Let the Drum Speak is the 3rd in Shuler's series about
Kwani, She Who Remembers. These are books that need to be read in
order as you need the history of the characters and to know how everyone
relates to everyone else.
This is the story of Antelope, Kwani's
daughter who has traveled far to the East with her mate in search of
good trading. They come to a city where a being called the Great Sun
rules. And that being wants Antelope and is determined to have her no
matter what. But he doesn't want to deal with the inconvenience of her
child, especially when it makes such the perfect sacrifice for an
upcoming festival. With her mate nowhere to be found, Antelope must
find what friends she can if she ever has a hope of returning home.
I
never really realized that there were Queen and King figures in North
Native American tribes. The civilizations that were described sounded
more like the Mayans or Aztecs, especially with the talk of Jaguar
pelts. So I learned more about the people of the area, if the
information is indeed true. Antelope is only a little more likable than
her mother Kwani. They are both pretty selfish and concerned with
their own worth, but at least Antelope mellows out a bit with time. Far
Walker I actually liked. Of all the men in these stories he actually
didn't act the womanizer and was decent. The rest had some pretty large
fatal flaws and weren't the best people. At least the younger ones.
This
story moved with a better pace than the previous two. And the story,
despite spanning a number of years, had enough description to make it
realistic. There's still the usual vivid descriptions of sex, rape and
violence though, so reader be warned. There are a number of plot
contrivances in this book (and the previous) that always make me
question some of it though. Like how people are always against Kwani
and her daughter. It seems that their lives are needlessly hard and
everyone is out to get them. While I recognize that sometimes powerful
people have a hard time with people wanting to bring them down, I've
just always felt that it's skewed a little too much in these books. But
they're still enjoyable, and if you like prehistory you'll probably
like these books. And you even get a little bit of real history as the
author has done research before writing them.
I think there's a
fourth book in the series and I might see if I can get my hands on it.
I'd like to know how the story ends and these books are decent enough to
keep reading.
Let the Drum Speak
Copyright 1996
446 pages
Voice of the Eagle is the second book in Shuler's
Kwani series. I would say that this is definitely a series you need to
read in order, as it makes reference to characters and events that
happen in the previous book. You'd be a little lost if you started out
on this one.
Kwani has had her son and become the mate of
Tolonqua, a handsome hunting chief. They return to his home where she
is mostly welcomed, despite her blue eyes. But not all is well.
Tolonqua is the leader of a group that wants to build a new city. One
that will be better protected. But some have reason to hate him and
Kwani and don't want to see that happen. And they will try everything
in their power to stop it.
This book has the same problem as the
first one in that the characters just aren't that likable. They all
think they're pretty special and above the rules of society. Some
humility would not be unwelcome. And they're a bit selfish as well.
While I recognize it probably makes the book realistic, I still wanted
some character I could care about and really root for. And the bad
guys, well let's just say that there is always at least one that is
easily taken care of and they don't have any redeeming qualities at all.
I
think part of the problem with the characters is on account of the
pace. This is a big book but it moves very quickly. So much so that my
favorite part, the last section, was not nearly long enough even though
it was the most interesting. I enjoyed hearing about Kwani's children
grown up and everything that was happening and even Kwani became a more
likable character. There is a lot of history and information that was
provided in the book though and I think it was well researched for a
work of fiction. I'm sure there are some errors, but it's clear that
the author spent time learning about what she was writing. I will put
in my standard warning that there is graphic mention of sex and violence
in the book, but it was all keeping with the time and setting of the
book.
I'll read the third book. I want to know what happens and
where the story is taken from here. But once again I'll be hoping for
some better characters.
Voice of the Eagle
Copyright 1993
615 pages
She Who Remembers is the first book in the Kwani
series by Linda Lay Shuler. A prehistoric fiction, it is compared to
the Clan of the Cave Bear series quite often. And while I see some
similarities, I don't think it's quite as engaging as that series.
Kwani
is of the Pueblo, Anasazi actually. But because of her startling blue
eyes she is accused of being a witch and driven from her home. It is
during her wandering that she stumbles into the path of Kokopelli, a
proud and mysticized trader that decides she is perfect for his mate.
But Kwani may be meant for more, and will her love for Kokopelli hold
her back?
I can't say that any of the characters in this book are
really likable. They're all quite selfish actually. And Kwani I
didn't quite understand. She's born an Anasazi, yet when she goes to
another tribe they have to explain customs to her that are shared across
the tribes. It seems like she should have known them all already. I
can understand when she goes to tribes that are not Anasazi and having
to learn the customs, but that wasn't the case all the time. Kokopelli
was a jerk and definitely not how I had envisioned such a popular
figure. In fact, I think men were done a real disservice in this book
because most of them didn't have anything good about them and were seen
as controlling. While I recognize that men play a stronger role in some
cultures, it just painted too broad a brush on their personalities.
But
as much as I complain about the characters in this book I do have to
say that the plot was well done. It was engaging, hard to put down and
really researched quite well for being fiction. I learned things about
the Southwestern region that I didn't know before. And the journey was
lifelike and exciting. So much of what Kwani had to endure was probably
true to the times and realistic. There was a lot of sex, and some of
it was quite graphically written (and there is rape as well) so anyone
who doesn't like these topics in a book should probably steer clear.
There is also some violence.
I'm definitely looking forward to
reading the next book and hope that the character development is a bit
better. Or that there's at least a likable one. The series has such a
great premise that it could be something truly terrific with those
aspects.
She Who Remembers
Copyright 1988
395 pages
