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Roc, March 2003, 6.99, 368 pp.
ISBN: 0451459164
On an alternate earth in which the white man tried to settle the Great Plains, the Cheyenne aligned itself with other tribes and formed an Alliance that was able to halt the settling of their lands by the people who wanted to escape the crowded cities of the East. President George Custer, who was not defeated at Little Big Horn, is determined to make the territory part of the United States. His son George Jr. has made a life for himself with the Cheyenne and is determined to stop his father.
Through a curious series of events the Spanish ambassador from New Spain (California) washes up on shore near the Cheyenne encampment. When he is nursed back to health he persuades the Cheyenne to align themselves with his government so he can act as a liaison between the Alliance and the United States. After much debate they agree to travel to Washington to see if they can work out a treaty that would settle the borders once and for all. They are making progress until a tragedy occurs, one that sends George Jr. to prison and expels the Cheyenne from the country.
Readers get a glimpse into how the Cheyenne on this other world manage to hold the United States military at bay. Readers will admire but feel sympathy for George Jr. who turned his back on his family and his country because he couldn't condone genocide. He is a man with a foot in both worlds yet belongs in neither and he is starting to realize that in SHADOW OF THE STORM. Kurt R. A. Giambastiani has written another classic in his delightful alternate Americana series.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Kurt R.A. Giambastiani Scholar
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Overall Review
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dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence - 10% planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- alternate history
Political power play
Yes
Political plotlets
- preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Cultural problems, alien culture
Yes
Culture clash-
- one human from different culture of other humans
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- warrior/knight
Age:
- 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- politician/elected ruler
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Earth setting:
- 19th century
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- none/very little science jargon needed
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
