Odd Billy Todd

By: N. C. Reed

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

A post-apocalyptic fiction by N.C. Reed.

Billy Todd has always been different. Most people called him odd, and those were the nice people. Though he was born with a learning disability, Billy's parents never allowed him to consider himself disabled. Raised to be self-sufficient, Billy might not be as smart as some, but he was a lot smarter than people realized.

When the entire world is devastated by a plague that kills over 95 percent of the population, Billy is not helpless. Believing he may be the only survivor in his town, he manages to place himself in a good position to survive alone in a new world.

©2015 N.C. Reed (P)2019 Creative Texts Publishers, LLC

Wish it was just the beginning of a series!

Loved it! Great story structure, wonderfully voice and performed. I am left wishing this becomes a trilogy!

Not a Zombie book......

Not sure why it was in the zombie category because there are no Zombies in this book. I really enjoyed the story but it was way to long.

A Good Listen . . . But

This was an enjoyable story. Definitely written by a "prepper" but interesting to consider another take on surveying the apocalypse. (The detail description and naming of artillery and weaponry was a bit over-obvious).
My "BUT" relates to a few things. Listening to this made me very mindful that it seems as though the story/book were written with a television series in mind. And basically all the episodes would have a similar arc with minimal conflict and feel-good endings; then on to the next episode with minimal conflict and feel-good ending. Kind of Walton-esque with some significant violent scenes, however.
My "BUT" also relates to the voice performer. He had a strong voice and did well; however, his voice also was very unique with its southern drawl, which was invested in each character. Granted, I assume all the characters were "local" to the particular Tennessee south setting in which I believe the story takes place, but it's hard to imagine that everyone talked with a stereotypical southern near-cartoonish hillbilly twang.
Which leads to another "BUT." Unfortunately, I suppose my own linguistic stereotypes surface, but making everyone sound like a middle-aged southern hillybilly-esque person, it was very hard to imagine anyone in a "contemporary" way. I couldn't help but envision Little House on the Prairie and/or Jed Clampett and Ellie Mae fashions throughout the story. Why wouldn't anyone in a story purportedly set in the 21st century have some grammatically correct ways of speaking? Why would everyone talk like I assume southerners might have talked in Mark Twain's day, but was unaware all continue to talk that way. The dialogue and performance prohibited me from visioning any of these young people (for most of the main characters were teens or twentysomethings) looking like a normal young person in jeans and a T-shirt; instead, it aprons, overalls, and kerchiefs. No way am I seeing a "normal" co-ed or teen in this story.
Good story, decent performance, kept my attention, but . . . .

Wow! A tremendous entry in it's genre.

I really loved listening to this story. The story forced me to see the post-apocalyptic genre in a new way. I had never thought of the main character as just barely functioning person in the normal world and then shine in a post-apocalyptic world. He was the glue that kept all around him to pitch in with all they have and stay away from turning to the evil side. I do not remember reading any other book like that. I highly recommend this book. Now for the obligatory: "I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review." "I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator.”

Great book

This is a great book. It is hard to put down. I highly recommend it!

Interesting from start to finish

I got this book to kill some time thinking it might be fun. I was surprised at the storyline and entertainment value I found in the book. I have already recommended to some friends. I couldn’t stop listening.

Wonderful Storytelling!

This isn’t a genre I usually choose and this is my first book of Mr. Reed’s but I enjoyed it so much that I must admit to being a little sleep deprived. Before I go and find another book by this author, I’m taking just enough time to urge anyone who lives a good story to buy this book. It’s an engaging story with wonderful, memorable (much loved!) characters and a plot that was literally heart stopping in places. My Fitbit almost called me an ambulance a couple of times..

One gripe? All of the minor baddies have Irish surnames! If Mr. Reed ever comes to Ireland for a book signing; I’ll be speaking to him about that! Now; stop haunting the reviews and download this book as fast as you can! x

easy to listen to, surprisingly good

had little hope for another apocalyptic tale but this was so folksy and practical i enjoyed every minute of it. well written well performed. heartwarming.

Couldn't stop listening

Wow, I don't understand how one author could pen such totally different quality books. Odd Billy Todd ranks with some of the best end of the world selections I''ve encountered, right there with Alas Babylon and a few others. Narration was great, the characters three dimensional and the story moved right along. In contrast the same author gave us Fire In The Sky which I couldn't listen to for more than an hour before I gave up. It sounds like a product of a teen aged tenth grade writing assignment. In the author's defense, I have to say the narration of Fire In The Sky was terrible. I loved Lee Allen as a local DJ in the 60s. He had a great don't miss radio rock n roll program. As a book narrator however he is terrible. His narration is overly dramatic, constantly over emphasizing sentences that don't need it. My recommendation is to skip the Fire In The Sky books but rush and buy Odd Billy Todd just as soon as you can. Billy Todd is the kind of story that you can't put down but when the last chapter is finished you wish you had more.

Excellent book! I wish I could give it 10 stars!

Absolutely loved it! Excellent story narrated equally as well! Main character was well very refreshing.