Rather than use the form of the novel to fill in exposition through backstory or inner monologues, everything is said out loud, leading the reader to assume that, wounded in battle, the Justice Riders collectively suffer from short-term memory loss, and only the constant repetition of their past exploits keeps their memories alive. And as much as I admire the moxie of a novel that actually contains the utterance, “You’ve got to be…aarraghh! Help!” I must cry foul on the literary merit of The Justice Riders as a whole.

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General Sherman wants to hasten the end of the Civil War. To this end, he commissions Captain Ezra Justice to select six of the best men he can find, and lead them on secret missions that could get them all hung as traitors if they're caught. Captain Justice assembles Shaun O'Banyon of the Irish Brigade; Reginald Bonesteel, a disgraced former member of the Queen's Guard in England; Harry Whitecloud, a Princeton-educated Native American medicine man; Carlos and Roberto Hawkins, half-gypsy twins with a penchant for explosions; and Nathaniel York, a former slave owned by Justice's family, who happens to be Ezra's best childhood friend. The Justice Riders' exploits do, in fact, help bring about the end of the war, but of course, their troubles are just beginning. This book is the first in a projected series. It's a must-read for fans of explosions, roundhouse kicks, the Walker, Texas Ranger TV series, and all things Chuck Norris. ( )

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