Five Star Science Fiction/Fantasy - New Coyote

By Michael Bergey

Book Overview

The creatures of legend have come upon hard times. Their power stems from human belief, but humans believe in "Science" now. We have little use for magic. Even Coyote - shiftiest and most adaptable of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1594143226
• ISBN13: 9781594143229
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Five Star
• Length: 376 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.8" x 1.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Every good thing and more.

There aren't enough good things I can say about this book. It is a genre bending roller-coaster ride. It touches on mythology, ghost stories, werewolves, and magic, as well as a fair bit of science and animal psychology. It's humorous at times, and cover-clutching dramatic at others. By the time you are finished Bergey will have you believing in Sin-Ka-Lip (Coyote), a real narrative rather than a work of fiction. "What if?" As a native of the Pacific Northwest, it is readily apparent that the author is a resident of his story's setting. The small details that only a local would know. Absolutely worth the $20. I'm sorry I put off buying it as long as I did. The sequel is on my short list. If you are considering buying this book, Do!

Great blend of animal and counterculture fantasy

Disclaimer: I knew Mike when he was in college, but haven't seen him for thirty years. I was surprised to see that he had written a book, and even more surprised to find that I enjoyed it. I kept checking the cover to see if it was written by Tom Robbins. New Coyote reads a bit like Another Roadside Attraction, although not so raunchy and with animals. It probably is not a coincidence that both Bergey and Robbins live in western Washington. New Coyote follows the adventures of a group of aging hippies and their strange creation, Coyote. Coyote's origins are either in high tech bioengineering or in ancient shamanism. Mike knows enough about both to thoroughly muddy the waters. The book is told from Coyote's point of view, so it is understandable that he can't really explain where he came from. The theme of the book is Coyote learning who or what he is. Every time he (and we) think that it is all figured out, he finds out that there is much more to learn. All he really wants is to be left alone to live with his family on the farm (and maybe cause a little bit of trouble...). Unfortunately other people think that he might be useful. Mike is a veterinarian, and it shows in his knowledge of animals. Most stories told from an animal's point of view ignore the realities of animal life, New Coyote doesn't.

Thuper!!

Once you get past Coyote's lisp, the story is funny entertaining and a pretty good capture of Native American Coyote (Trickster).

Excellent storytelling, captivating characters, laughter throughout

I didn't mean to stay up all night reading this, but I did--and without once using a bookmark. From page one, I fell headlong into the world of Coyote, a mythological trickster who is reborn in present-day Washington State and grows up with a human family. We're along for a rambunctious ride as they gently but firmly try to guide him, in his formative years and a magnet for mishaps, with a level head and a sense of modern morals--and fail utterly. What a fun, charming, irreverent, thought-provoking and thoroughly delicious story. I laughed throughout, and the book is already on my short "must read again soon" list. The author seems to have uncanny insight into the workings of the animal mind. The narrative seamlessly combines this perspective with Coyote's developing human intelligence and the dawning mindset of an ancient god. At some times this gives us a unique, wry sideways glimpse of our own society; at all times, it makes for excellent storytelling. I feel like sharing this book with everybody I know. The more readers touched by Coyote's magic, the better!

fun urban fantasy

Sunbow Farms was once a commune but now only Mooney lives there with Coyote, an animal who can talk. Mooney's main crop is marijuana so she can pay the taxes on her multi-million dollar land grant. It is a successful enterprise until the police discover it and arrest Mooney. Now she must find another way to pay the taxes or loose her land. Mooney's friend John visits them accompanied by a blind girl suffering from amnesia. Moose and Coyote bond immediately but when Coyote becomes friends with a werewolf, something magical happens to him so that he change on the night of the full moon. John explains to Coyote that John's totem Fox had him mix human DNA into a cell which reproduced and created Coyote. Though of Native American legend Coyote wants to learn the White Man's Magic (science) and has no memories of his life in the spirit realm. A bad magical entity has entered Coyote and Fox says he will have to kill him to protect others in the mortal realm. Coyote doesn't want to die now that he has found someone to love. NEW COYOTE is a cute urban fantasy showcasing a character who is young in years and wisdom but has the potential to fulfill his mission if he doesn't get killed by the many dangers that he seems to attract. Readers will find him adorable and hope that there will be future books that continue his story. Michael Bergey blends New Age mysticism with Native American mythology to create a work that is quite special. Harriet Klausner