherous forests, fight off the risen dead, and discover that they share mysterious bonds as they search for the legendary stone. Now it’s a race against the clock, because if Bad Whiskey finds the stone first…all is lost.
But Keech and the other orphans won’t hesitate. Because they’re more than just heroes.
They’re Lost Causes.
Legends of the Lost Causes marks the thrilling start to an action-packed middle grade series by debut authors Brad McLelland and Louis Sylvester.
Praise for Legends of the Lost Causes
A Junior Library Guild selection
"This is a fun and exciting story, written with the utmost respect for the Osage culture." ―Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center
"A rip-roaring adventure in the Wild West, filled with cowboys, magic, and a horde of undead villains that'll have you hunkered down in your bedroll, turning pages long after the campfire has died down." ―Heidi Schulz, author of the New York Times bestselling Hook's Revenge
"I don’t get to use the word rollicking enough but there’s no other word for this book: a rollicking adventure filled with mystery and magic that crackles like a brush fire." ―Emma Trevayne, author of The House of Months and Years
"Thrilling, dark, and full of heart, this is a Western like none I’ve ever read. I loved it." ―Stefan Bachmann, author of The Peculiar and The Whatnot
"McLelland and Sylvester imbue the adventure with a Louis L’Amour-esque flair refreshed for today’s readers by the thoughtful incorporation of American frontier history and Osage culture. This is an easy read for fans of Westerns like Bowman’s Vengeance Road." ―The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
April 12, 2018
Beautiful attention to setting – I don't believe I've ever read a book set so completely in the state of Missouri. And it's one of those books where the setting is such a intrinsic part of the plot, in many ways a character in its own right. This book couldn't have taken place anywhere else. I definitely appreciated that the authors paid attention to the historic demographics of Missouri by including Latinx and German characters, too.
The secondary characters crept up on me over time (though I did like Nat and Duck at once). The authors took care to develop each and every character, no matter how small their part, or how wicked their souls. And speaking of wicked souls – so many chilling lines! A great study in tone and mood.
The secondary characters crept up on me over time (though I did like Nat and Duck at once). The authors took care to develop each and every character, no matter how small their part, or how wicked their souls. And speaking of wicked souls – so many chilling lines! A great study in tone and mood.
August 7, 2018
Legends of the Lost Causes by Brad McLelland and Louis Sylvester, 325 pages. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2018. $17.
Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (bloody zombie fighting)
MS – OPTIONAL
Keech has a nice life in the Home for Lost Causes, but when Pa Abner sends him to down with an important message, he has a bad feeling. Not only is the town attacked, but Keech and Sam don’t return in time to save their family from being destroyed from a mob of the undead. Now Keech is on the run from Bad Whiskey and his gang of undead thralls. He falls in with a small group of kids who are also on the run – towards Bad Whiskey for their own vendettas. But Keech has information that Bad Whiskey wants – maybe if he can find the answers first then they can stop the evil from taking over.
A zombie western book is definitely a first for me! Zombies still have some popularity, but westerns are a bit harder sell. You will have to handsel this to students, but once they read, they will enjoy the action and danger.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (bloody zombie fighting)
MS – OPTIONAL
Keech has a nice life in the Home for Lost Causes, but when Pa Abner sends him to down with an important message, he has a bad feeling. Not only is the town attacked, but Keech and Sam don’t return in time to save their family from being destroyed from a mob of the undead. Now Keech is on the run from Bad Whiskey and his gang of undead thralls. He falls in with a small group of kids who are also on the run – towards Bad Whiskey for their own vendettas. But Keech has information that Bad Whiskey wants – maybe if he can find the answers first then they can stop the evil from taking over.
A zombie western book is definitely a first for me! Zombies still have some popularity, but westerns are a bit harder sell. You will have to handsel this to students, but once they read, they will enjoy the action and danger.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
March 12, 2020
Legends of the Lost Causes features Keech and Sam, two orphans living in the wild west. The time frame and bad-guys for this book make it extremely unique. Set in the 1850s, it has that old feel, yet there are zombie-ish outlaws and magic. The two together created this amazing adventure that I'm sure little readers will love.
The story was fast-paced and jumped into the action right from the beginning. As an adult reader, I appreciate an exciting start to get me into the story, and I know children will like that as well!
Overall, Legends of the Lost Causes is an exciting fantasy-adventure for middle-grade children. I would recommend this book for readers that are a bit more mature as there is death and loss as well as some spooky/evil aspects.
I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
My review will post to my blog on 3/13/20. All of my reviews can be found at https://shejustlovesbooks.com/
The story was fast-paced and jumped into the action right from the beginning. As an adult reader, I appreciate an exciting start to get me into the story, and I know children will like that as well!
Overall, Legends of the Lost Causes is an exciting fantasy-adventure for middle-grade children. I would recommend this book for readers that are a bit more mature as there is death and loss as well as some spooky/evil aspects.
I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
My review will post to my blog on 3/13/20. All of my reviews can be found at https://shejustlovesbooks.com/
March 17, 2020
A group of orphans bands together to fight a horde zombie outlaws. Each of the orphans has their reason for revenge and decide if they stick together, they will have a better chance of getting their revenge.
Keech Blackwood's life changed when Bad Whiskey Nelson destroys Keech's home by burning it down. After losing his home and his family, Keech will have to rely on the lessons from Pa Abner to hunt down Bad Whiskey and the powerful Char Stone. Together with the band of orphans, they will stop at nothing to hunt down Bad Whiskey.
When I first read the summary, I thought this was going to be a modern-day story. Instead, the novel had a western feel to it. I was reminded of Huckleberry Finn and adventures that he might take. The book was packed with fast-paced action sprinkled with a few bits of humor. It has bits of Osage culture weaved in along with supernatural threats. Any young fan of western novels will enjoy this series.
Keech Blackwood's life changed when Bad Whiskey Nelson destroys Keech's home by burning it down. After losing his home and his family, Keech will have to rely on the lessons from Pa Abner to hunt down Bad Whiskey and the powerful Char Stone. Together with the band of orphans, they will stop at nothing to hunt down Bad Whiskey.
When I first read the summary, I thought this was going to be a modern-day story. Instead, the novel had a western feel to it. I was reminded of Huckleberry Finn and adventures that he might take. The book was packed with fast-paced action sprinkled with a few bits of humor. It has bits of Osage culture weaved in along with supernatural threats. Any young fan of western novels will enjoy this series.
March 8, 2018
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan for a free copy in exchange for a review!
4.5 stars.
I started reading this thinking it'd be a good adventure for whiling the afternoon... and quickly found I could not put it down. Legends of the Lost Causes combines great Western action with some fabulously creepy fantastical elements. I've seen the book compared to Walking Dead, but it actually reminded me more of Garth Nix's Abhorsen series. The story took plenty of interesting twists and turns, and it definitely didn't pull any punches. I'd highly recommend to readers who crave adventure, have an interest in survival skills, and have the stomach for some grisly moments.
I'd call it: Knife of Never Letting Go meets the Old West, with touches of Abhorsen thrown in the mix.
4.5 stars.
I started reading this thinking it'd be a good adventure for whiling the afternoon... and quickly found I could not put it down. Legends of the Lost Causes combines great Western action with some fabulously creepy fantastical elements. I've seen the book compared to Walking Dead, but it actually reminded me more of Garth Nix's Abhorsen series. The story took plenty of interesting twists and turns, and it definitely didn't pull any punches. I'd highly recommend to readers who crave adventure, have an interest in survival skills, and have the stomach for some grisly moments.
I'd call it: Knife of Never Letting Go meets the Old West, with touches of Abhorsen thrown in the mix.
March 2, 2018
If SUPERNATURAL and BONANZA had a book baby, it would be LEGENDS OF THE LOST CAUSES. Set in 1850s Missouri, the setting and voice of this book feel spot-on. Kids who crave action and adventure (and some gore) will love this book.
It takes a little while for the action to build, but once it starts, it doesn't stop! Through it all, Brad McClelland and Louis Sylvester's incredible writing never misses a beat. The world Keech and his friends live in is a bleak one, full of death and destruction, but Keech is more than up to the challenge of surviving and seeking his revenge.
The ending of this book left lots of loose ends to be tied up in the rest of the series. I still have some unanswered questions, so I will be picking up the next book to find out what happens!
It takes a little while for the action to build, but once it starts, it doesn't stop! Through it all, Brad McClelland and Louis Sylvester's incredible writing never misses a beat. The world Keech and his friends live in is a bleak one, full of death and destruction, but Keech is more than up to the challenge of surviving and seeking his revenge.
The ending of this book left lots of loose ends to be tied up in the rest of the series. I still have some unanswered questions, so I will be picking up the next book to find out what happens!
April 26, 2018
When I read books, I usually go the non-fiction route, so the YA genre is not something I usually dive into. I absolutely loved this book. I'm sure there is a better word to use than 'fun' to describe the Lost Causes, but it's a story that hits the ground running and never stops. It's the adventure of the Goonies mixed with the YA horror of Goosebumps mixed with the excitement of a John Wayne western. Yet, it is completely original in its mythology and cleverly builds upon the strong historical culture of the Osage nation. Both kids and adults will delight in these characters and will be pining to know what new adventures awaits these band of heroes. Keech is the new protagonist that avid readers need to get behind.
October 22, 2018
Just your standard orphan western story. You know, outlaws, orphans, tragedy, zombies, secrets, weird magic, all the normal stuff. Seriously though, for a middle grades-ish book this plot is engrossing. Keech is out looking for revenge, but also trying to solve the magic mystery before the bad guys, & maybe find out the truth about his Pa & real father. The magic stuff is interesting with some serious cult overtones (there's also some Osage magic things that seem a little questionable, but they didn't get into it much yet). It's the first in a series, but it does leave you with a satisfying end while setting up for further adventures in the over arching plot. Very adventure-y, exciting, and just a little bit creepy (what with the zombies & all).
March 2, 2019
This book is unique in it's style. It's set in the old West, but has some magic and the undead mixed in. As a fan of Westerns and fantasy, that really appealed to me. It's a fun adventure and you really grow to like the characters. It's fast-paced and full of action. It's styled so that it would really appeal to middle-grade readers. If you have children that are looking for a new, exciting read I would recommend this. Don't get me wrong, it's great for adults too. And according to the authors, this will be a four book series, so there's plenty to look forward to. The second book came out recently and I'm getting a copy.
February 6, 2018
I loved the idea for this story when I first read about it: Orphans in the Old West battling zombie outlaws for a mysterious stone... How could I not want to read this?
But LEGENDS OF THE LOST CAUSES exceeded my expectations. It has all the fun adventure and mystery that I hoped would be in the book, as well as brave and spunky characters, so much heart, and beautiful writing. I'm looking forward to spending more time with Keech, Duck and all the Lost Causes in the next book in this series.
I read an ARC of this book with no request for a review. The review was my pleasure to write.
But LEGENDS OF THE LOST CAUSES exceeded my expectations. It has all the fun adventure and mystery that I hoped would be in the book, as well as brave and spunky characters, so much heart, and beautiful writing. I'm looking forward to spending more time with Keech, Duck and all the Lost Causes in the next book in this series.
I read an ARC of this book with no request for a review. The review was my pleasure to write.
October 3, 2021
“Legends Of The Lost Causes”, by Mclelland and Louis Sylvester is a fantastic action Western/Fantasy book. The book is about a ragtag group of orphans that chase after a man called Bad Whiskey and his gang of zombies after their parents have been killed by them. Their journey takes them through ransacked towns, mountains, creepy forests, a cave with a wild beast, and ending up in a boneyard with corpses and a final battle. The book is action packed with many suspenseful and thrilling moments that make you want to read more. This book is amazing!
September 24, 2018
Westerns are not my usual go-to when it comes to books. But when I learned this one has a band of orphans seeking revenge, a magical stone and zombie outlaws, I was intrigued. It didn't disappoint! The adventure doesn't stop throughout the book and the setting is beautifully mapped out. This is a fantastic read for the mature MG reader as it considers the issue of revenge vs. justice when losing a loved one. I look forward to meeting back up with Keech and his friends in the next book!
April 19, 2019
Just finished reading this book to my class! A great story that mixes genres for a delightfully unique effect! The novel is part Western, part suspense, part supernatural, but a completely enjoyable read for young adults. Keech loses his family, but gains a new one, as well as a mission in this first book of the Legends of the Lost Causes Trilogy. The next book has already been snapped up by one of my eager readers!
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