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North America's Forgotten Past #26
People of the Canyons
In People of the Canyons, award-winning archaeologists and New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear bring us a tale of trapped magic, a tyrant who wants to wield its power...and a young girl who could be the key to save a people.
In a magnificent war-torn world cut by soaring red canyons, an evil ruler launches a search for a mystical artifact that he hopes will bring him ultimate power—an ancient witch’s pot that reputedly contains the trapped soul of the most powerful witch ever to have lived.
The aged healer Tocho has to stop him, but to do it he must ally himself with the bitter and broken witch hunter, Maicoh, whose only goal is achieving one last great kill.
Caught in the middle is Tocho’s adopted granddaughter, Tsilu. Her journey will be the most difficult of all for she is about to discover terrifying truths about her dead parents.
Truths that will set the ancient American Southwest afire and bring down a civilization.
In a magnificent war-torn world cut by soaring red canyons, an evil ruler launches a search for a mystical artifact that he hopes will bring him ultimate power—an ancient witch’s pot that reputedly contains the trapped soul of the most powerful witch ever to have lived.
The aged healer Tocho has to stop him, but to do it he must ally himself with the bitter and broken witch hunter, Maicoh, whose only goal is achieving one last great kill.
Caught in the middle is Tocho’s adopted granddaughter, Tsilu. Her journey will be the most difficult of all for she is about to discover terrifying truths about her dead parents.
Truths that will set the ancient American Southwest afire and bring down a civilization.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 23, 2020
103 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen O'Neal Gear
137 books713 followersMy professional life began in the dark basement of the Museum of Cultural History in Los Angeles, where I was cataloguing three-hundred-year-old Guatemalan saint carvings. I quit this fascinating job and moved to Wyoming to work for the U.S. Department of the Interior as a historian and archaeologist. When I finally understood the error of my ways I moved to Wyoming and started writing books. Since then, I've authored or co-authored 54 novels and around 200 non-fiction publications.
I love writing. And buffalo. And hiking the wilds of Wyoming's backcountry.
I'm married (until he comes to his senses) to W. Michael Gear, the novelist and my co-author, and we live at the edge of the Wind River Indian Reservation in the Owl Creek mountains of Wyoming. We're contented watching buffalo and writing books.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/kathle...
I love writing. And buffalo. And hiking the wilds of Wyoming's backcountry.
I'm married (until he comes to his senses) to W. Michael Gear, the novelist and my co-author, and we live at the edge of the Wind River Indian Reservation in the Owl Creek mountains of Wyoming. We're contented watching buffalo and writing books.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/kathle...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 22, 2022
Similar to “Clan of the Cave Bear”. More fiction than history.
November 5, 2020
I am a huge fan of the "People" books but this one let me down a bit. The story weaves around lots of magic and superstitions and a small group of people rather than their lives as a whole. Certainly spirits played a major role in their lives but the book centered, for me, too much on it.
August 11, 2020
I absolutely love the Gear's series of North America's Forgotten Past and was excited to see another book out. PEOPLE OF THE CANYONS (#26 in the series) showed that the Gears still know who to entertain a reader with a great story, rich historical details, and interesting characters.
What drew my into this story was the set-up: a witch hunter/killer, an enchanted pot that imprisons the breath-heart soul of one of the most powerful witches, and murder of a priestess & her unborn child. Then we are introduced to an evil, cannibal witch and his haughty daughter, who is another type of evil in her own way.
There was so much I love about this book, the myths, magic, names of the characters, and how the People of The Canyon perceived the afterlife. There was one haunting, beautiful, and sad passage that after I finished reading it, I was still thinking about it as I fell asleep at night:
"This is a magical place. It’s called the Sleeping Place because women come here to sleep upon the graves of dead children, praying the babies’ souls will climb into their wombs and be born again."
The Gears have an excellent way of showing how cruel people can be. Some of the things Leather Fist, the cannibal witch, did to other tribes and how he treated his slaves and underlings were jaw-dropping horrible. However, the Gears know how to deftly balance that out with characters filled with nobility and righteousness.
THE PEOPLE OF THE CANYONS is a wonderful addition to the North America's Forgotten Past series and I would highly recommend it.
What drew my into this story was the set-up: a witch hunter/killer, an enchanted pot that imprisons the breath-heart soul of one of the most powerful witches, and murder of a priestess & her unborn child. Then we are introduced to an evil, cannibal witch and his haughty daughter, who is another type of evil in her own way.
There was so much I love about this book, the myths, magic, names of the characters, and how the People of The Canyon perceived the afterlife. There was one haunting, beautiful, and sad passage that after I finished reading it, I was still thinking about it as I fell asleep at night:
"This is a magical place. It’s called the Sleeping Place because women come here to sleep upon the graves of dead children, praying the babies’ souls will climb into their wombs and be born again."
The Gears have an excellent way of showing how cruel people can be. Some of the things Leather Fist, the cannibal witch, did to other tribes and how he treated his slaves and underlings were jaw-dropping horrible. However, the Gears know how to deftly balance that out with characters filled with nobility and righteousness.
THE PEOPLE OF THE CANYONS is a wonderful addition to the North America's Forgotten Past series and I would highly recommend it.
June 19, 2020
I’ve read several books by these authors. All are well researched books. This was a complex story, told by two very different people. I enjoyed the story, at times I did have some trouble keeping everyone straight.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy
November 21, 2020
I didn't like this book as much as I was expecting. I know that the ancient peoples were fascinated by the stars and the heavens as well as the changes of the season. These were the main reasons that depended on their survival. However, I found some of the events were too contemporary to the period. One example is the behavior of the guards. I think they were not as civilized as they were portrayed.
I thought it would go more into the way Tocho, Tsilu survived during their journey. What they hunted, ate, and saw along the way. What caused the death of Kwinsi? The cliff dwellings were well explained as well as the superstitions of the ailing Leather Hand. The character of Blue Dove as Leather Hands spoiled daughter left me wondering where she had come from and what her relationship was with her father. He seemed totally absorbed with himself. Also no family history as to her mother.
Doing more research while writing this review I found this is the last book in the series. I mistakenly thought it the first and the ending leaves a cliffhanger so that confuses me more. The obsession with soul pots was an interesting take on their beliefs and also the power of the soul and the person after death which was probably an assumption in ancient times. This is the first I have heard of it so it was interesting. Also, the power of the witches which after reading more seems to be a storyline through the series.
I thought it would go more into the way Tocho, Tsilu survived during their journey. What they hunted, ate, and saw along the way. What caused the death of Kwinsi? The cliff dwellings were well explained as well as the superstitions of the ailing Leather Hand. The character of Blue Dove as Leather Hands spoiled daughter left me wondering where she had come from and what her relationship was with her father. He seemed totally absorbed with himself. Also no family history as to her mother.
Doing more research while writing this review I found this is the last book in the series. I mistakenly thought it the first and the ending leaves a cliffhanger so that confuses me more. The obsession with soul pots was an interesting take on their beliefs and also the power of the soul and the person after death which was probably an assumption in ancient times. This is the first I have heard of it so it was interesting. Also, the power of the witches which after reading more seems to be a storyline through the series.
June 17, 2020
People of the Canyons: A Novel of North America's Forgotten Past #26 by Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear has vivid imagery of the landscapes and characters. I have read and enjoyed many books in this series.
I will say this was not my favorite. The theme of the story is more about cruelty, witch hunters, and the dead.
The red canyon people believe each person has two souls. The Blessed Sun has been sending priests to convert the northern canyon people to an ancient faith, while the Canyon People in the south believe in and worship the old gods. This has caused strife and warring among the people. All of the people fear the bitter Maicoh who is able to transform and wield power and death
Grandfather is a powerful shaman healer in the OwlClaw village. When the OwlClaw village is destroyed because of the search for a powerful witch pot that holds the soul of Nightshade, young Tsilu is left with her grandfather's apprentice, Kwinsi. They travel together to try and find her grandfather who was taken by the rival warriors.
Publication Date: June 23, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I will say this was not my favorite. The theme of the story is more about cruelty, witch hunters, and the dead.
The red canyon people believe each person has two souls. The Blessed Sun has been sending priests to convert the northern canyon people to an ancient faith, while the Canyon People in the south believe in and worship the old gods. This has caused strife and warring among the people. All of the people fear the bitter Maicoh who is able to transform and wield power and death
Grandfather is a powerful shaman healer in the OwlClaw village. When the OwlClaw village is destroyed because of the search for a powerful witch pot that holds the soul of Nightshade, young Tsilu is left with her grandfather's apprentice, Kwinsi. They travel together to try and find her grandfather who was taken by the rival warriors.
Publication Date: June 23, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 29, 2020
This book is magic based and mostly concerned with evil, witches and the dead. The leader of the Straight Path nation is known as evil cannibal witch. He used terror, force and witchcraft to rule, but now is old, nearing death. He dispatches his daughter Blue Dove to find a wellpot claimed to hold his enemy Nightshade’s soul, hoping it will free him to travel to the afterlife. At the same time there is a battle with religion, the old and new, though that is more in the background of the story.
Blue Dove searches out Maicoh known to be a powerful witch killer, taker of souls. She finds a few elder healers, Tocho and Crane instead. Then an albino joins who claims to be Maicoh. Mixed in with these is a young orphan girl Tsilu, who wants to save her adopted grandfather Tocho as he is being marched back to the Flowing Waters Town, the center of the Straight Path nation.
Most of the book leads up to the events when the party arrives in Flowing Waters Town. This is also where I think the book is the weakest. And the ending leaves things very primed for a follow-up book.
While reading this book some of the characters and history felt familiar. None of the summaries I read mentioned this book being a continuation of others, but one reviewer did mention it is a continuation from the book People of the River, which is book 4 in the series. It probably would help to read that book first, but it is not necessary. If you read it a long time ago like me, then you may want to refresh your memory of the story.
For readers new to the series of books, I’m not sure this is the place to start. But since it is mostly a standalone book you won’t be lost. I think there were some stronger books in the series. I always enjoy these books by the Gears. This book did not disappoint, but not my favorite either.
Thanks to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.
Blue Dove searches out Maicoh known to be a powerful witch killer, taker of souls. She finds a few elder healers, Tocho and Crane instead. Then an albino joins who claims to be Maicoh. Mixed in with these is a young orphan girl Tsilu, who wants to save her adopted grandfather Tocho as he is being marched back to the Flowing Waters Town, the center of the Straight Path nation.
Most of the book leads up to the events when the party arrives in Flowing Waters Town. This is also where I think the book is the weakest. And the ending leaves things very primed for a follow-up book.
While reading this book some of the characters and history felt familiar. None of the summaries I read mentioned this book being a continuation of others, but one reviewer did mention it is a continuation from the book People of the River, which is book 4 in the series. It probably would help to read that book first, but it is not necessary. If you read it a long time ago like me, then you may want to refresh your memory of the story.
For readers new to the series of books, I’m not sure this is the place to start. But since it is mostly a standalone book you won’t be lost. I think there were some stronger books in the series. I always enjoy these books by the Gears. This book did not disappoint, but not my favorite either.
Thanks to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.
November 1, 2024
This tale focuses on the native peoples of the Fremont, an area that was centered along the Fremont River in Utah and extended through much of the West. An aging tyrant ruler, Blessed Sun, sends his daughter Blue Dove to hire a famous witch hunter, Maicoh, to retrieve a “soul pot” that Blessed Sun believes is the magic required to release his evil soul to join his ancestors in the afterlife. A young girl, Tsilu, is caught up in the mission, and suspense builds as the soul pot travels to Blessed Sun. What power will be unleashed when the soul pot is delivered, and what are the true identities of Tsilu and her mysterious protectors?
In this richly imagined world set a century or so before European settlers arrived, characters are acutely sensitive to the natural world and connect with the spiritual and mystical, rather than the material. Red walls, shadows, flickering flames, and the cracks and crevices of the canyons seem a perfect backdrop for the dangers and sometime beauties of Blue Dove’s, Maicoh’s, and Tsilu’s journey to Blessed Sun. Impressionistic descriptions like “cracks in the light” and how “night seeps through the air like cold gray mist” give us a sense that their world was very unlike ours is today.
People of the Canyons is the twenty-third novel in the North America’s Forgotten Past series, which recreates a world of native peoples before recorded history, from 13,000 BCE to 1400 CE. The wife-husband bestselling author team’s tales are rooted in archaeology and their expertise, and cast with the cloak of the spirit world that might have dominated the Americas before cities and railroads and roads pushed from coast to coast.
Was this review helpful? I am an avid reader of historical fiction, and author. More of my reviews can be found at www.brodiecurtis.com
In this richly imagined world set a century or so before European settlers arrived, characters are acutely sensitive to the natural world and connect with the spiritual and mystical, rather than the material. Red walls, shadows, flickering flames, and the cracks and crevices of the canyons seem a perfect backdrop for the dangers and sometime beauties of Blue Dove’s, Maicoh’s, and Tsilu’s journey to Blessed Sun. Impressionistic descriptions like “cracks in the light” and how “night seeps through the air like cold gray mist” give us a sense that their world was very unlike ours is today.
People of the Canyons is the twenty-third novel in the North America’s Forgotten Past series, which recreates a world of native peoples before recorded history, from 13,000 BCE to 1400 CE. The wife-husband bestselling author team’s tales are rooted in archaeology and their expertise, and cast with the cloak of the spirit world that might have dominated the Americas before cities and railroads and roads pushed from coast to coast.
Was this review helpful? I am an avid reader of historical fiction, and author. More of my reviews can be found at www.brodiecurtis.com
June 29, 2020
People of the Canyons: A Novel of North America's Forgotten Past
by Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear
One of the most anticipated books in their series, after multiple requests from fans for a novel about the Fremont civilization the Gears have given the fans the story they have always needed even if they did not know it .
People of the Canyons brings the spiral full circle, and the Gears astounding ability to humanize the past is beyond comprehension. Breaking down the research and artifacts to the human story is part of what makes them one of the premier authors of the genre.
For the long time fans, the book brings back many of the Beloved characters from the series, with their most admirable character Nightshade gets closer to her story-line. Nightshade is a remarkable character. Always was reassuring and scary. I always felt personally she was brilliant and kind.. but scary to those with only personal desires that lead to the destruction of others lives. She is one of the strongest characters, and she survived a lot of impossible situations for that strength. We get to see Poor Singer and his children.
We get live through the end of one of the main villains of the series, Leather Hand. Its all more complex with the addition of a new character, his brilliantly spoiled selfish daughter Blue Dove. Entitlement gets a new definition with her. She is one of those people that you want to have reality smack her down. Just one person to tell her no, that is not Leather Hand. If only the bad guys got their lessons handed out when they can still learn from them.
I have found this book irresistible and could not stop reading and listening to the story. I was doing both, reading and listening to the story, The audible edition Narrated by: Nancy Peterson brings the story to life. I found more meaning in the words and feelings of the characters from her vocal enhancement of the story. I highly recommend it.
by Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear
One of the most anticipated books in their series, after multiple requests from fans for a novel about the Fremont civilization the Gears have given the fans the story they have always needed even if they did not know it .
People of the Canyons brings the spiral full circle, and the Gears astounding ability to humanize the past is beyond comprehension. Breaking down the research and artifacts to the human story is part of what makes them one of the premier authors of the genre.
For the long time fans, the book brings back many of the Beloved characters from the series, with their most admirable character Nightshade gets closer to her story-line. Nightshade is a remarkable character. Always was reassuring and scary. I always felt personally she was brilliant and kind.. but scary to those with only personal desires that lead to the destruction of others lives. She is one of the strongest characters, and she survived a lot of impossible situations for that strength. We get to see Poor Singer and his children.
We get live through the end of one of the main villains of the series, Leather Hand. Its all more complex with the addition of a new character, his brilliantly spoiled selfish daughter Blue Dove. Entitlement gets a new definition with her. She is one of those people that you want to have reality smack her down. Just one person to tell her no, that is not Leather Hand. If only the bad guys got their lessons handed out when they can still learn from them.
I have found this book irresistible and could not stop reading and listening to the story. I was doing both, reading and listening to the story, The audible edition Narrated by: Nancy Peterson brings the story to life. I found more meaning in the words and feelings of the characters from her vocal enhancement of the story. I highly recommend it.
March 9, 2021
People of the Canyons is number twenty-six (!) in the Gears' sweeping forays into North America's epic deep past. Canyons visits the American Southwest, whose the tribes dwell amidst cave and canyon. As always, the trademark spirituality of the series shines through.
The Blessed Sun Leather Hand- a Powerful witch cursed by a even more Powerful shaman- is approaching the end of his long life. If he cannot break the curse, he will not be able to Travel to his Ancestors once he dies. Leather Hand forces and coerces two Powerful people- Tocho and Maicoh- to seek out an artefact charged with the energy of the one who cursed him in order to break it.
But the ancient forces of Wolf Dreamer and Raven Hunter, energy of Bundle and fetish, have different plans in play. The ebb and flow of time and space, the balancing of chaos and entropy.
I love this series! The Gears' are both archaeologists, and their love and respect for the cultures they bring to vibrant life shows in attention to detail. The continuity of ancestral memory and the blurred lines between the mundane world and the spiritual world tugs this poet's heart, this philosopher's soul.
Highly recommended, especially if you enjoy historical fiction, speculative fiction, or enjoy archaeology, anthropology, or philosophy.
****Many thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Tor for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The Blessed Sun Leather Hand- a Powerful witch cursed by a even more Powerful shaman- is approaching the end of his long life. If he cannot break the curse, he will not be able to Travel to his Ancestors once he dies. Leather Hand forces and coerces two Powerful people- Tocho and Maicoh- to seek out an artefact charged with the energy of the one who cursed him in order to break it.
But the ancient forces of Wolf Dreamer and Raven Hunter, energy of Bundle and fetish, have different plans in play. The ebb and flow of time and space, the balancing of chaos and entropy.
I love this series! The Gears' are both archaeologists, and their love and respect for the cultures they bring to vibrant life shows in attention to detail. The continuity of ancestral memory and the blurred lines between the mundane world and the spiritual world tugs this poet's heart, this philosopher's soul.
Highly recommended, especially if you enjoy historical fiction, speculative fiction, or enjoy archaeology, anthropology, or philosophy.
****Many thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Tor for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 11, 2020
Incredible
Kathleen O'Neal and W. Michael Gear have sent this reader over the top with this novel. It brought back old friends in New ways even an avid fan could have never thought possible. It brings the new, the Freemont into a story started long ago in another novel. On it's own, this novel takes the reader all over the Ancestral Prebloans area, bringing in the People Of The Canyons as the new factor.
Will they be able to rebalance the spiral which has been out of balance since the end of morality began. The Nation is led by a madman, supported by warriors who enforce his whims. One must follow the path to find how good men can do something when bad men are acting out. It may take time, but the balance must be restored.
I received enormous satisfaction with the reading of The People Of The Canyons. So much so I read it cover to cover, then again right after.
What can one say except the Gears are masters!!!!♥
Tess Cole
Kathleen O'Neal and W. Michael Gear have sent this reader over the top with this novel. It brought back old friends in New ways even an avid fan could have never thought possible. It brings the new, the Freemont into a story started long ago in another novel. On it's own, this novel takes the reader all over the Ancestral Prebloans area, bringing in the People Of The Canyons as the new factor.
Will they be able to rebalance the spiral which has been out of balance since the end of morality began. The Nation is led by a madman, supported by warriors who enforce his whims. One must follow the path to find how good men can do something when bad men are acting out. It may take time, but the balance must be restored.
I received enormous satisfaction with the reading of The People Of The Canyons. So much so I read it cover to cover, then again right after.
What can one say except the Gears are masters!!!!♥
Tess Cole
February 10, 2021
Tsilu and her companions are on a journey toward death in "People of the Canyons," the latest in a long list of North America's Forgotten Past Series by Kathleen O'Neal and W. Michael Gear.
Theirs is a world awash in a religious war between those who follow the old gods and those who've embraced the new thlatsinas gods. Leather Hand is the Blessed Sun, the ruler of the Straight Path Nation. He's also a cannibal.
"People of the Canyons" references people and events stretching back more than 20 novels, back to the beginning when characters in "People of the Wolf" first emerged from the darkness of the underworld. Unfortunately, so much time and so many novels from so many different perspectives make it really difficult to remember everything that transpired in the past.
This was a relatively short novel at 310 pages, and it sets up future novels. Is it worth it to continue reading them? Mostly, the Gear novels tend to trod the same path over and over.
Theirs is a world awash in a religious war between those who follow the old gods and those who've embraced the new thlatsinas gods. Leather Hand is the Blessed Sun, the ruler of the Straight Path Nation. He's also a cannibal.
"People of the Canyons" references people and events stretching back more than 20 novels, back to the beginning when characters in "People of the Wolf" first emerged from the darkness of the underworld. Unfortunately, so much time and so many novels from so many different perspectives make it really difficult to remember everything that transpired in the past.
This was a relatively short novel at 310 pages, and it sets up future novels. Is it worth it to continue reading them? Mostly, the Gear novels tend to trod the same path over and over.
June 20, 2024
I love this series by the Gears. Each story is a mini history lesson in North America's Forgotten Past. To me, this novel felt like a Young Adult novel. The main point of view character is a young girl, and the one other point of view character is a young woman who is probably not much older than Tsilu. Plus, there were explanations of things that I feel normally wouldn't be in a Gear's book.
It was wonderful read and I enjoyed learning about the fate of Nightshade, Badgertail, Spots, and Webworm. I just wish this book came out sooner as it has been years and years since I first read about those characters. With a very long gap in between novels, it was really difficult to remember all the details of the previous story.
It was wonderful read and I enjoyed learning about the fate of Nightshade, Badgertail, Spots, and Webworm. I just wish this book came out sooner as it has been years and years since I first read about those characters. With a very long gap in between novels, it was really difficult to remember all the details of the previous story.
February 13, 2021
This continues some of the characters of People of the Moon. This book seems short and a little bit made for fans because of the many references to other characters and stories in the series. It seems like it certainly could have continued on in the series, but the series is at a close with the last book being Lightning Shell (Book 5 of the most excellent People of the Cahokia series).
If you're new to this series, I don't not recommend reading this one as an introduction.
My favorites include People of the Owl, People of the Raven, and People of the Nightland.
Coming of the Storm (book 1 of the Contact: Battle for America series).
And the People of Cahokia series.
If you're new to this series, I don't not recommend reading this one as an introduction.
My favorites include People of the Owl, People of the Raven, and People of the Nightland.
Coming of the Storm (book 1 of the Contact: Battle for America series).
And the People of Cahokia series.
September 5, 2022
Like all the other books in this series this one draws you into a world of people long since passed from this Earth. You feel the warmth of the campfires, you taste the hot berry tea, you hear the laughter and songs of the people as they go about their daily lives. It's a book that once you begin, if time would permit, you would just like to keep on reading until it's done. As a matter fact pretty much the only thing I didn't like about it is that it's the last of the series. There will be no more "People of the..." books.
November 29, 2021
3.5 stars.
I'm not familiar enough with the culture of the peoples depicted here to say how accurately they were represented, but I found I liked the story more than I expected. I felt like it had the right amount of suspense between whether or not the supernatural elements truly were happening, or simply imagined to explain happening beyond the characters' collective understanding. I also liked that it showed a belief in the supernatural in a light that made sense given what they knew.
I'm not familiar enough with the culture of the peoples depicted here to say how accurately they were represented, but I found I liked the story more than I expected. I felt like it had the right amount of suspense between whether or not the supernatural elements truly were happening, or simply imagined to explain happening beyond the characters' collective understanding. I also liked that it showed a belief in the supernatural in a light that made sense given what they knew.
January 9, 2022
I became interested in stories of Native (First Nations) Americans while on a river cruise and then a train trip in Canada. This was interesting because it mentions the mounds of Cahokia which is near me. The story itself was intriguing and I would like to read more of these books.
Thanks to the authors who did such a wonderful job of introducing me to these peoples and their beliefs and how their telling continues.
Thanks to the authors who did such a wonderful job of introducing me to these peoples and their beliefs and how their telling continues.
June 17, 2022
I have read many books by the Gears and enjoyed all of them (4 or 5 stars generally.) This one was a bit less engrossing than others. Essentially a young girl faces good and evil from the spiritual world, and in the process discovers family members she had thought lost long ago. Have to add that as always I appreciate the Gears' work in trying to frame their stories against what is known about the life style, societal aspects, and beliefs of the peoples of the time and place.
July 12, 2020
I enjoy these North America series books.
This one had me reading it almost nonstop. The story plot had you guessing as to who was who - well done. I was so disappointed it ended. Could there be a sequel coming down the pike? I hope so. I've followed the Gears since their first book in this series. I haven't been disappointed yet!
This one had me reading it almost nonstop. The story plot had you guessing as to who was who - well done. I was so disappointed it ended. Could there be a sequel coming down the pike? I hope so. I've followed the Gears since their first book in this series. I haven't been disappointed yet!
May 23, 2021
This was well written. For those who have read books by the Gears will understand what I mean when I say I felt like was imbibing through the entire book...on the black drink. The subject matter is dealing with matters of the underworld. What was nice was there were some old friends mentioned from other books. I found myself saying, " Oh, I remember them>" And I smiled.
July 7, 2020
I loved this book.
I discovered the Gears when I picked up The Anasazi Mysteries years ago. This book brings me full circle to a beginning I didn't know existed. It is an awesome book and I wish there were more stars to give.
I discovered the Gears when I picked up The Anasazi Mysteries years ago. This book brings me full circle to a beginning I didn't know existed. It is an awesome book and I wish there were more stars to give.
April 29, 2021
Disappointing
I’ve read a LOT of the books by these authors but this one was just terrible from start to finish. Don’t make this volume your introduction to the series these authors have written over the years.
I’ve read a LOT of the books by these authors but this one was just terrible from start to finish. Don’t make this volume your introduction to the series these authors have written over the years.
August 6, 2020
Interesting look at the people and the cultures in the canyons of Arizona in early times.
August 11, 2020
The latest in the People series and just as interesting, well-written and good as the first.
January 31, 2021
This story was well written ,but I didn't care for all the witches and magic it doesn't help the story one bit. Could have been alot shorter.
March 6, 2021
As always I immensely enjoyed it.. I have all of the books in this series.
April 27, 2021
Audio, good performance and great story
June 28, 2022
Once again I’m very disappointed when I read the last pages. The series are such great books and time passes so slowly waiting for them to write new stories!
November 4, 2022
Audio listen; the imagination in this fantasy read was intriguing but the story only rated OK for me.
November 20, 2023
This was confusing to me, mainly because nearly every major male character went by more than one name. Maybe I'm getting dense in my old age, but I never did figure out who "Maicoh" really was.
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