Rebel Spurs

Rebel #2

by Andre Norton

Alice Mary Norton was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and educated at Western Reserve University. She was a librarian for the Cleveland Library System for eighteen years. She legally changed her name to Andre Alice Norton in 1934 to appeal to a predominantly male audience. She became a full-time professional author in 1958, writing as Andre Norton, Andrew North and Allen Weston. She was the first woman to receive the Gandalf Grand Master Award from the World Science Fiction Society in 1977, and she won the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award from the SFWA in 1983.

Rebel Spurs is a novel that begins in the aftermath of the Civil War. In 1866, only men uprooted by war had reason to ride into Tubacca, Arizona -- a nondescript town as shattered and anonymous as the veterans drifting through it. So when Drew Rennie, newly discharged from Forrest's Confederate scouts, arrivesleading everything he owned behind him -- his thoroughbred stud Shiloh, a mare about to foal, and a mule -- he knows his business will not be questioned. To anyone in Tubacca there could be only one extraordinary thing about Drew, and that he could not reveal: his name, Rennie.

Drew had come west from Kentucky to find a father he had thought dead until the year before. Kinship with a man like Hunt Rennie, however -- the legendary Don Cazar, owner of a matchless range and prize stallions -- was not a claim to be made quickly or lightly. Posing as Drew Kirby the young veteran contrived to get himself and his friend Anse hired as corral hands at Rennie's Range, but he was hardly prepared for the suspicion and danger which stood between him and his father. As hotheaded as his father, Drew was ready to moveon to California -- until the day all proof of his Rennie name was stolen from him, and his unwarranted arrest for horse-thieving brought on the accusations of the one man whose trust he needed.

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Ebooks, Adventure, Historical, Science Fiction

174 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Andre Norton, born Alice Mary Norton, was a pioneering American author of science fiction and fantasy, widely regarded as the Grande Dame of those genres. She also wrote historical and contemporary fiction, publishing under the pen names Andre Alice Norton, Andrew North, and Allen Weston. She launched her career in 1934 with The Prince Commands, adopting the name “Andre” to appeal to a male readership. After working for the Cleveland Library System and the Library of Congress, she began publishing science fiction under “Andrew North” and fantasy under her own name. She became a full-time writer in 1958 and was known for her prolific output, including Star Man’s Son, 2250 A.D. and Witch World, the latter spawning a long-running series and shared universe. Norton was a founding member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America and authored Quag Keep, the first novel based on the Dungeons & Dragons game. She influenced generations of writers, including Lois McMaster Bujold and Mercedes Lackey. Among her many honors were being the first woman named Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy and SFWA Grand Master. In her later years, she established the High Hallack Library to support research in genre fiction. Her legacy continues with the Andre Norton Award for young adult science fiction and fantasy.

Reviews

[Bookworm]

I cannot get enough of this book. Just, the feelings it has left me with! Andre Norton blended her characters development so well with the circumstances thrown at them. There is mystery, gunfighting, wild stallions, reunitings with old, dear friends, and treachery! As well as a son coming home.
Two thumbs up, I am going to annoy many people with reccomending this book. :D

Found the main character exceptionally likable, the sidekick hilarious and endearing, the rancheros and mustang catchers, villians and soldiers all so unique and individual, each one seperatly motivated.. Not your typical young adult western.

[Jo]

This one is a must read for anyone who read Ride Proud, Rebel. We find out what happened to Anson Kirby and meet Drew's father. Plus, there still aren't any starry-eyed females skulking around in the background...

[Kurt Springs]

I've always been a fan of Andre Norton. I usually read her science fiction and fantasy. Of her westerns, I've read Stand To Horse a long time ago. This is the second book in her Rebel series. I have not yet read the first.

Drew Rennie is a Civil War veteran. He served under Nathan Bedford Forest. Drew came west from Kentucky in search of a father he had thought dead. Using the name alias Drew Kerby, he goes to work as a hand for Hunt Rennie, his father. He wishes to see if he can claim kinship to his father before revealing his true identity. If not, he plans to move to California. Then his identity papers are stolen, and he is accused of stealing his horses.

The story is an interesting one. Not the pace I usually like, but a fun read.

[Rose]

This is the sequel to Ride Proud, Rebel. Drew Rennie has taken his young stud, a mare in foal, and an Army mule and set out West in search of his father, Hunt Rennie. But when Drew finds Hunt, he realizes that his father is very wealthy and has adopted a boy about Drew's own age. Drew has no interest in being an unwanted encumbrance, or being seen as a leech. Perhaps he will just move on. The West is a big place.
This book is more fun to read than Ride Proud, Rebel, and can be read as a stand alone, but you understand it better if you read the previous book first. I highly recommend it.

[Naomi McCullough]

A great sequel to Ride Proud, Rebel! After the war, Drew heads south and finds himself in Arizona looking for the father he thought was dead. Pretending to be someone else, Drew joins the Don's ranch, and begins to doubt whether or not he should even reveal his identity to the man who doesn't even know he exists.

[Masina Lane]

Secrets

After the Civil War, a man searches for his father but is worried that his father won't believe he is really his son. The story moves rather slowly but was still a good read.

[William]

Wonderful reading

A Civil War novel that is very will written novel about a young man growing up. The characters are interesting and will developed. The story line is about war and the men it effect. I would recommend. Enjoy reading 2020

[Stephen]

When things look bleak....true friends and family can make all the difference ...a story of re-discovery and redemption and it's opposites. .isolation and ignorance.listened to this on the trail and kept my eyes peeled.

[Cindy Tucker]

Not as good as Ride, Rebel, Ride by a long shot. The book doesn’t really stand on it’s on. It’s really a 2.5 but the ending was so abrupt and disappointing.

[Scott Gregory]

I didn't finish the book, as it was just boring. I tried to get into the story but just couldn't. Pass it up.

[Cynthia Dalton]

Western by Andre Norton

[Tim Litz]

Well written

Very interesting story. Good parts, ok parts, great parts. Certainty worth your time. A little different end than I imagined. Hope you enjoy it as I have.

[Tim]

(review coming)

[Pat]

Andre Norton at her best, just in a Western instead of SF.

[B Payne]

DNF

[Kelly]

Not my usual genre but I enjoyed it.

[Perry Whitford]

The Civil War over, the South defeated, Confederate scout Drew Rennie leaves Kentucky for the small frontier town of Tubacca, Arizona, in search of the father who he has never seen and thought was dead.

Hunt Rennie, known as Don Cazar, runs a thriving ranch, despite the attentions of Apaches, bandidos, an interfering army captain, and a wild, killer Pinto.

Drew rides in on his horse Shiloh, deciding to conceal his identity from his father until he gets to know him. But he hadn't reckoned on the old man having an adopted son, a young hothead named Johnny Shannon.
Fortunately, an old friend he also thought dead turns up to lend a hand.

This is a sequel to 'Ride Proud, Rebel!', a quietly impressive Western wrapped up in a Civil War story from a time when there couldn't have been many female writers in either genre.
The fighting finished, 'Rebel Spurs' is all Western, authentic, gritty and well written, though not quite as good as its predecessor.

The characters and likeable and courageous, but not in an infallible or idealised way, like those in many Westerns written by men who ought to know better so often are.

Norton once again shows a keen ear for the dialect of the southern states (e.g. "I'd walk soft near him for a while, or you'll have about as much chance as hens amblin' into a coyote powwow"), as well as with the pidgen english of the Mexican characters.

The climax was a little disappointing, but all in all the Drew Rennie story was rounded out in fine style.

[bluetyson]

Rebel Spurs by Andre Norton (2000)

[Rob Roy]

A western written by a science fiction author.

[Lindsay]

A good adventure story, which made a nice light read.

[A.N.]

The numbskull rebel rides prouder after the war.

[Mark Zodda]

Much better than the first book in the series, Ride Proud, Rebel.

[Ken Lowe]

The book was interesting, but very differ from Ms Norton 's normal writing. However, I would suggest that you read "Ride Proud Rebel", first.

[Roger]

Reminiscent of Zane Grey’s westerns, Ride Proud, Rebel is equal to any of Grey’s writings and Rebel Spurs is a welcome sequel to it.

[Colin]

Rebel Spurs

I like this story better than its companion novel Ride Proud Rebel. Maybe I like westerns better than Civil War novels.