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Top reviews from the United States

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DaveL

Seeing the world through different eyes

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2014

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Circles is a beautifully written story depicting the lives of the fish people, a small -American Indian tribe at the time of the Europeans’ arrival to the continent. The characters are richly drawn and endearing, especially the young boy, Feather Floating in Water, whose powerful dreams foreshadow the impending threat to his people. As he grows, these dreams force him at too tender an age into leading his people through a time of crisis .

I’m not qualified to say how accurately the culture or history is portrayed. Since it’s a work of fiction, it doesn’t matter. Suffice it to say that the culture is spiritual but in a way that differs from our own, with deep ties to nature. Animals have names and serve as spirit guides, elders are honored, and dreams are visions that guide the tribe through difficult times.

If you’re looking for a western action-adventure, Circles will not be your cup of tea. The author takes you inside the hearts and minds of an almost mystical people, who live their lives in innocence, at peace with everyone and everything around them, lives filled with humor, mystery and wonder.

Some reviewers have worried about the long (and sometimes changing) names. These require a bit of work on the part of the reader but this so-called problem puts Circles in the same realm as books by Murikami, with unfamiliar Japanese names, or Garcia Marquez, whose Hundred Years of Solitude has many characters with identical names across generations. The brief introduction at the beginning of the book is worthwhile and can facilitate the understanding of the characters and culture.

Circles possesses a lyrical style, reminiscent of a book like The Little Prince, but with a unique view of American Indian culture. If you enjoy dwelling for a time in the hearts and minds of those with a different yet beautiful relationship with the world they live in, you will enjoy this book. It does what all good books do—it allows the reader to see a special world through different eyes.

Observer One

Like An Oasis in a Hot Dry Desert

Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2015

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The first line or two seemed simplistic to me and then the magic happened. This book is like an oasis suddenly appearing in a hot dry desert. The characters are loving, patient, deflect irritation with humor, think foremost about the group and feel humiliated if they don't. What a delightful departure from unwarranted randomly used memes of specific sexual encounters [been there and done that for too long to be anything but bored]; random memes of violence. The violence and sexuality of the book are brief enough to fit perfectly.. Relationships of people, generations, animals, and tribes are skillfully woven into a magical inspiring whole story that is a page turner without any cheap tricks. Ruby Standing Deer knows how to weave a story and I am grateful to her, love her characters, and look forward to reading the next two books of the series.

MEB Haskell

A young boy learns to see into the future to protect his band .

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2018

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Would probably rate this as 4.5. Very well written with a great feeling for the young people who are on the threshold of becoming adults, earlier than most. I have no idea of the authenticity of the thoughts, feelings and customs of a band of people’s of this period in Earth history. What I do feel is that the writing is consistent i
n how such a world would have been. This story was slow reading, because there were so many characters and name changes.
I have followed Native American philosophy and life styles. This book certainly could be the precursor of that philosophy. The writing is frequently poetic and moving and the love between the band members is very clearly depicted.
I will certainly read the rest of the series.

Michele Halliwell

Fabulous story, beautiful visuals. worth the read, and reread, and reread, and....

Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2016

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This story is well told. Fleshing out the characters, explaining the whys and reasons the characters choose the life changing choices they do. It follows some children through to adult (Please note that adulthood came early. It wasn't dependant on a magical number, but on actions.) Each book can be read as a stand alone, reading the set makes the journey even more enjoyable. It should be noted that though the story is in english, the descriptive language used to the story more authentic. It only enhances and adds to the ease of a visual effects that the story has even if this wasn't used. All in all, a great story well told. This one of those books that become a reread many times over.

Seaside Or reader-marshall

Excellent Read

Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2016

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Ruby Standing Deer is one of the most captivating writers I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I have read all 3 of her books and the characters follow through from book to book. The story is realistic, the characters are so real that I found myself becoming attached to each one of them. I have read other books about different tribes of Indians and found them way to sexual and bloody. This series CIRCLES, SPIRALS, STONES, is so good I was saddened when the series ended so I looked to see what else she had written and at the time there was nothing in print so I re-read them.
I found she is waiting to get out book 4 of this series and had written some short stories under the title evolution. I am still waiting for her 4th book.
FYI: The reader is extremely good at changing her voice for each character.

Top reviews from other countries

John Chapman

A beautiful story of what should have been.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2012

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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.

Eve Wright

Inspired and inspiring

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2013

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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!

Taoyota

I enjoyed the book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 12, 2018

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

cerruti

Brilliant

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 13, 2012

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

Heather Pearson

More than a coming of age story

Reviewed in Canada on March 18, 2015

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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.

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