Customer Reviews

Savage Moon (Savage (Leisure Paperback))

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

 

 

I didn't think I could actually finish the book it was so bad. The book seemed childish. I don't believe that I have ever read a book with more he said / she said / and's & and then's in my entire life. It's the first time I've ever put a book down in the middle of a chapter without caring in the least bit. I felt like I was reading a story from a 5th grader.

I should have known better than to even pick up a book with the word "Savage" in the title. But I was looking for a little light reading after final exams, and some lady in the bookstore recommended it. I was also turned off by the obviously white guy posing as an Indian on the cover, but figured authors are not likely to have any say in their book covers. Being Eastern Band Cherokee myself, I was admittedly amused at the idea of reading a silly, fluffy, "Indian romance."

By the time I made it to page eleven I was way past amused. Here's the line that just went too far: "Chief Bear (the villain of the story) was away doing what he did best, terrorizing innocent travelers who were crossing land that he felt belonged to the red man."

So, we see Ms. Edwards' opinion of Indians who dare defend their land from invaders. They are murderers and terrorists, with cliched names who foolishly think the land they have been living on for thousands of years actually belongs to them. And "red man"? Really?

Still, I tried to read on. But wading through cliches is exhausting, and the names went beyond silly (Lone Wolf, Soaring Hawk, White Snow Feather, Panther Eyes). Soaring Hawk is described as the "perfect Bannock prince." Listen up, white people. Seriously. We had no royalty. No kings, no princes or princesses. The Cherokee didn't, the Iroquois didn't (English misrepresentations notwithstanding), and the Bannock sure didn't. Enough already.

I checked the back of the book for an email address. No address, and the website listed has no contact information either. (Afraid of hearing from readers?) But the book dedication does mention that the cover model is a dear friend. So, perhaps she did have say in how the cover looks. I can't help but wonder if this woman has ever met an Indian in her life. Seriously, no Indian man I know looks like that, unless he's a white guy claiming his grandmother was a "Cherokee princess." There is a note to the reader in which she says "I love researching and writing about our country's beloved Native Americans." Nice. Makes us sound like pets.

Ms. Edwards, please, please stop writing about us. Just stop. Your books are offensive and incredibly insulting to all Indian peoples. Drag your own men into your fantasies. I think your people have done enough to ours.

In 1852 Wyoming, eight year old Mitzi "Misshi" Bradley has had plenty of recent sorrow with the death of her mother in childbirth and that of her father from an Indian attack. Left with only a teenage brother to care for her, Misshi is abducted by renegade Chief Bear of the Bannock tribe during a raid of the wagon train that included the two Bradleys.

A decade later, Chief Bear's son Soaring Hawk knows that the confrontation between he and his sire is coming soon. Ten years ago, Soaring Hawk left his father's tribe to start anew in peace and has succeeded in his endeavor. However, he knows he needs help before challenging his father. He turns to Chief Washakie where he meets Misshi, who was kindly raised by this benevolent tribe. Misshi and Soaring Hawk immediately recognize in the other their soul mate, but their shared past converging at the pivotal figure, his evil father, makes a permanent relationship seem impossible.

Though Cassie Edwards has often told tales of star-crossed lovers in her "Savage" series, her latest tale SAVAGE MOON is a well-written entertaining entry. The story line is action packed and loaded with angst as the lead couple falls in love while just about everyone except for Chief Washakie (who has doubts) oppose this relationship. Ms. Edwards is one of the best at emotion-laden forbidden lovers' tales and this book will enhance her esteem amidst sub-genre readers.

Harriet Klausner

I just finished reading this, I like Cassie Edwards... but it didn't draw me in to ignore everything around me to read it. When I finally did get into the plot, I enjoyed it. Soaring Hawk is the peace-seeking son of a renegade chief who falls in love with the girl his fathered captured 10 years before. I loved that part of the story, but after Misshi's brother who is a U.S. Calvary man set out to destroy all indians, and their reputation until he kills the chief who stole his sister, finds out she is alive and not only living with Indians but marrying one. He's sets out to kill his savage sister for choosing the enemy over him. ...

I think that Cassie Edwards wrote a great book. I love how she wrote the great details and how informative she was with this book. The main characters are endearing and my favorite character was the actual, Chief Washakie. Look up the history of that truly peace-loving, endearing cheif. Cassie kept true to his character. A little grousome in some of the detail, but life was lived differently then, a plus in the describtion of the main character's brother. Great book and worth the reading.