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Moundville Duology #2
People of the Thunder
By 1300 AD, the Sky Hand people had crushed and enslaved the Albaamaha people and built their high-walled capital, Split Sky City, to dominate towns up and down the Black Warrior River. But a violent wind is brewing that may topple the city's mighty walls. Great armies are on the march, and a cunning new leader, Smoke Shield, has risen. He will lead the Sky Hand people either to stunning triumph or to bloody doom.
Old White, Trader, and the mystical Two Petals are journeying across the Choctaw lands straight into the chaos. Old White, the Seeker, must play a delicate game of espionage. For Trader the slightest indiscretion--let alone the temptation of forbidden love--could lead to disaster. Two Petals, the Contrary, faces the toughest choice of all : She must betray herself and her friends to Smoke Shield or live forever in the backward grip of madness. And Spirit Power has laid a far deadlier trap for them in the rainbow colors just beneath the rolling surface of the Black Warrior River.
A novel of desperate political intrigue and spiritual power, People of the Thunder once again demonstrates the New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear's mastery of American prehistory. Explore the ancestral heritage of the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Yuchi peoples as the majesty and genius of the vanished Mississippian mound builders' civilization comes to life.
Old White, Trader, and the mystical Two Petals are journeying across the Choctaw lands straight into the chaos. Old White, the Seeker, must play a delicate game of espionage. For Trader the slightest indiscretion--let alone the temptation of forbidden love--could lead to disaster. Two Petals, the Contrary, faces the toughest choice of all : She must betray herself and her friends to Smoke Shield or live forever in the backward grip of madness. And Spirit Power has laid a far deadlier trap for them in the rainbow colors just beneath the rolling surface of the Black Warrior River.
A novel of desperate political intrigue and spiritual power, People of the Thunder once again demonstrates the New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear's mastery of American prehistory. Explore the ancestral heritage of the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Yuchi peoples as the majesty and genius of the vanished Mississippian mound builders' civilization comes to life.
512 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 6, 2009
108 people are currently reading
1607 people want to read
About the author
W. Michael Gear
181 books730 followersW. Michael Gear was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on the twentieth of May, 1955. A fourth generation Colorado native, his family had been involved in hard-rock mining, cattle ranching, and journalism. After his father's death in 1959, Michael's mother received her Master's degree in journalism and began teaching. In 1962 she married Joseph J. Cook, who taught tool and die making, and the family lived in Lakewood, Colorado, until 1968. At that time they moved to Fort Collins so that Joe could pursue his Ph.D.. During those years the family lived in the foothills above Horsetooth Reservoir.
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
September 15, 2023
Good stuff. Well written and gripping.
The whole series is like that.
The whole series is like that.
March 30, 2024
There were a lot of things that threw me off of this book & led to the untimely abandonment and poor rating.
For starters, this felt like a classic white person's retelling of a Native American story for older-middle-aged white women... Which, gross. I don't like appropriation. Yeah, I get it; this book is fictitious. Doesn't mean we should cast representation to the wayside & rely on white narrators to tell a nonwhite story. While the authors' expertise in anthropology is quite commendable, it does not and cannot make up for the lived experience of someone who is actually indigenous. And it would be one thing to write an objective book based on your historical knowledge... It's another thing to make it subjective, to put feelings and words into the mouths of people you've studied but could never truly identify with. As a white/Caucasian person, I would not (and should not) speak on the Native American experience, I should never assume that I could accurately depict their internal dialogue or emotions, and I would never pretend to know what that experience is like. Because I'm not native.
I don't consider myself a prude when it comes to explicit content. In fact, I revel in the explicit and profane. But this book has a way of making one uncomfortable with the unnecessary yet frequent mentions of sexual body parts in a mundane way. "It made her breast swell with pride." Was that necessary? And don't get me started on the erotic dream one of the guys had, with a genuinely non-comedic mention of his throbbing member... If you remember the horny principal from 10 Things I Hate About You, it gives off those vibes.
George R.R. Martin has a contender for most descriptive chapters. (and for # of characters thrown at you -- I really had no idea wtf was going on with the whiplash-type perspective shifts between different characters). When the book describes the rising sun, akin to a fire, touching the buildings with a blazing orange, it's awesome. Made me feel like I was standing in the forest, watching the sunrise. But when the book is describing a small hut in that much detail, it kind of becomes monotonous. It doesn't set the scene or environment or mood. It just takes up space on pages.
I only made it to page 80, but I counted at least 4 times the authors used the word "fingering" in a nonsexual way. It was things like, "he fingered the rough wood," or "he fingered the long scar on his face." my question is this: WHY. DEAR GODS, WHY. It feels deliberate. Maybe this one is my fault, because fingering has an inherently sexual meaning, to me. It's like "penetrate" (which I'm quite surprised the authors didn't use yet). I wouldn't say it's the result of sloppy writing, but it's also never going to earn the title of literary masterpiece.
So there you have it. Not a fan. 🤷🏻♀️
For starters, this felt like a classic white person's retelling of a Native American story for older-middle-aged white women... Which, gross. I don't like appropriation. Yeah, I get it; this book is fictitious. Doesn't mean we should cast representation to the wayside & rely on white narrators to tell a nonwhite story. While the authors' expertise in anthropology is quite commendable, it does not and cannot make up for the lived experience of someone who is actually indigenous. And it would be one thing to write an objective book based on your historical knowledge... It's another thing to make it subjective, to put feelings and words into the mouths of people you've studied but could never truly identify with. As a white/Caucasian person, I would not (and should not) speak on the Native American experience, I should never assume that I could accurately depict their internal dialogue or emotions, and I would never pretend to know what that experience is like. Because I'm not native.
I don't consider myself a prude when it comes to explicit content. In fact, I revel in the explicit and profane. But this book has a way of making one uncomfortable with the unnecessary yet frequent mentions of sexual body parts in a mundane way. "It made her breast swell with pride." Was that necessary? And don't get me started on the erotic dream one of the guys had, with a genuinely non-comedic mention of his throbbing member... If you remember the horny principal from 10 Things I Hate About You, it gives off those vibes.
George R.R. Martin has a contender for most descriptive chapters. (and for # of characters thrown at you -- I really had no idea wtf was going on with the whiplash-type perspective shifts between different characters). When the book describes the rising sun, akin to a fire, touching the buildings with a blazing orange, it's awesome. Made me feel like I was standing in the forest, watching the sunrise. But when the book is describing a small hut in that much detail, it kind of becomes monotonous. It doesn't set the scene or environment or mood. It just takes up space on pages.
I only made it to page 80, but I counted at least 4 times the authors used the word "fingering" in a nonsexual way. It was things like, "he fingered the rough wood," or "he fingered the long scar on his face." my question is this: WHY. DEAR GODS, WHY. It feels deliberate. Maybe this one is my fault, because fingering has an inherently sexual meaning, to me. It's like "penetrate" (which I'm quite surprised the authors didn't use yet). I wouldn't say it's the result of sloppy writing, but it's also never going to earn the title of literary masterpiece.
So there you have it. Not a fan. 🤷🏻♀️
April 8, 2009
A wonderfully "power"ful read. Although I thought this second book could probably have been shorter, I enjoyed the look at early Americans. The Gears have perfected their formula of good characters, magic, power and mystery. They always leave me breathless and anxious to learn more about the peoples they discuss. I always learn a great deal about native cultures and I suddenly want to visit Moundville desperately.
August 7, 2019
Thankfully, People of the Thunder was a much easier book to read than its predecessor, People of the Weeping Eye. Perhaps it was due to the fact I could begin to grasp who was with which tribe and what particular schemes and revenges they were planning. I actually grew to like a few of the characters, and that always helps me push on through a difficult book. Who knows? I live in Alabama. Perhaps I will visit Moundville one day to see the sites where so many of the book's events took place.
August 8, 2020
One of their best!
Intricate, full of rich historical detail, a WONDERFUL plot, this* is one of my top five of all the Gear Books ( I'm including both* parts of the story here, actually, People of the Weeping Eye AND this one... unfortunately, they had to be split the to length considerations) I've read this pair many times and it never fails to enchant as much as the first time. Highly recommend.
Intricate, full of rich historical detail, a WONDERFUL plot, this* is one of my top five of all the Gear Books ( I'm including both* parts of the story here, actually, People of the Weeping Eye AND this one... unfortunately, they had to be split the to length considerations) I've read this pair many times and it never fails to enchant as much as the first time. Highly recommend.
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December 4, 2019Power
This novel explores the lives in the mound builders along the Black Warrior River in what is now Alabama. Much political intrigue and the value of Spiritual Power is very important to the leaders. Interesting book. Well defined characters.
This novel explores the lives in the mound builders along the Black Warrior River in what is now Alabama. Much political intrigue and the value of Spiritual Power is very important to the leaders. Interesting book. Well defined characters.
July 18, 2020
Great read.
Very well written. Characters come to life. Does an incredible amount of research an has
Understanding of how natives lived in that era. Goes in to great detail and makes the tale very entertaining
The story very entertaining
Very well written. Characters come to life. Does an incredible amount of research an has
Understanding of how natives lived in that era. Goes in to great detail and makes the tale very entertaining
The story very entertaining
December 30, 2020
Very engaging and a satisfying ending to a two volume, 800+ page epic.
June 16, 2021
Enjoyed the 2nd half of this series.
October 28, 2024
Completed the story started in People. Of The Weeping superbly. A fantastic duology
August 2, 2020
This and People of the Weeping Eye, the prequel to People of the Thunder, have been my favorite of the Gears books so far. It definitely had the feeling of a quest, but also a family saga. It was fun to “travel” with the traders as they journeyed south and see places I’ve been through new eyes. The character development was outstanding. I was sad to get to the end and leave these friends behind.
April 19, 2014
So, this is the one book in the series that I can't say can be read as a stand-alone. Although, only The People of the Weeping Eye needs to be read before it. So as the sixteenth book in a series, that's not too bad if you want to pick and choose what you read. And while I don't think this one had quite the shine to it that The People of the Weeping Eye did, it was still pretty good.
We are midway through the story of Trader, Seeker and the Contrary (and a whole slew of other characters). Having learned that Power wants them to return home, they embark on a perilous journey that will lead them through war, angry factions, and to a city where there are evil people in positions of power. Home is also where Trader's long lost love is and more complications will arise because of that as well.
Trader is a great character. He's humble, kind, and still enough of a bad boy to make him interesting. Not to mention he seems to have everyone's best interests at heart. Seeker is a little more boring to me. At least we learned his story finally, but it was drawn out long enough that I lost interest in it. And Two Petal, the Contrary, was also not as interesting in this second half of the book. She didn't provide comic relief and I thought her part of the story a bit strange and disjointed. I could see where the authors were trying to go with her character, but it just didn't work for me.
Since this wraps up the story from the first book I was pleased with it. I really wanted to know what would happen and even though it was a bit rushed and anti-climactic, it was still a decent story. There was more rape, and violence, and terrible things, but the description wasn't nearly what it was in previous books. So while it's still not for the timid or easily grossed out, it's not going to make you stare in shock at what's on the page either. I was glad that the mystical was toned down in this book again too. It's not nearly as blatant or weird as it was in the first few books and it actually seemed to fit with everything else that was going on. So while this is sort of the last book (they have a few more that loosely tie in I guess) I'm glad to see that the authors improved as time went on.
An interesting series. I'd definitely recommend this book and its first part, the rest I could probably take or leave.
People of the Thunder
Copyright 2008
496 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2014
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
We are midway through the story of Trader, Seeker and the Contrary (and a whole slew of other characters). Having learned that Power wants them to return home, they embark on a perilous journey that will lead them through war, angry factions, and to a city where there are evil people in positions of power. Home is also where Trader's long lost love is and more complications will arise because of that as well.
Trader is a great character. He's humble, kind, and still enough of a bad boy to make him interesting. Not to mention he seems to have everyone's best interests at heart. Seeker is a little more boring to me. At least we learned his story finally, but it was drawn out long enough that I lost interest in it. And Two Petal, the Contrary, was also not as interesting in this second half of the book. She didn't provide comic relief and I thought her part of the story a bit strange and disjointed. I could see where the authors were trying to go with her character, but it just didn't work for me.
Since this wraps up the story from the first book I was pleased with it. I really wanted to know what would happen and even though it was a bit rushed and anti-climactic, it was still a decent story. There was more rape, and violence, and terrible things, but the description wasn't nearly what it was in previous books. So while it's still not for the timid or easily grossed out, it's not going to make you stare in shock at what's on the page either. I was glad that the mystical was toned down in this book again too. It's not nearly as blatant or weird as it was in the first few books and it actually seemed to fit with everything else that was going on. So while this is sort of the last book (they have a few more that loosely tie in I guess) I'm glad to see that the authors improved as time went on.
An interesting series. I'd definitely recommend this book and its first part, the rest I could probably take or leave.
People of the Thunder
Copyright 2008
496 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2014
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
February 3, 2022
This is the second, and conclusion in the “Moundville Duology” that started with People of the Weeping Eye. Typically, the books in the “North America's Forgotten Past” series are standalone books. This one is book number 16. I’ve read 18 books in series. I do enjoy them. The series used to be called “First North Americans” but the new series name is more appropriate.
This book’s main plot is balancing of Power. There is white power that represents peace and trade. The red power, which represents mostly blood and war has been in ascendance and is coming to a head with a huge war with many of the peoples, lead by the War Chief Smoke Shield at Split Sky City of the Chikosi, or Sky Hand People. They have subdued and made slaves of most of the Albaamaha peoples, who are plotting an uprising. The Yuchi in the north and the Chata people are also potential foes ready to strike. The Chahta had recently been dealt a huge blow with the sacking of White Arrow Town.
In the center are two traders: Old White, also known as Seeker and Trader, who was Green Snake. Trader had fled Split Sky City ten years ago after killing his brother Rattle, but we know he survived and is now known as Smoke Shield. The two also have a contrary, Two Petals, who joins them on their journey and a dog Swimmer. The contrary is led by Power, she sees things in the future and thus lives her life in reverse. They are making their way along the river, trading with the different peoples and towns, heading to Split Sky City as power has directed, hoping to bring back balance to the red and white power.
It is a thickly weaved plot that did take two full books to develop. There are so many other aspects and characters to the story than the brief summary above. It had been so long since I read the first book of these two that I just about forgot everything that happened. I read a few summaries and the book itself had a few reminders added in to help the reader. The overall story came back to me as I was reading as well, but probably better to read the two books closer together in time. Happy that I finally read the book.
This book’s main plot is balancing of Power. There is white power that represents peace and trade. The red power, which represents mostly blood and war has been in ascendance and is coming to a head with a huge war with many of the peoples, lead by the War Chief Smoke Shield at Split Sky City of the Chikosi, or Sky Hand People. They have subdued and made slaves of most of the Albaamaha peoples, who are plotting an uprising. The Yuchi in the north and the Chata people are also potential foes ready to strike. The Chahta had recently been dealt a huge blow with the sacking of White Arrow Town.
In the center are two traders: Old White, also known as Seeker and Trader, who was Green Snake. Trader had fled Split Sky City ten years ago after killing his brother Rattle, but we know he survived and is now known as Smoke Shield. The two also have a contrary, Two Petals, who joins them on their journey and a dog Swimmer. The contrary is led by Power, she sees things in the future and thus lives her life in reverse. They are making their way along the river, trading with the different peoples and towns, heading to Split Sky City as power has directed, hoping to bring back balance to the red and white power.
It is a thickly weaved plot that did take two full books to develop. There are so many other aspects and characters to the story than the brief summary above. It had been so long since I read the first book of these two that I just about forgot everything that happened. I read a few summaries and the book itself had a few reminders added in to help the reader. The overall story came back to me as I was reading as well, but probably better to read the two books closer together in time. Happy that I finally read the book.
October 18, 2014
The interesting, complicated conclusion to the People of the Weeping Eye saga and the North America’s Forgotten Past series. It's been a long, hard journey reading this series but well worth it.
The Sky Hand people have enslaved the Albamaha people and now Smoke Shield wants to take over the rest of the tribes. Old White, Trader and the contrary, Two Pedals have been following ‘power’ as the travel down the river and across lands toward their destiny. And the various plot threads come together in a fascinatingly unique tapestry of history.
In fact, there are so many different things going on that I’m not even going to attempt to figure them out. Let’s just say that it all works out and when you read it, pay attention if you want to understand it. Trade and the balance of Power seem to be the theme of the story. It’s one of those ‘if you kill a butterfly in the past, how does it affect the future’ things.
The familial connections between Old White, Trader, Smoke Shield, Flying Hawk, Morning Dove and Heron Wing are very complicated, though if you think about it, it’s very obvious.
Two Pedals and Whippoorwill are more than just ‘sisters’, they are like two sides of the same soul. Both working from opposite ends of the candle to rebalance power. They are both very vague, mysterious characters, very alike in their personalities and very dedicated to doing whatever power requires of them.
Quick Thoughts: 1)I finally gave up trying to reverse understand Two Pedals words and just waited for the story to explain it.
Fave scenes: the pot mold dispute, Old White and Trader’s revelation to the council and Smoke Shield’s fate.
The Sky Hand people have enslaved the Albamaha people and now Smoke Shield wants to take over the rest of the tribes. Old White, Trader and the contrary, Two Pedals have been following ‘power’ as the travel down the river and across lands toward their destiny. And the various plot threads come together in a fascinatingly unique tapestry of history.
In fact, there are so many different things going on that I’m not even going to attempt to figure them out. Let’s just say that it all works out and when you read it, pay attention if you want to understand it. Trade and the balance of Power seem to be the theme of the story. It’s one of those ‘if you kill a butterfly in the past, how does it affect the future’ things.
The familial connections between Old White, Trader, Smoke Shield, Flying Hawk, Morning Dove and Heron Wing are very complicated, though if you think about it, it’s very obvious.
Two Pedals and Whippoorwill are more than just ‘sisters’, they are like two sides of the same soul. Both working from opposite ends of the candle to rebalance power. They are both very vague, mysterious characters, very alike in their personalities and very dedicated to doing whatever power requires of them.
Quick Thoughts: 1)I finally gave up trying to reverse understand Two Pedals words and just waited for the story to explain it.
Fave scenes: the pot mold dispute, Old White and Trader’s revelation to the council and Smoke Shield’s fate.
July 21, 2012
Another great addition to the Forgotten North American series. This one was a great conclusion to the tale began in People of the Weeping Eye. I love how Gears weave their stories so well and how Power always comes together in the end.
Trader and all the women climbing into his bed in this story was quite humorous too. Was there hardly a woman who didn't? Two Petals the Contrary was humorous too. I loved the Contrary in People of the Lakes, and while Two Petals wasn't nearly as humorous as he was, I felt like I had a better understanding of a Contrary's power and why they see the world backwards as they do.
Overall, great read as always, and like always, the last chapters had me on the edge of my seat to see how it would all play out as I raced through the story. I enjoyed Morning Dew's character growth and ending too. She certainly used her tragic circumstances to rise above and become a better and smarter woman.
July 31, 2018
People of the Thunder (Moundville Duology #2; North America's Forgotten Past #16)
by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear
The learning the place of the people and powers with in a young girl is faced with a difficult choice
the right ending to an epic story of how power fluctuates from bad to good forces of nature and spiritual powers. I like the information and description of life and beliefs that flows through the books. This book looks in to the archaeology of Native American mound sites through out the Mississippi valley and region. The idea that a traveling trader could show the connections and ideals between the diverse and phenomenal cultures. Traveler and the dogs are some of the more impressive characters in the series, the dogs are key to the story for the Gears they describe some of their own dogs in the animals characteristics. Tall Man shows the nature of how native american culture relates to the mystical, like dwarfs.
by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear
The learning the place of the people and powers with in a young girl is faced with a difficult choice
the right ending to an epic story of how power fluctuates from bad to good forces of nature and spiritual powers. I like the information and description of life and beliefs that flows through the books. This book looks in to the archaeology of Native American mound sites through out the Mississippi valley and region. The idea that a traveling trader could show the connections and ideals between the diverse and phenomenal cultures. Traveler and the dogs are some of the more impressive characters in the series, the dogs are key to the story for the Gears they describe some of their own dogs in the animals characteristics. Tall Man shows the nature of how native american culture relates to the mystical, like dwarfs.
April 16, 2016
People of the Thunder is a masterfully written piece of Native American fiction. The attention to detail is breathtaking -- filled with historical background which the author backs with references. The scene is set around 1300 A.D. The plot depicts the rivalry between neighboring tribes. The tapestry of this story is interwoven with threads of both deception and cunning as well as love and loyalty, while Power shifts back and forth in an effort to seek balance. There are some scenes of violence and there is also some sexual content. However both are depicted very tastefully and are essential to the plot. While most of the story lends to a feeling of tense anticipation, there are several moments of surprising humor due, in part, to amusing dialog between two main characters -- Old White and Trader. In summary, if you are a fan of historical fiction, I highly recommend this book. It is by far one of the best that I have read in years!
January 5, 2024
People of the Thunder (Moundville Duology #2; North America's Forgotten Past #16)
by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear
The learning the place of the people and powers with in a young girl is faced with a difficult choice
the right ending to an epic story of how power fluctuates from bad to good forces of nature and spiritual powers. I like the information and description of life and beliefs that flows through the books. This book looks in to the archaeology of Native American mound sites through out the Mississippi valley and region. The idea that a traveling trader could show the connections and ideals between the diverse and phenomenal cultures. Traveler and the dogs are some of the more impressive characters in the series, the dogs are key to the story for the Gears they describe some of their own dogs in the animals characteristics. Tall Man shows the nature of how native Americans culture relates to the mystical, like dwarfs.
by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear
The learning the place of the people and powers with in a young girl is faced with a difficult choice
the right ending to an epic story of how power fluctuates from bad to good forces of nature and spiritual powers. I like the information and description of life and beliefs that flows through the books. This book looks in to the archaeology of Native American mound sites through out the Mississippi valley and region. The idea that a traveling trader could show the connections and ideals between the diverse and phenomenal cultures. Traveler and the dogs are some of the more impressive characters in the series, the dogs are key to the story for the Gears they describe some of their own dogs in the animals characteristics. Tall Man shows the nature of how native Americans culture relates to the mystical, like dwarfs.
September 1, 2016
I love the works of W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear. A few years back, I found a copy of "People of the Wolf" at a local library and since then, I have been a fan. I recently won a copy of "People of the Thunder: Book Two of the Moundville Duology (North America's Forgotten Past #16)" from Goodreads which is really cool, even if it has been a while since I read "Weeping Eye". It didn't take me long to remember the characters after reading the first couple chapters.
I love how the Gears blend archaeology with fantasy. Even though I enjoyed "People of the Thunder" as well as its predecessor, I must admit "People of the Lakes" is still my all time favorite. (Morning Star is my second fave; I haven't been reading them in order...)
I've already bought the Longhouse (Iroquois) series, so I will be reading them next. I look forward to more releases from these authors in the future.
I love how the Gears blend archaeology with fantasy. Even though I enjoyed "People of the Thunder" as well as its predecessor, I must admit "People of the Lakes" is still my all time favorite. (Morning Star is my second fave; I haven't been reading them in order...)
I've already bought the Longhouse (Iroquois) series, so I will be reading them next. I look forward to more releases from these authors in the future.
October 6, 2023
Review: People of The Thunder by W. Michael Gear 4* 06/10/2023
I've always enjoyed the Gear's North America's creative style of writing. I like the information and the description of Native Americans' lives and beliefs that flow throughout their books. They also gathered some data on the archaeology and cultures of these people through sites out of the Mississippi Valley and other regions.
The scene is set around 1300 A.D. I liked their characters and the story plot. The rivalry between neighboring tribes held both scenes of violence and deception. Their historical fiction was great and interesting. Old White and Trader continue their adventures as they approach Split City and their other destinations.
I've always enjoyed the Gear's North America's creative style of writing. I like the information and the description of Native Americans' lives and beliefs that flow throughout their books. They also gathered some data on the archaeology and cultures of these people through sites out of the Mississippi Valley and other regions.
The scene is set around 1300 A.D. I liked their characters and the story plot. The rivalry between neighboring tribes held both scenes of violence and deception. Their historical fiction was great and interesting. Old White and Trader continue their adventures as they approach Split City and their other destinations.
August 14, 2010
I enjoyed the plot with the many twist and turns. The only drawback I found in this book was when ending come it didn't do enough to pull all the points that the author worked so hard to establish to a full and complete conclusion. The authors went to such a long way to establish the points that when the conclusion came it was too short and didn’t completely fulfill the anticipated ending for a second book. It was good second books that pull the charters from the first book "People of the Thunder" into this one as well as introduce new ones along the way. I still enjoyed the book quite a bit.
November 24, 2012
The Gears are the best at what they do, which is writing about pre-history based on archeology, creating a plausible fictional story to help us to understand the facts and thus preserve our own Native American history. Kathleen and Michael have been my lamplight in becoming a Native American historical fiction writer. They alone are responsible for peeking my interest in our dim past and have provided a window to that time and place of which they write. If you desire to see the past of our unknown history of the Native tribes of North America, I advise you to make all of the Gear's books your first choice. You can do no better. Kitty Sutton
March 23, 2010
I liked it. I did read the Weeping Eye... first. Not sure if these books changed my opinions at all but they were good novels about well portrayed, believable, likeable People, and Like our European old world ancestors the pre European (indians) had thier faults (per our current viewpoints) Just as some people now put down Washington and Jefferson because they don't (in all instances of thier known history) meet our current perseptions of "good people".
the archalogical reference bibliography is impressive and I am glad I don't have to read all that to get the gist of the story.
the archalogical reference bibliography is impressive and I am glad I don't have to read all that to get the gist of the story.
October 24, 2012
I got this is book in hard cover after reading People of the Weeping Eye. Dang. How do they do it? Each book pretty much grabs me by the throat.
This story is of a woman enslaved on her wedding day, a Contrary, a Trader, and the threads of betrayal and redemption that bring them all together. The tale is set against the background of the ancestors of the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Yuchi tribes in the territories of the mound builders. So much detail is carefully woven into the fabric of the story so it enriches and does not bog it down.
This story is of a woman enslaved on her wedding day, a Contrary, a Trader, and the threads of betrayal and redemption that bring them all together. The tale is set against the background of the ancestors of the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Yuchi tribes in the territories of the mound builders. So much detail is carefully woven into the fabric of the story so it enriches and does not bog it down.
May 23, 2009
This was a typical Gear "People of the..." book- and that's a good thing. They combine great storytelling with interesting looks at various Native American cultures from before European contact. I enjoy them all immensely and this was no different. The only thing different about this book is that it was a sequel to People of the Weeping Eye, the first two-book set in the series. So readers should check that one out first.
June 29, 2012
As always, the Gears write a magical novel of North America's past before the coming of the Europeans. People of the Thunder takes up where People of the Weeping Eye leaves off. There are a multitude of individual story lines when the book starts, but the Gears have an amazing way of weaving them together by the end so that everything wraps up perfectly, as it should be. I don't think I've ever read novels by any other authors that have such life-like characters.
April 9, 2019
The best novels of ancient America since Allen Eckert. We learn so much about the tribes and their good and bad qualities. Sadly, we also see vast divisions between them all, which made it all but impossible for them to stand united before waves of European invaders. Their lack of a coherent legal or moral philosophy, and the elitism of individual clans worked to further ensure disunity. There would never be a great Khan to unite these tribes, even in dire necessity. Sobering reading.
November 3, 2014
Again...I really liked this book but felt like the first three or four chapters were wasted just re-introducing characters in case the reader didn't read People if the weeping eye. This might have gotten 5 stars if the two books had been published as one, but as it is I felt like the story got lost in all the re-explanations.
February 27, 2010
They suggest reading "People of Weeping Eye" before "People of the Thunder" since it is one story split in two. If it's possible to read it in that order it may be more interesting however, I don't think it's completely necessary - everything is very easy to follow.
I enjoyed the story - the ending in particular.
Love the writing style! as with the rest of the 'Peoples' series.
I enjoyed the story - the ending in particular.
Love the writing style! as with the rest of the 'Peoples' series.
August 8, 2010
As always with the gears, a well written tale that stays faithful to a good telling and an uplifting moral. Makes one appreciate the strengths, weaknesses, and stupidity of modern society as well as those of history. In terms of its importance as a story of pre-historical Alabama, surpasses Gone With The Wind. As anthropology fiction definitely deserves a Hugo.
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