People of the Weeping Eye

This novel is one in a historical fiction series that covers the complex American Indian civilizations that rose and fell before the arrival of the Europeans. This particular novel is part one of two that takes place in the Mississippean Era which was from about 1000 A.D. To 1300 A.D. It's set in the south in the Black Warrior River Basin in a time of relative peace throughout the region.

Morning Dew is a young clan matron who has been captured and enslaved in a raid and now resides in a large village called Split Sky City. This raid was in retaliation of a previous raid conducted by Morning Dew's people on Split Sky City.

Her captor is a high ranking warrior named Smoke Shield. Even though Morning Dew is now a slave, she still holds the show more position of Clan Matron in her own clan. Now she wants to give that up but she's encouraged not to, interestingly enough, by Heron Wing, Smoke Shield's wife. Then in an even more interesting turn of events her ownership is transferred from Smoke Shield to Heron Wing.

Two other characters are men who are journeying south on the Mississippi River from the far north. Old White is an old man and Trader is somewhat younger. Each are dealing with their own internal demons as a result from decisions they made years ago but keep that information secret from each other.

Then there is Two Petals. She is traveling under the protection of Old White. She is haunted by visions of the future, which involve war, and when she speaks she says the opposite of what she means, which causes confusion and conflict with the other nations they encounter on the way south.

As they move south, the three locate important items stolen from Split Sky City years ago and it's finally revealed that Trader's past is somehow bound up with them.

The book ends with no answers and I'll have to wait until I am able to read part two, People of the Thunder, to find out what happens.

The complex plot has elements of love, hate, yearning, fear, suspicion, confusion, treason, and vengeance. The characters were fully fleshed out, the descriptions were vivid and the suspense kept high as I was fed tidbits of information at just the right rate to keep me hooked. It's very apparent the Gears care for this culture and era as they did an enormous amount of research to make it come alive.

Even though this book is fiction the authors placed a bibliography in the back for those who wish to do further research. They also prepared me with a "Note to the Reader" that the story doesn't end here and to look forward to the resolution that is found in People of the Thunder.

If you are looking for historical fiction that entertains as well as educates, you will find your treasure here. show less

The main problem with this People Of volume is it is a two-parter.
I do not like two-parters (let alone serial books!). That aside, this pair crafted their usual exquisite story.

If you like reading historical fiction about Native Americans, then the Gears have what you are looking for. The Gears are archaeologists who bring their characters to life through their knowledge of artifacts, customs, and rituals. People of the Weeping Eye brings together several unique characters and keeps you wondering about their various histories. This was a very interesting tale of the Native Americans of the Mississippian culture pre-Columbus and it is followed by the sequel, People of the Thunder.

I love these authors, and found this first in a two book series to be enjoyable - as I expected it to be.