Shadow of the Moon is a story about prehistoric Native Americans, how they lived in tribes, took care of the land, depended on the riches it offered, and how, as human beings, they dealt with each other.

The characters are developed with care. The protagonist Nura is the tribal chief’s daughter who is kidnapped by the northerner Keluk for revenge. Keluk is a young hunter whose village was attacked by Nura’s tribe. During the attack, Keluk’s brother was killed, and this prompted Keluk to want revenge.

Nura, a kind and obedient daughter, is a healer who knows a lot about the healing power of plants and, in the beginning of the story, is unaware of the worldly ways and how to survive on her own. But deep down, she is brave and fearless. Nura’s father wants her marry Sarik, one of his hunters and the villain in this tale. Sarik is also the warrior who led the attack against Keluk’s village. Nura wants to have nothing to do with Sarik as she knows Sarik is not a good man. So when Nura is kidnapped, the tribe assumes she left to escape her marriage to Sarik.

The plot mainly revolves around these three characters, but other important (and well-developed) secondary characters also aid in the adventure and journeys of these individuals in a landscape, at times savage and cruel, yet at other times, stunningly lovely and bountiful.

The story flows smoothly and the descriptions of the land are inserted skillfully into the action. Although, the main theme is survival, other secondary themes inside the book such as love, forgiveness, insight and foresight, bravery, and respect for the elders and the tribe also play a major role in the storyline.

On the negative side, I thought the change in Sarik during the last pages was forced on him by the author, possibly for the second book in the series. My reason for thinking this is: Sarik’s change is not explained well. It neither happened slowly through understanding nor after a sudden, life-changing experience that resulted in an epiphany.

Nevertheless, I found the story highly interesting and very enjoyable. I also liked the writer’s style very much.

the author's smooth style that didn't give in to sensationalism

is Karah Quinney who writes Prehistoric Romance.

it is easy reading without losing anything from its literary quality.

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Created Mar 14, 2014 at 6:17pm • Submit your own review...