Circles (Shining Light's Saga Book 1)

Feather Floating In Water's life has always been peaceful. He's proud to be a member of the Fish People and lives his life to the fullest. He's young and carefree and has been taught to appreciate the world around him. Every day he gives thanks for the bounties that Father Sun and Mother Earth have provided for him and his family. Things have never been better for him, yet he cannot help but feel a tad disturbed by the unexpected dreams that surface every night.For as long as he can remember, Feather has been plagued by visions he cannot explain. His spirit guides have shown him things that have not yet happened, but which he knows will come to pass. He knows he'll need to make sense of the situation when the time comes, but he doesn't quite know how. Never-the-less, he's determined to remain strong in the face of such adversity.As the moons pass and he grows older and stronger, he comes to understand that there's a far greater purpose for him and his people than he ever imagined. His dreams are full of meanings he does not yet grasp. Dreams that tell him of his people's future, one he knows is right around the corner for which they must prepare for.When it becomes apparent that he's not the only one that's had the disturbing dreams, Feather comes to understand that he has a destiny he must fulfill. Danger is coming and he is destined to lead himself and others to safety. Deep inside, he isn't sure if he can do just that, but he'll do his best to complete the mission the Spirit guides have given him. Granted, not everyone believes in his visions, but he's determined to keep his people together, at all costs.With his grandmother by his side and his beloved family instilling the needed values for him to make use of the dreams he's had his entire life, they soon prepare for what's come. The path to safety and prosperity is littered with obstacles they must all overcome. Feather knows he must find the courage within himself to succeed.He knows he's not alone in the path he's now treading. There are others alongside him that will give him the support he needs in order to find their promised land. The Circle of Life takes him and his people, along with those they find along the way, through a journey that will change their lives forever and bind them together in more ways than one. A journey none of them will ever forget that cements their place within their people's lore for as long as they live.Steeped in Native American legend, Circles is a story that will give the reader further insight into their beliefs and their way of life. Each of us here on Earth has a purpose, whether we want to believe such a thing or not. Utilizing such vivid descriptions, Ruby draws you in to a world where the simplicities of life are all that's needed to live a peaceful and fulfilling life. Granted, there are dangers around every corner.Through these wonderful characters we're able to live their lives and feel their pains, passions, and uncertainties with every turn of the page. No matter your beliefs, this story is a spiritual journey full of good values and morals that's sure to keep the reader fully engaged within the story itself, be they young or old.

Perfect for anyone looking to read to or with the family. Ideal for kids to learn about indigenous culture in North America circa 1500, before the invasion of Europeans. A terrific book to understand the deeply felt symbiosis between “early” inhabitants and their environment, including great lessons about how to get along with nature. A different kind of coming-of-age story from the perspective of a boy who ages from nine to fourteen, learning about how to live on and with the land and its many creatures. This is a gentle read—humane, kind, poignant at times, with plenty of doses of sweet humor. The pace is leisurely with well-placed action that isn’t overly violent or unsettling but captures the dramas of these people before and after the influx of Conquistadors to the Southwest. A story about a culture rich with dreams and symbolism that gives them both purpose and meaning.

I do so love historical correct native American reads and especially when written by a native American such as Ruby Standing Deer, so I took a chance on this new to me author.I will have to say that I was somewhat disappointed in the book as a whole but greatly satisfied with parts which makes for a mixed review and the 3 star rating. I wanted to give it a 4 star but had to be honest with myself.I did enjoy the cast of characters which became a little tedious for me to keep up with because of the name changes of the characters during the read. Most of the main characters had at least one name change and a few were on there way to a third but that is not a big deal to most folks but for me it was a little bump in the reading road.There was a lot of factual narrative, based on my many reads of native American culture and this part I loved. The title "Circles" is indeed what the book is about and ties together the belief that we are all tied together, humans, animals, plants, the universe and we must all strive to maintain the balance..and Ruby Standing Deer makes this clear in this book. However, for me it was a little too much of this narrative with too many pages of visions/dreams and the meanings of the visions/dreams. This caused the book to move to slowly for me though it was interesting to see how visions/dreams played a part in the native American culture.I would have preferred a little more action, a few scrapes with life changing events, more pages devoted to the hunting and gathering and the dangers presented during this day to day challenges. But that is me, I would have called this a complete novel with these additions to the read.Overall...I am glad that I read it and will most likely read the sequels to see how the characters develop and if the action picks up a little in the new land they travel to.Can't say don't try this one...but will have say...don't go into it expecting to be on the edge of your seat when reading.

This beautifully written book puts experiencing the lives of the characters and the culture in which they live at the forefront. “Circles” moves at its own pace, in its own way. One can easily imagine this being a story handed down orally in a traditional society, where the importance of dreams, spiritual connections with animals and the land, and with other members of the band are paramount.Certainly, action, and the portent of terrible things, are present. But this book gives us a fresh perspective into how people’s whose lives and mindsets differ from the traditional “Western” way of thinking might have coped with radical, and sometimes violent change. The hardships are there, but they are secondary to the lives of the protagonists and how they adapt and grow.It's a different way of storytelling, and it seems totally in keeping with the traditional society that is so richly depicted. Recommended to those who enjoy something out of the ordinary.

Circles is the story of a young Indian boy who lives his life at the time of the first appearance of Europeans in North America. His tribe are known as the Fish People and live their lives peacefully in a canyon hunting, fishing and gathering without metals and where the horse is unknown.The boy has been given the name 'Feather Floating on Water'. When we first meet him he is eight years old and lives with his grandparents, Hawk Soaring and Bright Sun Flower, and mother, Makes Baskets. They have a beautifully touching relationship and live in harmony with the world around them, giving as much as they take.Feather is bothered by dreams however. His dreams warn of impending disaster as bearded men make their appearance in their world killing, enslaving and disturbing the harmony of the world as they go in search of gold. His grandmother, a wise woman of the tribe, helps him understand these dreams and guides him through his steps through childhood to an early manhood at age 14. The author takes pains to explain that not all of the bearded men are evil but most do not understand how to live in harmony.Many in the tribe know Feather is a special boy and this belief is strengthened as Feather makes friends with a wild wolf and becomes a protégée of a holy woman fleeing with her group from the Europeans. Feather takes on a new name 'Shining Light' and leads his people, and other tribes, to a new land where they will be safe.The story is strongly written and will appeal to those who believe that mankind should live in harmony with nature. If you expect savagery and blood - look elsewhere.

I can't get enough of Ruby's writing and the worlds she creates with her words and her imagination. But I feel it isn't just imagination, nor a special creativity as much as a soul link to a world - not that might or should have been, as another reader has put it - but one that did in fact exist for many. Ruby has tapped into the "mother-lode" of the essence of a life that needs to be remembered now, as we emerge from the new "Dark Ages".This is not just fantasy fiction. It is a kind of idealistic picturing of what humanity is capable of (and still is!). Otherwise, could Ruby capture it?If you're looking for fiction that will lift your spirits and touch your soul, you've come to the right place!

I read the book for pleasureI enjoyed it I’m a bed time readerit was an easy entertaining read

I loved reading this book and can't wait to read the next.Brilliantly written, great characters, highly recommend this to all.

Regardless of the time period or the culture, it is not always straightforward for a boy to become a man. Even before he was born, others knew that Feather Floating in Water was destined for great deeds. He would lead his, and many other peoples to a new and safe land. He was not left alone to achieve this; he had the wisdom of several elders and the words of his ancestors and spirit guides to teach him.This story is set around 1500 in an un-stated North American location. For most of the story I pondered which tribe these people might be and where they lived. After I finished reading, I finally realized that it didn't really matter; it wasn't a narrative of a specific tribe, rather that of a way of life and of a belief system that could be applied to many peoples.The Band of Fish People are peaceful. Their way of life shows respect for the animals that provide for them. Through his dreams, Feather Floating in Water, learns that he must lead his tribe and others that will come to follow him to a new land. His belief in the ways of his people is strong and he trusts that the elders and those that have come before will guide him. I was impressed with how Ms. Standing Deer conveyed this belief system and made it feel real to me. She had me carefully reading the words of the ancestors.While it took me a few chapters to get into the gentle tone of the book, but the closing chapters, I was totally involved with the characters and was fearing for their continued safety. This is a gently told story which was a good reprieve from the business of my everyday life.This story should appeal to a wide audience from chapter reading grade school children on up to seniors.