Buffalo Soldier Paperback – 25 April 2017

Enjoyed reading this alot. I hope there are more stories about their journey. I get the ending kind of finalised everything but it would be good to read others.

Desmond Coke is a nattily dressed Nyabinghi soldier from Jamaica who prefers a sword to a gun. He has assumed the responsibility of protecting a young boy, Lij Tafari who is the genetic clone of Emperor Haile Sellasie and a container of secrets buried in his DNA. The pair has angered shadowy political and religious groups on the island and have to flee. They travel via airship from a technologically advanced island hoping to find peace in North America, but in this alternate history, the continent has its Civil Wars and political intrigue. The pair is relentlessly pursued by corporate and government hired assassins, who want what the boy has at any cost. Will they find a place they can call home?Maurice has lovingly woven Jamaican culture and history, American Civil War history into an alternative history Steamfunk classic that is resonating with me even now. There are telekinetics, Steam men, mechanical animals, spies, assassins and some cool fight scenes. The relationship between Desmond and Lij is an important one and is depicted with care. It's very touching when they interact, and the use of stories within the main narrative adds depth to this already excellent read. The dialogue was very well executed too, and the Jamaican patois touches were fantastic.My only disappointment is that this adventure had to end so soon but luckily for you, it can just be the beginning.

Buffalo Soldier is a Steampunk novel with a Jamaican protagonist which (I believe) is completely unique. Reading words like "raassclaat" after a wild-west style shootout in a saloon or the main character Desmond craving Ackee & Saltfish after he took a ride on a mechanical horse made this book unlike anything I have ever read before!Desmond is tasked with protecting a very special little boy called Lij Tafari and the story is about how they try to make their journey to safety.I really admire the author's imagination, the only problem was how short this story was; I was desperate to know more about Lij but I never actually got that information.

This is a great steampunk story set in an alternative America.

Chosen as book club selection. Well written, very engaging. Really wanted it to be longer / have a sequel. (Haven’t checked yet- hope there will be/is one)The 4 rather than 5 is over Broaddus’ use of others’ stories to extend the narrative (reminds me of Kevin Hearne’s similar digressions). Sometimes they support the narrative, sometimes not so much. I would have preferred slightly less, but understand that it is the communication style that appeals best to the small boy character in the story. I remember seeking out all the Andrew Lang fairy books at an early age, so this makes some sense to me.Nevertheless, it’s a great beginning. I hope there is more.

Una historia corta pero entretenida, lo sentí más como un bosquejo de una historia más grande que nunca se concretó, tiene cosas interesantes, si sacaran un par de novelas cortas más sería muy bueno, mundo interesante

An interesting read and my first foray into steampunk alternate history fantasy!It's a short read that at times feels like it had more potential to be more. To be longer. That it's a bigger story told too quickly. And yet a part of me is so wholly satisfied with wanting more than feeling that something overstayed it's welcome.There's tight, pulpy action sequences, interesting characters and culture, an emphasis on imperialism and colonialism and the importance of our stories to us as people.It's a strong read, and I recommend it. Especially considering the low low price point.

Our story follows Desmond Coke, a Jamaican spy turned renegade, who is escorting a quiet, strange boy named Lij as they flee through an alternate-steampunk version of the Wild West from agents of the global empire of Albion.They run into far too much trouble in the Free Republic of Tejas, but manage to cut through a bunch of corporate mercenaries. Unfortunately, the gun-slinging Pinkerton agent Cayt Siringo is a more dangerous foe, but they still manage to hobble over the border into the Assembly of First Nations, but not even this most technologically advanced territory may be able to protect them from their enemies.Can Desmond and Lij escape to freedom? Can they find anyone they can trust? And what is the secret hiding in Lij's genes?Maurice Broaddus' novella revs up fast and rarely slows down. The action is excellent, and the settings, particularly the extremely high-tech Assembly of First Nations, are lots of fun. Characterization is also a very strong point. Desmond and Lij are both skillful and subtle creations, but some of the secondary characters are especially great, like the desperate but mannerly Cayt, the dignified fury of Inteus, and the calm, commanding, but compassionate Kajika.It's also a story about stories. Seems like everyone tells stories to Lij at one time or another, generally about legends and mythology. He's on the run because someone decided they could decide what the story of his life was going to be -- the stories show him he can decide for himself.If you're looking for grand, action-packed fantasy with a steampunk-Western twist and a fun, diverse cast, you'll want to pick this up.

Interesting world, though the reader has to fill in a lot of gaps. An alt New World, roughly in the late 20th century, with an odd mix of technology and non-European folklore. Not clear how they can co-exist (yes, it's steampunk, but the internal logic is fuzzy). The protagonist is likeable, his motivations fairly clear. The story comes to a stopping point, but it can clearly go on. This open-endedness is the main reason I found this otherwise likeable novella just okay.