Customer Reviews

People of the Thunder (North America's Forgotten Past)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

By 1300 in an area now known as Alabama and Mississippi, the Sky Hand People rule with an iron fist controlling territory for vast miles from their Split Sky City. Their Chief Flying Hawk is devious and ambitious with plans to expand the tribe's land. His nephew War Chief Smoke Shield is a brilliant merciless strategist, who expedites his uncle's plan. Together they are intelligent, abusive and deadly; complementing one another

They attack their peaceful neighbors the Albaamaha tribe with a blood thirsty assault. The "most dangerous man alive" Old White the prophet, Trader a man with dark bloody secrets and the enigmatic female shaman Two Petals seek peace. To achieve peace in their time, the trio knows they must end the reign of terror of Flying Hawk and Smoke Shield.

This completes the tale first started in THE PEOPLE OF THE WEEPING EYE. As always in the incredible Gear North American Forgotten People saga, readers obtain an insightful look at Native American culture and everyday living inside an exciting action-packed thriller. Although extremely but appropriately graphic with murder, rape, torture and the abuses of war, fans will relish the fifth Mississippian story as the Gear duet bring to life the early fourteenth century through fully developed characters leading to a confrontation that will determine whether peace or war will dominate the region.

Harriet Klausner

This book is a sequel to "People of the Weeping Eye" - please insure that you read them in order. This book can stand alone but much will be missed without the previous book, especially the ending which ties back to the opening, modern day scenario in "... the Weeping Eye."

If the Gears are intending to bring their superb series to an end this book may very well be the fitting conclusion. These books excel in two areas: character development and thematic variation. In this two volume sequence, the Gear's have done a remarkable job of integrating the characters and building empathy with them in the reader. Thematically, these books continue the same basic narrative as in earlier story lines with enough variation in details and manner to arouse and maintain interest even though the reader is confident in the ultimate outcome (based on previous works).

A few words on this continuing theme. The unity of narrative found in these novels is that each is consistently an episode in the continuing "brotherly competition" of the demi-gods Raven Hunter (violence) and Wolf Dreamer (peace). In this novel this "brotherly competition" is most explicitly stated and explored. This particular book may very well be the most metaphorical of the entire series. It would be a mistake to assign the terms "evil" and "good" to the two forces. "Good" in the Gears' cosmology is "balance" between the two powers: Red (violence - Raven Hunter) and White (peace - Wolf Dreamer). Balance is achieved when violence is justly pursued and peace is appropriately sanctioned. People serve these powers and become tools, often deterministically, in the development of the gods' struggle. In these two novels there seems to be a "tidying up" character to the continued meta-narrative which makes me think the Gears may be bringing the series to an end.

I gave these books 4 stars instead of 5 because the ending is not as satisfying as previous books... mostly because it is just a bit too neat. There are too many "comings together" and, differing from previous works, no remaining tension in the characters that make us wonder "what might happen next." Still, these are books well worth reading and most highly recommended for young and old alike.

I have every single book from their Native American series. I am so glad that they made this particular story into two parts. The plot is rich, full and intricate. Each of the characters is interesting and well developed. The social interactions among the groups is interesting and believable. And the authors' love of the environment is there throughout the book. After reading People of the Weeping Eye, I waited impatiently for this book to be published. And it did not disappoint. They successfully wove all the plot lines together and tied most of them up in the end to give a satisfactory ending, while leaving a couple things unresolved for future development.

I thought the whole William and Kathleen Gear series of the first north americans was fabulous. While reading each book you can visualize the area, especially if you have been in the area at one time or another. All their research into the past led them to write the best adaptations ever. Congrats to them.

I have read just about all of thw\e gear books and wait for the next two to come out people of the longhouse & people of the forest, Keep them coming.

Second and final book of The People of the Weeping Eye; outcome of the Albaamaha and the Chikosi tension, the destiny of Two Petals, and the fate of Morning Dew. You will also find out who Trader really is and The Seeker's haunting secret. And as usual the ending will startled you and leave you aching for another ancient read.

Again the Gears take you from present day on an adventurous journey thousands of years ago to ancient America around 1300 AD. The story revolves around the Mississippi Mound Builders of present day southern America. I really liked this book as the Gears have put excellent research into an intriguing story. I love how the authors mix adventure, action, mystery, and even a little bit of romance into one book. There is much insight on what life would have been life living among the Mississippi Mound Builders.

I have read all of the Gear's Indigenous reads and found People of the Thunder is much like People of the Weeping Eye when it comes to violence. Both reads have war and a few murder scenes but nothing drastic, nothing so gruesome that will turn anyone's stomach. In fact the scenes were realistic and written in moderation. I just wanted to add this because too many times in the past I have read other readers complain about the amount of violence in the Gear's work which should not be a problem considering the era and culture these novels take place. The Gear's military knowledge is quite fascinating.

You definitely must read People of the Weeping Eye first.

People of the the Thunder is brilliantly researched. Its as if you are opening a portal into times past, remembering the forgotten history of what it must have been like living in North America's forgotten past. Highly recommended.

This book is the sequel to People Of The Weeping Eye, and it's just wonderful! The story continues with Trader, Old White and The Contrary reaching the explosive end of their epic journey. The book is full of action and is also extremely descriptive, in that special Gear style. I read it in just two days, it was that hard to put down!

Thunder is the second half of two books the first one is people of the weeping eye so please read that one first.
thunder and weeping eye together are the best people of books since people of the owl and raven. Most of the gear's book bring you in the story and transport you in to time. So if you want to read good books get this series it starts with people of the wolf.

This book is part two. Make sure you read part 1 first or it doesn't make sense. For any with an interest in First American (Native American) history, this series by the Gear's covers it in an interesting fashion through fictional characters.