People of the Thunder by W. Michael GearMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the second, and conclusion in the “Moundville Duology” that started with People of the Weeping Eye. Typically, the books in the “North America's Forgotten Past” series are standalone books. This one is book number 16. I’ve read 18 books in series. I do enjoy them. The series used to be called “First North Americans” but the new series name is more appropriate.
This book’s main plot is balancing of Power. There is white power that represents peace and trade. The red power, which represents mostly blood and war has been in ascendance and is coming to a head with a huge war with many of the peoples, lead by the War Chief Smoke Shield at Split Sky City of the Chikosi, or Sky Hand People. They have subdued and made slaves of most of the Albaamaha peoples, who are plotting an uprising. The Yuchi in the north and the Chata people are also potential foes ready to strike. The Chahta had recently been dealt a huge blow with the sacking of White Arrow Town.
In the center are two traders: Old White, also known as Seeker and Trader, who was Green Snake. Trader had fled Split Sky City ten years ago after killing his brother Rattle, but we know he survived and is now known as Smoke Shield. The two also have a contrary, Two Petals, who joins them on their journey and a dog Swimmer. The contrary is led by Power, she sees things in the future and thus lives her life in reverse. They are making their way along the river, trading with the different peoples and towns, heading to Split Sky City as power has directed, hoping to bring back balance to the red and white power.
It is a thickly weaved plot that did take two full books to develop. There are so many other aspects and characters to the story than the brief summary above. It had been so long since I read the first book of these two that I just about forgot everything that happened. I read a few summaries and the book itself had a few reminders added in to help the reader. The overall story came back to me as I was reading as well, but probably better to read the two books closer together in time. Happy that I finally read the book.
Previous Book:
- People of the Weeping Eye - 4 stars
- Read: June 21-30, 2017
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