Customer Reviews

Chieftain (Mira S.)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Okies, snatched this on the run by the title - Chieftain - thinking it was a wee Highland drama. Instead, I found it was as in Indian chief! Okay, culture shock, but I enjoyed it anyway.

Shanaco leave his New Mexico ranch on a quest to fulfill his Grandfather's dying wish: escort the people of a Comanche tribe to the reservation in Fort Sill. Once the tribe is settled, he expects to go home. But when they get to the Fort reservation, and hand over their weapons, they are shoved into pens like animals. A worm of a Colonel makes some really weak decisions with far-reaching repercussions for the Indians.

Maggie Bankhead came to the reservation to teach the Indians English. She has a deep respect for the Comanche, which soon earns the approval of Shanaco. Joining together, they fight for the rights of his people. But there is all sorts of lover of the Comanche - and different types of love - as Maggie soon discovers when the Colonel's daughter tries to make time with Shanaco. But he rejects her, making a bitter and spiteful enemy of her.

Ryan crafts a strong story that keeps the reader turning pages - even when that reader was originally expecting a braw Scots lad in the Highlands. Ah, a change of pace is always welcome.

I really enjoyed this book, so much so that two weeks later I found myself reading it yet again. I think the storyline and the people were written well and the situations being what they were could truely have happened, this is not about fantasy this is right out of a day in the life. At least that is how I feel, I'm going to check out more of Nan Ryans works because of this wonderful treat

I found this book to be excellent, not only the story line but the way she describes the scenery and what it must of looked like when the Indians rode onto the reservation. She makes you feel like you were there, she makes you feel the pain. The storyline was really good and I thouroughly enjoyed it.

In 1875 mix blooded Comanche Shanaco comes home to his tribe in Palo Doro Canyon, Texas because his grandfather Gray Wolf mentally tells him he needs him. Gray Wolf tells Shanaco to escort the tribe to the reservation by Fort Sill. The next morning Gray Wolf dies.

At Fort Sill, Shanaco and his men lay down their arms, but are incarcerated anyway. School teacher Maggie Bankhead protests, but is ignored. When the Indian Agent returns from DC, the tribe is released, but damage and mistrust between the two groups linger. When Shanaco and Maggie meet, they fall in love, but not long after, he is accused of rape by the Commander's daughter. Though a Virginia blueblood, Maggie is one of the few Anglos who believe that her beloved Shanaco is innocent as she knows he is too ethical to ever force himself on any woman. Even if he beats that rap, once he can, he plans to leave while she wants to stay to help the Indians adapt to an Anglo world.

Indian romance readers will appreciate this engaging tale of the tribes adjusting to life (or not) on the reservation. The story line is entertaining as fans obtain insight into the poor options left for the tribes to choose from. Though the subplot involving the Colonel's daughter adds suspense and suspicion it seems unnecessary; the last Comanche tribe and the Anglo soldiers are already at a vast divide that could easily turn hostile without much impetus on either side. Still this is a deep look at the changing western environs within a warm star-crossed romance.

Harriet Klausner

This is my first Nan Ryan book. All I could say is that the story is O.K. I kept waiting for something to happen. Ofcourse things happened but it was related in a manor that still kept me anticipating a punchline. Ryan just told us issues were resolved. The hero/heroine are O.K at the beginning, but after they confess there love to each other the story seems to flatline (and that is somewhere in the middle of the book) This is one of those books that are entertaining enough to read but will be forgotten as soon as the book is closed. I just felt that the author never delivered the final surge of satisfaction that I would normally get from reading a really good book. I recommend that this book be taken out of the library, because it is not really a keeper, but interesting enough to be read.

I have read most of all of Nan Ryan's books. This one was terrible! The herione was so boring I found myself dozing off. The "hero" if you wants to call him that was too cocky and just plain boring as the herione. There was no action no adventure just a lot of COMPLETELY SNORE [adult relations]. I always read Amazon.com reviews when I'm about to buy a book... I should've listened to the others comments because this book [is bad]!!!!

You are on the steep incline of a rollercoaster, the slow ascension fills with you much anticipation, and you are left impatient-and excited-for what lies ahead...only to find the descension is going way too fast for enjoyment.

This is exactly how I felt about Nan Ryan's "Chieftain." It took quite some time for the two main characters, Maggie and Shanaco, to get any quality time together. They had a couple - and only a couple - brief run-ins..many of which they spoke only a sentance or two to each other...if at all. Suddenly, after one or two actual quality get-togethers between the two, you find Maggie rescuing Shanaco, who is badly injured. As soon as he regains conciousness, they determine they are in love and make love to each other. The next couple of chapters are just going through numerous love scenes...it just got repetitive and unexciting.

I will admit I have not even finished the book...I have another 39 pages out of the 377 in the book...and I'm struggling to get through them.

So, my final verdict is a VERY generous 3-stars...the agonizing wait for the characters to really meet and get to know each other isn't balanced well with the rushed romance, leaving me unsatisfied. I would have wanted Maggie and Shanaco's relationship developed more before they were suddenly "in love" and commited to each other for the rest of their lives.

If this is typical of Nan Ryan novels I don't think I could read another one. The characters Shanaco and Maggie are not well drawn. I had trouble caring about what happens to them. The romance lacks sexual tension - they seem to instantly fall in love and into bed. The bad guys are really bad and the good guys really good - kind of boring and predictable. There seemed to be a few anachronisms in this book - Santa Claus? The setting is interesting with the movement of the Native Americans onto a reservation - would have liked to explore that more. With all the great romance writers out there to read - don't waste your time on this one.