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Earthsong #2
The Horses at the Gate: A Novel
In a novel set in prehistoric times, Marrah, who comes from a peace-loving matriarchal culture, escapes from horse-riding warriors to lead her people in a dramatic clash with the invaders
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
About the author
Mary Mackey
42 books57 followers"New York Times" bestselling author Mary Mackey's published works include 13 novels, and 7 books of poetry including "Sugar Zone" which won the 2012 PEN Oakland Award for Literary Excellence. They have sold over a million and a half copies and been translated into twelve foreign languages including Japanese, Hebrew, and Finnish.
Mary is related through her father's family to Mark Twain. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard and received her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Michigan. During the early 1970s she lived in the rain forests of Costa Rica. For the last twenty-five years, she has been traveling to Brazil with her husband Angus Wright. The rainforests of the Amazon and the people of Brazil have been a major influence on two of her collections of poetry, "Sugar Zone" and "Travelers With No Ticket Home", and on two of her novels: "The Widow's War," and "The Village of Bones," which is a prequel to her bestselling Earthsong Serious about Prehistoric Europe.
From 1989 to 1992 she served as Chair of PEN American Center, West. Currently, she is Emeritus Professor of English at California State University, Sacramento.
While her poetry has mainly centered around the traditional lyric themes of love, death, and nature, her novels have ranged from the Midwestern United States to the Goddess-worshiping cultures of Neolithic Europe. A screenwriter as well as a novelist, she has sold feature scripts to Warner Brothers as well as to various independent film companies.
Mary has lectured at many places including Harvard and the Smithsonian. Additionally, she has contributed to such diverse print and on-line publications as The Chiron Review, Redbook, and Salon. She occasionally writes comedy under the pen name "Kate Clemens".
Her popular "People Who Make Books Happen" interview series can be found on her Blog http://marymackey.com/the-writers-jou.... A free resource for writers and readers, it contains interviews with experts on various topics including "How To Get An Agent," and "Helping Independent Bookstores Survive and Thrive." You are invited to ask Mary questions about these interviews and other topics by going to the Goodreads "Ask The Author" section of this profile page or by visiting her website at http://marymackey.com/.
The photograph of Mary Mackey was taken by Irene Young.
Mary is related through her father's family to Mark Twain. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard and received her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Michigan. During the early 1970s she lived in the rain forests of Costa Rica. For the last twenty-five years, she has been traveling to Brazil with her husband Angus Wright. The rainforests of the Amazon and the people of Brazil have been a major influence on two of her collections of poetry, "Sugar Zone" and "Travelers With No Ticket Home", and on two of her novels: "The Widow's War," and "The Village of Bones," which is a prequel to her bestselling Earthsong Serious about Prehistoric Europe.
From 1989 to 1992 she served as Chair of PEN American Center, West. Currently, she is Emeritus Professor of English at California State University, Sacramento.
While her poetry has mainly centered around the traditional lyric themes of love, death, and nature, her novels have ranged from the Midwestern United States to the Goddess-worshiping cultures of Neolithic Europe. A screenwriter as well as a novelist, she has sold feature scripts to Warner Brothers as well as to various independent film companies.
Mary has lectured at many places including Harvard and the Smithsonian. Additionally, she has contributed to such diverse print and on-line publications as The Chiron Review, Redbook, and Salon. She occasionally writes comedy under the pen name "Kate Clemens".
Her popular "People Who Make Books Happen" interview series can be found on her Blog http://marymackey.com/the-writers-jou.... A free resource for writers and readers, it contains interviews with experts on various topics including "How To Get An Agent," and "Helping Independent Bookstores Survive and Thrive." You are invited to ask Mary questions about these interviews and other topics by going to the Goodreads "Ask The Author" section of this profile page or by visiting her website at http://marymackey.com/.
The photograph of Mary Mackey was taken by Irene Young.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 18, 2016
An Engaging Read
Thoroughly enjoyed The HORSES at the GATE, Earthsong Book Two. The words are textured & complex, written by a true writer of fiction. Do yourself a favor, this engaging, enchanting story of a time before human memory will be a classic; and it's written by one of the greatest authors of our time.
Thoroughly enjoyed The HORSES at the GATE, Earthsong Book Two. The words are textured & complex, written by a true writer of fiction. Do yourself a favor, this engaging, enchanting story of a time before human memory will be a classic; and it's written by one of the greatest authors of our time.
February 8, 2017
Prehistoric stories always intrigued me
I have always had a deep interest in our past,if I had the chance I think I would loved to have been an archeologist but wasn't to be so I can live vicariously thru these books it seems the author did her homework, I am really enjoying them and was so happy to see a forth one.Thank you Mary Mackey
I have always had a deep interest in our past,if I had the chance I think I would loved to have been an archeologist but wasn't to be so I can live vicariously thru these books it seems the author did her homework, I am really enjoying them and was so happy to see a forth one.Thank you Mary Mackey
January 30, 2016
I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. Just as good as the first book in the series. And I am so glad to find out about Stavan. What has happened to Changar though? He will probably show up in the next book. And now an extra wife for Marrah to figure out...this is such a great story, and I can't wait to read the third and last book!
August 23, 2017
Another excellent story of the past ages. Of man
This was a really good story and moved pretty quickly for this kind of book. I had to be careful when I sat to read it because I would get so absorbed in another world that family would talk to me and I would miss what they were saying, which did not go over well.
This was a really good story and moved pretty quickly for this kind of book. I had to be careful when I sat to read it because I would get so absorbed in another world that family would talk to me and I would miss what they were saying, which did not go over well.
August 29, 2017
Outstanding Read
Marta is an outstanding character. She goes from child to full womanhood in breathtaking leaps. Her story is not only a tear jerker but also a page turner. Forget sleeping while reading it.
Marta is an outstanding character. She goes from child to full womanhood in breathtaking leaps. Her story is not only a tear jerker but also a page turner. Forget sleeping while reading it.
October 22, 2009
It is Clan of the Cave Bear Lite--or The Plains of Passage in one third the pages. It's the second book of the series, but I'm not going to bother with the rest.
September 16, 2011
This book was amazing! I read it super fast and wish there was more!! I hope there's another, I have to go check RIGHT now!! :-D
November 12, 2020
Blev først en anelse spændende til sidst. Ellers meget lang og tør.
February 15, 2021
Although I was more critical about first book, i read this one more quickly and enjoyed it very much.
very well written, and loved the story.
very well written, and loved the story.
April 13, 2022
Prehistoric drama
This is the second novel in the series, equally dramatic in the description of the conflict between the nomadic worshippers of the God Han and the civilized people of Shara, believers in the great Mother Goddess. I couldn't stop reading, the dramatic ending kept me fascinated. Looking forward to the third book.
This is the second novel in the series, equally dramatic in the description of the conflict between the nomadic worshippers of the God Han and the civilized people of Shara, believers in the great Mother Goddess. I couldn't stop reading, the dramatic ending kept me fascinated. Looking forward to the third book.
December 15, 2019
The year the horses came
I have read the first and second books of this series. While some of the passages got a bit slow, I found myself enjoying the flickers of ancient history embedded within the stories.
I have read the first and second books of this series. While some of the passages got a bit slow, I found myself enjoying the flickers of ancient history embedded within the stories.
May 2, 2020
I loved this book! Although fictionalized, I do like reading about life in prehistoric times.
I found it at a book sale, but unfortunately, my library doesn't have volumes 1 or 3, so it was good that at least V2 was a complete story.
I found it at a book sale, but unfortunately, my library doesn't have volumes 1 or 3, so it was good that at least V2 was a complete story.
January 19, 2019
Embracing Fantasy
At first I wasn't sure, but the story pulled me and encircled me like a "snake biting it's tail" then left me wanting more.
At first I wasn't sure, but the story pulled me and encircled me like a "snake biting it's tail" then left me wanting more.
March 20, 2019
Very good book. Great ending
June 2, 2022
Even better than the first book! Looking forward to reading the third.
February 11, 2025
For me less romance is good .. so this series is good …. Love the plant life and landscape in this series… as well as some historical value …
September 4, 2016
When I was ten, I received this book as a gift. It was the first book I read that was over 100 pages and I still remember how much this story changed my perspective on what books could be and opened my mind to the broader world of fantasy. The story was memorable, to say the least - it was not intended for such a young audience - and I still remember how amazing it was to read about a strong heroine doing whatever it took to save her people. I had no idea it was part of a trilogy, so I will be seeking those other books out very soon!
October 5, 2012
Holy moly that took forever! Couple years actually.. Of course I don't remember how it all falls together at this point since I picked it up and put it down for a little over 2 years! Yikes. I did end up liking the story. It ended up being a nice story.
August 19, 2009
Early human history romance/adventure.
July 11, 2016
Great series
Thank you for another great book, looking forward to the next in the series. Keep up the good writing and I will keep reading
Thank you for another great book, looking forward to the next in the series. Keep up the good writing and I will keep reading
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews