People of the River (The First North Americans series, Book 4)

Something strange is going on. The First Woman has turned her back on the People, and the Mother Earth is refusing them her bounty. The Sun Chief of Cahokia is using his army to ravage the surrounding villages, and seems to be slipping into madness. While the great warrior Badgertail does his duty and fights those that the Sun Chief tells him to, the great seer Nightshade seeks to find why the power is ebbing away from the land. This is a very interesting and entertaining story. The author did an excellent job of bringing mound-building people of Cahokia to life. Now, this book is less a work of historical fiction than it is a work of fantasy. People magically communicate over great distances, and communication with the spirit world is at the very heart of the story. So, if you are looking for a realistic story of life in among the Cahokia people, you will be disappointed. If, on the other hand, you want a fantastic and fascinating story that revolves around Native-American cosmology, then you will like this book. I really enjoyed it, and do not hesitate to recommend it.

As a fellow writer of historical Native American fiction, I found the attention to detail in this work first rate. The People of the River, takes the reader on a ride across the, river roadways, of trade and war and deceit. Drought and madness of the chief drive the people to a decision that may cost them their lives if they are wrong. A well thought out novel with a moving plot line. I look forward to reading this one yet again to find nuances, I know I missed in the first read.

Once again the Gears have successfully transported me to another time and place where man was one with nature.This novel has everything a novel should have: war, romance, mysticism and even a happy ending.I love the characters like Badgetail, the reluctant warrior who must follow orders of his sadistic and mad sun chief, Tharon.Locust-the fierce warrior woman badgetail loves but can never have.Nightshade-the powerful dreamer who must communicate with Mother Earth to save them from Tharon's folly.Unforgettable entertainment that also teaches us as well. Forget Auel because these authors are the masters of prehistoric fiction!

This is one of the best books I've ever read (along with all the other books of the people series). It was a tale of love, and dispute, and surprising turns. What can I say... it can capture any reader with it's plot. Everything in this book ties into the end. I would DEFINATELY recommend this book.

Another great book by Gear. This novel ties into the other series in a great way. The epic formalities and occurences are tantilizing to the era that this novel occured in. No loose ends and the ending leaves you to wonder how the next novel will tie into the others. One troubled area is at the end of the novel with the final battle scene with Bagertail and Patega. Throughout the book we are filled with fine details of occurences and when we get to this scence we are suddenly transported ahead in time to the end of the battle and the surrender of Bagertail. Kind of disappointed.