People of the Lakes (North America's Forgotten Past, #6)Gear, W. MichaelGear, Kathleen O'neal The Mask of Many Colored Crow has been causing problems, although used to balance the world in in history the mask has developed its own identity. It begins to disrupt the world. The focus of power it has become has made men go mad. Mica Bird the last owner has murdered tortured and killed him because of the influence of the mask. Star Shell his wife is afraid; she wants to protect her young daughter Silver Water from the influence of the mask. Power is at play, sending the High Head Magician, Tall Man, and a Dwarf with the mission to destroy the mask. On the other side of the River, down near the swamp lands of the confluence of the Mississippi River, a party is formed to save the mask. Pearl has been traded from her family to the mysterious Koata, finds herself at the whim of power. Otter (Water Fox) a trader from the white shell clan, and his dog Catcher has been asked to take the warrior Black Skull and the contrary Green Spider up the river to the Roaring Waters, where Tall man was told to destroy the mask. What are powers purpose to save the mask or save the dreamer? How will the adventure end, and what havoc has power made of the peaceful people of the lakes and rivers or Middle America.Character list:People of the LakesMicaBird: False dreamer uses the corrupted ideals broughtto light by the mask, in attempt trouble the world as he sees it.Greenspider: a young dreamer has shown a world through theeyes of Many colored crow .A contrary dreamer, says, or does the opposite ofwhat would logically be done.Otter: Trader, a twin with his brother Four Kills.Requested to accompany Green spider and Black skull on a mission of power.Catcher: otter's dog, a tri-colored dog who guards the traders packs, and is a spiritual and emotional help to the group.Fourkills: a young man being groomed to become a leader of the White shell clan.RedMoccasins: wife of four kills, love interest of Otter,torn between the two brothers.Starshell: .the wife of mica bird, mother of silver water.she attempts to take the mask to destroy it.Silverwater: only living daughter of Mica bird and Starshell. He becomes the new dreamer.Tallman: the magician of the High head society, a dwarfsent by power on a mission to destroy the mask, father of Star shell.Attempting to change the heart of the woman he always loved by doing one last good deed.Pearl: a beautiful runaway who has stolen otter's heart.She is an independent woman of the Anhinga, who is skilled in hunting and plants. Traded to the Koata for a wealth in copper, she becomes a prisoner ofthe Koata, hurt and haunted by their behavior she escapes. Her plight and her bravery are the markers that entrap Otter's heart.Black Skull: warrior of the city of the dead, known throughout his world and feared,only to face his own spirit on the trip and finds himself.Many Colored Crow: (Raven Hunter)First man (wolf dreamer)Power object: Mask of Many Colored Crow: The wooden beak had been carved by a master and stained black, glistening feathers covered the sides of the oval head, each feather lying flat.
Once again the spiral has shifted and the balance of power has tilted. The influence of the mask of Many Colored Crow has caused the current owner, Mica Bird to destroy the life around him as well as take his own life. His stunningly beautiful wife, Star Shell is terrified of the mask’s power and for her daughter, and secretly leaves on a mission to destroy the mask in the waters of Niagara Falls. With the help of the High Head Elder, Tall Man, a dwarf, they embark on the trip to destroy the mask. Tall Man has foreseen in a power dream what needs to be done and explains to Star Shell that he needs to be a part of the journey in order to make amends for all the wrong he has done in his life. Pursued by men who desire the power of the mask they flee for their lives. Down near the present day Mississippi River delta, the alluring Pearl has been promised for ‘marriage’ to the mysterious and terrifying leader of the Khota, a violent and aggressive people in Illini territory farther north. As she journeys north, she plots to escape her escort before she can be married to her betrothed. Mean while, Otter, a trader, is preparing to leave his clan grounds after his one time love marries his twin brother. But before he leaves power intervenes and brings the renowned warrior Black Skull and the Contrary Green Spider to his canoe landing and on a trip north, to save the very mask that Star Shell is going to destroy. Along the watery way, power once again intervenes and throws Otter and his odd party in the path of the Khota, who are bent on murdering Pearl after attempting to kill her new husband. As those in the south head north, those in the north edge ever closer to the falls and Star Shell faces the temptations thrown in her path by the mask’s power. Adventure on the fresh water seas, facing one’s fears, new love and of course the ever present fight for power, good versus evil, constantly striving to balance one another, all that and more can be found in this story of prehistoric North America. Find out if the evil mask is destroyed or if it conquers those against it, who finds love and who comes to know themselves in People of the Lakes.
What do You think about People Of The Lakes (1995)?
Too much exposition, inconsistent tone. I could have done without the modern day prologue about a bunch of academics debating whether to leave the site intact or build over it.The story didn't feel authentic to me at all. The authors hardly used any Native terms or customs, everything is Americanized or modernized. Are we really to believe that the same guy who told simply phrased legends about Many Colored Crow would also use words like "proclivity" to describe a companion's habits? Or that all the Native Songs would translate into perfect rhyming English sentences?In other words, the dialogue is extremely anachronistic. (At one point a grumpy warrior named Black Skull quotes "One of these days..." like he's the prehistoric equivalent of Ralph Cramden! Bang zoom, to the moon!)And of course, all the main female characters were described as perfect, bronzed goddesses with slender waists and flowing hair that look only more gorgeous when covered by rain or sweat. Most of the men were ultra buff masters of hunting and canoeing, yet graceful and tender lovers.(less)
—Stacy Genobles
I know the First North Americans books claim to be a series, but they're all standalone books placed in different time periods, with different tribes and obviously different characters. This was the first of the 4 or so that I've read, and hands down the best. This book has many similarities with fantasy, which I enjoy: one of the main characters, Star Shell, goes on a quest to destroy an evil totemic mask, and along the way meets up with some others who are also in desperate straits; there's a sense of danger throughout the book and chase scenes involving vengeful tribes; and there's a bit of mysticism-come-to-life, as there is in many prehistoric novels. The difference is the authors here are archaeologists and know of what they write. And they do it so well! I remember being bored by sections of The Clan of the Cave Bear that felt textbook-y, but that's never the case here. The authors know a lot about how Native Americans (ranging here from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, with the Hopewell as perhaps the most prominent) lived, what they ate, what they wore... but this information is so skillfully woven into the story that it never becomes tedious or breaks the flow. Beyond the educational value, there's much to enjoy here: there's action and excitement, and even some romance. The characters are well-developed, especially for prehistoric fiction, and grow and change during the story. I think it's really the comparison to similar books that makes this one shine; many books set in ancient times are dry, but this one I couldn't put down. My one caveat is that it can be a bit gruesome, including violence, rape, and torture, which shocked me when I read it as a young teen. (Note to school libraries: prehistoric fiction is rarely if ever kid-friendly.) This is a long book, but it's a page-turner, especially once you get past the first 100 pages or so. If you're mildly interested in the subject but can't see yourself reading the entire series (seems like there are at least a dozen) I'd recommend going with this one; after 3 or 4 I realized they were all starting to run together anyway. In fact, if you've never read any prehistoric fiction, but you like a good thriller, I'd recommend starting here. You won't be disappointed.
—Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship
I can't remember frantically reading thru the last 150 pages of a book like this before. It was very well written and the book does an amazing job of putting you right into the story. I didn't realize how attatched I was to the characters until they started to get into risky situations and started saying they were going to sacrifice themselves for the lives of the others. I think in spots it got a bit repetitive, but looking back I think a lot of people run the same important thoughts through their heads over and over. In short, this is like a native american lord of the rings...greatly developed characters and very entertaining throughout. I would def. recommend this to others and will keep my eyes peeled for more of their books!
—Adam Sprague
