The Dawn Country: A People of the Longhouse Novel (Iroquois, #2)

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Dawn Country: A People of the Longhouse Novel (Iroquois #2)

by W. Michael Gear, Kathleen O'Neal Gear

4.21 of 5 stars 4.21 · rating details · 189 ratings · 28 reviews

The epic tale that began in People of the Longhouse continues in this second book of the thrilling new Iroquois quartet by bestselling authors and archaeologists Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear.

War Chief Koracoo and Deputy Gonda of the Standing Stone People have successfully rescued their children, Odion and Tutelo, from Gannajero the Trader. Known as the Crow, Ga...more

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published March 15th 2011 by Forge Books

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel

Best Pre-History Fiction

58th out of 110 books — 146 voters

Panther in the Sky by James Alexander Thom

Native American Historical Fiction

27th out of 66 books — 59 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 405)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Jul 23, 2011 Theresa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: review

another dynamic story from the Gear Duo... I have waiwonderful tale of interest built from the remains found in an archeology dig, showing the triumphs and termoil of the native american prehistoryted impatiently to see how the children survive the trials, and terrible violence in their world. The writien draws you into the world of the long house people. because of the movement of story you are able to meet and understand the differences of the five tribes and see the similarity and ideology of...more

like · see review

Mar 19, 2011 Sia McKye rated it 4 of 5 stars

The story opens with war and the capture of many tribes’ children. We follow the tale of two parents determined to rescue their children, War Chief, Koracoo, and her Deputy, Gondo. This especially becomes imperative when they realize just who has their children; Gannajero the trader, aka The Crow, and is witch. Koracoo and Gondo must set aside tribal loyalties and unite with enemies to find and rescue their children. We see the hunt from their point of view and see the hard choices they must mak...more The story opens with war and the capture of many tribes’ children. We follow the tale of two parents determined to rescue their children, War Chief, Koracoo, and her Deputy, Gondo. This especially becomes imperative when they realize just who has their children; Gannajero the trader, aka The Crow, and is witch. Koracoo and Gondo must set aside tribal loyalties and unite with enemies to find and rescue their children. We see the hunt from their point of view and see the hard choices they must make.

We also get the story from the children’s point of view being faced with captivity and depravity. A child’s view of war and casualties. Being forced to do what a child should never have to face and feeling their rescue is up to them as they see that they are mere commodities and expendable. Their entire world and sense of security is shaken. When questioned by a newly captive child as to what to expect, Wrass tells her honestly. “The worst you can imagine. You will obey, or be beaten with war clubs for the slightest offense. Men will come to trade for time with you…and they’ll do things that would get them killed back home…sometimes the child is killed…some are marched away never to be seen again…”

Odion, Wrass, Zateri, and Baji decide to take matters in their own hands and free themselves as well as the rest of the children. Someone must find warriors to help them. The oldest of them is twelve years old. Chilling. But the things they face as children create a burning desire for peace in Odion, son of Koracoo and Gondo. A desire for no child again to face such horrors.

This is an excellent story told by two authors who well know the historical and archeological record of these early times in the Iroquois people. They well acquainted with the religious culture and have heard the oral stories of this time period. What they write puts you on the spot to see these things unfold so you understand the role of the Peacemaker in uniting the tribes under “one nation”.

If you love history, you’ll love this face paced and realistic tale of heartbreak and victory. The characters will touch your heart and you find yourself cheering for their every victory over evil. You’ll come to appreciate great bravery has no age limit.
(less)

like · see review

Mar 14, 2011 Lenore Webb rated it 4 of 5 stars

Well this last week I have been going to bed a bit earlier than usual. Especially tired? No, that was not it. But instead while the Grandbabes where laying down to get to sleep, I was curling up to escape. Each evening I could be found joining the North Americas's Forgotten Past series with The Dawn Country. This was a different sort of books for me to read. But I quickly became entrenched by the story.

This series was written by a husband and wife team. W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear...more

like · see review

Mar 11, 2011 Shannon added it

Shelves: read-in-2011

The Dawn Country is the follow up to People of the Longhouse and begins immediately following the events that ended book 1. This book portrayed Native Americans in a way I have never read before. More than anything else I could feel the authors’ mastery of their subjects. There is a nonfiction introduction that gives some information about the time frame that the book is set in. I am glad that this was included because I can tell you that I never learned about this in history class.

What screams...more The Dawn Country is the follow up to People of the Longhouse and begins immediately following the events that ended book 1. This book portrayed Native Americans in a way I have never read before. More than anything else I could feel the authors’ mastery of their subjects. There is a nonfiction introduction that gives some information about the time frame that the book is set in. I am glad that this was included because I can tell you that I never learned about this in history class.

What screams at me the most from the book is the violent and savage nature of some of the characters. There were parts of the book that I could barely force myself to read but I could not look away either. The most vile parts of human nature have been around long before our time and I think that is a fact I often forget. Or perhaps I just wish it wasn’t true. The interesting thing about life though is that whenever a great evil is there, a greater good arises to defeat it.

The evil in this story is a woman named Gannajero. She sells children for vile acts and abuse to anyone with the wealth to afford them. She is feared by everyone who knows her name. The good in this story is also a woman; her name is Koracoo. She is a war chief and she is determined to rescue the children and stop Gannajero.

The children of the novel are amazing and brave and my heart aches for them as though they were real. We get to experience part of the story through the perspective of one of the children, a boy named Odion. Those portions of the book are among my favorites. He is only 11 and reading his perspective of what happens is heartbreaking and his bravery is inspiring.

Although this novel can stand alone, I think reading People of the Longhouse first is a good idea. The story carries over from the first book and I think it makes the impact of book two much stronger. If you have read any of the authors’ other books, I am sure you will not want to miss these.

BOTTOM LINE: IF YOU WANT TO READ ABOUT NATIVE AMERICANS, MAKE THIS SERIES YOUR FIRST.(less)

like · see review

Jul 22, 2011 Mike rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit, I'm biased when it comes to the series of books written by the Gears. I've been a longtime reader of their work. What I love about it is how they interweave the factual and our inferential understanding of native peoples into their fictional work. They reveal the complex and highly developed customs, beliefs, and rituals of the various nations as they make their way through critical junctures in time (both geological and developmental periods).

This underlying foundation in the...more

like · see review

Aug 24, 2011 Orchid rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

The Dawn Country picks up pretty much right where People of the Longhouse left off with Koracoo, Gonda, their two allies, and the some of the children they rescued as they continue to search for the rest of the missing children and hunt down Gannajero.

I loved reading People of the Longhouse so I was really excited to start on The Dawn Country, plus there was so much that was left unfinished after the I finished the first one that I had to know what was going to happen to all the characters.

While...more

like · see review

Mar 18, 2011 Eileen Souza rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: north-america, historical-fiction

This is the second book in the People of the Longhouse series, which is a part of the larger "People" series.

This is probably the darkest series of the People books that I've read, which is saying something after the Anasazi Mystery series, which dealt with incest, witches, and cannabalism. The second book in the novel picks up where the first one left off - a witch is buying and selling children from war torn villages to be "used" by warrior and men of ill repute. Several of the children escap...more

like · see review

Mar 30, 2011 J. Robert Ewbank rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: a-good-read

What more can one say about the Gear's books. They have delighted us with stories about our country's past. Indians have been changed from our view of them through Westerns and other media to stories that are very real to us with characters that live.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"

like · see review

Oct 04, 2011 Sue rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a thrilling, edge of your seat, can't put it down because you need to see what happens on the next page type of book. If I could give it six stars I would. I'm a big fan of the Gears and their Native American books but the People of the Longhouse series is fantastic. I am excited about the third book in the series which is coming out in Jan. 2012. I may pre-order it so I have it right away. The idea of the series is to give a possible explanation for the beginning of the Iriquois nation...more

1 like · like · see review

May 02, 2012 Citrus Libraries Staff Favorites rated it 4 of 5 stars

Love the Gears, together or apart. They are just fantastic story-tellers! I highly recommend every book they have written, but the "People of..." are my favorites! You will learn SO much from them and enjoy every minute of it.

like · see review

Jun 26, 2011 Farhana Faruq rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

This is part two of the People in the Longhouse series. (It's so nice reading books in order!!) I loved this as much as the first one, and look forward to reading the next in line :)

like · see review

Oct 11, 2011 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

The continuing story of the early Iroquois Indians. This is told partly from the children's view point and it is a darker read than what the Gears normally do.

like · see review

Jan 24, 2012 Jared rated it 5 of 5 stars

Great conclusion to the Iroquois story arc. Disturbing and gripping in the best kind of way.

like · see review

May 28, 2012 Krista rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was just as addictive and interesting as the one before it. I loved it! Especially the justice at the end! I will be reading the next book as soon as possible!

like · see review

Apr 01, 2011 Edie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I like these pre-history books but they are definitely not for everyone. This one is a sequel and I would not suggest that you read it before the first.

like · see review

Sep 13, 2012 John rated it 4 of 5 stars

It's a series, and this couple has written a lot of books!

like · see review

Nov 13, 2012 Tom rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good second installment of the series.

like · see review

Oct 27, 2012 Jim Young rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good!

like · see review

Aug 23, 2012 Michael J rated it 5 of 5 stars

Great book!

like · see review

Mar 11, 2013 Kris rated it 3 of 5 stars

Reading the Gear books is either an acquired taste or an addiction. I like learning about native cultures at different times of history and I also like the stories. Plenty of danger, mysticism, suspense, murder, intrigue....no real sex though. So it is a reading addiction of mine ( ok I admit it) that is one big step above Janet Evanovich which has really no intellectual value at all..But Evanovich does have the sex!

like · see review

Apr 12, 2013 Mark rated it 5 of 5 stars

Note to others: read this asap after People of the Longhouse because both really should combined into one book. I look forward to book 3, The Broken Land, but it sounds not quite like a part 3 in the storyline but a new branch with some of the characters. Regardless, The Dawn Country was as good or better than the first book, People of the Longhouse.

like · see review

May 02, 2012 Elisabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

like · see review

Feb 02, 2012 Doris rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, american-history, backpacking, fiction-historical, first-nation-native-american, survival, history-non-usa, literature

Another fabulous exploration into our ancestors' lives. I wait eagerly for part III OF THE PEOPLE. OF THE LONGHOUSE series!

like · see review

Nov 17, 2011 Shawn Buck rated it 4 of 5 stars

good

like · see review

Aug 04, 2011 Trista rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

page turner.evil villains ,wonderful heroes cant wait to the next book jan 2012.

like · see review

Mar 14, 2013 Natalie Barkhouse-bishop rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fantastic! I'm looking forward to reading the next two that follow.

like · see review

Nov 06, 2012 Patricia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Another good book. Love reading their stuff.

like · see review

Dec 06, 2012 Doris rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, first-nation-native-american, american-history

Awesome!!

like · see review

May 19, 2013 Victoria marked it as to-read

May 19, 2013 Kathie Brundege rated it 5 of 5 stars

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 13 14 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (5)

More editions...

Genres

Historical Fiction

17 users

History > American History

2 users

Adventure

2 users

See top shelves...

About W. Michael Gear

W. Michael Gear was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on the twentieth of May, 1955. A fourth generation Colorado native, his family had been involved in hard-rock mining, cattle ranching, and journalism. After his father's death in 1959, Michael's mother received her Master's degree in journalism and began teaching. In 1962 she married Joseph J. Cook, who taught tool and die making, and the fam...more W. Michael Gear was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on the twentieth of May, 1955. A fourth generation Colorado native, his family had been involved in hard-rock mining, cattle ranching, and journalism. After his father's death in 1959, Michael's mother received her Master's degree in journalism and began teaching. In 1962 she married Joseph J. Cook, who taught tool and die making, and the family lived in Lakewood, Colorado, until 1968. At that time they moved to Fort Collins so that Joe could pursue his Ph.D.. During those years the family lived in the foothills above Horsetooth Reservoir.

It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.

Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.

It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!

Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.

That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...(less)

More about W. Michael Gear...

Books by W. Michael Gear

People of the Fire (The First North Americans, #2)

People of the Wolf (The First North Americans, #1)

People of the Earth (The First North Americans, #3)

People of the Lakes (The First North Americans, #6)

People of the Sea (The First North Americans, #5)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About The Dawn Country:...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: The Dawn Country: A People of the Longhouse Novel
avg rating	preview: The Dawn Country: A People of the Longhouse Novel Goodreads rating: 4.21 (189 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9134923-the-dawn-country?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317065381l/9134923.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9134923-the-dawn-country?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Dawn Country: A People of the Longhouse Novel by W. Michael Gear[/url]

The Dawn Country: A People of the Longhouse Novel (Iroquois #2)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (5)

Genres

About W. Michael Gear

Books by W. Michael Gear

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Dawn Country:...

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (5)