Title: Blueland

Author: Robert Jaxx

Genre: Historical Fiction

 

Captain Alden Zur and his men have made it through the war between the states and are ready to return home and live quiet lives. Zur and his Rangers had served the Union cause well, taking on dangerous missions against the Confederate army. Despite requests from General Ulysses S. Grant to keep his men active against lingering Confederate resistance, Zur and his men disregard Grant and head west. Zur reunites with his wife and sons in Belleville, Illinois, a city fraught with divisions over Union and Confederate sympathies. Zur decides to move his family west to Blueland, Colorado, a place where Zur hopes to make a living as a cattle farmer. However, tranquility is not entirely in the cards for Zur and his soldiers as they contend with murderous bandits, cattle thieves, and other deplorables.

Blueland is a transfixing historical fiction novel exploring the long-lasting bonds between soldiers and how they attempt to live their lives after the fighting is done. Author Robert Jaxx’s engrossing narrative encompasses the early Reconstruction years of the United States and includes the Army’s battles with the Native Americans along with elements of the infamous cattle wars. The shifting point of view allows for various characters such as Alden’s son, Levi, and his best friend, Arliss Byrd, to develop their own intriguing subplots. The drama is omnipresent and electric in this tale about family and brotherhood.

Despite his recent service in the US military and the Union he fought to preserve, Alden Zur lives under a cloud of intolerance, as he and his family are often discriminated against due to their Jewish heritage. Similar bigotry is shown in the murder of African Americans and the couple who sheltered them by a group of former Confederate soldiers. A later incident in the story discusses the butchering of Native Americans by another band of thugs. While these scenes are brutal, they bear resemblance to many historical atrocities committed in the post-Civil War period, which makes them equally poignant. Alden and his men represent the contrary view, as they treat their fellow men and women with respect and are more inclined to seek justice for the oppressed. The author portrays Alden Zur and men like Eugene Byrd, Charlie, and Jesse as flawed but decent men, their actions are about righteousness.

The esprit de corps between Alden Zur and his fellow rangers forms a significant part of the overall story, as the men’s time served among each other has brought them close. Alden Zur is a brave leader who has earned the respect and devotion of his men, and they follow him to combat both on and off the battlefield. As solidly established by Robert Jaxx, the loyalty the men have for their leader is undying and helps serve to drive the plot forward in many aspects. This sense of kinship is later displayed in the close friendship between Levi Zur and Arliss Byrd as the inseparable friends set out west and face their own tribulations but always stand by the other when one is challenged. These close-knit relationships are portrayed in a genuine and organic way.

Blueland is a dynamic story that transpires over multiple decades and involves generations. There is more than a fair share of violence in this tale and more than a good amount of vile villains, yet a few are introduced quickly and then, before they can make a significant impact, are killed off. The book would be enhanced by allowing for further character development of outlaws like Wendell Suggs and diehard Confederates such as Newton Posey.

Blueland is an outstanding work of period fiction, filled with more than a few memorable characters. Robert Jaxx has written an inspired piece of work with flawless pacing and timeless themes and was an absolute joy to read.

 

 

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