Roland

Reluctant Paladin

By: N.C. Reed

Narrated by: Graham Halstead

Roland Stang never intended to become the caretaker of 30 abandoned children. He was just looking for a place to get out of the rain. His plan was to lay low and allow the world to reset itself after a worldwide economic collapse. But things do change. An orphan himself from an early age, the former soldier can't simply walk away and leave the children he finds. Especially once he realizes what a sorry lot of adults is nominally in charge of the group in the warehouse he's taken shelter in.

But now he's got his hands full, and then some. He has to find a home for those children, and a way to feed, clothe, and educate them. All while protecting them from people who would prey on them in one way or another, and while protecting his own back from an angry woman who apparently hates him just because. Her only redeeming feature as far as Roland is concerned? She wants to protect the children as much as he does.

Leading a handful of teens and a busload of orphaned children, Roland sets out to find a safe haven for them. Along the way, he'll make friends, enemies, and the odd mistake or two. Or more.

Roland isn't exactly parenting material, either. With problems of his own to deal with, maybe taking on so much extra responsibility wasn't the smartest thing he's ever done. Then again, Roland has always been stubborn.

©2015 N.C. Reed (P)2022 Creative Texts Publishers, LLC

Good listen that missed being really good

For the most part a good listen. However, the last half dozen chapters were unnecessary/boring, that kinda ruined it for me.

No disappointments whatsoever

I really enjoyed this story by NC Reed. It's the second title by the author (Odd Billy Todd being the first and was also excellent) that I've listened to and expected it to be good and it was no disappointment. I might have preferred this tale to stretch out into a small series but that's only a selfish desire of mine to keep a good story going by a good author.

Roland Todd!!

I do love a good post apocalyptic good guys win story,and that is exactly what this is. Was it somewhat predictable? well yes, was it a little shallow in the back story? yes it was. was there some similarities to the Odd Todd story? well somewhat. was it entertaining? Indeed it was. Mr.Halstead did a great job narrating the story giving life to N.C Reeds cast of characters. If you haven't, I suggest you expense N.C Reeds other work , Odd Todd.

Excellent.

Another excellent book by Mr. N.C. Reed. I am a huge fan and have been for a long time. Never read or listened to an N.C. Reed book that was not outstanding. No more need be said.

almost odd Billy todd

great story but like I said almost but it's still great and heart breaking very well written well performed but I will honestly say there are better performers

PALADIN

On the whole, I enjoyed the book. I have read quite a few stories about the collapse of our civilization.
This is the first book that has a positive spin on the subject.
It has people who refuse to accept the fact that society has changed and wants life as it was before. Criminal gangs roving about or taking over areas by intimidation. There are people who are attempting to rebuild society, one group at a time.
The only weak spot is that the ending is slap dash. It is as if the author has become tired of writing the story. From the way the ending has been written, I have no doubt that a sequel is in the works. I plan to check it out.

A good read for teens and early 20's

This is definitely not a narrative for more mature audiences, but would be quite appealing, I think, to the "under 25" crowd. A lot of idealism, and the usual "reluctant hero" and the typical attraction/animosity love story. Topped off with military-style battles with the bad guys, and it's the typical post apocalyptic tale.

The writing flows smoothly, although the author lays it on thick with the "aw shucks" jargon.

The narrator does a decent job, except with certain references to military acronyms. I cringed every time he spelled out M-R-A-P instead of using the actual acronym, "M-rap."

All in all, this would probably be an entertaining and possibly informative to the under 25 audience. I won't be reading any sort of sequel to this, but will close this tale as it is.

Billy Todd wins again. :)

I liked this book fine; even though Roland has problems, who doesn’t. Evil has existed since the forbidden fruit was eaten and murder since Cain killed Able and you know there is so much evil that will be unleashed as soon as there is no one willing to stand against it.
Roland seems like a standup guy who tries to do right with the new world situation that he finds himself in. I wasn’t crazy with the way the book ended but maybe that is a good ending for Roland. I have many of this author’s books and I will say that Odd Billy Todd is the absolute best! I am still hoping that there will be a sequel to that book called, “The FARMS’ and of course, I want to be a character in that book. ;)

a good read

Better then most not as good as some can be a little slow. But I loved the ending.

good story, horrible narrator

Decent story but the narrator is a little like fingernails on chalkboard. Hard to finish when you can't stand the voice actor