The Woman Who Loved Reindeer [Paperback]

Meredith Ann Pierce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2000

From the author of the Darkangel Trilogy comes an epic romance, in the tradition of The Clan of the Cave Bear, about a young woman's love for a coldhearted shape-shifter.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this fantasy set in the far North, a girl named Caribou falls in love with a man who morphs into a reindeer. "A splendid story, convincing and full of atmosphere," said PW. Ages 12-up. (May) n
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up The two-mooned planet on which this magical fantasy is set is a cross between Yellowstone and Lapland. Caribou is the wisewoman of the title, and Reindeer is a trangl one who can take the form of deer or mortal. As a pre-teen, Caribou was brought the baby to rear by her brother's frightened wife, who conceived the child while her husband was away. Caribou grows attached to the precocious golden-eyed boy but never thinks of him as her own child. From early on he shows signs of being more than human, but Caribou's growing status as wisewoman and her apartness from the villagers help shield Reindeer from notice. But when the deer part of his nature calls him to run with the wild herds, Caribou grievesand rejoices when the man side compels his return as her lover. The author of the "Darkangel" series (Atlantic) convincingly and poetically portrays their lives and adventures, both together and in Caribou's attempts to save her people from the changing earth of quakes and eruptions and to find them safe passage away, aided by Reindeer's wild knowledge in his guise as stag. Her dealings with troll hedgewives and her visit to the Fireking's underground world are wonderfully realized. A promising new world for fantasy buffs. Ruth M. McConnell, San Antonio Public Library
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Graphia (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152017992
• ISBN-13: 978-0152017996
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,544,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trusting In Reindeer, July 14, 2002

By 

Shanshad "shanachie_shadowfax" (Discworld) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Woman Who Loved Reindeer (Paperback)

A young woman named Caribou who has a special gift to foresee the future. A wild young man named Reindeer who isn't a man at all. When the land of two moons becomes threatened and treacherous, it is up to these two to guide Caribou's people to safety, and a new home. Can Caribou convince the tribes to follow her beyond the burning plain where the golden reindeer go? Can she trust the shape changer she loves to guide her there?

This prehistoric fantasy is a powerful tale of love and courage. Ms. Pierce always writes strong, convincing and ultimately likable heroines. The title hardly scratches the surface of this tale, and if Ms. Pierce lacks anything in her books, it is decent titles. While this story does indeed contain a bittersweet romance, it is secondary to the story of Caribou's growth from a young girl living outcast and alone with only a strange child for company to a capable and confident woman who will lead her people through the burning plain, past the Firekings and trollwomen. Caribou never falls into "the damsel in distress" role in the story, all her dealings are direct and honest. It is, in fact, this honesty that makes her such a likable and interesting character. She's not a crafty heroine; she's a leader and a teacher. She's a visionary. Reindeer fills the roll of trickster and chaos in her life, they are very much opposites. Caribou, a woman of deep emotion and direct honesty and courage. Reindeer a creature of wile and deception without a human heart. Yet each is forever bound up with the other, and the love Caribou has for Reindeer is a powerful thing.

Ms. Pierce uses this setting to make observations on human society in general. The clan chief siblings who gain power, all deal with the looming end of their world in their own, ultimately futile way. One wishes only to prepare for war against an enemy. Another ascribes to the philosophy of "eat and drink and be merry, for tomorrow we may die". A third believes the gods must be appeased with sacrifices and prayer. None of them heed Caribou's warnings and offer to guide them through. While these examples were handled in relatively simplistic manner, they fit within the style of the story. Ms. Pierce's lyrical style and marvelous imagery transforms this story into something that will touch the heart and capture a reader's imagination.

Reader's who have loved Ms. Pierce's Darkangel Trilogy should absolutely give this one a try. If this is your first Meredith Ann Pierce story, please consider trying her Darkangel trilogy that also features a strong and likeable heroine and her quest to destroy the Darkangel who stole away her best friend. This is one not to be missed by YA readers!

--Happy Reading! shanshad ^_^

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite novel!, February 20, 2003

By 

Grace (Alameda, US, Canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Woman Who Loved Reindeer (Hardcover)

I had read Pierce's Darkangel Trilogy, and enjoyed it very much, but I didn't check this book out of the library the first time I saw it because I wasn't interested in a book titled "The Woman Who Loved Reindeer." I mean, come on - a woman who loved animals? However, I finally decided to give it a try (I was desparate for reading material). Boy, was I glad I read it. I liked it so much I bought not one, but two copies of the book (because I didn't like the condition of the first one).

This novel is by far my absolute favorite book. It appealed to me because of Pierce's writing style. Without you knowing it, she brings you into the story and into the character's minds and hearts (mostly the main character's, Caribou). I loved the romance - described not graphically, but brough out just as powerfully as if it was. Pierce's use of imagery, and her knack for describing feelings and actions incredibly well using few words, really empowers the storyline. A few small words, in this novel, can reveal to the reader the character's soul. There is really no good way to convey my feelings toward the way this book was written. The plot was engaging, but it was really the author's distinct writing style that made me enjoy this book so much. After all, it is my favorite book (and I've read many books of all different genres, by many excellent authors). I especially recommend this book to people who enjoy reading light romances - not as in comical, but as in more based on emotions than physical actions, if you know what I mean. You'll be able to feel and know the sorrow and love Caribou has for her daimon - a guy named Reindeer (the book wasn't exactly about animals after all ;). In any case, if you read the book - AND YOU WILL - everything will become clear. *A suggestion to the publisher: If you want people to buy your books, give them titles that aren't so misleading, please.* I can't imagine not having read this wonderful, romantic, and adventerous story. Goes to show you can't judge a book by its cover (even though people, including me, does it anyway). This book received my highest recommendation!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book I could not put down, July 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Woman Who Loved Reindeer (Paperback)

This book was spectacular. Taking place in a different world, a young woman, Caribou, raises a changling, only to fall in love with him when he leaves. When her world starts to fall apart, the young man comes back and helps her lead her people to safety. A truely excellent book, I recommend it to any fantasy lover. The characters should captivate you whether they are traveling under ground or next to a volcano.