People Of The Lightning (First North Americans)

Plot

The Gears' mastery of the historical novel, allied with their tremendous experience as professional archaeologists, has made their earlier blockbuster novels of the pre-Columbian North Americans critically acclaimed international bestsellers. Now, in People of the Lightning, they take us to ancient Florida, to a village of fisherfolk who must face their deepest fear: Pondwader, a lanky youth of fifteen summers. He is the White Lightning Boy - the first of his kind to be born in tens of tens of summers. His white hair, pink eyes, and pale skin make him fearsome enough, but legends foretell that a Lightning Boy will make Sister Moon bury her face in the clouds and weep falling stars - and the winds of destruction will be unleashed. The village folk manage to trade him to Musselwhite, a woman warrior who doesn't really want him. She must face an old enemy who has captured her beloved husband, and who is determined to destroy her. What good to her is this pale, softhearted youth? She has yet to learn that Pondwader is a Lightning Boy. He can hear the voices in the wind, telling of horror to come.