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The Kid
A Short Story by N.C. ReedA group of people evacuating ahead of civil unrest amid a societal collapse find themselves lost, alone, and on the run, deep in the woods of rural West Tennessee. With snow on the ground, no skills, and not much more than the clothes on their backs, the group is in dire straits, and probably won't last out the coming night. Until, out of the falling snow, a lone figure approaches. Over the next few days their silent benefactor will keep them safe, fed, and warm, while helping them acquire the know how to care for themselves. The thing is, he's just a kid. . . .
33 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2014
194 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 24, 2024
SHORT STORY BUT REALLY A GREAT READ
THE KID by N.C. Reed is one of those books that will surprise you just how great it is even though it's really short. To say the least, it will most definitely hold your interest from page one to page thirty-three. It's a story of a group of survivors from Memphis who are on their way north and have no idea how to survive the day, let alone the winter. Without the help of a young man they would truly all die before the day is over from the cold and if they were able to live to see another day, they would be lucky not to starve to death within a few days.
This is a story that will give you hope in humanity. I really enjoyed this short book and hope you will too.
THE KID by N.C. Reed is one of those books that will surprise you just how great it is even though it's really short. To say the least, it will most definitely hold your interest from page one to page thirty-three. It's a story of a group of survivors from Memphis who are on their way north and have no idea how to survive the day, let alone the winter. Without the help of a young man they would truly all die before the day is over from the cold and if they were able to live to see another day, they would be lucky not to starve to death within a few days.
This is a story that will give you hope in humanity. I really enjoyed this short book and hope you will too.
May 26, 2024
Young rescuer
This was an excellent short story about the collapse of civilization and how different people respond to it.
Some people from a wealthy subdivision left the city together for the wilderness to avoid the looting and violence. They were entirely unprepared to survive having never used firearms or done any wilderness training. After a while a young man came to them and built them a makeshift shelter and brought a small deer and showed them how to cook it inside their shelter.
Some of them stepped up and responded to the overtures by trying to learn survival and some acted like they thought the young man was barbarous. The “kid” was acting altruistically to help his fellow man to survive. I thought it was an interesting and succinctly written lesson in gratitude.
This was an excellent short story about the collapse of civilization and how different people respond to it.
Some people from a wealthy subdivision left the city together for the wilderness to avoid the looting and violence. They were entirely unprepared to survive having never used firearms or done any wilderness training. After a while a young man came to them and built them a makeshift shelter and brought a small deer and showed them how to cook it inside their shelter.
Some of them stepped up and responded to the overtures by trying to learn survival and some acted like they thought the young man was barbarous. The “kid” was acting altruistically to help his fellow man to survive. I thought it was an interesting and succinctly written lesson in gratitude.
August 4, 2024
Hillbillies show hapless humans hospitality.
Lord says we 'sposed to help our fellow man, so we aim to do just that.
I've read enough books in my life time to know good writing when I read it. This is good writing. Short story creation is quite the art form and Mr Reed is a half decent artist. He gets into the situation-description quickly and develops the characters almost straight away.
This is just a great little post-apocalyptic shorty with a moral lesson attached. I loved it.
Lord says we 'sposed to help our fellow man, so we aim to do just that.
I've read enough books in my life time to know good writing when I read it. This is good writing. Short story creation is quite the art form and Mr Reed is a half decent artist. He gets into the situation-description quickly and develops the characters almost straight away.
This is just a great little post-apocalyptic shorty with a moral lesson attached. I loved it.
March 21, 2019
A decent short story, but it never took the jump to be a great story. I never really connected with or cared about any of the characters.
March 13, 2019
I'm a little shocked by all of the 5-star glowing reviews for this short story, which is of course one of the primary reasons I picked it up. I enjoyed it enough for a three star rating, it was blessedly free from errors, and it held my attention enough that I could read it in one short sitting. Of course, error free should be a baseline expectation, not a bonus point.
The story revolves around a group of survivors of some unknown apocalyptic event, huddled in the woods in shock, poor little rich people who only really played at camping and have no clue about what it takes to survive in the wild. Their lives are saved, literally and figuratively, by "the Kid," a silent, teenaged savior who provides them shelter, basic supplies, and even their first meal. And eventually, once he rescues them from the cliched band of roving thugs, he slowly teaches them the basics of roughing it.
In short, a decent read and worth the time spent reading it. Just not worth all 5 stars, imho.
The story revolves around a group of survivors of some unknown apocalyptic event, huddled in the woods in shock, poor little rich people who only really played at camping and have no clue about what it takes to survive in the wild. Their lives are saved, literally and figuratively, by "the Kid," a silent, teenaged savior who provides them shelter, basic supplies, and even their first meal. And eventually, once he rescues them from the cliched band of roving thugs, he slowly teaches them the basics of roughing it.
In short, a decent read and worth the time spent reading it. Just not worth all 5 stars, imho.
September 27, 2016
This is an excellent short story and was available free when I got it. I really enjoyed it. It is a story that starts just a few days after the collapse of civilization (no reason given). Our primary characters are regular folks, a group of neighbors, who are on the run from riots. They have little idea of what to do, but a young man, the kid of the title, shows up to give some help and gets them safe and fed and then set up to take care of themselves.
There is definitely a subtle Christian message of helping your neighbors and learning to be self-reliant.
It is a great story.
There is definitely a subtle Christian message of helping your neighbors and learning to be self-reliant.
It is a great story.
April 9, 2024
Good story
I wish it was a whole book! It is a great short story, and I enjoyed it.
I'm hooked on N. C. Reed books right now!
I wish it was a whole book! It is a great short story, and I enjoyed it.
I'm hooked on N. C. Reed books right now!
April 20, 2019
This book blew my mind! It was short...35 pages I think, yet it packed a powerful punch! I at first thought I was reading a post-apocalyptic horror story of survival yet it turned into something very beautiful and soothed my very soul... I will leave it to the reader, to enjoy the ending and to think about how, it is when we assume things about people and the way things are really supposed to be for some of us… definitely a Chris and Ca 2-thumbs up! One of the best books I have ever read other than the Bible.
September 21, 2019
It was pleasant enough to read, but it wasn't exactly a story. A story has a problem, a climax, and a resolution and then a conclusion. This is more of a description of a few things that happen as a bunch of inept people learn how to survive with the help of a taciturn teenage boy because there was no real conflict or resolution, at least not after a scuffle with some bad men early on and an argument that divides the party a bit later.
November 4, 2019
Thought provoking.
This short story is about what could happen after the breakdown of society. It's well written and makes you think. I don't know if NC Reed meant to bring anything political in to this, but those that live their lives sheltered in themselves and in their perfect lives, might need to think some. If you enjoyed this short story, I suggest that you read "Odd Billy Todd." NC Reed has a gift for writing, and you need to read more of his work.
This short story is about what could happen after the breakdown of society. It's well written and makes you think. I don't know if NC Reed meant to bring anything political in to this, but those that live their lives sheltered in themselves and in their perfect lives, might need to think some. If you enjoyed this short story, I suggest that you read "Odd Billy Todd." NC Reed has a gift for writing, and you need to read more of his work.
October 7, 2019
This is a short story, but a nice one. Having recently read a lot of post-apocalyptic stories where there are so many bad people, it was a nice change to read about some good ones. The most interesting character for me was actually Jarred who had to grow in this short space from clueless to wanting to survive to being able to survive. All in all a pleasant read.
June 8, 2024
This post-apocalyptic story centers on a group of suburbanites who are totally unprepared when they have to leave their homes and strike out into the wilderness to fend for themselves. They find a savior in a teenage boy who has been taught how to survive using wilderness skills. This is a slight tale without much depth. The main character, Jarred, does his best to be a leader but as usual, there are some people who are quarrelsome and fight Jarred on pretty much everything.
Things I didn't like: 1) The number of times that Jarred berates himself for doing what he calls stupid things. He is adjusting to a total life upheaval. Of course he won't do everything perfectly immediately. 2) The dissension in the ranks, although I know that when humans interact, it is pretty much inevitable. 3) The suggestion at the end that Jarred can find all the answers he needs in the Bible. Actually, I would suggest the Foxfire series (Foxfire Complete Collection. Books 1-12). Much more useful.
Things I didn't like: 1) The number of times that Jarred berates himself for doing what he calls stupid things. He is adjusting to a total life upheaval. Of course he won't do everything perfectly immediately. 2) The dissension in the ranks, although I know that when humans interact, it is pretty much inevitable. 3) The suggestion at the end that Jarred can find all the answers he needs in the Bible. Actually, I would suggest the Foxfire series (Foxfire Complete Collection. Books 1-12). Much more useful.
February 17, 2021
Excellent and short
I am glad to have read this book. It is different because it is not about former spec operators with a lot of money. It is about ordinary people who are not prepared for an apocalypse. They are helped by a young man with family taught skills who does this because it is the Christian thing to do.
I am glad to have read this book. It is different because it is not about former spec operators with a lot of money. It is about ordinary people who are not prepared for an apocalypse. They are helped by a young man with family taught skills who does this because it is the Christian thing to do.
October 25, 2023
Loved it! The only bummer is that this book is so short.
Like in Odd Billy Todd a sickness kills off the people and we find a small group of survivors trying to make it in a Tennessee winter and not doing well; that is until a teen finds them and shows them how to survive in the new world. Another great book by N.C. Reed!
Like in Odd Billy Todd a sickness kills off the people and we find a small group of survivors trying to make it in a Tennessee winter and not doing well; that is until a teen finds them and shows them how to survive in the new world. Another great book by N.C. Reed!
March 3, 2019
Could not stop reading it kept my attention all through it. Chacters kept me interested in what they were going to do next.
Would like to read other books by Mr. Reed. We could face times like this some day. Thanks for writing this story.
Would like to read other books by Mr. Reed. We could face times like this some day. Thanks for writing this story.
May 3, 2019
Short survival story
Really liked how the group dynamics worked and the decision to leave the whiners behind. A young boy teaching a bunch of city folk to survive after an apocalypse. I've enjoyed everyone of his books I've read.
Really liked how the group dynamics worked and the decision to leave the whiners behind. A young boy teaching a bunch of city folk to survive after an apocalypse. I've enjoyed everyone of his books I've read.
July 9, 2021
Learning to survive
Delightful story😊. Showing !any diodes of a terrible situation& how people react to their own situations. Excellent teaching aid for those who are not prepared for disasters.
Delightful story😊. Showing !any diodes of a terrible situation& how people react to their own situations. Excellent teaching aid for those who are not prepared for disasters.
February 15, 2018
A good start
A brief story that is a good start to a stand alone novel or series with Zach and his family fleshed out.
A brief story that is a good start to a stand alone novel or series with Zach and his family fleshed out.
May 25, 2018
Good read
Well written book. The author captured the situation and the people exactly as I would have thought for a survival story. Well done!!
Well written book. The author captured the situation and the people exactly as I would have thought for a survival story. Well done!!
September 9, 2018
Wonderful short story!
Short story, fast read, but very interesting. Have enjoyed everything I’ve read by this author. Will be looking for more!
Short story, fast read, but very interesting. Have enjoyed everything I’ve read by this author. Will be looking for more!
November 1, 2018
Very cool reading. Story is very plausible and realistic. N.C. Reed has had my full attention from the first one I read.
March 2, 2019
Great!!!
Short but to the point. With a good Christian basis. Mr. Reed got right to it and never faltered. Loved it!
Short but to the point. With a good Christian basis. Mr. Reed got right to it and never faltered. Loved it!
May 17, 2019
A good survival story
Concise and educational. Really like this author! His other books are a good read as well. My favorite is Odd Billy Todd.
Concise and educational. Really like this author! His other books are a good read as well. My favorite is Odd Billy Todd.
June 10, 2019
Loved it
Very different and interesting. I knew I would’ve wanted a much longer story from an author as good as Reed. I was sorry to see it end.
Very different and interesting. I knew I would’ve wanted a much longer story from an author as good as Reed. I was sorry to see it end.
June 19, 2019
The Kid review
The Kid is a very short post apocalyptic survival book written by author N. C. Reed. It's an unusual but interesting story.
The Kid is a very short post apocalyptic survival book written by author N. C. Reed. It's an unusual but interesting story.
August 6, 2019
Another good book by NC reed
I decided to reread this book. I like the genre I like the author oh, I really like this book
I decided to reread this book. I like the genre I like the author oh, I really like this book
February 18, 2020
Great shirt read!
Awesome little story! Could be the start of a great series! Hopefully he will write some more so we can see what happens to Zack and greenhorns!
Awesome little story! Could be the start of a great series! Hopefully he will write some more so we can see what happens to Zack and greenhorns!
May 18, 2020
Liked this short story. Good reading.
Liked this short story. Good reading. NC Reed is a good author. Not sure if this book has any sequels.
Liked this short story. Good reading. NC Reed is a good author. Not sure if this book has any sequels.
July 28, 2020
This story is written for today
Stop and think about who we are and what we are becoming. The morals and values exhibited by Zach are what we need to relearn.
Stop and think about who we are and what we are becoming. The morals and values exhibited by Zach are what we need to relearn.
September 13, 2020
Quick read
Quick read. Doesnt have very long to develop story or characters. Somewhat of a lesson tale or inspirational. Read in one stting.
Quick read. Doesnt have very long to develop story or characters. Somewhat of a lesson tale or inspirational. Read in one stting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews