In their first book of a planned epic series about the European explorers’ conquest of the Native Americans, the archeologist husband-and-wife bestselling writing team (People of the Thunder
) follow Black Shell, a wandering, mystical trader of the Chicaza clan who in 1539 first clashes with Hernando de Soto and his Conquistadors invading south Florida. Enslaved and cruelly mistreated by de Soto, Black Shell is soon freed by his extraordinary mate, Pearl Hand. Emboldened by his powerful “Spirit dreams,” Black Shell, aided by wily feminist Pearl Hand, swears revenge for the atrocities committed against the Native Americans and vows to defeat the brutal de Soto. De Soto obsesses over acquiring gold and spreading Catholicism in his armed scuffles with Black Shell and his intrepid band called the “Orphans,” a struggle cast as a traditional good versus evil showdown. The rich historical details and keen characterizations are offset by the graphic depictions of battlefield violence and social cruelty in this smooth, brisk-paced narrative that should generate wide appeal to American historical fiction fans. (Feb.)
