Customer Reviews

Daughter of the Fifth Moon

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

 

 

I'm a fan of Jean Auel, and am always on the lookout for other good prehisotry novels.I've read LA McKee's other books, so I know she can tell an original story. But this isn't one. In this book, a child loses her parents and is found by another tribe who distrusts her because she looks different. They fear their spirits won't accept her. The medicine woman and cacique (leader) take her in. As she grows, she wants to learn about weapons, which is forbidden. When she reaches adulthood, she is raped, and later banished. Sound familiar? If I hadn't already read "Clan of the Cave Bear" I probably would have enjoyed this story more; it's not badly written. As it was, I couldn't help laughing at the blatent similiarities.

It has been hard for Jean Auel fans to wait on her next 'Clan of the Cave Bear' series book. Most of us are scouring the internet looking for similar books to read while we wait on Auel's long-overdue book. That is the reason I picked up 'Daughter of the Fifth Moon' by Lynn Armistead McKee.

The book opens with a young girl whose peaceful island tribe is attacked by a neighboring cannibalistic tribe. The child's parents are killed but, amidst the confusion of the attack, the parents manage to set the child adrift in a canoe before succumbing to their injuries.

The child drifts for many days and finally washes up on a distant shore. She is close to death by this time but is found by a local tribe. She is nursed back to health, adopted and cared for by these people.

However, there are those amongst the locals who do not welcome the stranger. They believe the Gods cast her out of heaven for some unknown evil deed and that she should have been left to die on the beach where they found her. They are afraid they will bring bad luck and drought upon themselves by allowing her to remain with them. And therein lies the story.

The reason I didn't care much for this book is because the charactors seemed too thin and transparent. The charactors were either all good or all bad; none of the varying shades of gray that you would find in real-life people. And because the charactors were so simplistic, the story seemed more like a children's book (although the content was not appropriate for children).

I don't recommend this book unless you really don't have anything else lying around the house to read.

Lynn McKee again weaves an entertaining story line with rich intriguing historical information. Her characters are full and so real I can't help but weep with them and laugh with them. She truly brings them to life. One of McKee's talents is her extraordinary ability to transport the reader into another time and place. This puts her books on the top of my list! Nyna, a small child, is pushed out to sea in a canoe to save her life from the savage raiding Caribs. When she arrives on a beach in what is now Florida, frightened and near death, she is discovered by a young boy. Misunderstood and feared she is first totally rejected by others of the clan. The young boy pleads with his mother to save the little girl. Even though Nyna is finally brought into the village and eventually regains her strength, she is never accepted by most. Nyna is blamed for all the ills of the village, including the deadly fish kill, the red tide. Her enemies plot against her, but Nyna remains strong and courageous in the face devastating circumstances. She has few friends, but those who love her know her loyalty. And when she reaches adulthood, Nyna follows her dream. She is the Daughter of the Fifth Moon.

I eagarly anticipated the release of Lynn Armistead McKee's new book and was disppointed. Although not completely disappointed, I just think that Spirit of the Turtle woman was a much MUCH better novel and that this one fell short of my expectations. I found the read quite easy, but lacking in depth. I just could not seem to form a bond with any of the characters and found the plot superficial. I will still read books by this author, but I won't eagarly await them as I had this one.

I liked this book more than "The Clan of the Cave Bear." My only complaint is that it ends too quickly. McKee should have taken more time to wrap up the story.

This book is the same as the rest of the far better works the author has written, only with different names and location. If this the first book you have read by McKee it will be enjoyable, but for the rest of us fans, this is a boring read.

What a great read this was. McKee takes me back in time and puts me right in the scene. I feel like I am really there watching what is going on. The characters are alive and the story keeps me turning the pages. I have read all her books and recommend them to anyone who wants a story they can get involved in!