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Bearkiller

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Reviewed by Tyrone Vincent Banks of Betsie's Literary Page

Jeff Barkil has always been a loner. He seems to achieve more on his own than in the company of others. He doesn't want his mistakes or miscalculations to affect others. He has the heart of a warrior, which is proven while he is engaged in battle during the Vietnam War. During this war he survives several injuries and several months as a P.O.W. In the words of the author, D.J. Stephens, "He was a survivor and stayed alive for over forty-five years by counting on himself and his instincts."

Jeff felt as if he was truly alive in the outdoors and this feeling helped him escape from the fast pace of his life in Chicago. For this reason he went elk hunting in Montana and he finally caught a glimpse of what makes him the man that he is today. The surroundings are familiar and he knows far more about this territory than he can give himself credit for. The great elk, the subject of his hunt, stands nearby.

After a successful hunt, a powerful grizzly attacks Jeff Barkil. Jeff miraculously triumphs over the grizzly bear but he is seriously injured. He loses consciousness and awakens in a tent in Blackfoot Indian Territory, in the 1780's where he has been nursed back to health. He is given the name Bearkiller in acknowledgement of his victory over the creature that will soon become a part of his being.

The Blackfoot Indians take in this warrior with blond hair and blue eyes and soon they disregard his differences and allow him to join the tribe. The bear becomes his spiritual guide and tells him the credo that Jeff Barkil lived by. Bearkiller is to fight his wars alone, as when he faced the bear - this belief lasts for over two hundred years and has become a part of the warrior reincarnated as Jeff Barkil.

This book is splendidly written! I do not know much about Native American rituals, beliefs or customs, but I feel that they are actively portrayed by D.J. Stephens - as if he's lived those experiences for himself. There is never a dull moment and you are privy to the thoughts and emotions of a mighty warrior with many coups (victories) as he provides for the family that has adopted him as their son.

Turn off the television and read this book. The images will play out before you and offer great insight into the points that comprise the human psyche. As Jeff Barkil is rescued after his ordeal with the bear, you will love "the end...or is it just the beginning?"

Wow, D.J. Stephens has really outdone himself in this adventure. I wasn't quite sure what to expect in this story, and I can tell you I was not disappointed in any way. The descriptions he used, made me think I was right beside his hero Jeff Barkil as Bearkiller. I would describe him as a man of honor and pride.

Through every conquest in Bearkiller's adventures it is a sure sign of a man trying to find his way and to survive the odds that are set against him. Bearkiller fights alone and always steps up and fights for honor, and in doing so he rescues the woman he falls for. I love the way this connection between man and woman can be effectively brought together through time.

The familiarity Jeff Barkil had with the land he was hunting in brought him around in a full circle of who he really was after the bear had attacked him in the very beginning of the story.

The hard life the Blackfoot and other tribes had, as described in this book seems lifelike and very believable. I believe Mr. Stephens has done his research. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it kept me up until I was finished with it.

Thank you D.J. Stephens for another great book...

Tory Lynn, author of "My Charming Protector"

Bearkiller
By D J Stephens

What Dances With Wolves did for the Plains Tribes, Bearkiller does for the mountain tribes. Not since Will Henry have I found an author who really understood the culture of the Native Americans of the West. I felt the cold winds blowing off of the snow packed mountains, and tasted the cool water from the icy streams. This is an incredible adventure in the culture of the Blackfoot Tribes of the Rocky Mountains. Go on a raid to get the spotted horses of the Nez Perce, escape from capture by the Flatheads, and rescue the beautiful woman of your dreams from the Crow. It is like sitting around the fire listening to the tale of the great warriors of the tribe.

D. J. Stephens tells a story filled with action. He starts his tale in our present time but takes you back to the 1780,s where Jeff Barkil awakes after an attack by a grizzly bear. Has he become someone that once lived in the past? Adopted into the Blackfoot tribe, Jeff becomes known as Bearkiller. He learns their way of life and experiences many adventures. The story takes you to a time when life was harsh and to survive was a daily struggle. You experience, along with Bearkiller, the battles he fights and the patience he must have to outwit his enemies. This book was entertaining and brings to life what it must have been like to be a Native American warrior over two hundred years ago.

The tribal life of the American Indian is portrayed brilliantly with Don Stephen's book, Bearkiller.
Action begins on the very first page. While hunting elk, Jeff Barkill is attacked by a grizzly. He kills the bear, but is severely wounded. In his delirium, he is rescued by the Blackfoot Indian tribe and nursed back to health. He is given the name, "Bearkiller" and is accepted as a member of the tribe. His subsequent heroic exploits make him a legend.
Don Stephens provides a vivid description of tribal life. Survival necessitates continuous action. Stalking of prey, both animal and human, keeps the reader in suspense. The fights are bloody and described in minute detail.
Stephen's writing style is similar to Zane Grey with simple language and graphic characterization.
If you want high adventure and can handle bloody drama, you will love this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I knew this book was going to be a good one, but it turned out to be better than I had expected. By page twenty I had experienced a minor adrenaline rush and by page forty I was so swept-away that I ended up abandoning all but the most essential chores for the day and actually devoured the book in just over 24 hours. I could see the scenery and characters so vividly in my mind and the actions were described so well that I felt like I was right there next to Bearkiller witnessing (and at times feeling) his pains and triumphs.

Needless to say, I really enjoyed the experience. If you enjoy a good, fast-paced action/adventure story blended with a tasteful, unobtrusive, non-gratuitous love story - you will love this book.

Author D.J. Stephens takes you on an adventurous and wondrous journey, and entices us to join him in a way of life few would recognize and could only hope to dream of experiencing in reality, even if just for a moment. By taking what was once for him a blank canvas of paper, he has masterfully painted a picture; in words, of life in America in another place and time. As seen through the eyes Jeff Barkil; a modern day man, he paints a portrait of the only true Americans; the Native Americans, and through his eyes they seem to spring off of the pages and come to life. Mr. Stephens' love and respect for nature shines through. Bearkiller is a must read for anyone who loves the great outdoors and the challenges it poses. It also gives those of us; whose dreams at times seem all too real, something to ponder...

Once I started I couldn't put it down, the story completely pulled me in and I couldn't wait to turn the page. When I finished I was exhausted, there are no pauses in the excitement.
I didn't want it to end.