Dream Weaver

Norse/Mohawk Trilogy #2

by Penina Keen Spinka

In the four years since Picture Maker and her loved ones were driven north, many changes have come to a people and a land. The long, arduous journey that took Picture Maker from a young Indian separated from her tribe to a bride of a Norse hunter named Halvard has come to an end. With Picture Maker's death, it falls to Halvard and their daughter, Ingrid, to return to Greenland to reclaim their home.

But their Norse traditions are rejected by the newly Christian community there, and invasion--by both English warriors and a beautiful but devastating species of butterfly--forces the family to wander once more. They find refuge with the Inuits, who have proven to be allies in the past. But Ingrid, answering the powerful call of her mother's blood, embarks on another journey--one that takes her to a far-off land, where her true destiny awaits...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Prehistory, Fantasy, Historical

512 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 6, 2003

Reviews

[Phillip Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a journey that was the reverse of the previous books protagonist who went from her people to find a home faraway in Greenland among the Norse. The daughter of Picture Maker leaves Greenland with her family when the Norse colony is ended when caterpillars eat all the grass needed for sheep fodder. Her family being pagans can't go with the Christians but find a home among the original native people of Greenland who live a hard life in a harsh land of ice and snow. Her travels take her back to her mother's people with a touching reunion. I found the book to be well written and respectful of Native American culture but the author is non native. Most people think that a genuine depiction can only come from a real Indian.

[Mariana Bluewood-Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love!

[Fostergrants · Rating 4 out of 5]

i fell in love with ingrid, the main character. her bravery and grit and tenacity were inspiring. despite the obvious editing flaws (lots of typos) i got carried away by the story and the 2nd half of the book was read without putting it down. the troubles of inuit/norse/native american cultures in a world where the 'new'christianity was turning everything upside down and making enemies out of formers friends really fleshed out the story. the eternal struggle of fitting in when you really don't want to compromise, is the central theme i think. learning to trust yourself and the people around you is also a big part of the story. the presence of extreme landscapes added tension to the story as well. this book is not going to win the literary prose award of the year but the story itself is the star here and i was left with a good feeling - i don't care how fancy you can write, it's a challenge to make a reader feel good about "people" and this author managed quite well.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set in the 1300s in Greenland and continues the saga of Picture Maker, focussing on her daughter Ingrid. After her mother’s death, Ingrid returns with her father Halvard and her two half brothers Ole and Leif, to the Norse settlement in the south of Greenland. Here they struggle to fit in, Ingrid as she is seen as a “half-breed”, the product of her Norse father and her Ganeogaono (Mohawk) mother, and her father as he clings to the old gods rather than the new religion Christianity. As the settlement struggles under invasion by the English and then by a swarm of butterflies, the family heads north to seek shelter with the Inuits. The remaining Greenlanders return either to Iceland for assistance or sail in search of Vinland, a coastal area of Canada explored by the Vikings under Leif Erikson in 1000AD, centuries before Columbus discovered the Americas. Although the Inuits are also despised by the Norse and called “skraelings” Ingrid still struggles to fit in here and accustom herself to such a strongly patriarchal society where the women’s role is predominantly to support the hunters and chew the leather to soften their boots. Ultimately she makes a journey to find the land of her mother’s people the Ganeogaono (now called Kanienʼkehá꞉ka in their own language).

I found this a fascinating time and setting, and a well researched insight into the cultures of the ancient Norse, the Inuits and the Kanienʼkehá꞉ka with their Clan mothers and traditions. Ingrid was a strong and relatable character. My only complaint was the end felt somewhat rushed and neatly tied off. 4.5 stars for me.

[Kiri S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story had a lot of ups and downs. Firstly, The story didn't follow the traditional rising action, climax, falling action, resolution format, which in itself is not bad. But, because the story took place over such a large span of time, the plot seamed to repeat this form over and over, sometimes skipping a step or two. So, in this case, it caused the story line to sway all over the place. I was never truly satisfied with the plot. However, there is a bright side to this. As the story takes you all over the place, and all over greenland you get to see the various different cultures and traditions of Greenland in the 1300's, which was very interesting to me, being a person who was not at all familiar with this history.
The descriptions of people and landscapes were very beautiful. On this journey, you see the obstacles these groups were met with throughout the year, wether they surrounded survival or religious conflicts. Expanding on Religious conflict, this book really opened my eyes to what a huge impact religion can have on relations and ways of life, it can turn friends into enemies, and vice versa. Some major themes in the book are the struggle to fit in, the main character, Ingrid, eternally struggles to fit in. She is the product of lovers, the two from heritages that are very different culturally. So, being a "half breed", she never truly feels at home. Because of her discomfort and past she finds it hard to accept others around her. The book did have many editing errors and an inconsistent plot, but, despite this, I thought the book was very sweet, interesting and descriptive, and would be enjoyed by vigorous readers, but not all.

[IdahoGirl4ever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the Norse/Mohawk Trilogy. Once again, I can't give a 5 star due to all the grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors. This book has more errors than book 1 (Picture Maker), making it a little more difficult to read. Penina really needs to think about hiring a proofreader and/or editor before having her next book published.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the pacing of this novel a little odd - it felt slow at first and rushed at the end. Still a very satisfying read overall, and a nice look at some history and culture that I didn’t know much about beforehand. Looking forward to reading the 3rd book.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. Not as good as Picture Maker, the first book in the series.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the editing left something to be desired. The story was eonderful

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Halvard, his two sons and his daughter, Ingrid, have returned from exile to the Norse settlement in Greenland. Their Norse religion clashes with the newly acquired Christian beliefs the settlement has adopted. Then, the raid by an English ship and finally, the invasion of a pestilence which destroys the crops, causes the settlement to dissolve. The inhabitants split into three groups hoping to find a better place to live. Halvard and his children decide to seek a new life with their Inuit friends. As they learn the Inuit ways, Ingrid finds she cannot accept the woman’s role in the Inuit culture and decides to return to her mother’s village. When the Inuit travel to meet and trade with a tribe to the south, Ingrid and her brother, Ole, find a trader who is willing to act as their guide. After a long and difficult journey, she is reunited with her mother’s family in a Mohawk village. I enjoyed reading this book but I found the first book, "Picture Maker", more interesting as it included a more detailed account of the cultures of the Mohawks, Algonquins, Inuit, and Greenlanders. I haven’t decided if I will read the third book which tells the story of her father and brother, Leif who choose to stay with the Inuit and adopt their way of life.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read. Copyediting sucked! I picked this off my shelf because I needed something in print to read at night. Family friend Doris gave it to me. Not her style at all. It's a sequal to Picture Maker which I read some time ago.

I enjoyed the descriptions of northern landscape and the culture and traditions of Native Americans and Greenlanders. Having just read Golden Compass, I was struck by use of the term skraeling which I wasn't really familiar with. Fleshed out my image of who those people were as refered to in Golden Compass.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had an original plotline that didn't seem to need to base itself on any of the Earth's children series. The only downside was that the characters weren't quite as developed as they were in the first book, and in parts it seems as though Spinka has second thoughts about where she wants to take the storyline; sometimes things you think are going to happen don't, but it's not done in the "plot twist" way, it's more like "let's try this instead". Sloppy writing, but still an enjoyable read.

[Reesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inverting of the first book of the series, I disliked the first part of this one, but it got better as the main characters got away from the nearby religious sect (who annoy me to no end).

It read as if only the first two-thirds of my copy was edited, as things went sideways as the end approached, with lots of typos and misstatements that were constantly throwing me out of the story.

I was thrilled with the last bit, as we finally got a homecoming, though bittersweet compared to what I had wanted from the first novel.

3.75 stars.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book if you like historical fiction. This takes place in the 14th century and deals with the clash between Inuit and Viking communities in Greenland. The characters are well-defined and the details of the cultures are very interesting. It is a sequel to Spinka's book Picture Maker, which I liked even better.

[Calli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel to Picture Maker. The saga continues and what can I say, life is hard for the characters in this novel. The story carries on for Picture Maker and richly describes her most often daunting experiences.

[Chosovi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was saddened a little when i found out that Astrid would die in this sequel. But i grew to respect her daughter. Ingrid i suppose, would stand up to anyone who gave her trouble. ^^

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book much better than the first in the series. The author found her stride somewhere in the first book, and kept up the writing in this book. worthy read indeed.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at a neglected setting and period of history, though Ingrid might be a bit too clan-of-the-cave-bearish.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF THE FIRST BOOK CALLED, " PICTURE MAKER". WHICH I LIKED VERY MUCH. 6 STARS.
NICE READ WITH HOPEFUL GOOD ENDING.. ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting and enjoyable as a sequel but not as well done as The Picture Maker.

[Shawn Buck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the 1st book , I hope the next is better

[Dolores Pompa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great one! Hoping she comes out with another. Her books keep you absorbed and for a moment you feel like you are there right with the characters.

[Amanda Shelley-Masters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming Soon!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as Picture Maker.Seemed like she was under some pressure from her publisher to "get that sequel out".

[Maryann Korzeniewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 after Picture Maker. Tells the story about the disappearance of the Viking colony in Greenland! AN EXCELLENT READ!

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

the book itself wasexelent and i cant wait to read it again

[Kimberley · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many typos....

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable sequel to Picture Maker, quite possibly even more so. Highly recommended!