The Summoning God

The Anasazi Mysteries #2

by Kathleen O'Neal Gear, W. Michael Gear

Step back into the year A.D. 1263...and the secret lair of a killer. He walks the ruins of a dying civilization, stalking the weak, the chosen, stalking them into terror.

When War Chief Browser stumbles into a subterranean ceremonial chamber filled with headless bodies, he know it is just the beginning. The darkness that has haunted him for most of his life has returned. A murderer lurks in the shadows around Browser's village, taking people one at a time. Browser turns for help to a crazy tribal elder who has solved many crimes before. Browser is certain old Stone Ghost knows the killer, but the elder is telling no one. As Browser frantically works to find the fiend, the murderer watched from closer than he would ever dream...

Only a few heartbeats ahead in geological time, archaeologist, William "Dusty" Stewart, finds himself excavating a mass grave in new Mexico filled with the burned bodies of children. As the number of bodies begins to mount, he is forced to call upon the skills of his arch-nemesis: world-reknowned Canadian physical anthropologist, Dr. Maureen Cole. What Dusty and Maureen discover about the killer's methods is almost too horrible to believe.

From the national award-winning archaeologist and international bestselling author of The Vistant comes a novel of unforgettable terror about mass murder in America eight hundred years ago...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Native American, Historical, Fantasy, Archaeology

576 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

My 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...

Reviews

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed reading "The Summoning God" by Kathleen O'Neal and W. Michael Gear. Combining the present with the past was amazing. The mystery was kept as a surprise until the end. Yet, I feel there is more to it or more to come. I never read the first book in the series, didn't even think about it; therefore, I don't find it necessary.

This book has an ending, but somehow, I felt I missed something important. I re-read the beginning with Flame Carrier to sort out the family names. Still, I come up short with a full answer. Without spoiling the story, I'm also missing what happened to one of the characters. That's why I gave it a 4 star not a 5 star.

As I wrote this review, I took a look online to check if there is another book in the series. There is. Maybe everything will be explained in that book. Unfortunately, I took way too long to read this book. That's not the book's fault. I stopped a few times for a few days at a time and maybe that's the problem.

In any case, the book is a well written, interesting story - like all the books I read from them. I hope I have a chance one day to read the first and third one. The authors really know how to put their knowledge of history, archaeology and fiction altogether.

I'm looking forward to reading more books by the Gears.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summoning God By Kathleen O’Neal Gear, and W. Michael Gear.
Continuing the story begun in the Visitant, the Gear’s most beloved modern Archaeologist characters, have made another appearance in this book Maureen and Dusty are back to find out more of the mystery of the archaeological record in the Southwest. Their new dig, an archaeological rarity found when surveyors had looked at the area for a new housing development. The developer thought it would be a dynamic sales point and planned on using the restored Kiva and archaeological information to sell his housing development. But as history has already told us, life is not pretty. They find that the site has more to it than an archaeological focus. This is a split historical story. The modern archaeological find, with evidence and lessons of the methods, practices of modern archaeology. And the fictional historical events that potentially could have caused the archaeological find. This is an impressive story with twists and turns, misdirection and intrigue that would delight any mystery loving fan. As a reader you will learn about the terminology and practices of archaeology, making it accessible to the American Public. I would recommend the whole series, but each book can stand alone.

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enthralling epic that the Gears' have constructed! One minute I am intrigued and want to go back to university, changing my major from numbers to digging... *sighs longingly* ...to cringing and wanting to throttle idiot "warriors" leading the good War Chief and his people in merry circles!

The abuse and murder of children will always be horrific and taboo, as will cannibalism. Addressing these subjects while educating us common folk of the Anasazi histories (while cross referencing other horrific crimes and massacres around the North American continent in history) is fascinating and great for encouraging people to read and explore more about what we have in our own back yards... as well as providing a beautiful creation story that has been debated between the clans since the dawn of time.

I continue to love the flopping back and forth from eons ago to modern times. This story only grows in mystery and intrigue. The wit and intelligence of the characters leaves me panting in breathless laughter while the terror of Two Hearts' followers evil leaves me quaking in my seat, waiting to see where it will end up.

A definite add to the home library.

[Ellen Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Summoning God" is the second book in a trilogy, written by a husband-and-wife archeologist team. Each book in the trilogy switches its story between modern day, where archeologists are digging Anasazi sites in New Mexico, to ancient times, when the Anasazi were in existence. The items that the archeologists find entertwine with the stories being told about the Anasazi during their time. Each Anasazi story is built around a mystery.

Like with the first book in this series, I find the story line of the Anasazis to be fascinating, but think the modern-day tale being told about the archeologists is about as flat as a cheap romance novel. However, I like the idea of splitting the story between modern times and the Anasazi's time, and because I really like learning about the Anasazi way of life, then I keep giving these books a relatively high rating.

Maybe the third book will surprise me with a richer story about the archeologists...

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hittade boken i en second hand och tyckte den lät spännande och köpte hem den och den låg lite bortglömd tills jag för några dagar sedan började läsa boken. Och jag blev förvånad över hur bra den var. 

Till att börja med är bakgrunden till historien mycket intressant. Man får i början kort veta hur en del av ursprungsbefolkningen från Amerika, Anasazi eller som de också är kända som Ancestral Puebloans som frodas under en varm period under medeltidsperioden här i Europa. De byggde hus mycket lika höghusen vi har idag och de utvecklade en avancerad kultur. Men under tidpunkten för lilla isperioden som påverkade i stort sett hela världen förtvinade deras kultur. Deras population växte under den varma perioden och de skogar skövlades för att komma åt ny mark, och vilt försvann, de över jagade sina tillgångar. När deras egen mat inte räckte till försökte de till slut få in mat från andra områden, men det höll inte i längden och det ledde till civilisationens fall. Hela den bakgrunden gör det hela mycket spännande att läsa boken och se vad det är som händer.

Man kastas från första sidan in i ett mysterium och man undrar på en gång, vad är det som händer. Och språket  och historiens uppbyggnad är en stor del av detta och det lyckas författarna med. Jag förtrollas av vissa delar av boken där de är så välskrivna och orden griper en om hjärtat och man önskar att man själv hade skrivit de delarna. 

Vissa delar är dock svåra att förstå, men det beror till stor del på att jag inte visste att det var del två när jag började med den. Men det gör inget, för det mesta lyckas man ändå lista ut själv och annars får man ändå veta genom att de hänvisar och hintar mot det som hände i tidigare boken och man grips av ödet. Det känns ändå inte som jag missar något, jag gillar ändå personerna och deras liv och karaktärerna griper helt och hållet tag i en och man känner sympati och medlidande med dem. 

Dessutom hade boken med mycket jag inte trodde den skulle ha. Den har mord och mysterier. Den utspelar sig under den kaotiska perioden i Amerikansk historia som händer under den lilla isperioden som den kom att kallas idag. Men den utspelar sig också i nutid, där arkeologer hittar resterna av kaoset som uppstår i historien och som man ser utspela sig och man känner det tragiska och dömda ögonblicken komma, samtidigt som man som läsare hoppas att det kommer sluta annorlunda. Vilket gör att bokens historia har något högst tragiskt över sig. 

Men det tragiska kommer in på flera delar, inte bara i de mysteriska morden och stänket av de övernaturliga som kommer in i boken. Men det finns också de traumatiska och tragiska konsekvenserna av vad incest och sexuella övergrepp kan leda till och förstöra hos en människa. Hur övergrepp och våld kan bryta ner någon och forma om dem till något som inte blir riktigt mänskligt och i stället blir något högst  tragiskt och mörkt som tagit över en människa. Boken får ens hjärta att värka för de många tragiska öden som finns i boken och som visar på hur mycket en annan människa kan förstöra de mest oskyldiga av oss. 

Boken rekommenderas mycket varmt och jag kommer definitivt att läsa de andra två delarna av trilogin. Den är inte vad jag förväntade mig och den grep tag i mig och fick mig att hoppas att inget allt för hemskt ska hända karaktärerna som man fäst sig vid och det får en verkligen att läsa vidare. Den är bladvändare, även om den har som alla böcker vissa trögare ögonblick. Denna bok hade då väldigt få sådana. 

[Bruce Mendelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another a good addition to the Anasazi Mystery series. Current day archeologists are excavating a site in the American Southwest. They uncover a mass grave that is centuries old. They also discover a ceremonial chamber that contains the remains of children that were murdered in the past. In 1263 an Anasazi war chief enters the same chamber and finds bodies of the same murdered children. The present day and ancient characters both try to unravel the the motives behind the murders. I really enjoy how the authors take true archeological findings from the region and incorporate them into the narrative. Both the present day and the old-time Anasazi stories are interesting. The book, like the preceding volume is not a "stand alone" novel. One must read the previous book to be up to date and the ending of the current volume leaves one wanting more. But, I am enjoying the series and will continue to read the subsequent volumes. Overall, good historical fiction of the American Southwest.

[Johannes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spannende Prämisse und durchaus fesselnde Erzählweise.
Aber je länger die Reise dauert, desto aufgeblähter fühlt sich die Geschichte an, sodass das letztendliche Finale & all die Enthüllungen mir eher ein müdes Augenrollen abverlangt haben, als ein Staunen.

Dazu kommt so ein unterschwelliger Ton, der mich alle 50-100 Seiten aufhorchen & fragen lässt, ob hinter all der archäologischen & anthropologischen Detailliertheit nicht doch einfach eine ungemeine Fetischisierung von Native Americans steckt..

[Tharen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Summoning God continues the story of current archeology research in the Southwest, while also telling a story of the Anasazi culture that existed there in pre-columbian times. The historical tale tells of a struggle between two competing religions that leads to a horrible tragedy, which the archeologists discover remnants of in the present time. The historical details are fascinating, as are the information about Native Americans folklore and spiritual believes. Looking forward to the third and final volume.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another interesting read. It features two timelines: the modern day one of an archaeological dig and the one 800 years in the past detailing the probable events they are finding. The interplay between the two is fascinating. I learned a lot about the Anasazi and their culture, and what probably lead to their decline. Since this is a three volume series, I'm on to the next one.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This the second book in a trilogy speculating (using archeological evidence) as to why the Anasazi left the four corners area of our country during the 13th century. The religious war, perpetuated by fanatics, seems by our world's standards, entirely plausible and terribly violent. It is a novel, though, allowing for compelling characters, environment, and exciting action. Loved it!

[Janis Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

It has been many years since I read the first book in this series, so I had to strain my memory somewhat. However, once I got through the initial unfamiliarity, I found myself truly enjoying this book. A great read and I will continue to follow the series.

[Goldie Herechuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually two stories, one in the present and one in the past. I enjoyed learning about the Anasazi and their racial wars. It was nice to see that in the present the archaeological findings were being preserved.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

switching between current story of an archeological dig near Durango, Colorado, and the history of tribal life in 1263 a.d., this novel covers the possible causes of what the current team finds and the rich back story of what actually happened.

[Sara Strauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read!

You almost feel as if you are walking side by side with the characters. I love to read everything the Gears' write!

[Amber Wooddell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in a great series. I was guessing the outcome until the very end and was surprised to find out who the antagonist was. I was definitely not expecting it to be who it was.

[Cheryle Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! This is an excellent sequel to the Anasazi series. I can hardly wait for the final book in the trilogy.

[Bryan Urbuteit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

While having merit to those that are interested in archeology or native cultures from the SW, it seemed a little redundant and unnecessarily violent with little comedic relief.

[Westley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story good. Writing has improved since first installment of the triology. All of the books in this trilogy could have stood some judicious editing.

[Victoria Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A series written by the award-winning archaeological team Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear. This couple has an incredible talent for bringing their field work on North American aboriginals into vivid focus. They develop their characters with such style you become certain you would know them if you met them on the street. Each book they have written draws a story around their own archaeological finds in such a way that they take you back to the fireside councils and the raging battle fields of peoples that lived on the continent nearly a millennia ago.

In this series, the Gears develop a modern day story around an archaeological team involved in trying to unravel the mysteries of sites known to have been inhabited by the Anasazi, including which ones might actually relate to the Anasazi, and the meaning behind their art and artifacts. Rulers of an empire, there was a point in their history when drought drove them to despair so deep that they turned against their own gods and their own people. This is not light-hearted reading. As the modern day scientists try to fathom the disaster they have found in an ancient kiva, the past tugs at their reason and their emotions forcing them to reassess what they may or may not believe about the ancient gods they study. The books are written using side-by-side story lines of the past and present. The two interact to solve both central mysteries as well as several conflicts between the characters and their own past histories.

I found this series truly “devouring.” It makes a statement about the assumptions and presumptions we take with us when we study those who came before us. Through the study of those that preceded us, we may be able to understand a bit more about ourselves. Sometimes it is easy to forget the power of belief and just how far it will drive the human spirit. It is best to remember…

[Kathy Sebesta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel to "The Visitant," alternating a fictionalized event in Puebloan Native American prehistory with the archeological dig of the site. Lots and lots of folklore, emphasis on witchery and the rivalry between the First People and the Made People.

I especially like this from the preface:


How could such a thriving and sophisticated culture be reduced to a mere handful of survivors? Despite the romantic image that the Puebloan peoples were peaceful farmers, we have abundant archeological evidence to demonstrate that during the thirteenth century the Anasazi were engaged in brutal annihilation-oriented warfare. Massacres, scalping, slavery, torture, and even cannibalism occurred.

The vicious cycle that led to the rise and fall of their civilization has become clear as a result of the excavation of hundreds of their towns: the rise began with a warm wet climatic episode that resulted in a period of affluence and scientific achievement. With the affluence came swift population growth. In the process of feeding their people, they exhausted the soil, cut down the trees, over-hunted the animals. Then the climate changed. When their crops wouldn't grow, they expanded their trade routes. When their trade routes were cut, they turned to warfare to keep them open. When they couldn't keep them open, they took what they needed from their closest neighbors. They must have next fought to protect their homes from their victims' wrath, then the fight became a struggle just to stay alive.

We leave it up to you to decide where in that cycle our modern civilization stands,but several things are clear: we've over-utilized our resources, the climate is changing, and we've already begun to "fight."

[Gilda Felt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel is basically an enjoyable read, though the book could really have been shortened. Especially in the parts set in the present, like the first book there’s a lot of unnecessary information. It tends to make the book drag so that it wasn’t until the last third, when things are finally getting resolved, that I found my interest really peak.

I liked the characters from the past, especially Catkin, who seems to be the most level-headed. The characters in the present are harder to like, especially Dusty. He’s a bit shallow, as are the members of his team. The really redeeming character is his mentor, Dean, who doesn’t have a huge role this time around. Truthfully, though, the book would probably have worked better with this part removed altogether.

But, yet again, there are things left unresolved. I assume they’ll be explained in the third book. I’m of two minds about reading it, though. It’s as long as this one; a daunting undertaking that I’m not sure I want to attempt.

[Kitty Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[The Girl with the Sagittarius Tattoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a Goodreads recommendation, and I really liked it! I have read another book written by the Gears, but for whatever reason I never read another one after that. I wish I had read this trilogy in order (this was the second book), but it definitely hooked me on the series. It is a great mystery, full of red herrings and intrigue set 800 years ago in the American southwest. Very interesting story. My only wish would be that the book just consist of the historical portion, and stop writing every other chapter about modern-day archaeologists trying not to fall in love. I'm going to read the first and third books now. Great recommendation!

[Mike Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, but start with volume 1 first!

An interesting premise combining an archeological dig with a look at the culture which created the artifacts. Similar to some James Michener books in depth - but focused on southwest native culture.. The story lines around both modern and ancient characters is well done and interesting. How would native peoples have handled religious conflict and worse?

I also appreciated the detail about southwest cultures and their beliefs. Only a few humorous slips where author makes reference to a modern term that would have been unknown in the Pueblo world. I do plan to read part 3 if I can find it.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book (out of three) in the Anasazi Mysteries series. I liked the first book, and this one is even better. It's a very unique story. A murder mystery in the American southwest. I could handle the flash forward to present time, a lot better in this book than in the first. It seemed more relevant and easier to swallow. A very engrossing read that taught me a great deal about Anasazi life and religion. This book was really hard to put down. It expands on the story that started in the first book and continues on into the third. Can't wait to start the last one...

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good well-written historical fiction. I like the way the author put the story together, where he/she connects the old and present historical occurrence. A somewhat, Michener manner of writing. Its full of historical event on the thirteenth century about the disappearance of Anasazi, and what leads it to ruined. On this novel I've learned a lot about archeology and physical anthropology, in which, it makes the narrative much more exciting. A kind of book that's hard to let go even how thick the pages was..

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tale of ritual murder and incest among the Naive Americans of prehistoric America is compelling. This is the second book in a three book series and I'm starting the third book
today and looking forward to it. I haven't read any more interesting mysteries in a long
time. With a viewpoint that shifts between ancient tribal characters and modern day archeologists and anthropologists I found this to be a gripping read. Start with Book 1
The Visitant and I guarantee you'll be hooked.

[Mieczyslaw Kasprzyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Anasazi Mysteries were my first introduction to the writing of Kathleen O'Neal Gear and, to date, are the best stuff she's written. They are set in ancient New Mexico and are a superb series of linked mystery-murder stories that evoke the harsh yet beautiful world of the Anasazi. The images, sometimes brutal, at others quite spiritual, still drift through my conscious mind like some dream despite the fact that I read them so long ago.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Anaszi disappeared before Columbus reached America. Eight hundred years ago in New Mexico a religious war of extermination was being waged and evil spirits abounded. In modern times at an archaeological dig is being conducted at a village when a massacre occurred eight centuries earlier. The two are related by occurrences caused by the spirits of the Anaszi. The modern day archaeologists attempt to solve an ancient crime.