Book Review of #2 My Sister the Moon by Sue Harrison
Author: Sue Harrison
ISBN: 0-380-71836-7
Publisher: Avon Books
Part of a Series: Ivory Carver Trilogy; Mother Earth, Father Sky prequel, Brother Wind Sequel
Type of book: 7039-7038 PCE, Alaska, Aleut, incest story, twins, rivalry, culture clash, young adult to adult
Year it was published: 1992
Summary:
An abused and unwanted daughter of the First Men tribe, young Kiin knows the harsh realities of life in a frozen land at the top of the world. In an age of ice nine millennia past, her destiny is tied to the brave sons of orphaned Chagak and her chieftain mate Kayugh-one to whom Kiin is promised, the other for whom she yearns. But the evil that her own family spawned drags the tormented young woman far from ehr people-where savage cruelties, love and fate will strengthen and change her...and give her the courage to fight for the future of her own helpless progeny.
Characters:
The characters seem to be three dimensional and fascinating; at least the characters of Amgigh, Samiq and Kiin. The evil characters are one dimensional and why they blamed Kiin for their misfortunes is not easily explained. I think of the two Qakan will arouse far more disgust than another. Personally for me, Amgigh was a difficult character to understand because at one point in the story he reveals a devastating secret about someone, yet later on he backs up the person in some areas and treats him nicely. Samiq is also interesting and does hist best when it comes to fulfilling duty towards his family, often sacrificing his personal feelings. Kiin really evolves in the novel, from being a frightened stuttering young woman to a woman with twin sons who is ready to defend her family if needed.
Theme:
Any woman can become stronger as the time will go on.
Plot:
This is written in third person point of view, omniscient. I honestly do think that this could be a stand alone novel of sorts because at some points it does cover the events from the first book and some things about the characters are revealed (although a family tree will also reveal those things as well.) At some points I doubt that many readers will like the views of First Men towards Whale Hunter women or whatnot due to cultural differences. (Samiq is often disgusted with Three Fish,) The story also seems to flow naturally and not much suspension of belief is required.
Author Information:
(from sueharrison.com)
Sue Harrison is the author of six critically acclaimed and internationally bestselling novels. Mother Earth Father Sky, My Sister the Moon and Brother Wind make up The Ivory Carver Trilogy, an epic adventure set in prehistoric Alaska. Song of the River, Cry of the Wind and Call Down the Stars comprise The Storyteller Trilogy. Sue’s young adult book, SISU, was released by Thunder Bay Press .
Sue Harrison was born in Lansing, Michigan. The first of five children, she was raised in the town of Pickford in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where she lives with her husband, a retired high school principal. They are blessed with a daughter and a son, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.
A graduate of Pickford High School, Harrison graduated summa cum laude from Lake Superior State University with a B.A. in English Language and Literature. She was named Lake Superior State University’s Distinguished Alumna in 1992, and served eight years on the university’s Board of Regents.
Harrison’s first novel, Mother Earth Father Sky, was published in 1990 by Doubleday (hardcover) and Avon (paperback). It was nominated in the states of Michigan and Washington for the Reader’s Choice Award among high school students, and was one of ten books chosen for “Battle of the Books,” a statewide student reading competition in Alaska. The novel as had success in both the adult and young adult markets, and was a national bestseller. It was selected by the American Library Association as one of 1991′s Best Books for Young Adults.
Harrison’s second novel, My Sister the Moon, (Doubleday/Avon 1992) has also received recognition by reading and school groups throughout the United States and was a Baker and Taylor top ten in library sales. Both Mother Earth Father Sky and My Sister the Moon were Main Selections of the Literary Guild Book Club and alternate selections of the Doubleday Book Club. Brother Wind, Harrison’s third novel was released in hardcover by William Morrow, October 1994, and in 1995 as an Avon paperback. The novel was chosen as an alternate selection by both the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs. Song of the River and Cry of the Wind were both published by Avon Hardcover/Avon paperback, a division of Hearst Books. The third book of The Storyteller Trilogy, Call down the stars was published by Morrow/Avon in 2001 and 2002. It was featured alternate of the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs.
Harrison’s books have also been published in Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Spain, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Japan, France, Finland, and South America.
Harrison is represented by Rachelle Gardner of WordServe Literary. She is currently writing women’s contempory fiction for the inspirational market.
Opinion:
Personally speaking this could be a stand-alone novel because it takes place eighteen or so years later and things that happened in first novel are revealed. Reading the first one will add more enjoyment to reading this one. Unlike the previous novel, this one has more viewpoints such as Kiin, Samiq, and to some extent Amgigh, Qakan and Gray Bird (Waxtal). It is a page turner and the characters are easy to relate to. It's also interesting to see the culture clashes between Whale Hunters and First Men, how the Whale Hunters seemed to be a tad bit matriarchal while the First Men is patriarchal and especially Samiq's disgust towards Three Fish, his wife from Whale Hunters clan and his longing for Kiin.
4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)
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