The Voice of the Eagle

An assiduously researched sequel to Shuler's She Who Remembers (1991), again spotlighting Kwani, an Annsazi woman of the 13th century in what is now New Mexico. Here, Kwani, "mated" to a Town warrior and builder, will live out her life in the rapidly expanding ridge-top city of Cicuye. Driven from her own tribe and pregnant by an Anasazi, Kwani mates with Tolonqua, who takes her and newborn son Acoya back to his people. On the way, he slays the White Buffalo, a Spirit Being, presaging power. Then there's a difficult trek to the Towa village of Cicuye, and once there, the cropping up of enemies. But Tolonqua is chosen to build a new city on the ridge, and Kwani sees the death of her old enemy, who was mother to her son's best friend - Chomac. Kwani Will bear a daughter, Antelope, whose strength and vision equip her to take her mother's place as She Who Remembers - the woman with the power to be trained to pass on the secrets of women to the next generation. Years pass (Pawnees and Apaches threaten but can't overcome Cicuye) and the city grows; Tolonqua dies nobly on a hunt; Acoya is chosen both to finish the city and lead the people; and Chomac, now mated to Antelope, goes with her on a journey to trade and find his father, the playful wanderer Kokopelli (also from She Who Remembers). And Kwani goes home - her old Anasazi home - to die. In spite of some altercations on the plains or in the pueblos, the Towns are a fairly pacific bunch, and conflicts are sorted out between corn grindings, gossip, lovemaking, etc. Again, Shuler manages an arcane feel to the dialogue, and the reader feels sure that every artifact and process is documented. Not as much fun as Auel's wonder-woman prehistory adventures, but a rose-tinted, respectful "re-creation" of The Way Things Were over New Mexico way. (Kirkus Reviews)