Synopses & Reviews
They were called the Chaco Anasazi. They built thirty-foot-wide roads that crossed miles of mountains and mesas and constructed five story buildings which had more than 800 rooms. Their priests and warriors presided over the conquered populations of Chaco Canyon via an extensive system of signal towers that could send messages across the vast distances day or night. Messages could be sent easily, and warriors could be dispersed to quell any rebellion within hours of the start of an uprising.
The Anasazi believed their destiny was charted in the paths of the moon, sun, and stars. The moon had reached its maximum three times since the Chacoans conquered the First Moon People. The Chaco matrons had built their Great House high atop First Moon Mountain, and their red-shirted warriors stalked arrogantly through the villages, taking what they pleased. But the gods can only stand so much human arrogance.
Young Ripple of the first Moon People had no desire to become a Dreamer, but when Cold Bringing Woman, the goddess of winter, appears at his high mountain camp, she sends him on a perilous quest to destroy the hated Chacoans. But Ripple will not face the task alone; he is aided by his stalwart friends on this mission.
But the blessed Chacoan Sun Webworm and his Dragonfly Clan matrons will brook no insurgency. In retaliation, Chacoan war chief Leather Hand and his warriors embark on a campaign of terror so gruesome it remains unrivaled in the annals of prehistory. It all comes to a climax atop the mountain we now know as Chimney Rock. In the white light of the lunar maximum, the Pueblo gods will dance--and an empire will be engulfed in flames and mayhem.
Review
"I haven't read a novel this good in a long, long time. People of the Raven draws you into a magnificent, sweeping world--America, circa 7300 B.C.--that is so real you can almost breath in the air of it. It tells a bighearted story of war and peace, love and violence, with a cast of richly drawn characters. This is a novel that will stay with you for years--I guarantee it."--Douglas Preston,
New York Times bestselling coauthor of
Brimstone on
People of the Raven"People of the Raven, at one level, is the recreation of a lost and forgotten civilization by two noted archaeologists. But this story of Kennewick Man also involves an important legal battle pending in the U.S. Supreme Court and is a good read for those of us intrigued by the earliest Americans."--Tony Hillerman, New York Times bestselling author of the Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee Novels on People of the Raven
"Richly imagined . . . They succeed in blending a great deal of information about how these hunter-gatherers lived together with the universal search for love, power, and wisdom. It's a combination that will surely satisfy readers."--Publishers Weekly on People of the Raven
"[The Gears] go where few have gone before, weaving bodice-ripping . . . tempest-tossed tale of lust and savagery around a pre-Columbian culture."--The Oklahoman on People of the Raven "Extraordinary. . . . The Gears colorfully integrate authentic archaeological and anthropological details with a captivating story, replete with romance, intrigue, mayhem, and a nail biting climax."--Library Journal on People of the Owl "People of the Owl . . . cements the Gears' place in Jean Auel's genre of prehistoric fiction."--Romantic Times (4 stars)
"The prehistoric epic at its finest, with a gripping plot, lots of action, well-developed characters, and a wealth of authentic historical facts. Strong relationships, thrilling action, and fascinating detail."--Booklist on People of the Masks
Review
"One of the best novels in the whole series. The Gears have consistently captured early Native American life with precision, detail, and narrative excitement, but in
People of the Moon they reveal their skills to even sharper effect.....A riveting novel. . . . The Gears don't shy away from authenticism in depicting the violence that resulted."--
Booklist on
People of the Moon
"A lively tale of warring clans. . . . Should leave readers hungry for more entries in the series."--Kirkus Reviews on People of the Moon
Review
One of the best novels in the whole series..... A riveting novel.
Booklist
Review
A lively tale of warring clans....Should leave readers hungry for more entries in the series.
Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
The moon had reached its maximum three times since the Chacoans conquered the First Moon People. The Chaco matrons had built their Great House high atop First Moon Mountain, and their warriors stalked arrogantly through the villages, taking what they pleased. But the gods can only stand so much human arrogance. Cold Bringing Woman, the goddess of winter, calls upon young Ripple to embark on a perilous quest to destroy the hated Chacoans. But Ripple will not face the task alone; he is aided by his stalwart friends: Wrapped Wrist, a short lothario; Spots, scarred at birth, and aide to the frightening witch, Nightshade; and Bad Cast, a simple family man, who will do anything to free his people. But the blessed matrons will brook no insurgency. In retaliation, war chief Leather Hand and his warriors embark on a campaign of terror so gruesome it remains unrivaled in the annals of prehistory. It all comes to a climax atop the mountain we now know as Chimney Rock. In the white light of the lunar maximum, the Pueblo gods will dance—and an empire will be engulfed in flames and mayhem. From W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear, People of the Moon is a story of North America's Forgotten Past—the battles fought, the heroes made, and the cultures that thrived in America's prehistory.
Synopsis
The moon had reached its maximum three times since the Chacoans conquered the First Moon People. The Chaco matrons had built their Great House high atop First Moon Mountain, and their warriors stalked arrogantly through the villages, taking what they pleased. But the gods can only stand so much human arrogance. Cold Bringing Woman, the goddess of winter, calls upon young Ripple to embark on a perilous quest to destroy the hated Chacoans. But Ripple will not face the task alone; he is aided by his stalwart friends: Wrapped Wrist, a short lothario; Spots, scarred at birth, and aide to the frightening witch, Nightshade; and Bad Cast, a simple family man, who will do anything to free his people. But the blessed matrons will brook no insurgency. In retaliation, war chief Leather Hand and his warriors embark on a campaign of terror so gruesome it remains unrivaled in the annals of prehistory. It all comes to a climax atop the mountain we now know as Chimney Rock. In the white light of the lunar maximum, the Pueblo gods will dance—and an empire will be engulfed in flames and mayhem. From W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear, People of the Moon is a story of North America's Forgotten Past—the battles fought, the heroes made, and the cultures that thrived in America's prehistory.
About the Author
Kathleen O'Neal Gear is a former state historian and archaeologist for Wyoming, Kansas, and Nebraska for the U.S. Department of the Interior. She has twice received the federal government's Special Achievement Award for ""outstanding management"" of our nation's cultural heritage. W. Michael Gear holds a master's degree in archaeology and has worked as a professional archaeologist since 1978. He is principal investigator for Wind River Archaeological Consultants. Together they have written the North Americas Forgotten Past series (People of the Longhouse, The Dawn Country, People of the Mist, People of the Wolf, among others); and the Anasazi Mysteries series. The Gears live in Thermopolis, WY.