I have long been planning to read Shadow Valley by Stephen Barnes as it is the sequel to Great Sky Woman which I read and loved a few years ago. Unfortunately, it kept getting set aside for other books. I say unfortunately for two reasons, as I started reading I had some trouble picking up all the various threads to the story, but mostly I say unfortunately as this is a wonderful conclusion to the story of the Ibandi people.

These two books about a prehistoric tribe who live in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro is epic in scope. Stephen Barnes, through intensive research and great imagination, creates both a rich culture, and an intricate religion for these peaceful people. The story revolves around main characters T’Cori and Frog Hopping, who find themselves at the center of earth shattering events when their tribe comes into contact with other people.

This story is woven through with themes of group conflict, love, family ties, and spiritual beliefs. As readers we find ourselves rooting for these people to find a place of peace and security after going through both natural disaster and violent conflicts.

Shadow Valley is the conclusion of a imaginative, well told adventure story, and I highly recommend these two books of speculative history. ( )

Nice blending of Anthropological theory. ( )