The Apache Kid: Army Apache Scout
By W. Michael Farmer (Hat Creek, June 2025)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 312
Via: Book Blog Tour
Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
From Army Scout to Outlaw, from Hero to Legend.
This is the story of a gifted man “suspended on a cross between two cultures” who became the best army Apache scout and the most feared outlaw in the southwest borderlands. And then disappeared.
Apache Kid opens in Aravaipa, Arizona in May 1871. Young Ohyessonna (“Hears something in the night”) is living with his family.
He survives the embers of the fires and murders at the Camp Grant Massacre of Apaches. Young Has-kay-bay-nay-ntayl (“brave and tall and will come to a mysterious end”) is known by many names growing up. But growing up in two cultures means choosing between loyalty and betrayal, choosing between his people and their overseers.
Trained by the legendary Al Sieber and former military officers, the Kid makes a meteoric rise to prominence as a first sergeant of scouts. He’s a warrior whose skill and leadership help win the U.S. Army’s fight against renegades and maintain peace between Apache bands at San Carlos Reservation.
But neither war nor peace are ever simple. When forced to make an impossible choice between his own People or the army, the “Kid” chooses his People. His choice leads the army to imprison him at Alcatraz. Released early by the Army, Arizona Territory tries to imprison him again but he, with seven other Apaches on the way to Yuma Penitentiary, escape and become the object of the greatest manhunt in Arizona history. The only one to survive the manhunt, Kid becomes both a ghost and a legend, the most feared border outlaw for the next ten years before vanishing into Mexico.
Told in the first person from Ohyessonna‘s POV, this historical fiction starts slowly. But patient readers will be rewarded with a rich inside look at Apache culture, tradition, language, geography and history. This includes Kid’s interactions with “Blue Coats,” other “White Eyes,” army scouts and the legendary Al Sieber. Supported by sturdy writing, the story puts you right in the thick of things – both action and conversation. Descriptions of southwest flora and fauna will have you walking through San Carlos alongside Ohyessonna, his father Toga-de-chuz, and “Teniente” (Lieutenant) Beauford of the Blue Coats.
While the overall writing is strong, we felt the story sagged in places. Like the multiple “let’s see how good you shoot” scenes. (We get that the kid is an expert shot. We got that the first 2,536 times it came up. No need to beat us over the head with it.) Also, we did not appreciate the hunting/killing animals scenes – deer, cougar, cattle, etc. Especially in chapter 13 with El Tigre. Enough already.
That being said, fans of Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey will enjoy this fascinating account of a lesser-known chapter of southwest history. A worthwhile read.
The Apache Kid Chronicles: Army Apache Scout brings to life the thrilling and tragic journey of Apache Kid as a young man and the best of army Apache scouts. It’s Volume One in The Apache Kid Chronicles.
Pages & Paws 