Dream Weaver

Rating:
Summary: Dream Weaver
Review: "Dream Weaver" by Penina Spinka is a marvelous adventure. It is the second book of a wonderful trilogy. The book was not a quick read, because it needed savoring.

Besides adventure, there is (partial list) romance, magic, Norsemen & women, Inuit eskimos, shaman magic, corrupt priests, hardship, love, triumph, and history. This is excellent writing with wonderful imagery and interesting, complex relationships.

I recommend reading "Picture Maker", the first book of the trilogy, as well. It is not necessary to read the first book first, although that may be pleasant. Just read them both!

Thank you, Ms. Spinka; you did it again, now do it again! I shall watch for the third book to debut with great anticipation.

Rating:
Summary: dream weaver
Review: After Spinka's well-crafted debut Picture Maker, Dream Weaver was a disappointment. It seemed a sloppily composed analog.

The story centers around, Ingrid, picture maker's "half-breed" daughter. Ingrid takes the reverse trek her mother took in the previous novel, attempting to make her way back to her Ganeogaona ancestors' village. There is a sense of deja vu and ennui in retracing the footsteps of Ingrid's mother.

The cultural examination of Nordic life and the birth of Christianity in Greenland also fails to peak interest as it is not very different from the crusade stories familiar to much of the Judeo-Christian world. The enlightening examination of native culture that was so powerful and alluring in Picture Maker is absent from Dream Weaver.

Without the tantalizing wonder of what will happen next or the stimulating examination of unfamiliar cultures, there is little left to recommend the book. Even the awkward sentence structure and numerous typographical errors evidence the rushed way in which this sequel was produced. Hopefully, if Spinka ever publishes a third novel, she will take her time and write one that rivals the first.

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as her first...
Review: After Spinka's well-crafted debut Picture Maker, Dream Weaver was a disappointment. It seemed a sloppily composed analog.

The story centers around, Ingrid, picture maker's "half-breed" daughter. Ingrid takes the reverse trek her mother took in the previous novel, attempting to make her way back to her Ganeogaona ancestors' village. There is a sense of deja vu and ennui in retracing the footsteps of Ingrid's mother.

The cultural examination of Nordic life and the birth of Christianity in Greenland also fails to peak interest as it is not very different from the crusade stories familiar to much of the Judeo-Christian world. The enlightening examination of native culture that was so powerful and alluring in Picture Maker is absent from Dream Weaver.

Without the tantalizing wonder of what will happen next or the stimulating examination of unfamiliar cultures, there is little left to recommend the book. Even the awkward sentence structure and numerous typographical errors evidence the rushed way in which this sequel was produced. Hopefully, if Spinka ever publishes a third novel, she will take her time and write one that rivals the first.

Rating:
Summary: dream weaver
Review: Could not put this book down. Then I had to order Picture Maker. Can't wait for next book.

Rating:
Summary: Great story that sticks to your ribs!
Review: I was very surprized reading the other reviews of Picture Maker and Dream Weaver, there were so many critical of what I found to be a very good book. However, I would advise reading BOTH books together as I found them to be really one long story, Dream Weaver is actually the end of the story. While similar in ways to the Clan of the Cave Bear as mentioned in another review, I did not find the similarities annoying and the setting and outcome were certainly different.
I found the clash of cultures encountered by the young women in the story very well described and you cannot help but empathize and relate to the characters, who I felt were very well-developed. While I do not personally know how accurate the history is in these pages, I think it opens the mind to what life was truly like centuries ago and is a great read.

Rating:
Summary: Dream Weaver
Review: The portrayal of a Native American called Ingrid is fascinating. As part Cherokee, and interested in fiction of early America, I was not aware of the extent to which other groups had reached into northeastern Canada and Greenland. A lot of realism! The detailed description of Ingrid's journey and the interaction with her father and stepbrothers illustrates interesting pre-Columbian local tribal customs about family values. It was interesting how fifeteen century European priests tried to transform her paganism to their beliefs. It made her seem mature, more independent, and I found myself relating to the character. I found Dream Weaver's story so clearly that I finished it in two evenings. It was hard to put down! The work, to me, ranks favorably with my other recommended readings that include Linda Shuler, Sue Harrison, Lynn McKee and Jean Auel. Looking forward to the next book.

Rating:
Summary: Much better than the first book
Review: This one had an original plotline that didn't seem to need to base itself on any of the Earth's children series. The only downside was that the characters weren't quite as developed as they were in the first book, and in parts it seems as though Spinka has second thoughts about where she wants to take the storyline; sometimes things you think are going to happen don't, but it's not done in the "plot twist" way, it's more like "let's try this instead". Sloppy writing, but still an enjoyable read.

Rating:
Summary: Much better than the first book
Review: This one had an original plotline that didn't seem to need to base itself on any of the Earth's children series. The only downside was that the characters weren't quite as developed as they were in the first book, and in parts it seems as though Spinka has second thoughts about where she wants to take the storyline; sometimes things you think are going to happen don't, but it's not done in the "plot twist" way, it's more like "let's try this instead". Sloppy writing, but still an enjoyable read.