Moon of Thunder [First Edition]

Spanish Bit Saga #7

by Don Coldsmith

Rabbit must ride far from home with the Spanish Bit--his people's medicine--to become an adult. When he is attacked by an enemy tribe and the Bit stolen, he stalks a wild stallion to ride against the enemy chief in a desperate bid to regain his people's talisman. Doubleday.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Historical

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Don Coldsmith was an American author of primarily Western fiction. A past president of Western Writers of America, Coldsmith wrote more than 40 books, as well as and hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles. His “Spanish Bit Saga,” a series of related novels, helped to re-define the Western novel by adopting the point of view of the Native Americans, rather than the European immigrants.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me open by saying: I am a horse girl, and this book is classic horse girl plot. And I love it.

Rabbit receives a vision showing a marvelous, red mustang stallion. With the blessing of his Chief, and grandfather, he sets out on a quest with a sacred talisman of his people: the Spanish bit of his grandfather, used to tame and control mustangs. But Rabbit is attacked by an enemy tribe, and both the talisman and his mare are stolen. He must retrieve both and complete his vision quest before returning to his tribe.

Quick pacing made this a fast read, and the plot ensured it was a good one. Richly detailed, but not overbearing, it's plain to see that the author deeply researched the era and the culture of Native Americans at this time.

This book has action, adventure, and romance all in one; it's classic Western material for sure!

While this book is part of a series, it isn't necessary to read the previous books to understand this one. The introduction covered a lot of the history that was referenced in the story, and within the story the relevance of references was thoroughly explained.

[Sean Sanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series rules. Every book is pretty much it’s own story, starring another member of the family and tribe of Heads Off and The People.
This one’s about Rabbit, one of Heads Off’s grandkids. He has a dream to follow a crow and a horse, so he wakes up and gets to it.
He goes alone on a voyage to a completely alien part of the country, and meets a family-like tribe with whom he falls in. He also meets their sworn enemies though, and shit gets real.
Book 7 of the Spanish Bit Series. I think the next one keeps going with the bad guys, The Blue Paints, which def excites moi.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really good installment of the Spanish Bit Saga. I enjoyed reading it.

[Partridge Public]

Coldsmith, Don

[TOTO from Kansas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

stupid kids book, a wasted 4 hours, never this author again

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second book I've read from this series. Good light summer read. Will be reading more from the Spanish Bit series!

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good "Western" story. It's actually not like your normal American Western tale. Lots of nicely developed characters and a nice continuing storyline. Recommended

[sarg · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Moon of thunder" Don Coldsmith
America’s Indians in late 1500 not a cowboy and Indian read. Good quick read gave it 4 stars