Hunters of the Plains: A Novel of Prehistoric America

by Ardath Mayhar

At a time when volcanoes were being born in what is now New Mexico, clans of hunter-gatherers were already living in the Great Plains. Primordial beasts roamed the creatures like the giant sloth, the flat-faced bear, the woolly mammoth, and the dire wolf hunted there, often coming into conflict with their two-legged prey.When Do-na-ti reaches adulthood, he slays the badger for his ceremonial cloak. By wedding E-lo-ni, he unites their clans. Together they must face battle with dire wolves, a stampede of mammoths that destroys their lodge, and the birth of a new volcano, fulfilling an old woman's prophecy and Do-na-ti's conviction that his son must become brother to the mountain."Mayhar has a way of drawing the reader seamlessly into her historical narratives. You can smell the breath of the dire wolf as it closes in for the kill!" -- Robert Reginald

Genres: Prehistory, Prehistoric, Ebooks

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 1995

About the author

Ardath Frances Hurst Mayhar was an American writer and poet. She began writing science fiction in 1979 after returning with her family to Texas from Oregon. She was nominated for the Mark Twain Award, and won the Balrog Award for a horror narrative poem in Masques I.

She had numerous other nominations for awards in almost every fiction genre, and won many awards for poetry. In 2008 she was honored by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America as an Author Emeritus.

Mayhar wrote over 60 books ranging from science fiction to horror to young adult to historical to westerns; with some work under the pseudonyms Frank Cannon, Frances Hurst, John Killdeer, Ardath P. Mayhar. Joe R. Lansdale wrote simply: "Ardath Mayhar writes damn fine books!"

Reviews

[Keia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable coming-of-age book of Do-na-ti as he journeys beyond his village in search of his son's totem spirit. During his quest he battles prehistoric megafuana for survival, ponder dreams brought to him by spirits of old, and discover allies and enemies in dangerous places. Sadly, there isn't as much depth with the characters as I would have liked, particularly Do-na-ti's wife, E-lo-ni.

In the beginning the reader is introduced to several members of the village (the four clans it consists of) but its kind of overwhelming and by the end it's difficult to remember important names since the focus is on Do-na-ti's adventures.

Overall, the writing is fluent, gripping and held my attention by the story's end. I was actually disappointed that there wasn't a sequel.

[Herman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunters of the Plains A Novel of Prehistoric America by Ardath Mayhar, enjoyable read not long like the Clan of the Cave bear books by Jean M. Auel although I felt at times this book could have been a little longer given some more descriptive narration to some situations but overall a rather good little story takes place in the Late Pleistocene period somewhere in northeastern New Mexico Do-na-ti is a young man completing his manhood ceremonial requirements at the start of the book his small grouping of family clans are constantly hunting and gathering trying to survive there are encounters with wolfs, rattlesnakes, a short face bear, bison, and Mammoths, As well as the most dangerous creatures of all other humans. There is even a Volcano, I actually think this was more a three and a half star read because it was so short I have a prejudice that makes me think a good story should be a long story, this wasn't long but it had plenty of action the characters and environment were believable and well researched I feel the author did a good job and deserves the four stars rating.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had the vibe of a native American tale around a campfire, which I suppose is what the author was going for so well done!

It's like an epic of a particularly brave tribesman who survives some incredible feats that are both physical and mental.
I liked his bravery and his attitude towards loss. I found it inspiring.

3.5

[Dr. Ann Coker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly enjoyable

Compliments the author for crafting a graceful and well-informed story of these early people. As a native of this area, I found the author's inherent respect for the country and it's history truly impressive. Thank you.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A saga of Ice Age North America

The novel concerns a c!an of Paleolithic hunters struggling to survive in what is today the Southwest. The portrayal of prehistoric people is convincing.

[WIlliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inreresting book, well written

[Gmc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Life is hard, and dangerous, and often short. Doing the best you can is all you can do. The people in this story work hard just to feed their family.