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Sacred Ground

Sacred Ground

List Price: $5.99
Your Price: $5.39
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A good mix of magic and reality
Review: I loved this book! (The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I think that should be reserved for that special, book-of-a-lifetime read.) I'm always happy to see one of Lackey's books which meld the world as we know it with an element of magic, and the addition of Native American spirituality made it even better! I first read this book at the public library, but I liked it so much I'm planning on buying my own copy. Jennifer's ambivalent reactions to David were also well drawn. P.S. If you've read this and liked it, you might also enjoy her Serrated Edge series, starting with "Born To Run."

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Stand-Alone
Review: I really enjoyed this book and just thinking about it makes me want to read it again...the story is about the abuse of the land by people who want power, and the attempt to stop it. Native American characters with their world view are sympathetically portrayed. The characters have to battle not only modern evil but old evil. Child abuse, a subject dear to Mercedes Lackey's heart, appears here too.
I found the characters well drawn and interesting and I find it difficult to put down until I've finished it.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Stand-Alone
Review: I really enjoyed this book and just thinking about it makes me want to read it again...the story is about the abuse of the land by people who want power, and the attempt to stop it. Native American characters with their world view are sympathetically portrayed. The characters have to battle not only modern evil but old evil. Child abuse, a subject dear to Mercedes Lackey's heart, appears here too.
I found the characters well drawn and interesting and I find it difficult to put down until I've finished it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: It has been several years since I read "Sacred Ground" but it is still on my mind. I really enjoyed the lead character of Jennifer Talldeer. I enjoy reading books with strong female leads. The additional ingredients of Native American lore and psychic abilities makes for a brilliant combination. I just wish there was a follow-up story ! If there is, I haven't found it yet. But it would be the next book on my reading list. Cindy

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: It has been several years since I read "Sacred Ground" but it is still on my mind. I really enjoyed the lead character of Jennifer Talldeer. I enjoy reading books with strong female leads. The additional ingredients of Native American lore and psychic abilities makes for a brilliant combination. I just wish there was a follow-up story ! If there is, I haven't found it yet. But it would be the next book on my reading list. Cindy

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Enthralling!!!!!
Review: Jennifer Talldeer is a character to remember. Reading about some of the Native American Indian rituals and beliefs was enlightening. I whole heartedly wish there were more mysteries to read centered around Jennifer Talldeer. The blend of mysticism and reality kept me spellbound to the end.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Serious Mischief
Review: Jennifer Talldeer is several people. We know her as a woman making her way as a private detective, a tough business for a man, let alone a woman. Her tribesfolk know her as Good Eagle Woman, an active participant in the powwows and a determined rescuer of Native American artifacts. Her true name is Kestrel Hunts Alone, student of her shaman grandfather Mooncrow, on of the respected Little Old Men of the Osage.

When Jennifer is called in to investigate sabotage at a construction site that appears to have disturbed some Indian remains, her instincts as Kestrel warn her that all is not as it seems. There is evidence that the artifacts uncovered at the Riverside Mall come from a far more important site. Not only are the often-malignant 'Little People' badly stirred up, but something far more evil than grave robbing is also at work. Somehow, Rod Calligan, the builder, is at the center of the trouble. He is intent on blaming the Native Americans working for him for the troubles at the mall.

Things are not made easier when David Spotted Horse, Jennifer's first lover, reappears as an Indian activist. At first, the antagonism festers between David and Jennifer, who does not agree with some of David's more militant positions. Then, as David comes to understand and accept Kestrel's spiritual role, her affection for him becomes a distraction, albeit a welcome one.

In a sense, Jennifer's real adversary is not Calligan, the Little People, the Evil One, or even her occasionally irritating grandfather. It is her own need to be perfect and to control outcomes that she must overcome in order to win her final confrontations. This is a tough challenge, one that she must face herself in her quest for a shaman's medicine-pipe.

Mercedes Lackey alternates between youth oriented fiction series and less frequent, more serious writing. While Jennifer Talldeer is reminiscent of Diana Tregarde, the occult detective, there is little similarity of style between the Tregarde series and 'Sacred Ground.' Both are strong heroines, but Diana is presented as a finished person, while Jennifer is still learning and growing. The light banter that Diana often indulges in is rare for Kestrel. 'Sacred Ground' reveals a maturity of writing that complements its plot. This is a weightier tale, but one that is much more rewarding.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Serious Mischief
Review: Jennifer Talldeer is several people. We know her as a woman making her way as a private detective, a tough business for a man, let alone a woman. Her tribesfolk know her as Good Eagle Woman, an active participant in the powwows and a determined rescuer of Native American artifacts. Her true name is Kestrel Hunts Alone, student of her shaman grandfather Mooncrow, on of the respected Little Old Men of the Osage.

When Jennifer is called in to investigate sabotage at a construction site that appears to have disturbed some Indian remains, her instincts as Kestrel warn her that all is not as it seems. There is evidence that the artifacts uncovered at the Riverside Mall come from a far more important site. Not only are the often-malignant 'Little People' badly stirred up, but something far more evil than grave robbing is also at work. Somehow, Rod Calligan, the builder, is at the center of the trouble. He is intent on blaming the Native Americans working for him for the troubles at the mall.

Things are not made easier when David Spotted Horse, Jennifer's first lover, reappears as an Indian activist. At first, the antagonism festers between David and Jennifer, who does not agree with some of David's more militant positions. Then, as David comes to understand and accept Kestrel's spiritual role, her affection for him becomes a distraction, albeit a welcome one.

In a sense, Jennifer's real adversary is not Calligan, the Little People, the Evil One, or even her occasionally irritating grandfather. It is her own need to be perfect and to control outcomes that she must overcome in order to win her final confrontations. This is a tough challenge, one that she must face herself in her quest for a shaman's medicine-pipe.

Mercedes Lackey alternates between youth oriented fiction series and less frequent, more serious writing. While Jennifer Talldeer is reminiscent of Diana Tregarde, the occult detective, there is little similarity of style between the Tregarde series and 'Sacred Ground.' Both are strong heroines, but Diana is presented as a finished person, while Jennifer is still learning and growing. The light banter that Diana often indulges in is rare for Kestrel. 'Sacred Ground' reveals a maturity of writing that complements its plot. This is a weightier tale, but one that is much more rewarding.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Ghastly--stick to Valdemar
Review: No internal logic, and the Indians all sound like Celtic magicians. Deeply condescending to Indian culture and religion--the good, powerful shamans are described as people clever enough to stay off the reservation and become middle class in a white neighborhood. Despite a lot of vague references to tribal life, you don't SEE any.

Really, stick to the Valdemar books, Lackey is more fun to read when she writes about things she understands.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Liked it, but. . .
Review: the heroine's family chose not to be entered on the 'official' list of the tribe, but it seems that when she can get any advantage from being considered Native American, she will take it. Can you say 'having it both ways', boys and girls? Sure you can.

The mystery was interesting; I don't know enough about Osage and Western Cherokee folkways to know how accurately they are depicted (my Cherokee contacts are with the Eastern Band in NC).

Although I enjoyed the book, it don't feel a burning need to read it again.


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