The Ivory Carver Trilogy: Mother Earth Father Sky, My Sister the Moon, and Brother Wind

Ivory Carver #1-3

by Sue Harrison

Now in one volume, the sweeping Native American trilogy set at the dawn of human civilization in Alaska, from an international-bestselling author. Following the lives of three incredible Aleut women in prehistoric Alaska, the Ivory Carver Trilogy has been hailed as “more successful than Clan of the Cave Bear” by the Washington Post Book World and “moving and credible” by the New York Times Book Review. Now, experience all three insightful and touching novels in this one epic volume.  Mother Earth Father After her tribe is slaughtered, a young woman, Chagak, is left alone to care for her infant brother. With nothing left to lose, she sets out on a dangerous quest for survival—and revenge—among the icy waters, vicious enemies, and frozen tundra of Alaska.  My Sister the Kiin has been betrothed to the son of the tribal chief since birth, but her heart belongs to his brother. When she is suddenly taken from her people, hardships, love, and chance will change Kiin—and ultimately lead her to a new destiny.  Brother Finally content with her hard-won life, Kiin is devastated when she’s thrust back into the nightmares of her past. Across the land, Kukutux, the wife of a Whale Hunter, faces starvation and hostility when she finds herself widowed. As their paths converge, the two women must find the strength in their hearts to withstand the cruelties of man, nature, and fate.   Filled with impeccable research and extraordinary characters, the Ivory Carver Trilogy is an unforgettable, must-read saga of family, love, survival, and history.   

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical, Native American

1256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 18, 2013

About the author

Sue Harrison is the author of six critically acclaimed and internationally bestselling novels. Mother Earth Father Sky, My Sister the Moon and Brother Wind make up The Ivory Carver Trilogy, an epic adventure set in prehistoric Alaska. Song of the River, Cry of the Wind and Call Down the Stars comprise The Storyteller Trilogy. Sue’s young adult book, SISU, was released by Thunder Bay Press . Her newest novel, The Midwife's Touch, first book in The Wish Thief Trilogy was released in February 2023. It was chosen as an Upper Peninsula of Michigan Notable Book and selected as a semi-finalist in the Society of Midland Author's 2024 Adult Fiction Awards. In 2025, her middle-grade readers chapter book, Rescuing Crash, the Good Dog was released by Modern History Press.

Sue Harrison was born in Lansing, Michigan. The first of five children, she was raised in the town of Pickford in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where she lives with her husband, a retired high school principal. They are blessed with a daughter and a son, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.

A graduate of Pickford High School, Harrison graduated summa cum laude from Lake Superior State University with a B.A. in English Language and Literature. She was named Lake Superior State University’s Distinguished Alumna in 1992, and served eight years on the university’s Board of Regents.

Harrison’s first novel, Mother Earth Father Sky, was published in 1990 by Doubleday (hardcover) and Avon (paperback). It was nominated in the states of Michigan and Washington for the Reader’s Choice Award among high school students, and was one of ten books chosen for “Battle of the Books,” a statewide student reading competition in Alaska. The novel as had success in both the adult and young adult markets, and was a national bestseller. It was selected by the American Library Association as one of 1991′s Best Books for Young Adults.

Harrison’s second novel, My Sister the Moon, (Doubleday/Avon 1992) has also received recognition by reading and school groups throughout the United States and was a Baker and Taylor top ten in library sales. Both Mother Earth Father Sky and My Sister the Moon were Main Selections of the Literary Guild Book Club and alternate selections of the Doubleday Book Club. Brother Wind, Harrison’s third novel was released in hardcover by William Morrow, October 1994, and in 1995 as an Avon paperback. The novel was chosen as an alternate selection by both the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs. Song of the River and Cry of the Wind were both published by Avon Hardcover/Avon paperback, a division of Hearst Books. The third book of The Storyteller Trilogy, Call down the stars was published by Morrow/Avon in 2001 and 2002. It was featured alternate of the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs.

Harrison’s books have also been published in Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Spain, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Japan, France, Finland, and South America.

Harrison is represented by Victoria Skurnick of the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, the 5 stars pretty much say it all cause I don't give many. I also don't often read trilogies complete, but this one sucked me in and would not let me go. I will miss these characters! Such a great read!

[Sandra Karle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting story. Slow moving in areas but well-written and I had to finish the story.

[Stephen Sutton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, as far as I got... I'm almost ashamed to say that I didn't complete it! 😞 To be honest, mid-way through the second volume, it (for me) became quite boring and almost repetitive. One of your reviewers got it right, by saying "it's not the Clan of the Cave Bear Series." - I get it, it's probably not meant to be but, if that's the case, why does it try so hard 'to be?' Some of the plot-lines are very similar but, again, for me, are not so convincing or engaging as COTCB. They do not 'draw-in' the reader in a way that one almost 'owns' the prose in the way that COTCB 'certainly' does. So much so, that once having read the series (COTCB), one wants to read it 'all over again!' I don't think the Ivory Carver Trilogy has that power, or instills in the reader that same kind of ownership of the 'Love' of the prose; plot or characters?
Who knows? I might return to the books, sometime in the future. But not anytime soon I'm afraid?

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten stars

Fascinating, engrossing, captivating, suspenseful, all barely describe each of these connected stories. Who could believe people living 7000 BC could be so interesting. Can you imagine women living barefoot in Aleutian Islands,wading out in those cold waters to launch their boats, commonplace to find food, prepare it, store it, while caring for menfolk and babies!

[Sherry Bowie]

Loved it but nothing will ever beat the Clan of the Cave Bears series.

[Katsim Simons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three stars for the story, five for the background research into American Indian and other tales that formed some of the basis. I had to force myself to finish this one. I liked the first book, it reminded me of Island of the Blue Dolphins. But as the second and third books dragged on, I got quite tired of how the evil men and evil women always triumphed over the more likeable characters. In particular, the sympathetic female characters got treated poorly so consistently in these stories, or disappeared out of the story entirely. I made myself complete it, to see how it ended, which was in a rush with little satisfaction to it did me. So much work was spent on the build up, and then so little in resolving it all. It leaves me unwilling to read the next trilogy. That’s unfortunate, since I feel the author did do a nice job of using various native myths and legends as inspiration.

[Sean Wright Neeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Epic Tale that Never Sags

Nonstop action. Beautiful & authentic imagery. I could smell the cooking meat, and see the tunics the characters wore. This beautiful tale is one everyone should read for diversity's sake. It's a welcome break from cell phones, TV, and cars.

My only criticism is that I caught a few mistakes. No worries though. They were few & far between.

This book is lengthy, but worth the wait. Harrison also does a superb job of building tensions. Bravo!

[Sherry Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

From sherry smith

About Sue Harrison, My friend And favorite author:
Sue is the best author I have ever read in my favorite genre. I know her only through texting and emails , however , I have gotten to know her well And can tell you that I know personally that she travels to onsite and delves deeply into the cultures, language, backgrounds, histories as well as personal information of individuals. Read all of her books! You are absolutely going to love her!!

[Scarlet Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite in the "prehistory" genre! Not as 'true-to-life' as, say Jean Auel or Linda Lay Shuler, magic weaves in and out of this epic and it seems to be based on some legendary ancient story I've not heard of, but it's a lovely and gritty exploration of hard life in a magical, ancient world!

[Barbara Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it

I have not read a book about early people in years, I have read a lot in the past. I felt this book was well done, the end was predictable but that's ok with me. I enjoyed the intertwining of people and stories and they were done well. I thoroughly enjoyed the book(s).

[Kit Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

I fell in love with the historical approach to a rich story of native people, entrenched in all the trimmings of humanity. I loved the rawness of each of these stories.

[teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterfully done

This novel is exceptional. Following the life of a Chagak as a young lady until she is a grandmother. You travel with her thru tragedy, hardship, brutality of the region she lives in and the being a woman in this era. This novel.is a piece of art.

[Snezana Lindskog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning!

[Charles Muscato · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Jean Auel's Earth Children's series I had a hard time finding anything closely to it. Sue Harrison has done a good job of capturing my attention and keeping it.

[EL Core · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unexpected page-turner. A bit slow in some places in the third book, I think, thus only 4 stars. But well worth reading all the way through!

[Kathleen Oweegon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

Well developed characters, great twists and turns to the stories. I thoroughly enjoyed this series and I highly recommend it.

[Sandra Marie Hermida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

Beautiful story of hope, triumph, and survival! I loved both her trilogies of the Alaskan paleoindians. The characters were so real.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well researched and written

The characters are well developed and the stories are beautifully woven together. Lots of action to follow in each chapter

[Bonnye Reed]

OpenRoadMedia 3.99

[Stephanie Badger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book I have read Jean M Auels books about 10 times I so enjoyed them this trilogy is just as good if not better never thought I'd say that. Just started next trilogy.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good ending

The final book really sums up the trilogy. Very happy with the way things turned out for them. Would recommend

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in the trilogy. The author does a fabulous job of giving you information without being tedious about it. The story was interesting and moved along nicely. It gives you a nice feel for what life might have been like in that time and place. By itself, I would have given it a 3.5 or 4 star rating. The next two books in the trilogy were just unrelenting misery, almost seeming like a bad soap opera set in the Aleutian Islands around 7000 BC.

[Kris Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, learned some while reading. I did get really tired of the length of the abduction and torture components. I occasionally thought of giving up on the story, particularly once I got to book 2, but I'm glad I plowed through the tough parts. It was a tough life and time. I enjoyed seeing the different lifestyles across communities and the differing roles of women and the strength of the women.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so sorry that my Kindle kept skipping around between the books. It was so interesting to see how they lived, what they ate, how they used every portion of the animals they caught. I was fascinated, even though the novels moved through different stages and villages and I became confused about which one I was reading. The character were so real that you felt a part of their lives.
Toward the end, I couldn't put it down.

[Carobe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Istidssagan
Moder jord,fader himmel

Min syster månen

Min bror vinden

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out strong with the first book. Started to get repetitive and pretty sad near the end.

[Vanessa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read with a depth of knowledge about life in early Alaska. Or at least I assume so. I'm not in a position to critique the accuracy.

[Ann T. Walsh]

Alaska

I loved these books I was sorry when they were finished even though they were extremely long. I look forward to the next books

[Robert J. Ashforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This trilogy was captivating. If your preference is for action, action, action, the carefully crafted character development and the focus on the details of daily life may not keep your attention... but for me they deepened the reality of the characters.

Without giving anything away, I can tell you that I found the conclusion enormously satisfying, again appreciating the careful tapestry woven by the author.

I'm looking forward to reading the 'Storyteller' trilogy... but will wait until I can spare the time to be captivated once again. :-)