The story of J.D. Wilkes is the story of people’s lives, of hard times, of redemption, real life choices and real life consequences. One should put away preconceived notions of what defines a “Western” when considering Shadow Soldier. J.D. Wilkes is three dimensional, not always right and not always moral.
Shadow Soldier is literature, with deep emotional and even Christian themes running through the book as these things run through all of our lives. The choices he has to make are not easy and he struggles with doing the right thing. He is alienated and despised, feared and respected, ridiculed and honored as his actions are perceived by those around him as heroic or cowardly.
On top of that, Shadow Soldier is historically correct and scrupulously researched. Times, places, people and events are accurate and told in such a way that many are unable to put it down after the seventh chapter. Try it and see.