People of the Longhouse

The Gears, both archeologists, tack on another mostly accomplished novel to their meticulously researched North America's Forgotten Past series (after People of the Thunder), this time focusing on the northern Iroquois of the early 15th century. This is a period of strife as tribes fight over resources and take child slaves to replenish dwindling tribal populations. The village of the People of the Standing Stone has been wiped out, and the captive children are sold to Gannajero, a vicious woman who buys and sells children as sex slaves. Among the captive children are the son and daughter of Koracoo, a female war chief, and Gonda, her husband and deputy. As the children are subjected to brutal treatment, Koracoo, Gonda, and two rival warriors pursue them, though their mission is filled with peril. Fascinating detail about ancient customs is mixed in with the bloodshed and torture, and though the plot barrels forward, it dead-ends in an abrupt and utterly disappointing conclusion. (July)