I loved this book, the third one in the Earthsong trilogy. It wasn't quite as stunning and amazing as the first two books in the trilogy (The Year the Horses Came and The Horses at the Gate) but it was close. It kept me turning pages and was full of plot twists and turns. I enjoyed seeing how the ancient world slowly changed due to the advent of the nomads.

I have only two complaints about this novel. First, I wanted more follow-up on some of the characters from the previous two books in the trilogy. There were a few characters, such as Dalish, who played fairly significant roles in the previous books but who get barely a mention in this one. Secondly, I think the author has used a tactic too often in the trilogy----you're led to believe that a main character has died, only for them to miraculously survive. Each one of the three books has this tactic used, and by the time I read The Fires of the Spring, I knew that the character we were told was dead was going to re-appear. And I was right.

Despite these few minor flaws, an excellent read and a great finish to the trilogy. Actually, I hope Mackey writes a sequel to this one as well!

The Fires of Spring was an incredible trip for my imagination. Sprinkled throughout are aspects of love, war and laughter. Marrah's story, which consisted of the first two books, has become the story of her daughter, Luma, and Keshna, the daughter of Arang and Hiknak. Keru, Luma's twin brother, has been captured (yet again) by the Hansi who desparately need a legitimate Great Chief. Keru is the acknowledged heir, although he is born of the neighboring lands of peace. In this story, Luma and Keshna, two young women who are different, a combination of the Motherpeople and the Steppes, set out on an enchanting but dangerous quest to rescue Keru. Many surprises lie in store if you read this book. Along with the expereince comes the reminder that life is not perfect and that people must grow and change. This book depicts two adapting cultures- one that is trying to fight and the other that begins to lose its sweet innocence in the face of the fires of spring.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the third in Mackey's series. Her writing is wonderful, and the extent to which she researches her material is clear in the flow of the story, and the way she weaves detail into the telling of this tale.

A *very* good read!!

Mary Mackey's follow up to "The Year the Horses Came" is just as good as its predecessor, maybe even better. Several great themes are explored in this work, including the quesiton of how the peaceful Motherpeople can defend themselves against the nomads without becoming like them.

Throughout it all, there's Mackey's inspiring writing, suspence, drama and romance. After reading this and and its predecessor, I wonder how any other novel can come anywhere near as close.

By the way, I recommend the novel "The Fifth Sacred Thing" by Starhawk to anyone who enjoyed this one.

I have also read the work of Marija Gimbutas, have done pencil tracings of many of her illustrations and am working on a few ceramic miniatures and computer artwork using some of the Neolithic decorative motifs. I have also completed a short story set in Neolithic Europe. Mary Mackey, however, is a far better and more involving storyteller than I probably will ever be. Anyone longing for a better, more peaceful and egalitarian world cannot help but become emotionally involved in all three volumes of the Earthsong Trilogy series. One minor quibble: the front cover illustrations of the smaller paperback editions are utterly absurd. Mackey clearly states that Marrah's (the heroine/priestess') deerskin dress came down to "about mid-calf"; the illustrator has it coming to about mid-thigh, making it awfully tricky if one ever had to bend over. The front covers of The Horses at the Gate and The Fires of Spring are even sillier; nobody could survive a winter on the Ukrainian steppes dressed like THAT (see the cover of Horses at the Gate); and the young woman warrior's costume on the cover of The Fires of Spring owes more to Xena than anything Neolithic people would have actually worn. But the storytelling is marvellous; in fact I would love for these stories to be filmed, and I would like to take part in writing the musical scores for any films that come of these stories. If this may be coming in the future, please contact me at karen@capitolhill.net to discuss.

This book along with "Horses at the Gate" brings the prehistory of Europe alive. I have read "When God was a Woman" and "The Chalice and the Blade", both MUST reads, and this series is the perfect complement to them. Please read my review of "When God Was a Woman". May the Goddess be rethroned in our lifetime! I'm a guy saying this too!

This is an excellent story of the wonderful and horrible cricumstance in which pre-historic peoples may have lived. MacKey's expert telling of the clash between Martifocal and Patriarchal societies illustrates the effects of culture clash not only on the subjucated but the victorious as well. I would recommmend this book to anyone has any interest in history, matrifocal culture, multiculturalism or a fan of a good story.

A Grand Passion was a very good book. As a dancer myself I found it very believing and interesting. I have read this book five times and all of those times I enjoyed it even more. I thought that the author did a very good job of putting three generations of a families history of dance and love together. I highly reccomend this book because it is very interesting and believable.