Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Chronicles of the Maca #2

I Figli Ritrovati - Le Cronache di Maca Libro II

Rate this book
Toma il Justine, fissò terrorizzato e incredulo il pannello di controllo e l'acqua che scorreva sotto di lui. Cos'era successo negli ultimi centoventiquattro anni?  Era sul terzo pianeta lontano da una stella che la civiltà dominante chiamava Terra e Sole. Al momento del suo atterraggio era l'anno del Signore 1712, secondo il loro rozzo calcolo. Doveva assolutamente trovare un luogo meno popolato per nascondere la sua navicella, che conteneva le informazioni sul pianeta e i suoi abitanti, che aveva raccolto, informazioni codificate sui cristalli, in modo da poterle studiare in seguito e da poterne trarre indicazioni preziose. Toma conosceva un posto in quel continente che non aveva mostrato segni di attività sismica.  Se fosse ritornato nei continenti più civilizzati, la maggiore densità di popolazione avrebbe aumentato il rischio di essere scoperto, molto prima che una nave spaziale del suo pianeta, si fosse messa alla sua ricerca.

Kindle Edition

First published October 12, 2008

30 people are currently reading
53 people want to read

About the author

Mari Collier

42 books71 followers
I was born on a farm in the state of Iowa, Audubon County, Lincoln Township. To say that my upbringing was bucolic would be an understatement. My first writing was for the Audubon Advocate as the Douglas Township correspondent. I was 13 and received the magnificent sum of $.03 per line. If the item were published in the society section, the pay increased to $.04. The monthly check was always under $5.00.

My mother took me to Phoenix, AZ when it became impossible for me to eat, sleep, or breathe in Iowa. The climate restored my health and I attended school there, graduated, and married my high school sweetheart. Together we raised two wonderful children. During this time I started writing stories and sold one story to Jack and Jill. In 1976 he moved us to Western Washington to escape the desert sun. Washington is a land where it can and did rain 133 1/3 inches of water a year. He was a finish carpenter contractor; I did the books, and worked for Nintendo of America. Upon retirement, we returned to the desert and this wonderful, quirky town of Twenynine Palms. We had just celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary when he passed away.

I serve on the Twentynine Palms Historical Society as a docent, and write a column for the Old Schoolhouse Journal.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
43 (55%)
4 stars
31 (40%)
3 stars
2 (2%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Eileen Thornton.
Author 24 books126 followers
September 18, 2018
I didn't realise that this was the second book in a series, when I first began reading it. Nevertheless, I found that it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the novel. I was totally caught up by the thought of aliens living among cowboys and Indians in America's wild west.
The story spans a number of years, over which time, Anna's children return to her and her new husband, Zeb MacDonald - the Maca. Lorenz is the first son to return, followed by Daniel and then Margareatha. However, everything does not run as smoothly as Anna and Zeb would have liked.
I found this to be a story of intrigue and family drama, which kept me on my toes until the end. Now I am looking to download the next installment.
I highly recommend this novel
Profile Image for P.S. Winn.
Author 105 books370 followers
May 21, 2018
The second book in the series continues the saga of aliens in America. If you didn't know this was a science fiction story you would find yourself caught up in a history lesson of the old west. Anna and Zeb are not your ordinary people living through the horrendous time when civil war captured America.
The two are aliens living in this world and the story of Anna, Zeb and their children takes readers on an incredible journey. The series is interesting and the author does a great job taking readers into a unique story.
Profile Image for Eve Gaal.
Author 27 books41 followers
January 6, 2014
From chapter 8/Chalky
“Before the corals of the morning sunrise had dissipated they spotted the herd of mustangs. MacDonald used his powerful Zark to cut off the stallion while the rest bunched the remnants of the herd, and then drove them towards the spring and corral, not worrying if they lost a mare or two.”

I loved the above section for the way Mari used the words coral and corrals in adjacent sentences. It reminded me of the way she describes the sunrise where she now lives. Zark is a horse by the way, and you can imagine the contrast of one powerful horse driving hundreds of others to a spring on a sunny day.

The writing uses western drawls interspersed with Germanic phrases and accents that make it a tad difficult to read but worth every page. You’ll be hooked into the story so much, that you’ll want to find out just where these folks come from and you’ll get glimpses into family roots that don’t just begin on other continents but in another world.

When Lorenz asks MacDonald, why he doesn't return to Thalia, a planet overrun by Justines and Krepyons his response is:
“Because I have found my true love on this world, and we have a wee lassie, and now a laddie to raise.”

In other words, love binds everything together in Gather the Children. Family and love run like a rocky and turbulent river, and the paranormal foundations for a sequel and prequel are well established in this amazing novel. You'll want to know more about this great man MacDonald and where he came from. Will he go home or does love make him choose to stay here on Earth forever?
Profile Image for C.O. Bonham.
Author 15 books37 followers
November 3, 2020
Gather the Children, like the first book in this series, (Earthbound) is a science fiction western about the MacDonald family. Almost all of which are some form of Alien hybrid.

This is such an odd series. There are very small references to anything sci-f. For the most part it's just a western. The story follows the various family and friends of the main character Mac, as they live life. They get married and conduct business, worship and fight for their lives in the unforgiving and lawless Texas frontier.

This is a very character based story and I loved getting to know all the characters as they struggled to build lives for themselves. The best part was getting to see all of the children come home after being scattered in the first book.

I hate that I feel like I need to give a content warning since this is not erotica, but the author is not shy about the facts of life. It may not be descriptive but it was enough to make me feel uncomfortable. Also there is language.

This is the third book in a row I've heard that was narrated by Benjamin Fife. Man this guy is prolific. As always he does a great job reading and this story gives him plenty of opportunities to play with accents which he is incredibly good at.
Profile Image for Alisha.
7 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2012
I read this book on recommendation from a friend. Let me start by saying I typically don't read "sci-fi" type books and was skeptical. However, within minutes I was intrigued enough to continue on. The characters were very well developed and easy to relate to. I felt like I was right there with them. I began to really enjoy the author's descriptive and thorough writing style. The different dialects made it a very interesting and realistic read. I love the mix of old west and sci fi and what can I say?....I really really enjoyed it! I can't say I've read anything else quite like it. I just kept turning pages because I truly wanted to know what was going to happen next and how it was going to end. If you are looking for something unique that is interesting and easy and fun to read, give this a try.
Profile Image for Julia.
260 reviews
June 1, 2016
Gather the Children

An excellent second book can hardly wait to read the next installment. A Really interesting look at life off world.
831 reviews10 followers
July 14, 2016
A great book 2.

Fantastic read to the series a great 2nd book. Thanks again Mari Collier for an even more exciting adventure to read.
Profile Image for Michele.
112 reviews11 followers
December 12, 2020
Book two of the series introduces new characters, the complex relationships of family, teenage rebellion, and growing up too fast. The first part of Gather The Children was narrated from Lorenz’s point of view (Anna’s son). He is such a well-crafted character! I enjoyed learning about him and eventually what was at the root of his rebellion. Watching his transformation is fascinating.

We also meet Anna’s other children and learn what happened to them after they were separated from her. Zeb and Anna work tirelessly to help the children deal with the Comanche attach and its effect on their lives. While this book primarily center’s on things that happen on Earth, Zeb never lets the children forget that they are part alien. His way of keeping their alien legacy alive is ingenious.

Don’t let me forget to mention alien powers! The children have a few tricks up their sleeves and keep Zeb on his toes!

Source: I received a copy of this audiobook at my request in exchange for an honest review.

Michele, AudibookLife.com
587 reviews
February 26, 2021
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request, and have voluntarily left this review. The 19th century was not an easy time to live, especially for an alien. Mac is happy with the life he's made himself while waiting until the time is right to return home. A chance meeting brings him face to face with his one of his wife's missing sons. Now he embarks on a new set of adventures helping his children grow. Interesting characters, suspense and lots of action will keep you listen until the very end. Looking forward to book 3.
205 reviews1 follower
June 24, 2018
Different but fun

This story of the juxtaposition of western and space aliens is interesting. The clash of cultures is not quite what might be expected, but it leads to an interesting read. Character development is well done and the reader gets to anticipate the twists. Worth a read.
879 reviews6 followers
June 6, 2020
Oh I am loving this Story and this Author's writing. Why couldn't I have found her early.
I can not say enough about this Story, Love the McDonald family and all the members except Daniel & Margerite. Narrator does one Heck of a Wonderful job with the characters and Voices and really brings the story to life!!
22 reviews1 follower
August 27, 2018
A very good read. Characters are well presented and 3-dimensional. The story does a good job of capturing the times.
Profile Image for Ron Stetson.
47 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2018
Alien had children with earth women separated by various happenings, interesting concept
167 reviews8 followers
April 17, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Wish it wouldn't end with a cliffhanger! The narrator, as always, was magnificent.
Profile Image for Berk Rourke.
378 reviews
July 11, 2016
This is the second of the Chronicles of the Maca series which I have read. I enjoyed this one more than the first for many reasons. By that remark I certainly don't mean to denigrate the first book for it was necessary to the enjoyment of the second. In this story Anna's children, Lorenz, Daniel, and Margareatha return home to live with Anna and Zeb, the Maca. And in the end times of the story Zeb's mother surfaces as well. The twists and turns of a "wild" Lorenz and a patient Maca, as well as a patient but demanding Anna, weave quite a story in and of themselves. Then add in the mixture the return of Daniel, a less loyal son, a question mark in the family, and Rity, in the same posture as Daniel being owned to some degree by a shady character named O' Neal. The mixture tells a tremendous tale of family intrigue, learning, acceptance and some rejection. This series is many books long and having read the first two it is imperative to read on now. I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews