Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Jessi Travels Back In Time With "People of the Wolf"

Title/Author: People of the Wolf - W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear
Publisher/Year: Tor Books, 1992
How I Got This: I borrowed this from my amazing public library and later bought my own copy.
Why I Read It: I have a fascination with Native Americans, so this sounded right up my alley!
Rating: 5 Stars


When I picked up this book at the library, my very first thought was, "Oh man, cheap dime store cover...this is going to be so cheesy." And then I thought, "Crap...if this is really cheesy, at this length, it'll take me a year to read it." 

Well, I'm here to tell you that I did judge this book by its cover, and I was very wrong. 

I loved this book. The idea in itself was fascinating, but at the same time, it sounded tremendously boring--a story about the first Native Americans who crossed the Bering Strait into North America. 

Honestly, it was the character drama that did it for me. Very rarely in books do i find myself so engrossed in characters that they become dear to me (even the "bad" ones). I got so attached to these characters. Every time I put the book down, I was left wondering what would happen to them next, and even now that I'm done with the book, I find that I really enjoy contemplating their futures (as I understand it, the books in this series are written as standalone books, but characters occasionally make reappearances). I mean, c'mon--Dancing Fox was one kick-butt female character! She was probably my favorite character. And Runs in Light/Wolf Dreamer? It was really refreshing to have a main character follow through with the plot ending that's right for him and not necessarily the happily-ever-after one. I always say good authors write good villains...you know--the ones you would strangle yourself if you could...so bravo to Raven Hunter! Even some of the lesser characters like One Who Cries, Singing Wolf, Broken Branch, Green Water and Laughing Sunshine were great. 

All in all, I was really pleased with this book. There were some minor things (some of the descriptions/descriptive passages were way too descriptive), but I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone, especially someone interested in Native Americans. I really can't wait to start People of the Fire.

4 comments:

  1. I've seen this series around and keep thinking I should read it. Add it to the list!

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  2. I totally own a copy of this, but it is still on myself unread.

    BTW, I love love love Dime Store Covers.

    Also, glad to see this is an engrossing read!

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  3. Unfortunately, I probably would have left the book at the library because of the cover (I really should stop doing that). I love the character's names! I just might have to pick this book up!

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  4. The cover looks fine to me.

    I read this years ago when I was so into Clan of the Cavebear-- really liked it and I may have read the second one but the series skips to different times and places-- which is ok but I really wanted to keep following the first group of characters.

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