People of the Silence
A Novel of North America's Forgotten Past
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4.6 • 8 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
At its pinnacle in A.D. 1150 the Anasazi empire of the Southwest would see no equal in North America for almost eight hundred years. Yet even at this cultural zenith, the Anasazi held the seeds of their own destruction deep within themselves....
On his deathbed, the Great Sun Chief learns a secret, a shame so vile to him that even at the brink of eternity he cannot let it pass: In a village far to the north is a fifteen-summers-old girl who must be found. Though he knows neither her name nor her face, the Great Sun decrees that the girl must at all costs be killed.
Fleeing for her life as her village lies in ruins, young Cornsilk is befriended by Poor Singer, a curious youth seeking to touch the soul of the Katchinas. Together, they undertake the perilous task of staying alive long enough to discover her true identity. But time is running out for them all--a desperate killer stalks them, one who is willing to destroy the entire Anasazi world to get to her.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors and award-winning archaeologists W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear bring the stories of these first North Americans to life in People of the Silence and other volumes in the magnicent North America's Forgotten Past series.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this vigorous eighth entry (after People of the Lightning) in their First North Americans series, the Gears present both an exciting tale about the age-old quest for power and a fictionalized solution to the riddle of the sudden dissolution of Anasazi culture at its peak, nearly 1000 years ago. Set in the ancient Anasazi lands of what is now northwestern New Mexico during the 11th century, the story begins dramatically, with the ritual sacrifice of a pregnant slave by the high priest Sternlight. The narrative then leaps ahead 16 years to the annihilation of a village ordered by the dying Great Sun Chief of the Anasazi in order to thwart a prophecy that a stolen child will one day return and conquer the Straight Path people. All in the village are killed except Cornsilk, a maiden of 16 "summers" whose life becomes entwined with that of Poor Singer, apprentice to the great mystic Dune. The mystery shrouding their lives--and their births--is revealed in an exciting, skillfully crafted and fast-paced story that also serves as an engrossing look at ancient culture. Often, the simple focus on what these people ate, what they wore and how they worshipped proves just as interesting as the intricate plot. The dialogue sounds strangely modern at times, but this minor flaw is far outweighed by the passion and rich detail the authors lavish on this fine addition to their fascinating series. Author tour.
Customer Reviews
Good read
I always love their books. The only thing I wish is a book strictly about Poor Singer and his endeavors. Overall a great read. Something about these books calms my spirit so.