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The Search for Soaring Hawk
Son of an Indian brave and a white captive, Soaring Hawk is raised in the native customs. As he grows into manhood, he discovers his desire for the love of men. Knowing the fate of those of ‘two spirits’ within his tribe, he leaves the Indian village, disguises his heritage, and enters the white man’s world as Samuel Hawkins.
He soon discovers life is difficult for a man who prefers men. While he finds companionship, and forms bonds with many of the men he meets, he is unable to find a relationship which satisfies his deepest need. He also discovers much of what is in the world outside his village conflicts with the values of his native upbringing.
He embarks on an odyssey which takes him across the continent and into the arms and beds of many lovers. As he travels, he comes to realize love has many forms. But the one he seeks most continually eludes him.
Where will his odyssey lead him? Will he ever come to the end of his search for Soaring Hawk?
He soon discovers life is difficult for a man who prefers men. While he finds companionship, and forms bonds with many of the men he meets, he is unable to find a relationship which satisfies his deepest need. He also discovers much of what is in the world outside his village conflicts with the values of his native upbringing.
He embarks on an odyssey which takes him across the continent and into the arms and beds of many lovers. As he travels, he comes to realize love has many forms. But the one he seeks most continually eludes him.
Where will his odyssey lead him? Will he ever come to the end of his search for Soaring Hawk?
- GenresM M RomanceGayHistorical
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
79 people want to read
About the author
Terry O'Reilly
73 books40 followersSince retiring, Terry spends his time writing, working with animal rescue groups, walking his three dogs, pumping iron while listening to Harry Potter audio books and riding/showing his champion Quarter Horse.
His interest in Native American culture stems from the fact that in tracing his heritage, he found his great grandfather was an Illini.
His interest in Native American culture stems from the fact that in tracing his heritage, he found his great grandfather was an Illini.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 8, 2016
4.0 of 5 stars – Engaging Journey of Self and Sexual Discovery.
I love all sorts of gay genres, and this was an engaging combination of historical western, romance and coming of age. It was compelling and sometimes moving to watch both the literal and figurative journey of this young man as he searched for himself, and his sexuality, in the Native American and White societies that viewed it in different ways.
Terry O'Reilly wrote in an easy-to-read style that was both straightforward and descriptive, with reasonable dialogue and decent pace. Nothing fancy, but he effectively told the story in the third person, showing the interesting progression of Soaring Hawk from his childhood in the tribe to the white civilization, the wagon train, and forts and towns of the west.
O'Reilly's depictions of the various western scenes were a favorite aspect of this story for me. I'm not a historical expert, but have read about these times, and it seemed that this was pretty authentic, with maybe a few liberties. It included an informative look into some of the culture and practices of Native Americans, all be it a more generic look, not as rich in detail, but still enough to get a sense of place, time and people.
Part of the times were how gay was viewed in both cultures. O'Reilly presented the intriguing concept that I've read about before, of some tribes making the distinction between "two spirit," a squaw within a man's body, contrasted with being a "whole man" who liked other men. I also appreciated what he presented in the white culture that gay men and practices were more prevalent than is in popular myth. However, I'm not sure it was realistic that there were that many gay men, and while not embraced, their being accepted as much as they were, especially in the Spanish culture of California at the time.
Another aspect I particularly liked was the search for self, including sexual, identity. I liked the questions Soaring Hawk asked as he was exploring his sexuality, especially from the perspective of a Native American. Even though it was not as in-depth as it could have been, it made sense that much of the exploration centered around his sexuality and his sexual adventures. And I think it was natural that as he grew up and explored his sexuality that there'd be a lot of sex, with multiple partners. The sex scenes were hot, told like a man feels and thinks, and varied where some scenes were not as involved as others, but still sensual.
I generally liked how the story developed throughout, but I did think the ending was a little too easy and off book. . I would have liked to see this develop in front of me.
Overall, this was an enjoyable journey back in time to see the journey of a young Native American discovering himself and his sexuality.
I love all sorts of gay genres, and this was an engaging combination of historical western, romance and coming of age. It was compelling and sometimes moving to watch both the literal and figurative journey of this young man as he searched for himself, and his sexuality, in the Native American and White societies that viewed it in different ways.
Terry O'Reilly wrote in an easy-to-read style that was both straightforward and descriptive, with reasonable dialogue and decent pace. Nothing fancy, but he effectively told the story in the third person, showing the interesting progression of Soaring Hawk from his childhood in the tribe to the white civilization, the wagon train, and forts and towns of the west.
O'Reilly's depictions of the various western scenes were a favorite aspect of this story for me. I'm not a historical expert, but have read about these times, and it seemed that this was pretty authentic, with maybe a few liberties. It included an informative look into some of the culture and practices of Native Americans, all be it a more generic look, not as rich in detail, but still enough to get a sense of place, time and people.
Part of the times were how gay was viewed in both cultures. O'Reilly presented the intriguing concept that I've read about before, of some tribes making the distinction between "two spirit," a squaw within a man's body, contrasted with being a "whole man" who liked other men. I also appreciated what he presented in the white culture that gay men and practices were more prevalent than is in popular myth. However, I'm not sure it was realistic that there were that many gay men, and while not embraced, their being accepted as much as they were, especially in the Spanish culture of California at the time.
Another aspect I particularly liked was the search for self, including sexual, identity. I liked the questions Soaring Hawk asked as he was exploring his sexuality, especially from the perspective of a Native American. Even though it was not as in-depth as it could have been, it made sense that much of the exploration centered around his sexuality and his sexual adventures. And I think it was natural that as he grew up and explored his sexuality that there'd be a lot of sex, with multiple partners. The sex scenes were hot, told like a man feels and thinks, and varied where some scenes were not as involved as others, but still sensual.
I generally liked how the story developed throughout, but I did think the ending was a little too easy and off book. . I would have liked to see this develop in front of me.
Overall, this was an enjoyable journey back in time to see the journey of a young Native American discovering himself and his sexuality.
March 20, 2011
3.5 stars
As the title implies this is a journey that Soaring Hawk sets out on to find himself. He thinks he is setting off to find love but what he finds is the many ways that loves come into your life, changes it, molds the people involved and sometimes leaves it.
The only way to find yourself, no matter who that might be, is by being true to yourself. Soaring Hawk starts off as a young 13 year old brave and moves through the next 6 or so years trying to figure out how much of his Indian heritage and his White heritage he must embrace. He also must figure out how to live in a world that doesn’t readily accept man love in the same way that he wants to find it.
During his search he too easily comes across many men that are all man-lovers in some way. I think this was one of the things that made this story seem, I don’t want to say unrealistic, I mean, it’s a romance, but still it did seem unrealistic. Every man Soaring Hawk stumbled upon once he left his tribal village had some sort of homosexual lesson to teach him. Even in the village he learns what he doesn’t want for his life by falling for Lean Bear, who, due to his “two spirit” nature, is forced to be the village man-whore. This includes wearing a breechcloth that bares his ass for all to see and know his worth to the village (I had trouble with this ... as a “historical” setting I would assume this info was based on research but I am leaning toward it just being for the sake of further humiliating Lean Bear to make a point about his fate). This would also be Soaring Hawk’s fate should he stay.
Once Soaring Hawk leaves the village he comes across trading post owners, trappers, settlers, loggers, wagon masters, cooks, Army personnel, Spanish men, and other Indians that all show him something, good or bad, about the nature of fucking, making love, and being in love. Sometimes it’s fleeting, sometimes it’s enduring, sometimes it’s profound, and sometimes it’s just part of the journey.
I liked this coming of age and acceptance of self that the story tells. At times it was a bit too euphemistic for me as well as much too gay centric. As stated above, there were places that seemed very well detailed and I assume well researched yet other areas that seemed extremely unlikely. I struggled with the accuracy and could never determine which side of the fence to lean on.
All in all, if you liked the older historical Native American heterosexual romances this is what you get but with a very gay twist. If you are recent readers to the romance genre and expect the more forthright and direct way of encountering sex scenes and interaction this may be a new type of read for you. What it lacks in directness it makes up for in the amount and types of partners Soaring Hawk takes up with during his journey. There is no shortage of men on men (on men on men) sex in this book.
As the title implies this is a journey that Soaring Hawk sets out on to find himself. He thinks he is setting off to find love but what he finds is the many ways that loves come into your life, changes it, molds the people involved and sometimes leaves it.
The only way to find yourself, no matter who that might be, is by being true to yourself. Soaring Hawk starts off as a young 13 year old brave and moves through the next 6 or so years trying to figure out how much of his Indian heritage and his White heritage he must embrace. He also must figure out how to live in a world that doesn’t readily accept man love in the same way that he wants to find it.
During his search he too easily comes across many men that are all man-lovers in some way. I think this was one of the things that made this story seem, I don’t want to say unrealistic, I mean, it’s a romance, but still it did seem unrealistic. Every man Soaring Hawk stumbled upon once he left his tribal village had some sort of homosexual lesson to teach him. Even in the village he learns what he doesn’t want for his life by falling for Lean Bear, who, due to his “two spirit” nature, is forced to be the village man-whore. This includes wearing a breechcloth that bares his ass for all to see and know his worth to the village (I had trouble with this ... as a “historical” setting I would assume this info was based on research but I am leaning toward it just being for the sake of further humiliating Lean Bear to make a point about his fate). This would also be Soaring Hawk’s fate should he stay.
Once Soaring Hawk leaves the village he comes across trading post owners, trappers, settlers, loggers, wagon masters, cooks, Army personnel, Spanish men, and other Indians that all show him something, good or bad, about the nature of fucking, making love, and being in love. Sometimes it’s fleeting, sometimes it’s enduring, sometimes it’s profound, and sometimes it’s just part of the journey.
I liked this coming of age and acceptance of self that the story tells. At times it was a bit too euphemistic for me as well as much too gay centric. As stated above, there were places that seemed very well detailed and I assume well researched yet other areas that seemed extremely unlikely. I struggled with the accuracy and could never determine which side of the fence to lean on.
All in all, if you liked the older historical Native American heterosexual romances this is what you get but with a very gay twist. If you are recent readers to the romance genre and expect the more forthright and direct way of encountering sex scenes and interaction this may be a new type of read for you. What it lacks in directness it makes up for in the amount and types of partners Soaring Hawk takes up with during his journey. There is no shortage of men on men (on men on men) sex in this book.
April 11, 2011
I really like The Search for Soaring Hawk, but if pressed to say why, I'm not sure that I could. Maybe it's just the overall feeling of warmth and longing I get from the book. Regardless, I do like the book. I'm also fond of the author.
I give The Search for Soaring Hawk four stars
June 1, 2011
I really enjoyed Soaring Hawks story if finding his place in the world.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews