“Adventure, drama, emotion, magic, imagination, mysticism, and insight into prehistoric peoples. This book is an amazing ride into the unknown!” — Tony Hillerman
Told in a warm and intimate voice, The Promised One is the magnificent retelling of a Cherokee legend. It brings to life an ancient people, and the dangerous journey one young hero makes to heal his People’s relationship with their gods. One powerful man stands in his way … his grandfather.
A young Shaman of the Galayi people has had a powerful and frightening vision: it is of the Eagle Feather Cape. This gift of the Thunderbird is worn by the Seer of the People to see the future and gain the guidance of the gods.
The cape is now torn and bloody, and it will no longer bring visions to the Seer of the People. But the Shaman’s dream also tells her of the cure: a child will be born to the People, a hero who will restore the cape and return the goodwill of the gods to the People.
Dahzi may be that hero, if he can survive the hatred of his grandfather. He was born after his mother’s death, as she fled from her father’s anger. But Dahzi carries the hope of all of his People, along with the power to become a great Chief. He will be tested by his family, by his people, and by the gods.
“Win Blevins and Meredith Blevins create a compelling new voice in fantasy. They bring us a tale like no other in the genre.”
Reviews
“A truly remarkable job of bringing forth North American Indian traditions. I do not think anyone has done it in this way before.”—Vincent Wilcox, retired curator of Native American artifacts at the Smithsonian Museum.
“The Blevins’s possess a rare skill in masterfully telling a story. True storytellers in the tradition of Native people.”—Lee Francis, Associate Prof. of Native American Studies, University of New Mexico.
“A retelling of an ancient Cherokee myth, Sunoya, born under a sign revealing that her life would be either one of great blessings or darkness, sets out on a path toward becoming her tribe’s medicine chief. When she is grown and a vision shows her people facing destruction, the responsibility to save them-at the cost of a great sacrifice-falls first on her and then, years later, on Dahzi, a boy she rescued and adopted.
Dahzi struggles with his heritage and the desires of youth as he fights for his people and eventually confronts the Immortals, the beings who created the world. The story elegantly blends the old tale and contemporary fantasy.” Publisher’s Weekly
“A young female shaman of the Galayi tribe has a frightening vision of the destruction of the Eagle Feather Cape, a sacred protective artifact given to the tribe by Chief Thunderbird. Her visions also tell her of a child whose gifts may heal the cape and restore the goodwill of the gods. The birth of a young boy, despised by his grandfather, may provide that savior, if the boy survives his many trials.
VERDICT: The Promised One blends fantasy traditions with Native American culture and myths to create a unique atmosphere of nature magic and Indian lore. Fans of Native American myths as well as fantasy should enjoy this new twist on a young man’s rite of passage and his date with destiny.” —Jackie Cassada, Library Journal
“With intensive research of Cherokee mythology and first-rate storytelling skills, the Blevins’s (first edition written under pen name ‘Caleb Fox’) who are part Cherokee, debuts a fantasy series that is a fine introduction to Native American culture and folklore.
“This prehistoric tale begins with Sunoya, a young shaman preparing to become tribal Medicine Chief, who has a vision about the demise of her people, the Galayi. Seeking council from Tsola, the Seer and Wounded Healer of the Galayi, she forgoes the path of becoming chief to follow the Seer’s prophecy and raise a motherless boy whose life she has saved. This adopted son, Dahzi, must overcome his own selfish wants and desires and make necessary sacrifices to save his people and become a great chief of the Galayi.
“While including many details of traditional Native American customs and tribal practices, the authors also manage to contemporize this mystical and magical tale of shaman and warriors with adventure and humor to sustain readers from start to finish.”—Melanie Parsons, Fairfax County Public Library, VA, School Library Journal
“… As our hero grows up, he faces many perils: His sinister grandfather hates him; tribes at war threaten him; and he must undertake a dangerous mission. Religion-tinged magic suffuses the story throughout. Sunoya, for example, has telepathic conversations with her spirit-guide and converses with a wide variety of animal-deities. Win Blevins, himself half-Cherokee, provides an insightful portrayal of the daily lives of an ancient people. The Blevins’s draw effectively on Native American mysticism to create a fine fable.” Kirkus Reviews
(Originally published with the title, “Zadayi Red.”)