People of the Raven (First North Americans)

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I have read all of the Gears' past books and was so looking forward to this one. The Gears are without comparison and I adore their books. But I am increasingly disappointed for one reason: the books are beginning to read like cheap romance novels. There are many ways for a good writer to convey a sexual scene and maintain the harsh, gritty intensity without making it read like a grade-B movie. I am not a prude, and I understand that life was difficult for our ancestors. Obviously earlier peoples must have had different ideas and views on sex than we do today. Their world was a very different one than ours. I'm sure rape, slavery etc. were common. What draws me to the Gears' books is their knowledge, understanding and ability to convey to a modern world the rich histories and mysteries of our ancestors. So why do the sex scenes read like a cheap novel? It's how those scenes are described and conveyed that bothers me - exaggerated romanticism, unnecessarily cheap descriptions. I just wish the writing would stay on level with the subject matter. Sorry, Gears, but I did not even finish this new book. You are too good to write like this.

Rating:
Summary: Loved It!
Review: I love historical fiction. I have never read any of the historical fiction by this couple until I saw them on Sunday Morning. I thought I'd give them a try, and I was rewarded by great character development and an all too good read.

Rating:
Summary: dissapointed
Review: I was also dissapointed with this book...I own and have read all the people series and was looking forward to another addition...

I found the plot watery and filled in with way too much graphic violence and way too much sex....I realise that it was a violent time but the Gear's have managed to show in other novels the elevation of the social and spiritual nature of the First Peoples....

Another real problem was the book itself....printed on paper so cheap it curls and the smell of inferior paper and ink has caused me to toss many other such inferior products....I guess Forge just thought we would buy anything by the Gear's and they were right.....this time....Next time I'll wait for the paperback and hope its on a better quality paper and printed with a good quality ink....

Rating:
Summary: Magnificent!
Review: Who knew that pre-history could be utterly enthralling?

The Gears kept me up WAY too late devouring a story that races across the
page, twisting and turning with no break. The research was first rate, the characters unforgettable.

The mystery of Kennewick Man deserves to be explored in fiction.
This thoughtful treatment by two expert writers intrigues while filling in the gaps.

A true keeper.