Sister of the Sky

Rating:
Summary: great ancient historical fiction
Review:

Twenty-five thousand years ago in what is presently named Mexico, vicious traders, Old Big Nose and his son Young Big Nose, abduct Green Eyes Blue while the lass hunts rabbit. When trying to escape from her captivity, Green Eyes Blue injures the father and badly disfigures the son. Ultimately, Lord Golden Hand from the city of Tollan rescues Green Eyes Blue from the dastardly duo.

Golden Hand immediately falls in love with Green Eyes Blue even as he recognizes that she has the mark of God embedded within her strange looking eyes. Golden Hand and Green Eyes Blue prepare to marry. However, she has uncovered a deep vein of treachery within her newly adopted city. Apparently, conspirators plan to depose Golden Hand and his supporters by replacing them with followers of the tabooed Dark God. Green Eyes Blue willingly risks her life to save her beloved Golden Hand and their people.

On the surface, SISTER OF THE SKY appears to be another fantasy tale where good versus evil. However, Margaret Allan shows her abundance of talent by turning the tale into an incredible historical fiction that makes readers feel like they are visiting prehistoric America. The crisp story line feels genuine and is fun to follow. However, it is the depth to the various characters that make Ms. Allen (see THE LAST MAMMOTH) one of the sub-genre's top writers.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: I like Clan of Cave Bear series
Review: Dear Jean Auel
I enjoy the books series that you wrote on Cave People series I especially like the last one Shelter of Stones I love the ending I am looking forward to the next one. I have always enjoy stuff about cave peoples etc. I work at a Nursing Home in Commerce in the Cafteria. well I hope you have the next book out soon. your loyal reader Kathy J. Cox.

Rating:
Summary: I loved it!
Review: I absolutely loved this book! Reading it is like being transported back to ancient times. Great realism, detail, and wonderful characters.

This is one book you will enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Great, entertaining read!
Review: I just finished this one and absolutely loved it. If you are a fan of Jean Auel then you will love this book. The characters and plot had substance and suspense! Very interesting details. This was my first book from this author and will definetly continue with her.

Rating:
Summary: A great book
Review: This book has suspense, action, great characters and a great story. I simply could not believe that it has not been on the bestseller lists. I suppose it only goes to show that what one can find on the bestseller lists today is not good writing but marketing hype. This little gem was written by a real WRITER. If you want a great story with real characters, not canned plots written by overpaid "authors", buy this book!

Rating:
Summary: I like Clan of Cave Bear series
Review: This isn't near to a comparison.

Since it's easier for me to pick it apart, I'll explain what I didn't like first. ;) Lord Golden Hand is nearly impossible to like as a character, yet he is the romantic 'hero'. Several of the story concepts, such as 'Mama Root', are a bit over the top and extremely overdone. Allan practically smacks you on the head with her symbolism. The names are a tough swallow as well. 'Green Eyes Blue' is the heroine, which gets abbreviated quite often (as it is apparently too long to be palatable even to the author) and the rest of the names in the book are along the lines of Old Big Nose, Young Big Nose, Long Snake, Long Fingers, Two Belly Fist, etc. While some folks can look past that, I have a hard time with clunky sounding names. Not to mention I mixed up Long Snake and Long Fingers quite a bit. The ending is a confusing mess for the most part. I had to re-read it twice and I'm still not quite sure what happened.

But, I will give the author this. It's a very entertaining story, and the heroine is very empowered. She doesn't blindly do what others tell her to do--she has her own thoughts and ideas and plays upon them. A few of the story-lines surprised me with their cleverness, and the ending did surprise me (What I could make out of it). Allan also seems to have put in her fair amount of research in this.

But unfortunately I dont feel that it's enough to keep the story from sinking. I wouldn't read it again, nor will I pick up another book from this author.

Rating:
Summary: Mmph. I'm a fan of Jean Auel....but....
Review: This isn't near to a comparison.

Since it's easier for me to pick it apart, I'll explain what I didn't like first. ;) Lord Golden Hand is nearly impossible to like as a character, yet he is the romantic 'hero'. Several of the story concepts, such as 'Mama Root', are a bit over the top and extremely overdone. Allan practically smacks you on the head with her symbolism. The names are a tough swallow as well. 'Green Eyes Blue' is the heroine, which gets abbreviated quite often (as it is apparently too long to be palatable even to the author) and the rest of the names in the book are along the lines of Old Big Nose, Young Big Nose, Long Snake, Long Fingers, Two Belly Fist, etc. While some folks can look past that, I have a hard time with clunky sounding names. Not to mention I mixed up Long Snake and Long Fingers quite a bit. The ending is a confusing mess for the most part. I had to re-read it twice and I'm still not quite sure what happened.

But, I will give the author this. It's a very entertaining story, and the heroine is very empowered. She doesn't blindly do what others tell her to do--she has her own thoughts and ideas and plays upon them. A few of the story-lines surprised me with their cleverness, and the ending did surprise me (What I could make out of it). Allan also seems to have put in her fair amount of research in this.

But unfortunately I dont feel that it's enough to keep the story from sinking. I wouldn't read it again, nor will I pick up another book from this author.

Rating:
Summary: A gread read on prehistoric romance
Review: Twenty-five thousand years ago in what is presently named Mexico, vicious traders, Old Big Nose and his son Young Big Nose, abduct Green Eyes Blue while the lass hunts rabbit. When trying to escape from her captivity, Green Eyes Blue injures the father and badly disfigures the son. Ultimately, Lord Golden Hand from the city of Tollan rescues Green Eyes Blue from the dastardly duo.

Golden Hand immediately falls in love with Green Eyes Blue even as he recognizes that she has the mark of God embedded within her strange looking eyes. Golden Hand and Green Eyes Blue prepare to marry. However, she has uncovered a deep vein of treachery within her newly adopted city. Apparently, conspirators plan to depose Golden Hand and his supporters by replacing them with followers of the tabooed Dark God. Green Eyes Blue willingly risks her life to save her beloved Golden Hand and their people.

On the surface, SISTER OF THE SKY appears to be another fantasy tale of good versus evil. However, Margaret Allan shows her abundance of talent by turning the tale into an incredible historical fiction that makes readers feel like they are visiting prehistoric America. The crisp story line feels genuine and is fun to follow. However, it is the depth to the various characters that make Ms. Allen (see THE LAST MAMMOTH) one of the sub-genre's top writers.

Harriet Klausner