Official Review: The Shaman Cycle by George Moore
Posted: 11 Jan 2021, 14:58
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Shaman Cycle" by George Moore.]
George Moore weaves a thrilling story about shamanism. Wikipedia definition: a religious practice that involves a practitioner who is believed to interact with a spirit world through altered states of consciousness, such as trance… for healing or some other purpose. He describes The Shaman Cycle as fictional urban shamanism: "a Western adaptation that draws on contemporary and modern roots." Wikipedia.
The Shaman Cycle begins in modern-day at Geistreisender (Ghost Traveler) University, as Professor John Sackleton walks to class. His assistant, Edward Carlson, forewarns him that his class will be invaded by people who want to know his shaman secrets.
One person, Philippe Milieu, is an eons-old enemy of the professor. He is a treacherous man and manipulates Ed to assist him to capture John Shackleton and force him to reveal the secret of The Lazarus Drug: bringing spirits back to life. There is no such secret, but Milieu does not believe John and is prepared to experiment painfully on John's body and spirit to uncover it.
The Shaman Cycle is a lengthy and intricate story. What I liked most is John and Kawtehek-lun's eternal love story played out over many centuries. It began when John was an Evenki hunter, Sakhal-tun, in Siberia. Many shaman secrets and knowledge are shared with the reader, including symbols and tattoo meanings – a result of the author's extensive research and knowledge.
Kawtekehek-lun is a genuine shaman, as are her mother and grandmother; they walk with spirits. But the three shaman women share another secret, which the reader can discover as the chapters alternate between modern-day and the long and ancient past. Mary Jean Moore's exquisite cover illustration – a bear, a wolf, and a deer symbolizes the shaman cycle of Kawt, her mother, and grandmother.
If you do not know about shamanism, this story will open up this world of dreams, spirits good and evil, and reincarnation. If you already understand shamanism, the richly detailed mysticism of this story of the shaman's many lifetimes must fascinate you. There is an element of travel in this world and the dream world, and beautiful descriptions of the forests, trails, and fauna. Kawt and her family live in a yurt, which can be put up and taken down like a tent.
I rate The Shaman Cycle 4 out of 4 stars because of the author's in-depth detail of shaman life and deep research. I do not rate it 3 out of 4 stars, because of its creativity. I found three minor errors and believe the book to be professionally edited. The author makes up some words to indicate diverse characters or dialogue. There is a sinister side to the story, and some gory descriptions of slaughtering people that some readers may not enjoy, making it unsuitable for young readers.
I recommend it to people who like fantasy, mystery, eternal love, stories of reincarnation, and those who wonder if there is another plane where consciousness exists.
******
The Shaman Cycle
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
George Moore weaves a thrilling story about shamanism. Wikipedia definition: a religious practice that involves a practitioner who is believed to interact with a spirit world through altered states of consciousness, such as trance… for healing or some other purpose. He describes The Shaman Cycle as fictional urban shamanism: "a Western adaptation that draws on contemporary and modern roots." Wikipedia.
The Shaman Cycle begins in modern-day at Geistreisender (Ghost Traveler) University, as Professor John Sackleton walks to class. His assistant, Edward Carlson, forewarns him that his class will be invaded by people who want to know his shaman secrets.
One person, Philippe Milieu, is an eons-old enemy of the professor. He is a treacherous man and manipulates Ed to assist him to capture John Shackleton and force him to reveal the secret of The Lazarus Drug: bringing spirits back to life. There is no such secret, but Milieu does not believe John and is prepared to experiment painfully on John's body and spirit to uncover it.
The Shaman Cycle is a lengthy and intricate story. What I liked most is John and Kawtehek-lun's eternal love story played out over many centuries. It began when John was an Evenki hunter, Sakhal-tun, in Siberia. Many shaman secrets and knowledge are shared with the reader, including symbols and tattoo meanings – a result of the author's extensive research and knowledge.
Kawtekehek-lun is a genuine shaman, as are her mother and grandmother; they walk with spirits. But the three shaman women share another secret, which the reader can discover as the chapters alternate between modern-day and the long and ancient past. Mary Jean Moore's exquisite cover illustration – a bear, a wolf, and a deer symbolizes the shaman cycle of Kawt, her mother, and grandmother.
If you do not know about shamanism, this story will open up this world of dreams, spirits good and evil, and reincarnation. If you already understand shamanism, the richly detailed mysticism of this story of the shaman's many lifetimes must fascinate you. There is an element of travel in this world and the dream world, and beautiful descriptions of the forests, trails, and fauna. Kawt and her family live in a yurt, which can be put up and taken down like a tent.
I rate The Shaman Cycle 4 out of 4 stars because of the author's in-depth detail of shaman life and deep research. I do not rate it 3 out of 4 stars, because of its creativity. I found three minor errors and believe the book to be professionally edited. The author makes up some words to indicate diverse characters or dialogue. There is a sinister side to the story, and some gory descriptions of slaughtering people that some readers may not enjoy, making it unsuitable for young readers.
I recommend it to people who like fantasy, mystery, eternal love, stories of reincarnation, and those who wonder if there is another plane where consciousness exists.
******
The Shaman Cycle
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
