Mystic Visions

By Rosanne Bittner

Book Overview

ISBN: 0312865120 TITLE: Mystic Visions AUTHOR: Bittner, RosanneEXCERPT: Chapter OneEmerging from swirling clouds, the warriors rode out of the sky toward Buffalo Dreamer. Their bodies glimmered a ghostly white. Coup feathers and quilled ornaments decorated their hair. Colorful quills adorned lance covers, quivers, leggings, moccasins, and armbands. Each man wore a bone hairpipe breastplate tied to his otherwise naked chest. Some wore a bearclaw necklace. Their faces were painted black, making the whites of their eyes seem to glow.Buffalo Dreamer watched them, astounded and forward in thundering glory, their long black hair trailed in the wind. Eagles circled above them like sentinels. The hooves of galloping warhorses rumbled like thunder, but even though the riders'' mouths were open as though shouting war cries, there was no sound.Buffalo Dreamer tried to run, but she couldn''t move. Sod sprayed in all directions as panting steeds charged past her, determination on the faces of the warriors, who stared straight ahead as though unaware of her. Now she could see they were Lakota, but men of another nation rode with them-Shihenna, those the white man called Cheyenne. Suddenly the terrain changed, and Buffalo Dreamer found herself standing on a ridge, looking down at many white men wearing blue coats. More Lakota and Cheyenne rode out of the sky, until they numbered in the thousands. The fierce warriors surrounded the men in blue coats, circling, killing, until the white men were pounded into the earth and disappeared in a pool of blood. The warriors rode back into the clouds, carrying scalps and sabers, their eyes gleaming with victory.The clouds swirled around and engulfed them, then fell to the ground and took the form of a white buffalo. The sacred beast stared at Buffalo Dreamer, its eyes bright red. Crimson tears of blood trickled down the white hairs of its face. "It is the beginning of the end," it spoke. "When next I appear to you, I will die. Eat of my heart, and keep my robe with you always, for protection. And beware of the men in blue coats."Buffalo Dreamer awoke wiraid. War shields of buffalo hide hung at the sides of their painted horses, the shields decorated with hand-drawn pictures of personal spirit guides: eagles, horses, wolves, bears, birds, beavers, suns, stars, lightning bolts. As the warriors charged seemed too quiet, and Buffalo Dreamer found it difficult to remove herself from the very real dream she had just experienced. She shivered, for her dreams carried great significance. Though only nineteen summers in age, she was considered a holy woman by the Lakota. In her medicine bag she carried the hairs of her spirit guide, the white buffalo. Among all living Lakota, she alone had seen and touched the sacred beast.She pulled a wolfskin shawl around her naked body and looked at her husband, who slept soundly beside her. Because Rising Eagle was a man of vision and possessed great spiritual power, she knew she must tell him about her dream. She watched him quietly for a moment longer, reluctant to disturb him. In sleep, he appeared just a common man: peaceful, calm. Awake, no man could match him in strength and bravery, in hunting or in raiding. He had even fought the great hump back bear to win her hand in marriage, for her father had demanded the hide of a grizzly as part of her marriage price. Rising Eagle still bore scars on his throat, chest, and back from his struggle with the fearsome beast. Other markings spoke further of Rising Eagle''s prowess: a deep scar on his left calf from a battle with Crow warriors; a narrow white scar ran from above his left eye over his nose and across his right cheek, making him appear fierce and intimidating. He had sacrificed his flesh more than once at the annual Sun Dance. And twice Wakan-Tanka''s messenger, the Feathered One, had spoken to Rising Eagle in a vision, making Rising Eagle a highly honored man among the Lakota, one whose prayers were heard beyond the farthe

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312865120
• ISBN13: 9780312865122
• Release Date: May 2000
• Publisher: Forge
• Length: 316 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 5.8" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Awesome and Horrible!

I just finished reading this one, which is the second book in the trilogy. I like the fact that even though lots of details are given, it doesn't drag on and on over the unimportant stuff. I understand the reviewer who gave this book only one star, as the story is a little more graphic than what I am used to for this type of book. Although the savage acts in the book were hard to swallow, I realize that the story is simply meant to be a portrayal. I don't necessarily think we are meant to 'cheer' for Rising Eagle as he rapes a captive. I think the author is simply trying to tell an accurate story. I have to admit, that during that part of the book I was tempted to put it down, but I wanted to see how the captive fared afterwards. The book really is good again after that part, so I'm glad I finished it. That being said, I DON'T think I will read the third book, for two reasons. First of all, this second book hinted at much, much more violence to come. I know its meant to be a 'history' story, but it's not something I want to dwell on any longer. Secondly, the main characters have so many 'visions' (that always come true), that I can pretty much tell you what happens, what main character gets killed, and how. At best, I'll just go to a book store and read the last chapter, so I can hopefully see how Rising Eagle's children fared. All in all, I fell in love with most of the characters, and I read the book in one day cause I couldn't put it down, so I feel obligated to give it five stars!

Make room on your "Keeper" shelf for this one

Begins in June 1836, The Month of Making Fat. We return to the Lakota tribe. Still the same characters as the first book, "Mystic Dreamers". If you have not read the first book, do not worry, you will still understand the entire book. We see what happens to Fall Leaf Woman and her son, Spirit Walker. We witness casualties of war and some new faces.This book holds back no punches and is extremely realistic! It will make you laugh out loud, smile in joy, and scream in anger! You will feel the loss of friends from the first book and revel in the revenge of the Lakota in way that only the Lakota could do!*** This book continues where "Mystic Dreamers" (now in paperback) left off! Just as amazing as the last, this book follows history with great accuracy. A powerful and dramatic story that will leave its readers breathless! I was captivated from the very first paragraph! I felt like crying when it ended because I was begging for more! My only consolation was knowing that "Mystic Warriors" would come out. Here is a series that thousands will collect in hardback versions for their "keeper shelf". I will be one of them! ***

Great Teacher of Native American history

Anything Rosanne Bittner writes is 5 STAR! She taught me almost everything I know about Native Americans, at a time when I was craving to learn it. (Even though it is fiction, SHE has done all of the homework) THANKS ROSANNE!! Jacy Pierce

You must read this one!

Begins in June 1836, The Month of Making Fat. We return to the Lakota tribe. Still the same characters as the first book, "Mystic Dreamers". If you have not read the first book, do not worry, you will still understand the entire book. We see what happens to Fall Leaf Woman and her son, Spirit Walker. We witness casualties of war and some new faces. This book holds back no punches and is extremely realistic! It will make you laugh out loud, smile in joy, and scream in anger! You will feel the loss of friends from the first book and revel in the revenge of the Lakota in way that only the Lakota could do! *** This book continues where "Mystic Dreamers" (now in paperback) left off! Just as amazing as the last, this book follows history with great accuracy. A powerful and dramatic story that will leave its readers breathless! I was captivated from the very first paragraph! I felt like crying when it ended because I was begging for more! My only consolation was knowing that "Mystic Warriors" would come out. Here is a series that thousands will collect in hardback versions for their "keeper shelf". I will be one of them! ***

Excellent Native-American Romance

In 1836 on the Great Plains, Lakota warrior Rising Eagle learns from the shaman that he is to marry Buffalo Dreamer, a person belonging to another clan who foresees the future. After winning her hand by accomplishing the deeds set forth by her father and earning her love, Rising Eagle and Buffalo Dreamer marry.Over the subsequent years, the duo's love for one another and their growing family turn into the only thing that keeps them from deep depression. Wherever they and their tribe lives the Whites follow in masses, polluting the land and water, and bringing the deadly small pox with them. Buffalo Dreamer continues to envision the bleak future even as she predicts the one shining moment in their future, a triumphant last stand victory.Like its predecessor MYSTIC DREAMS, MYSTIC VISION brings alive a bygone era so vividly the audience believes they are observing events first hand. The entire cast provides readers with a feel of the period, especially the gloom felt by Indians as their way of life seemed destined to be trampled under an endless stream of Whites. The story line is crisp and entertaining. However, the characters with their motives, interrelationships, and the emotional stress countered by happiness make this another triumph for Rosanne Bittner and fans of historical romance.Harriet Klausner