Hour Glass

By: Michelle Rene

Narrated by: Chaz Allen

Set in the lawless town of Deadwood, South Dakota, Hour Glass shares an intimate look at the woman behind the legend of Calamity Jane told through the eyes of 12-year-old Jimmy Glass.

After their pa falls deathly ill with smallpox, Jimmy and his sister, Hour, travel into Deadwood to seek help. While their pa is in quarantine, the two form unbreakable bonds with the surrogate family that emerges from the tragedy of loss.

In a place where life is fragile and families are ripped apart by disease, death, and desperation, a surprising collection of Deadwood’s inhabitants surround Jimmy, Hour, and Jane. There, in the most unexpected of places, they find a family protecting them from the uncertainty and chaos that surrounds them all.

©2018 Michelle Rene (P)2018 Michelle Rene

Interesting historical fiction about Calamity Jane

I enjoyed the story told from Jimmy's point of view. It was an insightful look into how living in the old west was for people, bringing to life many of the experiences they may have had, such as hard work, poor education, disease, prostitution, fire, Native American and white relations, and loss of loved ones. The added element of Hour's autism was weaved well into the story. To combat the hardships, Michelle Rene included the timeless power of bonds that people develop with others that bring us through hardship and help us survive and even thrive in difficult situations.

This book made me curious about Calamity Jane, so I looked up information online and also watched a documentary on her life. I liked how Michelle Rene wove facts about Calamity Jane into Hour Glass, and inspired me to find out more about the true story.

Chaz Allen has a pleasant voice and did a nice job of narrating the story.

I would listen to another book by Michelle Rene and narration by Chaz Allen.

I received a free copy of this book, and this is my honest review.

Great story

This book was a good story with great narration. I would recommend this book to a friend. I was given this book at no cost for an honest review.

Great story

This is a fantastic historical fiction featuring a great cast of characters. It's a bit of a coming of age tale seen through the eyes of young Jimmy Glass as he deals with his father's illness, his sister's unusual behavior, and visions of his past. Along the way, he is aided by a colorful cast including the legendary Calamity Jane. The narration unfortunately doesn't meet the superb quality of the writing, as the audio is quite noisy and the reader pauses awkwardly from time to time. Still, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fresh take on a frontier legend.

Historical Fiction at its finest!

This was a wonderful audiobook! Michelle Rene’s book is historical fiction at its finest. Chaz Allen’s narration is great as well. This story is primarily a coming-of-age yarn centered on a boy, Jimmy Glass, as he struggles to care for his ailing father and his autistic younger sister, Hour. Their journey lands them in the famous town of Deadwood, South Dakota, where adventure and colorful characters await. Enjoy!

Good Listen

Hour Glass
Author: Michelle Rene

A historical western fiction set in and around Deadwood, South Dakota, as told from the point of view of 12 year old Jimmy Glass. A look at the way Calamity Jane entered his life and influenced the way he grew up. A good listen!



The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Chaz Allen does a great job of bringing the old west to life.



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.