Blood Moon

Rachel Mapes is on the run, and is tired-emotionally and physically-from running. A mob of men is chasing her, their intent murderous, for they regard her as a witch. The mob draws ever closer, sniffing out her trail. The small group that accompanies her has been sent on ahead toward safety. Meanwhile Rachel gathers herself in a room where she flirts with Death.

What Rachel doesn't know is that she is being watched over by the spirits of the land. By Blue Coyote, a shaman. By Maengun, who is both a wolf and the spirit of the wolf. By Gaagaagi, the spirit of the crows, who can summon entire flocks if he wishes. Thus begins a classic conflict between a woman who wants to die and spirits who will not allow her that relief, because they know she still has a purpose in life.

Blood Moon is both intelligent and relevant. Each page seems to have at least one germ of wisdom or insight-stuff that makes you stop and ponder its other applications. This novel is not merely worth reading...but worth reading over and over again.