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Falling Star
It’s been foretold she will save her people. Can this novice shaman master her art in time to stave off disaster?
Dakota Territory, 1865. Falling Star fiercely guards her tribe. Orphaned at the tender age of two, the selfless girl pours herself into learning the chants, myths, and healing secrets of a wise woman. But with her apprenticeship incomplete, she feels utterly unprepared for the challenge of her village being struck by smallpox.
Confused by a fragmented set of visions, Falling Star clings to the confidence she’s built through years of training. And as she puzzles out her totem deer’s cryptic guidance, she realizes she must convince the entire tribe to follow a new path forward if any are to survive.
Will her undying faith in the Great Spirit help halt the tide of a devastating plague?
Falling Star is the spellbinding second novella in the Red With Native Blood YA trilogy. If you like spirited heroines, poetic prose, and immersive details, then you’ll love Randal Nerhus and Marjorie Carter’s authentic tale of American history.
Buy Falling Star to witness a broken past today!
Dakota Territory, 1865. Falling Star fiercely guards her tribe. Orphaned at the tender age of two, the selfless girl pours herself into learning the chants, myths, and healing secrets of a wise woman. But with her apprenticeship incomplete, she feels utterly unprepared for the challenge of her village being struck by smallpox.
Confused by a fragmented set of visions, Falling Star clings to the confidence she’s built through years of training. And as she puzzles out her totem deer’s cryptic guidance, she realizes she must convince the entire tribe to follow a new path forward if any are to survive.
Will her undying faith in the Great Spirit help halt the tide of a devastating plague?
Falling Star is the spellbinding second novella in the Red With Native Blood YA trilogy. If you like spirited heroines, poetic prose, and immersive details, then you’ll love Randal Nerhus and Marjorie Carter’s authentic tale of American history.
Buy Falling Star to witness a broken past today!
- GenresHistorical Fiction
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2023
About the author
Randal Nerhus
12 books18 followersRandal Nerhus received a BS in Agricultural Studies from Iowa State University in 1982, and an MA in Oriental Philosophy and Religion from Banaras Hindu University, India, in 1988. Shortly after obtaining his agriculture degree, he volunteered with the Peace Corps in the Philippines. While traveling in the mountains on the island of Palawan, he visited a remote tribal village and encountered a very different way of life—one of community, contentment, happiness, and love. Fifteen years later, his interest in tribal traditions deepened while taking part in a ManKind Project initiation that used native approaches to bring men into a life of integrity. In 2002, Marjorie Carter took him under her shamanic guidance which complemented and expanded upon his early Christian foundations. From 2013 to 2016, he lived in Colombia’s Amazon jungle, learning under Cocama shaman don Rogelio Cariguasari, and relevant parts of that experience were incorporated into the novel.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 4, 2022
As a big fan of the first novella, Talks Like Thunder, I was very excited to read part two, and it was out of this world. The authors have outdone themselves in this book, with the plot so thrilling and the characters appearing as lively as they’re breathing the same air with you.
Falling Star was a miracle birth, sent from the spiritual world to become the leader and saviour of her tribe. I love that she was a born leader, who was full of compassion and strength to carry the fate and well-being of the tribe on her shoulders. Like Thunder, she was a warrior in her unique ways, and between them, there's a sisterly bond formed in the intense and dreadful journey that warms your heart.
Emotions are brilliantly depicted in the novel. I can feel the pain, the tragedy and trauma of all the characters, especially Falling Star and Thunder, and yet, somehow they still managed to fill their lives with moments of joy and wisdom, and proudly held on to their identity and heritage. A must-read!
Falling Star was a miracle birth, sent from the spiritual world to become the leader and saviour of her tribe. I love that she was a born leader, who was full of compassion and strength to carry the fate and well-being of the tribe on her shoulders. Like Thunder, she was a warrior in her unique ways, and between them, there's a sisterly bond formed in the intense and dreadful journey that warms your heart.
Emotions are brilliantly depicted in the novel. I can feel the pain, the tragedy and trauma of all the characters, especially Falling Star and Thunder, and yet, somehow they still managed to fill their lives with moments of joy and wisdom, and proudly held on to their identity and heritage. A must-read!
May 12, 2022
After reading the first book in the series, this continuation exceeded my expectations. It was exactly what I wanted and it covered such an amazing subject so well.
This second book adds a new character, a Cheyenne girl Falling Star, who is just as brave and inspiring as Talks like Thunder. Not only do we get introduced to compassionate and strong leader women, we also get to see the beautiful friendship that blossoms between them. This book shines a valuable light on native people and issues, and I hope many other Indigenous communities across the world will see themselves reflected.
I loved the immersion in the community, culture, customs, and language and the storyline itself was so strong with a lot of unexpected turns. I love reading about female friendships, especially deep ones like this one. It brings out such raw and beautiful emotions of trust,
it made my heart feel so full and broken at the same time. Poignant and heartbreaking, nevertheless the book was full of hope, friendship, and love. I can't wait to see where the finale book will take our beloved girls!
This second book adds a new character, a Cheyenne girl Falling Star, who is just as brave and inspiring as Talks like Thunder. Not only do we get introduced to compassionate and strong leader women, we also get to see the beautiful friendship that blossoms between them. This book shines a valuable light on native people and issues, and I hope many other Indigenous communities across the world will see themselves reflected.
I loved the immersion in the community, culture, customs, and language and the storyline itself was so strong with a lot of unexpected turns. I love reading about female friendships, especially deep ones like this one. It brings out such raw and beautiful emotions of trust,
it made my heart feel so full and broken at the same time. Poignant and heartbreaking, nevertheless the book was full of hope, friendship, and love. I can't wait to see where the finale book will take our beloved girls!
October 26, 2022
Wow, I don’t think I could eloquently write how amazing this novella is. It’s a really good series and I enjoyed getting to know Falling Star. How she was born and how a hard life she has had to endure. I was so happy to see Thunder make her appearance and to see both girls unite with each other. While their journey has been both sad and victorious they still have high hopes and spirits will not be crushed.
I cannot wait to see what happens next.
I cannot wait to see what happens next.
November 17, 2022
A fantastic sequel!
The second novella in the Red With Native Blood series introduces Falling Star, a Cheyenne shaman, a year younger than Talks Like Thunder, born at the same time a star crashes to Earth.
In this story, Talks Like Thunder joins Falling Star as she searches for Golden Eagle. The two girls’ friendship blossoms as they learn about each other and grow together as they travel in pursuit of their respective quests.
The characters are fantastic and jump off of the page! You will be cheering for them the entire read! The pacing in the story is quick, it’s filled with picturesque metaphor, and it will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next.
I can’t wait to read the third novella!
The second novella in the Red With Native Blood series introduces Falling Star, a Cheyenne shaman, a year younger than Talks Like Thunder, born at the same time a star crashes to Earth.
In this story, Talks Like Thunder joins Falling Star as she searches for Golden Eagle. The two girls’ friendship blossoms as they learn about each other and grow together as they travel in pursuit of their respective quests.
The characters are fantastic and jump off of the page! You will be cheering for them the entire read! The pacing in the story is quick, it’s filled with picturesque metaphor, and it will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next.
I can’t wait to read the third novella!
December 20, 2022
Good book
This is a very interesting book. The characters are different with different strengths and talents. This is a very enjoyable book to read.
This is a very interesting book. The characters are different with different strengths and talents. This is a very enjoyable book to read.
October 3, 2022
I found this book hauntingly beautiful. When I first started reading it, I didn't realize the content was written in the mannerism what Native Americans would speak given the date range it was written in, so I had to slow down reading and take in words more. I felt that the author utilized that to give more feeling to the book and pay tribute to the authenticity of the story itself. At the same time, this book was a piece of work that felt real to me.
The characters in the book had so many details, and the scenes were well thought out that I felt it was a retelling of an exact location of history.
The sad truth is that you could tell so many scenes like this from history. I commend the author for writing such a book that makes a reader want to take the time to take every moment and slow down to be closer to the moments within the pages.
The characters in the book had so many details, and the scenes were well thought out that I felt it was a retelling of an exact location of history.
The sad truth is that you could tell so many scenes like this from history. I commend the author for writing such a book that makes a reader want to take the time to take every moment and slow down to be closer to the moments within the pages.
May 27, 2024
A Must Read!
Exceptional , heart wrenching,, betrayal, anger, compassion, love, sorrow, joy. Just a few of the emotions you feel as you read these books! I am already downloading book 3 in this series!
And Thank you to the author, Marjorie Carter
Please Please keep writing!!! You're Amazing!!!
Exceptional , heart wrenching,, betrayal, anger, compassion, love, sorrow, joy. Just a few of the emotions you feel as you read these books! I am already downloading book 3 in this series!
And Thank you to the author, Marjorie Carter
Please Please keep writing!!! You're Amazing!!!
February 6, 2023
No ending
Enjoyed the story but there was no ending. I was left with the feeling of being cheated. Hung out to dry.
Enjoyed the story but there was no ending. I was left with the feeling of being cheated. Hung out to dry.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews