Customer Reviews

Crack at Dusk : Crook of Dawn

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I found this book, as others in the Trilogy, to be challenging and thought provoking in so many ways. It explores good and evil while valuing the experience from the perspective of many spriritual traditions. I appreciate how the author blends Native American, Christian, and Jewish "truths" enabling us to see how we are similar and in fact how complementary our differences can be. Then she takes it a step further and brings the spiritual perspective into a relationship with psychological, physical and emotional wholeness. This is territory over which many authors do not travel, and I appreciate the beautiful way in which she enables us to make the journey.

I agree with other reviews in that to really appreciate this book, it would be best to have read the other two books. I know the Trilogy has come to an end, but I hope the author will write more....she has shared a real gift with all of us who have read her work.

I thoroughly enjoyed Priscilla Cogan's first two novels in the Meggie O'Connor series. When I read some of the reader reviews of Crack at Dusk Crook of Dawn I was put off but determined to judge for myself whether it was a worthy successor to the other two novels. The first, Winona's Way, dealt with "Good Spirits." The second, Compass of the Heart, with "Trickster Spirits" and this third with "Evil Spirits" -- at least from the perspective of the Lakota. Cogan has successfully woven the strands of her story together so that the reader is drawn into a tale about the nature of good and evil. The issue of satanic ritual abuse is included with some graphic detail that will (and should) make readers uncomfortable. But as one of my teachers has said, we must continue holding up the light despite the scary and ugly things it illuminates. Cogan drives that point home. A worthy read, but only if you dare face your own shadow -- and those of others.

Again, Priscilla Cogan writes a marvelous story that is excellently crafted and brutally real. Her writing holds the attention of the reader and her characters spring to life. Very hard to put down, one is forced to either slow down and enjoy the beauty of the language or to speed up to discover what happens on the next page... I look forward to her next work. Altho the book stands alone, it can be better enjoyed if read after the first two books of the trilogy.. thank you to Priscilla.."Mitakuye oyas'in"

In the third book of the Winona's Web trilogy, Priscilla Cogan has carried the thread of each of her characters and woven a spell-binding story of good overcoming evil. She doesn't shy away from the topic of evil, nor does she sugarcoat it. Even though it's impossible to stop turning pages, it's also difficult to read of such horror happening, let alone to characters we have come to care about. This is a thoroughly satifying conclusion to a wonderful series of books. I highly recommend Crack at Dusk: Crook of Dawn. Even though it stands on its own as a fine piece of writing, I suggest that you read all three books to gain the full impact.

Priscilla Cogan's extraordinary talents as a storyteller are once again both forcefully and subtly demonstrated in the Crack of Dusk: Crook of Dawn, the final book in the trilogy. The story of good vs. evil is both horrifying and gripping making it almost impossible for the reader to put the book down. As in the previous 2 books, the reader is given the opportunity to witness the intertwining of the healing traditions of the Lakota Sioux and Western psychological thought and the powerful effect it has on the life of a young Native American boy. The only recommendaton I would make to readers is to read the other books in the trilogy first so than one has a more complete understanding of the characters and Native American traditions.

Tackling the subject of childhood abuse from any perspective can be a difficult task, but Ms. Cogan takes the reader into the inner workings of the slow grueling steps that often accompany healing from such a trauma. She dares the reader to walk in the steps of a child who has to peel away the layers of damage caused by abuse. Using the power of the Red Road and telling the story of what happens through the eyes and soul of the victim, Ms. Cogan illustrates the truth behind what it takes to heal from the things locked within the psychy. I thank Ms. Cogan for undertaking such a difficult subject for it hits very close to home. Being a survivor, I have used the Red Road and am learning that telling the story opens the door to true healing. She presents with fact the effectiveness of how the Red Road is a powerful tool in everyday life, but can also aid in healing. I would encourage anyone to read this book to see through the eyes of the victim as well as the healer.

I read a few reviews and was tempted not to buy this book because of the negative feedback. I am glad I changed my mind because I am glad to have completed the ongoing story of Meggie and Hawk. It gave me quite a bit to think about with the story line of ritualist abuse. I did not find it offensive, I found it informative and it brought out love for a human being who overcame personal tragedy. I especially enjoyed how the contiuation of the Lakota ways were always there. It also brought in a lot of thought about other belief systems. The story is one of courage, hope, and faith. The love of a child and the ways of the spirts, helped Hawk to be strong and determined even when no one else believed in him. Meggie's unconditional understanding and her fears made the story believable. I recommend this book to anyone who has read the first two novels. You'd be missing out of a great story based on reality in fiction.

In this book Priscilla continues her way of making us feel at ease with not just Christianity working together with the tribalism from the previous book, but she goes on to build it up with Judaism as well.
In times like these it is utterly important with tolerance and respect for eachothers views of life.

She brings in the enemy as well however, but she gives the enemy a very distinct face in this case. I do think it works, but it could have been a very dangerous path for her to go down as the author she is.
A Satanic sect is her choice of evil for this book and therefor it is dangerous as well, since it is also a religion - Priscilla seams to be giving her best at broadening the reader's tolerance for religion and it's different faces. Therefor I think it is dangerous for her to go down this path, where she has singled out one particular religion to be the bad guy, I can only hope that her readers are ready for it.

It's a detailed story and I think this might be the chance of a life-time offered for an outsider to step into the mind of a child in this position. It might be horrifying for some, if not all of us, but it serves the point well.
She describes the western pshychological ways of working realistically as well, but with something for me, important - I didn't get too upset with their ways, for it hits close to home knowing how difficult it can be to the next of kin of the patient.

As with Ms. Cogan's first two captivating books, I read Crack at Dusk Crook of Dawn in one sitting. Although brilliantly written, the subject matter of extreme child abuse by a satanic cult is spelled out in full stomach-turning, heart-pounding detail (something I was unprepared for, and quite a deviation from her other writings). The path taken to heal the child is equally realistic, and although inspiring, did not balance for me the too-gruesome focus of the story...

After reading the beautiful Winona's Web, and Compass of the Heart, I expected (was hoping for) more of the same style of story telling from the very talented Priscilla Cogan. What she presents instead in this book was a shocking, disgusting story of child abduction and excruciating detail of the abuse of this child. Come on, Ms. Cogan, did we *really* need that much detail? The story would have worked without it.

I felt really angry about purchasing and wasting my time reading this book. Ms. Cogan's first two books had a completely different feel and theme to them. They spoke of romance, relationship, and taught about the beauty of the Native American traditions. Crak at Dusk, Crook of Dawn swung to the opposite end of the spectrum. I felt like I had been 'hooked on the bait', by her first two books, and now had been reeled in and ripped off with this last one.

Do yourself a favor, if you *really* feel you want to read this, borrow it from a friend, or wait till it comes out in paper and don't spend the big bucks on the hard cover. And most important, know that the sick parts of this book don't get any better real soon -- they are woven all throughout the book. Be willing to put it down early on. Better yet, don't waste your time. There are so many other really good books out there to read.