Customer Reviews

Secrets of the Ancient Goddess

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I got this book while waiting in line at a grocery store. The title seemed interesting and I am into historical view points, fictional or not. I absolutely loved the book. The relationships between the characters were very believable and the story line keep me up half the night trying to finish the book. I would definately recommend this book!!!

Where B.G. Smith has done well is in writing a book which, while steeped in gynocentric mythology and ritual and obviously designed for a predominantly female readership, also has sufficient adventure, powerful male characters, and graphic but not gratuitous sex, to interest the typical male reader. Smith has also done well in not writing a rambling "fat novel" for her first effort, though she does pack a lot of material into the book. She has kept the story down to two main plot lines and avoided lengthy tangents. While their themes are extremely different, the succinctness of her writing reminds me of Richard Matheson, whose novels and short stories, while evocative, are very efficient in their use of words. In Matheson's case, this is likely linked to his years of screenplay writing where text must be cut to the bone. Similarly in Smith's work, her years of writing advertising copy have served her well in creating a work that reads quickly and fluidly without being exempt of emotion and panorama.

Where Secrets of the Ancient Goddess is a bit weak is in its "Hollywood realism." It does seem that Smith has researched the era of which she writes in some detail. However, while never stated outright, one gets the impression that however grim the circumstances, the women all have their hair done and the men are each wearing their best shiny sword. Undramatic things like epidemic diseases, endoparasitism, the constant drudgery of hunting and gathering, the lack of basic sanitation and anything but the most rudimentary medicine, and the resultant short life expectancies of the neolithic people are so many things that are glossed over for the sake of the story. There are plenty of brutal killings and rapes and the like, but these are the sorts of plot devices that while perhaps realistic in the context, also simply play well for shock value. On the other hand, the depiction of the characters' evolving response to events in a psycho-theological context is fairly well done, though given the absence of written documents from this era, our recreations of ancient religions are guesses at best.

Overall, Secrets of the Ancient Goddess is a solid first novel. The prehistoric novel is certainly a writing niche occupied by a limited number of authors, so B.G. Smith should easily be able to continue in this literary form. The plotting and feel of the novel will appeal more to a female readership, but should not leave men unsatisfied. Besides, if some of us can't take the new female prehistoric heroines we can always go and rent Encino Man. (For this review in its entirety, go to www.sfsite.com/05a/sec56.htm)

B.G. Smith's work is fun to read, and she obviously researched the period, but her description of prehistoric culture is weak. She is strong in her theological descriptions, but as a reader of historical fiction, particularly prehistoric historical fiction, I enjoy the descriptions of how they ate, gathered food, built houses, made clothes, shaped weapons and tools, etc. While this is an entertaining novel, one only has to compare it to Sue Harrison's novels to see Smith's weaknesses. However, this is a first novel. Hopefully in her future novels (which I will read, by the way), Smith will have more confidence as a historical fiction writer and be able to include more of the anthropological detail that makes pre-historic fiction special.

Brenda Gates Smith has a huge hit on her hands! Romance and adventure make a highly entertaining read! I could not put it down. Brenda is very good at developing all her characters, and pulling you into a fun story!

I just bought this book and could not put it down! It was such an entertaing reading! Super book!

In 5700 BC Turkey, Yana gives birth to a boy. However, the Old One who helps her with the birthing informs Yana that her baby must be sacrificed to the Goddess. Yana refuses to comply. Most of the villagers feel Yana's own birth resulted from her mother's insult to the Goddess. Yana realizes that she has no supporters and leaves with her infant.

Apparently, the Goddess favors Yana, as a nomadic tribe accompanying Henne, a priestess of the Goddess, rescue her and her baby. However, when the vicious Sky God worshippers abduct Henne, Yana loses her hope for the future. Yana manages to barely escape but wonders if she brought the wrath of the Goddess down on her new friend. Now, the two individuals separately struggle to survive with only their courage and their beliefs as their only weapons.

SECRETS OF THE ANCIENT GODDESS will not remain a secret once fans of historical fiction hear how good a tale this book is. The action-packed story line brings antiquity to life through the wonderful tales of two intrepid human beings. Though modern society lacks much information on the ancient world, Brenda Gates Smith paints a vivid, magical place that seems very plausible to the historical anthropologist in all of us. She accomplishes all this in what will be recognized as one of the sub-genre's most entertaining novels of the year.

Harriet Klausner 12/30/98

This book was hard to put down, the story lines are engrossing, the main characters well drawn and believable.It made a pleasant change to read about strong women on a journey towards enlightenment and understanding. There were many unexpected surprises which had me gripping the pages,bringing home the uncertainty and danger of their lives.In the process I learnt a great deal about prehistoric times, and the journeys women take across the ages on their search for an identity. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it held my attention and interest, I cared about the characters and want to know more about what happens to them after th ebook ends. How about a sequel?

One thing I liked is that it's about the ancientsŠI really enjoy that period of history. Secondly , once you got into the book you didn't want to put it down . There was something on every page that made you want to go to the next page. That makes a book extremely interesting. I enjoyed the leadership role that Henne had. The strength that she had in the way that the clan looked at her as a priestess and the position that she held. Also when she would be doing her dances she was a very sensual character, very aware of her sensuality. I felt the author did a wonderful job of developing the characters and there were a lot of characters to keep track of and yet, there weren't so many you couldn't follow them along. These characters almost became friends and you wanted to see what was going to happen to them throughout the book. Particular characters? I don' t think I really had a favorite. They were all good. I enjoyed the way the flow of the book went.

I hope she writes more, this is a great book.