The New Day Dawns [Paperback]

Grace Anne Schaefer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 2004

The New Day Dawns, the first book in the saga of The People of the Frozen Earth, begins twenty centuries ago on the Western Great Plains in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The young warrior Mach and the chief's daughter Horda are preparing to celebrate the Mating Rituals. Their joyous plans are interrupted and almost destroyed by a combination of their own actions, tribal mores, powerful enemies, and forces of nature. They must use all their skills; strengths; and beliefs in themselves, each other, and the values of the People to not only survive, but triumph. In the end, which is only the beginning, they learn that what they have become is more important than what they were.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Horda's growth ... to a ... mature woman runs like an iridescent thread through the weavings of this tightly knit plot. -- Billie Houston, aka Barri Bryan, author of contemporary, historical, and Western romantic fiction

Schaefer writes with a richness and enthusiasm ... that pulls the reader into a strange and primitive time. -- Jodi Thomas, Writer-in-Residence, West Texas A&M University, Author, FINDING MARY BLAINE, Mira, 2004

The author deftly exhibits all the customs and nuances of a primitive culture intent on survival in a harsh world. -- Chris Kay, High School Librarian

About the Author

A story-teller and writer since she could talk and hold a pencil, Grace Anne Schaefer taught English and reading for thirty-two years. She lives in central Texas with her husband Kenn, also a writer. Their grown daughter Anja teaches high school English. Grace Anne — who collects Beanie babies, Santa Clauses, and dust bunnies — looks forward to the dawn of her own new day.

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: GASLight Publishing, LLC (October 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975479601
• ISBN-13: 978-0975479605
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,247,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review: The New Day Dawns and As Shadows Fall, January 15, 2011

By 

Dominique (Tulsa, OK, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The New Day Dawns (Paperback)

When I started reading this series that my friend Lillie sent me, I wasn't sure if I would like them because this isn't a genre that I normally read. Not because I don't like it, but more because I have never found a story line that interested me.

Well, that changed this past week when I read Grace Anne Schaefer's, The New Day Dawns (book one), and, As Shadows Fall (book two).

This series is hands down the best fiction I have read since I started reviewing books last year! I think it is one of the best fictional series I have read in years!

The writing is exquisite! The characters are so real that they started living in my mind when I was awake and when I went to sleep. The imagery is amazing. These books read like I was watching a movie unfolding in my mind's eye. I could smell, feel, touch, sense the descriptions that Schaefer molded around the characters and I never grew tired of the lavish world that unfolded under the direction of her pen!

Even more noteworthy, were the many life lessons interspersed through out the story. Life lessons about living, dying, working, participating, sharing, growing up, maturing, mothering, fathering, family, preparing, grieving, gender, respect, appreciation, honor, problem solving, relationships, and on and on.

This story is beautifully and breathtakingly told. There were times where my breath was taken away at the beauty that rose up from the page, allowing me to enter the world of the life and culture of the people of the Frozen Earth. Often I felt as if I was sitting among them watching and listening to them as they went about their daily lives.

The challenges of life that the People of the Frozen Earth was so real that I often found myself pondering them even when I put the book down. What would I have done? How would I have responded? Could I have done that?

This story is captivating, intoxicating, while subtly dispelling truths within the journey of the people of the Frozen Earth.

This series is one I could easily see being transferred to film and unfolding much like, Dances with Wolves.

Here is an example of her writing that really spoke to me about life and death and really exemplifies the belief system of the People of the Frozen Earth.

In this passage, the people of the Frozen Earth are saying goodby to one of their own (celebrating death) while in the midst of their yearly event called the, Gathering (celebrating life).

The rest of the people followed in reverent silence. When they arrived, the men placed Meirian's body on the rock while the women surrounded her with her treasures. Together they sang the songs of life and death, spoke of the departed, and prayed for Father Death to welcome her into his kingdom. After a final song of farewell, the musicians began a new melody, an up tempo march that would lead the people away from the Frozen Wilds and back to the Gathering. Horda took one last look behind her at where her mother lay then joined the rest of the People as they left the gorge. The People of the Frozen Earth believed life belonged to the living, and Gathering was perhaps the greatest celebration of that belief. [book one, page 144]

Here is a passage I loved in the second book, As Shadows Fall.

The crisp scents of burning cedar and sage mixed with the odors of roasting meat and vegetables to perfume the almost-warm morning air. People wandered from cook fire to cook fire and ate and visited until the sun was high in the sky. When the feasting was finished, the men and boys threw bones, played games, and ran races. The woman sat in the sun watching the children and gossiping. [book two, page 159]

Although my faith is different then that of the People of the Frozen Earth, I found that many of my core beliefs and worldviews being mirrored back to me in their own traditions, beliefs, and perspectives.

I also found their belief that women were to be cherished and honored and not beat and subjugated was beautiful and freeing.

It is often said that any writer that want's to become a better writer should read excellent writers.

Today, I have found an excellent writer to read to help me on my journey to becoming a more excellent writer! I whole-heartedly and emphatically recommend this series! Out of a 1-5 rating, I give it a 6!

I cannot wait to read book three!

*I received this book free from Lillie Ammann as a gift. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

5.0 out of 5 stars An Adventure through Prehistoric times, August 27, 2010

By 

squiresj (Wasola, Mo) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New Day Dawns (Paperback)

When I picked this book up, I did not know I would get an adventure that would hold your attention from beginning to end. I am ready to move to book 2 and continue the story of the people of the frozen earth. I never heard of these people and tried to research if they were real people or not. Regardless the book truly painted a picture in your mind of primitive people in the western states probably before white people entered the picture. The book is rich in primitive culture and the author holds your attention as you move from the rituals of the people into the mating ceremony pulling for Horda and Mach all the way.
The decisions Horda had to make over a mate are really not much different than any culture where the girl has to chose on her own and not what her parents feel is best. A time of growing from young people to mature men and women is so well woven throughout this book.
I knew before Bear Claw captured Horda it would happen but yet I hoped it would not. The survival of the women during this time is remarkable. The abuse Horda took keeps you hoping her beloved shows up soon and saves her.
From one chapter to the next you do not know what to expect. You will be surprised again and again.
When Horda's Father and Beloved mate go with the team to find the women, they both blame themselves for not listening to Horda's fears. Just like men.
A womderful wonderful adventure through the primitive times and leaves you ready to continue to book two.

5.0 out of 5 stars Plan on reading all night, March 2, 2005

By 

Lillie Ammann "author of Dream or Destiny" (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New Day Dawns (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this novel, which takes place in the Western United States in prehistoric times. The characters are so well-developed that I couldn't quit reading - I had to find out if Mach and Horda ended up together or if they walked the Frozen Wilds.