Blackfeet Season

A chronicler of the history of Native Americans, Munn (Seminole Song) once again turns to their historic struggle for identity and survival in her new tale of love, courage and family bonds. In the early 1860s, life is precarious for the Blackfoot tribe on the Western plains. Many enemies surround them--the Snakes, the Crow, the Cree and the ever-encroaching white invaders. In this hostile environment, Night Thunder comes of age, participating in his first Sun Dance and achieving warrior status while hunting horses that have been stolen by raiding Snakes. Also jostling for honor and rank is Raven's Cry, Night Thunder's older half-brother. Soon the two find themselves vying for the hand of White Calf, a clairvoyant woman so beautiful it will cost many horses to marry her. The rivalry intensifies and Raven's Cry ultimately succeeds in winning White Calf; Night Thunder finds love with Little Rain, a Cree captive taken in a raid against the Crow. But this happiness is threatened when Little Rain is taken prisoner yet again by the Snakes, and Night Thunder undertakes a desperate journey to find her. Munn details many intriguing aspects of Native American life, including buffalo hunts, practical marriage unions and an immutable code of honor. Articulating more interiority and character development than is sometimes found in this genre, while not sacrificing the requisite action, she sturdily constructs an unpredictable tale. (Mar.)