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Moundville Duology #1
People of the Weeping Eye
People called Old White the "Seeker," a man never long with any people or place. For years he had wandered, leaving a trail of war, wonder, and broken love in his wake. Now he is headed home, called back by visions of chaos, blood, and fire. But there is more to the Seeker than most know. He is a man driven by a secret so terrible it may topple the greatest city in North America.
When the far-off Katsinas told Old White it was time to go home, he had no idea that his journey would take him to the head of the Mississippi, where he would encounter the mystical Two Petals--a youngsoul woman obsessed with Spirit Power, who lives life backwards. But before Two Petals can find her way out of the future, Old White must heal the rift in her tortured soul. To do so, he will need the help of Trader, a loner consumed by his own dark past.
People of the Weeping Eye is an epic set against the might and majesty of the great Mississippian Chiefdoms. The Gears have breathed new life into North America's forgotten heritage with a sweeping saga that will forever change your appreciation of our country.
When the far-off Katsinas told Old White it was time to go home, he had no idea that his journey would take him to the head of the Mississippi, where he would encounter the mystical Two Petals--a youngsoul woman obsessed with Spirit Power, who lives life backwards. But before Two Petals can find her way out of the future, Old White must heal the rift in her tortured soul. To do so, he will need the help of Trader, a loner consumed by his own dark past.
People of the Weeping Eye is an epic set against the might and majesty of the great Mississippian Chiefdoms. The Gears have breathed new life into North America's forgotten heritage with a sweeping saga that will forever change your appreciation of our country.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published April 15, 2008
63 people are currently reading
1304 people want to read
About the author
W. Michael Gear
183 books731 followersW. 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...
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...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 10, 2021
DNF. I do have notes, but in essence: this one goes on, and on and ON. Good writng and interesting speculative history, based on archaeology at pub date. A LOT of unpleasant details, also based on what's known, but you may (or may not) care to read them. See other reviewers for details.
I may write up my notes someday. Or not. Basically, the Gears books tend to be formulaic and run together. And, well: Man's inhumanity to man. A LOT of that. More than I wanted to read, which is why I stopped! There are grace notes. But I'm done with this one, and won't be back for another of theirs anytime soon.
This one is (at least in part) about Cahokia and that part of the Mississippian culture, here portrayed unflatteringly and (probably) accurately. I'm currently (10/10/21) reading "Clash of Eagles", an alt-hist Cahokia novel, where the Roman Empire has survived intact into the 13th century. Their Emperor, who got a false report of treasure there and is (like all empires) always low on cash, sends a Legion to look. The Cahokians defeat and destroy the Legion, with air-power and incendiary bombs. The review to read, if this sounds intriguing, is Sherwood Smith's: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I may write up my notes someday. Or not. Basically, the Gears books tend to be formulaic and run together. And, well: Man's inhumanity to man. A LOT of that. More than I wanted to read, which is why I stopped! There are grace notes. But I'm done with this one, and won't be back for another of theirs anytime soon.
This one is (at least in part) about Cahokia and that part of the Mississippian culture, here portrayed unflatteringly and (probably) accurately. I'm currently (10/10/21) reading "Clash of Eagles", an alt-hist Cahokia novel, where the Roman Empire has survived intact into the 13th century. Their Emperor, who got a false report of treasure there and is (like all empires) always low on cash, sends a Legion to look. The Cahokians defeat and destroy the Legion, with air-power and incendiary bombs. The review to read, if this sounds intriguing, is Sherwood Smith's: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
July 31, 2019
Sadly, as these novels make very clear, the lack of a cohesive culture across tribes made it practically impossible for any Genghis Khan type figure to arise and unite them against encroaching Europeans. Additionally, and more damning, it is clear that a worship of battle prowess and torture marked nearly all of the tribes. The bitterness engendered by this constant, internecine warfare can scarcely be imagined, as the Gears make quite clear. Only in the time of the Ghost Dance, would the tribes begin to make some approaches to unity, and by then it was far too late. Those of us from French Canada, many of whom are of mixed blood, can only gaze helplessly at this tribal past and wonder, "what if?" Ironically, to this day among many French Canadian families, neither side will admit easily to any admixture of blood in the past. Tragically ironic and sadly farcical. Perhaps we great, grandchildren, need to form our own tribe of renegades. These are powerful books, indeed.
July 7, 2008
I've read and enjoyed all of the Gears' First North Americans novels. In this book they achieved their norm of recreating and giving life to ancient societies and cultures and providing readers in the twenty-first century with an idea of what Native Americans experienced well before Europeans arrived en masse. However, unlike all of the other stand-alone novels in this series, People of the Weeping Eye is the first half of a larger story to be completed in a later novel. This book lays the groundwork for a great story and proceeds to build suspense through the final page. I'm very anxious to get my hands on the next book, People of the Thunder, to see how it all turns out.
March 17, 2019
**This review has also been posted to my personal website, https://edwardrickford.com/ and to Amazon**
People of the Weeping Eye is a book I accidentally discovered. I was at Moorenko’s, a local ice cream store, with my younger brother and it just so happened the store had a bookshelf full of donated books. I had been meaning to read a book by the Gear’s couple for awhile so I was quite pleased to find a free version of their work. I was even more pleased, however, to discover what a great story these archeologists-turned-novelists had written and I have gone on to buy many of their books since.
People of the Weeping Eye takes place in pre-Columbian North America, a world very familiar to these archeologists but one probably less familiar to the average reader. For lesser writers, the challenge of grounding a story in the Lower Mississippi Valley—a region seldom visited by individuals not taking part in Mardis Gras celebrations—of the 1300s would have been too great. Nevertheless, the Gears’ meet the challenge head-on and give audiences a historical novel that entertains as much as it educates.
It helps a great deal that the Gear’s know how to populate a world with interesting characters. The People of the Weeping Eye is a multiple protagonist story with half a dozen interconnected storylines. While the answer will probably differ from reader to reader, I personally found the storylines involving Old White and Trader to be the most interesting. Some of the most exciting events in the early chapters, like the raid on the White Arrow town, have little to do with these storylines but what really makes these storylines stand out are the great anecdotes included in them.
Old White has spent decades journeying all throughout pre-Columbian North America and has gained incredible knowledge from his travels. He has witnessed human sacrifice on a massive scale in pre-Hispanic Mexico, he has met with envoys that claim to trade with boat people from the East (an allusion to the increasingly popular theory in archeological circles that numerous tribes in pre-Columbian America traded infrequently with Pacific Island people), and he has even heard stories of a shipwreck survivor with pale skin and blue eyes that speaks an unknown tongue. Trader is not nearly as well-traveled, but his storyline is no less interesting. Early in the novel, he finds a hunk of copper so large it could be “buy him a chiefdom.” The copper attracts interest from some unsavory individuals and one character, the delightfully wicked Snow Owl, is so depraved that he encourages his virgin daughter to bed Trader as part of an elaborate murder plot. Much to Snow Owl’s chagrin, his daughter seems to enjoy the tryst immensely and Trader escapes harm by stealing away in the dead of night.
In addition to colorful anecdotes, the story abounds with crafty political machinations and gripping drama. The story is not without flaws, the prologue is pretty much pointless and the first chapter with Hickory is a tad confusing, but I would highly recommend this story to anyone interested in learning about the Mississippi chiefdoms of old or anyone who enjoys a good story with unique characters.
People of the Weeping Eye is a book I accidentally discovered. I was at Moorenko’s, a local ice cream store, with my younger brother and it just so happened the store had a bookshelf full of donated books. I had been meaning to read a book by the Gear’s couple for awhile so I was quite pleased to find a free version of their work. I was even more pleased, however, to discover what a great story these archeologists-turned-novelists had written and I have gone on to buy many of their books since.
People of the Weeping Eye takes place in pre-Columbian North America, a world very familiar to these archeologists but one probably less familiar to the average reader. For lesser writers, the challenge of grounding a story in the Lower Mississippi Valley—a region seldom visited by individuals not taking part in Mardis Gras celebrations—of the 1300s would have been too great. Nevertheless, the Gears’ meet the challenge head-on and give audiences a historical novel that entertains as much as it educates.
It helps a great deal that the Gear’s know how to populate a world with interesting characters. The People of the Weeping Eye is a multiple protagonist story with half a dozen interconnected storylines. While the answer will probably differ from reader to reader, I personally found the storylines involving Old White and Trader to be the most interesting. Some of the most exciting events in the early chapters, like the raid on the White Arrow town, have little to do with these storylines but what really makes these storylines stand out are the great anecdotes included in them.
Old White has spent decades journeying all throughout pre-Columbian North America and has gained incredible knowledge from his travels. He has witnessed human sacrifice on a massive scale in pre-Hispanic Mexico, he has met with envoys that claim to trade with boat people from the East (an allusion to the increasingly popular theory in archeological circles that numerous tribes in pre-Columbian America traded infrequently with Pacific Island people), and he has even heard stories of a shipwreck survivor with pale skin and blue eyes that speaks an unknown tongue. Trader is not nearly as well-traveled, but his storyline is no less interesting. Early in the novel, he finds a hunk of copper so large it could be “buy him a chiefdom.” The copper attracts interest from some unsavory individuals and one character, the delightfully wicked Snow Owl, is so depraved that he encourages his virgin daughter to bed Trader as part of an elaborate murder plot. Much to Snow Owl’s chagrin, his daughter seems to enjoy the tryst immensely and Trader escapes harm by stealing away in the dead of night.
In addition to colorful anecdotes, the story abounds with crafty political machinations and gripping drama. The story is not without flaws, the prologue is pretty much pointless and the first chapter with Hickory is a tad confusing, but I would highly recommend this story to anyone interested in learning about the Mississippi chiefdoms of old or anyone who enjoys a good story with unique characters.
February 9, 2014
In People of the Weeping Eye, the Gears take us along on one of the last big adventures for the elder called Old White or the Seeker. A healer, a magician or a trader, is always traveling, never staying in one place for too long, trying to forget the terrible secret he holds. It has haunted him since boyhood. He now finds himself traveling back east after dreaming with kachinas in the southwest. He is in search of a young woman who has been calling to him in his dreams, seeking his help and guidance. Old White journeys to the head of the mighty Mississippi river and finds the woman. Known as Two Petals, she is a curse to her clan, living her life backwards and deemed a witch by her people. Old White saves her and heads south down the river, helping her figure out the ways of her souls as their canoe carries them along.
At the same time that Old White is saving Two Petals, a man called Trader discovers riches hidden in the Earth’s hard grasp. Such a find could be the ruin of a man. With his prize well hidden he escapes the lands where he found it, traveling down river as fast as he can go, in fear that someone will leave him with a piece of flint in his back and his wealth gone. His only companion is a bedraggled, half drowned ‘demon dog’ that he names Swimmer. Trader carries his own secrets of the past, secrets of jealous rage and a lost love.
Power brings these three travelers together one night along the banks. Two Petals leads Old White right to Trader’s well hidden campsite. This sends Trader’s thoughts reeling, fearing he will lose his hidden wealth. Two Petals is aware of his wealth, from one of her dreams and reveals this with Old White. This causes Trader to be even more suspicious of the two despite Old White’s advice on how to manage such riches.
Even father south, among the Chahta peoples, a successful raid against their enemy the Chikosi, is being celebrated, ending in a marriage between the dashing new war chief and the heir to her clan, Morning Dew. Just days after the joyous occasion, disaster strikes in the form of a retaliation raid by the Chikosi. Morning Dew, her new husband and a few others are taken as slaves. Her mother is struck down and her grandmother also assumed dead, leaving Morning Dew the new clan matron. She becomes the slave of the Chikosi war chief, Smoke Shield, a horrible man who follows the chaotic and war driven red power. He is fueled by the need for power and possession of anything he desires; women, wealth and leadership are all targeted. This need to desire that which isn’t his has nearly cost him his life, and now all of his possessions and before that, his brother.
Follow along as power plies the two brothers, light and dark, against each other as well as brother versus brother along the muddy banks of the Mississippi river. Feel the tension rise, the plots hatched and power play its part once again in People of the Weeping Eye. Find out the whole story and how it ends in the second half of the story in People of the Thunder.
At the same time that Old White is saving Two Petals, a man called Trader discovers riches hidden in the Earth’s hard grasp. Such a find could be the ruin of a man. With his prize well hidden he escapes the lands where he found it, traveling down river as fast as he can go, in fear that someone will leave him with a piece of flint in his back and his wealth gone. His only companion is a bedraggled, half drowned ‘demon dog’ that he names Swimmer. Trader carries his own secrets of the past, secrets of jealous rage and a lost love.
Power brings these three travelers together one night along the banks. Two Petals leads Old White right to Trader’s well hidden campsite. This sends Trader’s thoughts reeling, fearing he will lose his hidden wealth. Two Petals is aware of his wealth, from one of her dreams and reveals this with Old White. This causes Trader to be even more suspicious of the two despite Old White’s advice on how to manage such riches.
Even father south, among the Chahta peoples, a successful raid against their enemy the Chikosi, is being celebrated, ending in a marriage between the dashing new war chief and the heir to her clan, Morning Dew. Just days after the joyous occasion, disaster strikes in the form of a retaliation raid by the Chikosi. Morning Dew, her new husband and a few others are taken as slaves. Her mother is struck down and her grandmother also assumed dead, leaving Morning Dew the new clan matron. She becomes the slave of the Chikosi war chief, Smoke Shield, a horrible man who follows the chaotic and war driven red power. He is fueled by the need for power and possession of anything he desires; women, wealth and leadership are all targeted. This need to desire that which isn’t his has nearly cost him his life, and now all of his possessions and before that, his brother.
Follow along as power plies the two brothers, light and dark, against each other as well as brother versus brother along the muddy banks of the Mississippi river. Feel the tension rise, the plots hatched and power play its part once again in People of the Weeping Eye. Find out the whole story and how it ends in the second half of the story in People of the Thunder.
July 21, 2011
My dad has been trying to get me to read books in this series forever. I studied anthropology & worked as a field & lab tech in archaeology for several years, and at the time this sort of story was just overload for me. Now I sometimes miss thinking about other cultures full-time, and this book hit the spot. The story is compelling and the historical details are well-done (the authors are archaeologists and their love for their work is palpable). The writing is good, & though I don't imagine any Pulitzer Prizes for fiction in their future, this is an incredibly enjoyable book that I had trouble putting down. It's historical fiction that almost crosses the border into fantasy. Thanks, Pops.
July 29, 2019
An interesting story with intriguing people--but just too many scenes of torture, rape and murder for me. I'll probably read the sequel because I want to know what becomes of the Seeker, Trader and the other main characters. I'm just hoping it's at least a bit less grim a read.
September 2, 2019
good read
August 19, 2014
As always the “First Native American series is complicated and rich in Native American lore and customs. This one takes place in the Mississippi Valley and Tennessee and is a two-parter.
The beginning present story is about Mary Wet Bear who lives in Oklahoma and makes pottery the old way. Every year she drives to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to sell her pottery at the Moundville Native American Festival. This year a young boy questions her about what makes an Indian. And she introduces him to the wonders of Native American history, culture, the true meaning of power and how to see with his soul. She gives him a clay gorget as a good luck piece.
Interspersed within the story are several legends. The first is an explanation of Makatok, a Mos’kogee word that begins stories and legends informing the listener that what follows is important to hear. The origin of the Albaamaha people which is fascinating.
After that we get into the main story about Mississippian tribes. It starts with a brief scene of two Split Sky twin boys escaping from their abusive father with the help of their older brother, Hickory and their uncle, Fighting Hawk.
The main story has several threads. 1)Old White’s travels to find a young girl from his dreams, Two Petals, a contrary, then of their travels south to help her find her power and destiny. There was a contrary in an earlier book. They’re fascinating, but it’s not always easy to understand what they mean.
2)Trader, who finds a large piece of valuable copper and travels down the riverbank to his home in the far south trading along the way. He rescues a dog that he names Swimmer eventually joining up with Old White and Two Petals.
3)Then there’s the Chikosi’s revenge for the destruction of Alligator town by the White Arrow Chata. Both Flying Hawk and Smoke Shield lead the Chokosi’s attack on White Arrow Town. But Smoke Shield doesn’t get what he wanted to get.
4)The subservient Albaamaha people hope they can use the whole thing to free their people. Amber Bead, Old Pauch, an elder and his granddaughter, Whippoorwill work to accomplish this.
5)The affect that Morning Dew, a Chata Chief Clan daughter’s, marriage and capture has on all the above.
It ends with Old White, Two Petals and Trader leaving Rainbow Town continuing their journey to Split Sky City and Morning Glory and Heron Wing making a pact. The second book is going be very exciting and intense. I’m really sure I’m ready for it.
Quick Thoughts: 1) We never hear what happened to Biloxi’s two wives and Lotus Root. 2) I love we get details of Smoke Shield’s horrible personality from so many angles. 3) My two favorite characters are Two Pedals and Morning Dew.
Fave scenes: the twin boy’s escape, Swimmer’s rescue, Morning Glory’s wedding and Smoke Shield’s reaction to Morning Dew winning stickball.
The beginning present story is about Mary Wet Bear who lives in Oklahoma and makes pottery the old way. Every year she drives to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to sell her pottery at the Moundville Native American Festival. This year a young boy questions her about what makes an Indian. And she introduces him to the wonders of Native American history, culture, the true meaning of power and how to see with his soul. She gives him a clay gorget as a good luck piece.
Interspersed within the story are several legends. The first is an explanation of Makatok, a Mos’kogee word that begins stories and legends informing the listener that what follows is important to hear. The origin of the Albaamaha people which is fascinating.
After that we get into the main story about Mississippian tribes. It starts with a brief scene of two Split Sky twin boys escaping from their abusive father with the help of their older brother, Hickory and their uncle, Fighting Hawk.
The main story has several threads. 1)Old White’s travels to find a young girl from his dreams, Two Petals, a contrary, then of their travels south to help her find her power and destiny. There was a contrary in an earlier book. They’re fascinating, but it’s not always easy to understand what they mean.
2)Trader, who finds a large piece of valuable copper and travels down the riverbank to his home in the far south trading along the way. He rescues a dog that he names Swimmer eventually joining up with Old White and Two Petals.
3)Then there’s the Chikosi’s revenge for the destruction of Alligator town by the White Arrow Chata. Both Flying Hawk and Smoke Shield lead the Chokosi’s attack on White Arrow Town. But Smoke Shield doesn’t get what he wanted to get.
4)The subservient Albaamaha people hope they can use the whole thing to free their people. Amber Bead, Old Pauch, an elder and his granddaughter, Whippoorwill work to accomplish this.
5)The affect that Morning Dew, a Chata Chief Clan daughter’s, marriage and capture has on all the above.
It ends with Old White, Two Petals and Trader leaving Rainbow Town continuing their journey to Split Sky City and Morning Glory and Heron Wing making a pact. The second book is going be very exciting and intense. I’m really sure I’m ready for it.
Quick Thoughts: 1) We never hear what happened to Biloxi’s two wives and Lotus Root. 2) I love we get details of Smoke Shield’s horrible personality from so many angles. 3) My two favorite characters are Two Pedals and Morning Dew.
Fave scenes: the twin boy’s escape, Swimmer’s rescue, Morning Glory’s wedding and Smoke Shield’s reaction to Morning Dew winning stickball.
April 17, 2014
So, despite this being the fifteenth book in the series, it is also part one of a two book saga. So while you can read it as a stand alone, you'll have to read the book after it to know how it ends. Which, considering this is probably the best book out of all of them I've read, isn't really a bad thing. It gives me hope that the next book will be just as good.
Seeker has always been looking for something. From a mysterious past, he has never stayed anywhere long, and now, having picked up a girl known as a mystical Contrary, he finds himself drawn home. Along the way they'll meet up with a man known as Trader, who is from the same city as Seeker and also left without ever going back. But he too has a fate in store for him that he must return for, and as the three journey back, they have little idea of what awaits them. For a man bent on his own needs is stirring up trouble and a war is brewing.
So the evil people are always just too evil for words. It's how it is in this book. There aren't really shades of grey, just the good and the bad. I didn't really care for Seeker too much. If there's too much mystery and not enough explanation, I just lose interest. Trader on the other hand I found interesting. He had a mystery about him too, but more was told about him and it made you drawn to his story. Two Petal, the contrary, I found amusing and she almost provided comedic relief. Everyone else I could take or leave. Sure their stories were somewhat important, but they weren't the main draw to the book for me.
There is a lot of violence and description of sex and rape in this book. Granted, all of the books were like that, but for some reason it was just more noticeable in this one. But it was realistic. There is still a spiritual element to this book but I almost feel like it's been toned down a bit, that it's more understandable than it used to be. Either everything is finally sinking in for me after reading all these books, or the authors are writing it a little better. I also was amazed at how fast pace this book was despite it being rather long. I was disappointed when I got to the end and discovered it wasn't "the end" and I would have to read the next book to find out what happened. Of course that just means I'll be starting the next book right away.
One of the better ones of the series. I would have to say that if you read any of these, it should be this one. It's a lot more enjoyable than most of the others.
People of the Weeping Eye
Copyright 2008
419 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2014
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
Seeker has always been looking for something. From a mysterious past, he has never stayed anywhere long, and now, having picked up a girl known as a mystical Contrary, he finds himself drawn home. Along the way they'll meet up with a man known as Trader, who is from the same city as Seeker and also left without ever going back. But he too has a fate in store for him that he must return for, and as the three journey back, they have little idea of what awaits them. For a man bent on his own needs is stirring up trouble and a war is brewing.
So the evil people are always just too evil for words. It's how it is in this book. There aren't really shades of grey, just the good and the bad. I didn't really care for Seeker too much. If there's too much mystery and not enough explanation, I just lose interest. Trader on the other hand I found interesting. He had a mystery about him too, but more was told about him and it made you drawn to his story. Two Petal, the contrary, I found amusing and she almost provided comedic relief. Everyone else I could take or leave. Sure their stories were somewhat important, but they weren't the main draw to the book for me.
There is a lot of violence and description of sex and rape in this book. Granted, all of the books were like that, but for some reason it was just more noticeable in this one. But it was realistic. There is still a spiritual element to this book but I almost feel like it's been toned down a bit, that it's more understandable than it used to be. Either everything is finally sinking in for me after reading all these books, or the authors are writing it a little better. I also was amazed at how fast pace this book was despite it being rather long. I was disappointed when I got to the end and discovered it wasn't "the end" and I would have to read the next book to find out what happened. Of course that just means I'll be starting the next book right away.
One of the better ones of the series. I would have to say that if you read any of these, it should be this one. It's a lot more enjoyable than most of the others.
People of the Weeping Eye
Copyright 2008
419 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2014
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
June 21, 2021
I have a real liking for the "First Americans" series. The Gears have a talent for recreating the past, even if, at times, the characters mege into one, the story lines are similar, the assumptions that there are supernatural forces running riot and some humans are taken over by them. This is why the word "fantasy' crops up on my shelf.
Here, in this first half of a duology, a (what do we call him?... Wise man? Mystic? Legend?), a legendary figure gets the call and sets off on a journey to complete the circle of his life... it is implied. Meanwhile, far off to the North, a trader begins his adventurous journey downriver... and somewhere in the middle lies the third character in this group of "musketeers", a Contrary, a woman possessed by the powers.
Meanwhile, whilst we follow the adventures of our heroes, another story unfolds. Brutality, warfare, naked ambition... and another kind of heroism.
We know these two worlds are somehow linked... but how?
Here, in this first half of a duology, a (what do we call him?... Wise man? Mystic? Legend?), a legendary figure gets the call and sets off on a journey to complete the circle of his life... it is implied. Meanwhile, far off to the North, a trader begins his adventurous journey downriver... and somewhere in the middle lies the third character in this group of "musketeers", a Contrary, a woman possessed by the powers.
Meanwhile, whilst we follow the adventures of our heroes, another story unfolds. Brutality, warfare, naked ambition... and another kind of heroism.
We know these two worlds are somehow linked... but how?
February 7, 2026
I've read most of the Gear's books decades ago.
Decided to reread some of the books after the third one that was published. The first three books were good but started following the same plot. Evil leader verses good leader.
This book had a better plot, more varied with multiple characters in different situations or areas.
It's only half of the story that's continued in People of the Thunder.
Just received the second book and I'm eager to find out the conclusion.
This book is wonderful and I highly recommend it.
Decided to reread some of the books after the third one that was published. The first three books were good but started following the same plot. Evil leader verses good leader.
This book had a better plot, more varied with multiple characters in different situations or areas.
It's only half of the story that's continued in People of the Thunder.
Just received the second book and I'm eager to find out the conclusion.
This book is wonderful and I highly recommend it.
March 4, 2025
I have read and loved all of their other people Of series......this one had so many characters and many places, that I spent the first half of the book not knowing what was going on. I almost stopped reading many times. Then it got somewhat better. Near the end I was excited to find out the conclusion.......but it didn't end. You need to read people of the thunder, which I read years ago and have no memory of. I am disgusted!
December 14, 2020
Very, very interesting. I live in Alabama and visited the archeological site near Moundville many years ago, so I found this story fascinating. I can’t wait to read the sequel, People of the Thunder, to see what happens next. And now I want to read People of the River to learn more about Cahokia.
June 16, 2021
Love these writers and learning more about native american history. This book was difficult for me to follow...especially early on. So many characters, tribes, stories. It was worth it, tho. Great story line.
February 27, 2020
People of The Weeping Eye
This book is really terrific. It really takes you on a fantastic journey back in time. I really recommend it.
This book is really terrific. It really takes you on a fantastic journey back in time. I really recommend it.
October 28, 2024
Tjis is probably my favorite in the entire series, loved it
November 27, 2024
I've always been a fan of Gear's "People of..." series, but I couldn't deal with the antagonist in this book. I think he went overboard with this character. But that's just my opinion.
February 19, 2017
I love all of W. Michael and Kathleen's books!
September 25, 2020
People of the Weeping Eye (North America's Forgotten Past, #15)
Gear, W. Michael
Gear, Kathleen o'neal
Wow a powerful story with intrigue and terror and horror, about the beginning of the reasons why the Iroquois confederacy began and the role of evil in why people begin to ban together to fight it, it is their divisions that make it hard for the individual to remain safe and secure. Very Graphic and Horrific in context.
the begining of the adventure, morning dove is married and stolen, enslaved, and tortured, only to find her strength to be a good matron. two petals the contrary is found, lost and begins to control her power. Trader begins the journey home, only to be tested, tempted, and finds himself resolute. Old white has his secret, and his knowledge to guide them through. the great beginning of an epic story.
Gear, W. Michael
Gear, Kathleen o'neal
Wow a powerful story with intrigue and terror and horror, about the beginning of the reasons why the Iroquois confederacy began and the role of evil in why people begin to ban together to fight it, it is their divisions that make it hard for the individual to remain safe and secure. Very Graphic and Horrific in context.
the begining of the adventure, morning dove is married and stolen, enslaved, and tortured, only to find her strength to be a good matron. two petals the contrary is found, lost and begins to control her power. Trader begins the journey home, only to be tested, tempted, and finds himself resolute. Old white has his secret, and his knowledge to guide them through. the great beginning of an epic story.
November 24, 2012
The Gears are the best at what they do, which is writing about pre-history based on archeology, creating a plausible fictional story to help us to understand the facts and thus preserve our own Native American history. Kathleen and Michael have been my lamplight in becoming a Native American historical fiction writer. They alone are responsible for peeking my interest in our dim past and have provided a window to that time and place of which they write. If you desire to see the past of our unknown history of the Native tribes of North America, I advise you to make all of the Gear's books your first choice. You can do no better. Kitty Sutton
January 1, 2014
I know this is the first of a series but I wouldn't read the rest. It's well described, but I felt the action, the storyline, left a lot to be desired. It just didn't intrigue me. I think the authors felt we'd be so absorbed by the depiction of pre-historic times that we wouldn't care there wasn't much happening. I guess the whole thing revolved around a war between two different groups, and a woman who could see the future, who was being escorted somewhere by a shaman. I just found it less than compelling. I also do a lot of studying of these groups so that the depictions I see are often those I don't agree with. That's one of the dangers of reading fiction in an area of familiarity.
November 4, 2015
Another good read created by the Gears. The plot and and story itself is predictable but good overall, I would give it a 3 on the plot alone but the detail and the amount of culture of these people incorporated bumps it up to a 4 star rating. This is my favorite group of characters that the gears have created. The downside was that at times there was too much repetitive detail and also at times the story slowed too much to my liking, such as how long it took them before they left Rainbow City. Overall a good book with lots of drama and adventure. Started on reading the sequel now, People of the Thunder.
January 11, 2012
Living in Alabama, I found this book and the sequel very interesting. I once went on a "dig" on the banks of one of the smaller rivers in central Alabama. I found numerous pieces of pottery, shells, bits of bone, and chips of stone. (All were cataloged and returned to the midden, per request of the land owners.) I was imagining, while reading the book, that I had found artifacts that the people in the story had left there. The book became so much more alive just because I was familiar with the locations in the book.
September 23, 2012
I love reading about older cultures and I always enjoy these books. This one was no exception.The characters were interesting and engaging. The plot was diverse and had some interesting twists and turns.The characters were so different and each set of characters had their own subplots. At first I couldn't see where the authors were going with some of it and it was neat to see things start coming together and making sense. It is a two parter! I can't wait to read the 2nd book!
September 22, 2016
I swear each of these books I read is better than the last. Perhaps because I have been a camping aficionado, I love living is the distance past with these great characters and this time the characters are, perhaps, even more interesting and the plot more complicated. It has a sequel, People of the Thunder which is next in my Gear pile , so I'll be reading it in thirteen books. Now I am only half-way through the story.
April 14, 2009
Once again the Gears take us back to live with prehistoric people that are so much like us and yet so unlike anything we know. Another journey through North America’s prehistoric past with imaginative characterizations that seem to breathe. This is the first of the “People” series in which the characters continue into the next book but I looking forward to continuing their saga.
August 8, 2010
As always with the gears, a well written tale that stays faithful to a good telling and an uplifting moral. Makes one appreciate the strengths, weaknesses, and stupidity of modern society as well as those of history. In terms of its importance as a story of pre-historical Alabama, surpasses Gone With The Wind. As anthropology fiction definitely deserves a Hugo.
April 24, 2011
It took me quite a while to get into this book, I don't know why. But, finally finished it today 4/24/2011. It has a sequel to it called "People of the Thunder". It dragged on to long in the beginning for me and did not pick up until about 1/2 through it. But, from there on out it kept my attention.
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