Synopsis
In the sequel to Mother Earth Father Sky, Chagak's two sons vie for the affections of Kiin, a young woman who becomes an unlikely heroine in a bizarre series of events. 75,000 first printing. $75,000 ad/promo. Tour.
Reviews
YA-- Set in the prehistoric Aleutian Islands, this is a sequel to Mother Earth, Father Sky (Doubleday, 1990). At her birth, Kiin's father had planned on killing her so that his wife might immediately produce a son. She is saved, however, when the chief claims her as the wife for his infant son. Her life is one of difficulty and abuse--her father beats her regularly and gives her to traders for the night to improve his exchanges--but her inner strength enables her to survive through the turbulent, stormy times. This moving story keeps readers in its grip because every hint of peacefulness is upended by another difficulty. Although YAs will enjoy this novel as much as its predecessor, it is more disturbing as the excellent characterizations involve readers significantly, causing them to share the tense emotional drama with Kiin.
- Jacque line Craig, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
A second foray into prehistory by the author of Mother Earth Father Sky (1990). And we're definitely talking prehistory, circa 7000 B.C., in the Aleutian Islands, where the sons of the orphan Chagak and her chieftain husband, Kayugh (both of the First Men tribe, and from Harrison's first book), share a passion for the same woman--Kiin, the viciously abused daughter of Grey Bird. When Kiin was just a babe, Kayugh promised her father that he'd marry her to one of his boys--and it's expert knifemaker-son Amgigh who gets her because his brother, Samiq, must go to the island of the Whale Hunters to learn how to hunt the whale, a skill that he's to bring back to his own people. But before Samiq goes, Amgigh lets him sleep with Kiin (as is the right of a husband). Then, however, Kiin's abducted by her awful brother Qakan (who tells Amgigh that she has died). He rapes her and sells her to Raven, a would-be shaman among the Walrus People who thinks that the twin sons Kiin bears will bring Raven power. But when Qakan falls out with the Walrus People, he steals Kiin again, resulting in his long overdue death at Raven's hands and a reunion between Kiin and the First Men. And this is where one would think the story would end, except that Harrison has a few more tricks up her sleeve--of the sibling Sturm und Drang nature--meant to make followers queue up for book three. Harrison does prehistoric inner life better than anyone, and Kiin's abuse strikes familiar chords without seeming at all anachronistic. The author is not, however, a master plotter, which frustrates but still shouldn't keep prehistoric-fiction fans stuck in their Jean Auel. (Literary Guild Dual Selection for May) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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