Zadayi Red

From Publishers Weekly In this thoughtful debut, a retelling of an ancient Cherokee myth, Sunoya, born under a sign revealing that her life would be either one of great blessings or darkness, sets out on a path toward becoming her tribe's medicine chief. When she is grown and a vision shows her people facing destruction, the responsibility to save them—at the cost of a great sacrifice—falls first on her and then, years later, on Dahzi, a boy she's rescued and adopted. Dahzi struggles with his heritage and typical teen desires as he fights for his people and eventually confronts the Immortals, the beings who created the world. Fox elegantly blends the old tale and contemporary fantasy without being anachronistic or plodding, bringing depth and humor even to often-clichéd elements such as Sunoya's spirit guide. (July) Copyright ''© Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review "“[Fox has] done a truly remarkable job of bringing forth the North American Indian traditions, and I do not think anyone has done it in this way before."--Vincent Wilcox, retired curator of Native American artifacts at the Smithsonian Museum, on *Zadayi Red *"Fox possesses a rare skill in masterfully telling a'' story. He is a true storyteller in the tradition of Native people."--Lee Francis, Associate Prof. of Native American Studies, University of New Mexico "Caleb Fox is a major new writer. Adventure, drama, emotion, magic, imagination, mysticism, insight into prehistoric peoples--this book is an amazing ride into the unknown!"--Tony Hillerman A compelling new voice in fantasy brings us a tale like no other in the genre. A young Shaman of the Galayi people has had a powerful and frightening vision: it is of the Eagle Feather Cape, the gift of the Thunderbird, which is worn by the Seer of the People to see the future and gain the guidance of the gods. The cape is torn and bloody, and it will no longer bring visions to the Seer of the People. But the Shaman's vision also tells her of the cure: a child will be born to the People, a hero who will restore the cape and return the goodwill of the gods to the People. Dahzi may be that hero, if he can survive the hatred of his grandfather. He was born after his mother’s death, as she fled from her father’s anger. But Dahzi carries the hope of all of his People, along with the power to become a great Chief. He will be tested--by his family, by his people, and by the Gods.Zadayi Red is a magnificent retelling of a Cherokee legend. It brings to life an ancient people and a time of magic in a warm and intimate storyteller’s voice. A compelling new voice in fantasy brings us a tale like no other in the genre. A young Shaman of the Galayi people has had a powerful and frightening it is of the Eagle Feather Cape, the gift of the Thunderbird, which is worn by the Seer of the People to see the future and gain the guidance of the gods. The cape is torn and bloody, and it will no longer bring visions to the Seer of the People. But the Shaman's vision also tells her of the a child will be born to the People, a hero who will restore the cape and return the goodwill of the gods to the People. Dahzi may be that hero, if he can survive the hatred of his grandfather. He was born after his mothers death, as she fled from her fathers anger. But Dahzi carries the hope of all of his People, along with the power to become a great Chief. He will be tested--by his family, by his people, and by the Gods. Zadayi Red is a magnificent retelling of a Cherokee legend. It brings to life an ancient people and a time of magic in a warm and intimate storytellers voice. A tale based on a Cherokee legend finds young Dahzi, a prospective hero hated by his angry grandfather, struggling to overcome a series of tests by both his family and the gods in order to restore a sacred object that protects his people