PEOPLE OF THE MOON
By Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear

“…a lively tale of warring clans.”
—Kirkus Reviews on People of the Moon

“This thirteenth installment is one of the best novels in the whole series. The Gears have consistently captured early Native American life with precision, detail, and narrative excitement, but in Moon they reveal their skills to even sharper effect.”
—Booklist on People of the Moon

“So, what happened to the native people of the American Southwest in 1150 A.D and how does it relate to our society today?” This is just one of the questions archaeologists and bestselling authors Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear ponder in the “Foreword” of their newest prehistoric North American novel, PEOPLE OF THE MOON (A Forge Hardcover: $25.95; October 15, 2005).

Renowned for their thorough research and ability to paint an absorbing portrait of ancient life, the Gears are the bestselling authors of a series of prehistoric novels, including People of the Raven (Forge mm 8/2005) and People of the Owl (Forge mm 2004), which are both entertaining and profound. Their latest novel, PEOPLE OF THE MOON, is no exception. In this installment in the fascinating First North American series, the Gears explore the people of Northwest New Mexico and South Western Colorado, the builders of the famous Chimney Rock

They were called the Chaco Anasazi. They built thirty-foot-wide roads that crossed miles of mountains and mesas and constructed five story buildings which had more than 800 rooms. Their priests and warriors presided over the conquered populations of Chaco Canyon via an extensive system of signal towers that could send messages across the vast distances day or night. Messages could be sent easily, and warriors could be dispersed to quell any rebellion within hours of the start of an uprising.

The Anasazi believed their destiny was charted in the paths of the moon, sun, and stars. The moon had reached its maximum three times since the Chacoans conquered the First Moon People. The Chaco matrons had built their Great House high atop First Moon Mountain, and their red-shirted warriors stalked arrogantly through the villages, taking what they pleased. But the gods can only stand so much human arrogance.

Young Ripple had no desire to become a Dreamer, but when Cold Bringing Woman, the goddess of winter, appears at his high mountain camp, she sends him on a perilous quest to destroy the hated Chacoans. But Ripple will not face the task alone; he is aided by his stalwart friends on this mission.

But the blessed Chacoan Sun Webworm and his Dragonfly Clan matrons will brook no insurgency. In retaliation, war chief Leather Hand and his warriors embark on a campaign of terror so gruesome it remains unrivaled in the annals of prehistory. It all comes to a climax atop the mountain we now know as Chimney Rock. In the white light of the lunar maximum, the Pueblo gods will dance--and an empire will be engulfed in flames and mayhem.

To learn more about Kathleen O’Neal Gear & W. Michael Gear, visit their web site at: www.gear-gear.com/

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