People of the Fire cover

People of the Fire

by Kathleen O'Neal Gear

It is a time of fire. A small band of pioneers struggle valiantly to keep their ancestors' dreams alive in an unforgiving, drought-stricken land. Driven by the promise of an awesome vision, a heroic young dreamer and a fearless woman warrior unite to lead their people to a magnificent destiny. Little Dancer - The young dreamer whose awesome powers would change the course of history. White Calf - The ancient medicine woman who taught Little Dancer how to harness his dreams. Elk Charm - The beautiful maiden who won Little Dancer's heart, but feared she would lose him to his destiny. Heavy Beaver - The false dreamer who brutalized his people in his unquenchable thirst for power. Two Smokes - The outcast tormented by forbidden love; his gentleness concealed an inner strength. Tanager - The young woman warrior whose courage defended a dreamer's vision. People of the Fire is a story about the transition of Native American culture from Paleo-Indian to Archaic, as a result of sudden climactic warming, in the High Plains and Western Rockies region. A towering epic filled with tragedy and triumph, courage and conflict, People of the Fire is the second compelling novel in a majestic saga of America's first peoples.

More by Kathleen O'Neal Gear

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?