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A Solid First Novel -- by Georges T. Dodds,
SFsite.com: B.G. Smith has done well in writing a book which, while
steeped in gynocentric mythology and ritual and obviously designed for a
predominantly female readership, also has sufficient adventure, powerful male
characters, and graphic but not gratuitous sex, to interest the typical male
reader. Smith has also done well in not writing a rambling "fat novel" for her
first effort, though she does pack a lot of material into the book. She has
kept the story down to two main plot lines and avoided lengthy tangents. While
their themes are extremely different, the succinctness of her writing reminds
me of Richard Matheson, whose novels and short stories, while evocative, are
very efficient in their use of words. In Matheson's case, this is likely linked
to his years of screenplay writing where text must be cut to the bone.
Similarly in Smith's work, her years of writing advertising copy have served
her well in creating a work that reads quickly and fluidly without being exempt
of emotion and panorama. Where Secrets of the Ancient Goddess is a bit weak is
in its "Hollywood realism." It does seem that Smith has researched the era of
which she writes in some detail. However, while never stated outright, one gets
the impression that however grim the circumstances, the women all have their
hair done and the men are each wearing their best shiny sword. Undramatic
things like epidemic diseases, endoparasitism, the constant drudgery of hunting
and gathering, the lack of basic sanitation and anything but the most
rudimentary medicine, and the resultant short life expectancies of the
neolithic people are so many things that are glossed over for the sake of the
story. There are plenty of brutal killings and rapes and the like, but these
are the sorts of plot devices that while perhaps realistic in the context, also
simply play well for shock value. On the other hand, the depiction of the
characters' evolving response to events in a psycho-theological context is
fairly well done, though given the absence of written documents from this era,
our recreations of ancient religions are guesses at best. Overall, Secrets of
the Ancient Goddess is a solid first novel. The prehistoric novel is certainly
a writing niche occupied by a limited number of authors, so B.G. Smith should
easily be able to continue in this literary form. The plotting and feel of the
novel will appeal more to a female readership, but should not leave men
unsatisfied. Besides, if some of us can't take the new female prehistoric
heroines we can always go and rent Encino Man.
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An Absorbing Tale
-- by Nancy Olson. The Eugene Register Guard: Brenda Gates Smith's
first novel has many intriguing components, but first and foremost it is simply
an absorbing tale of prehistoric times. It takes place in 5700 B.C. on ancient
land that is now Turkey. The well-paced story evokes the magical feeling that
is often present in one's youth when reading the high adventure found in myths,
fairy tales and other fictional fantasies. But this fantasy belongs to today's
mass market romance genre, so take heed; it's got some adult content. But when
you mix the novel's eroticism with its other components - including goddess
mythology, nature-based and feminist spirituality and the exploration of power
in ancient cultures, themes that give the book a New Age connection - you have
the makings for some lively reading. Happily, the magic of pure adventure
prevails. It makes for some pretty heady stuff, and Smith does an excellent job
of keeping readers not only engrossed but often on the edge of their seats. The
author moves back and forth skillfully between Yana's story and Henne's. While
Yana surrenders to an adoption ritual that few people survive, Henne pits the
power of the goddess against that of Ralic's god in some heart-stopping scenes.
Smith develops her characters as skillfully as she does her plot, and
attachments to them are quickly and easily formed. They are interesting and
multidimensional, and Smith artfully reveals their many facets; by the book's
end, the reader cares very much about what happens to them. She is working on
the sequel to "Secrets of the Ancient Goddess." Aficionados of the romance
genre will very much enjoy Smith's well-written first novel and will look
forward to the next (Goddess of the Mountain Harvest)
 Amazon.com 5-star Reader Rating -- Excellent book about strong
women, set in the distant past: This book was hard to put down, the story
lines are engrossing, the main characters well drawn and believable.It made a
pleasant change to read about strong women on a journey towards enlightenment
and understanding. There were many unexpected surprises which had me gripping
the pages,bringing home the uncertainty and danger of their lives.In the
process I learned a great deal about prehistoric times, and the journeys women
take across the ages on their search for an identity. I thoroughly enjoyed
reading this book, it held my attention and interest, I cared about the
characters and want to know more about what happens to them after th ebook
ends. How about a sequel?
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I Wished
I Had a Time Machine -- by Kit James, OneMagazine: It's true. Just five
thousand years ago women ruled. They were the center of the family, they had
the last word, they were regarded as wise and magical, as life givers and
mother to all. Their laws were not questioned, and violence was not tolerated.
Sex was a beautiful thing, not dirty, not a weapon. Brenda Gates Smith revisits
Turkey in 5,000 BC, in this wonderfully, intricately detailed tale of a village
caught in the winds of changing times. The old system of matriarchy and the
new, forcefully insistent development of patriarchy are clashing violently in
their valley. The goddess is being replaced by a god, as a frightening northern
tribe atop horses turns away from agriculture and harmony with nature and
towards pillaging, kidnapping, murder and rape. The careully thought out
rituals of the village are mesmerizing, the descriptions of the sweeping,
fertile valley enticing. I wished I had a time machine. (This is a sequel to
Secrets of the Ancient Goddess, but you can read each independently without
being lost).
Rich with Imaginative Details -- by Diane Rae Schulz, Awakened Woman
e-Magazine: This engaging story, set in 5700 B.C. in an area now called
Turkey, transports the reader to a place where the Great Goddess was
worshipped, and war was definitely not the order of the day. But this peaceful,
horticultural society was already feeling the invasive energy of another people
they called "barbarians." Smith's novel speaks to a time of great upheaval and
change as the traditional matriarchal, and incipient patriarchal peoples meet
and make decisions that will affect the course of history thereafter. Smith has
researched her archeological material thoroughly. Her presentation is rich with
imaginative details about life as it possibly was lived in prehistoric times.
There is also a romantic tone to her characterization: themes of unrequited
love, passion between the sexes, rivalry and betrayal, mystery and magic ritual
--; all entwine their tendrils around the main characters. Smith gives us a lot
to reflect on. Find yourself a comfortable spot by the fire this winter, let
your mind be absorbed into another time and place, a time of volcanic change,
but a place of decisive and divinely inspired intelligence. Smith seems to
suggest that we all need to reconsider our options in this equally challenging
place we occupy in time. Hibernation is one of the best ways to find the quiet
place one needs to consider those options, but it's always better with an
insightful book as a companion.
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Harvest
Amazon.com 5-Star Reader Rating -- A Page
Turner: Goddess of the Mountain Harvest, by Brenda Gates Smith is an
exciting new book that challenges the intellect and takes the reader into the
ancient civilizations and the inter-relationships between men and women that
are still relevant for today. The book is well written in colorful detail and
displays the far reaching effects of the worship of the mother goddess that has
influenced art, culture and history. It is the 2nd book in a series that has
yet to be written. Let's encourage this bright, new author to enlighten us
further by continuing these delightful books of courage, beauty and romance. If
you enjoyed her first book, Secrets of the Ancient Goddess, you will find
Goddess of the Mountain Harvest to be a spell binding, page turner.
A Synergistic Strength
-- by Georges T. Dodds, SFsite.com: Goddess of the Mountain Harvest is a
sequel to Brenda Gates Smith's Secrets of the Ancient Goddess. As with her
first novel, the story concentrates on the lives of two women destined to be
high priestesses of a peaceful matriarchal agrarian society in prehistoric
Turkey. As in Secrets of the Ancient Goddess, Ms. Smith has paid attention to
the anthropological details in presenting the early agrarian society of her
heroines and the nomadic lifestyle of the horsemen who threaten them. While the
writing is richer in terms of female symbolism and mysticism, it maintains the
clear, uncomplicated narrative style that makes the story move forward nicely.
Goddess of the Mountain Harvest, while perhaps not geared for "male
sensibilities" is, however, excellent in depicting the dichotomy of
interpretation of the goddess figure by the two young women, Yana and Henne,
and how each draws strength from her own understanding of their tribal
spirituality. While one is spiritual and controlled, the other is practical,
headstrong and impulsive, leading them to be at loggerheads at times, but to
have a synergistic strength when working towards the same goal. Whether this
predominant theme satisfies you or leaves you wishing for a smidgen less
gyno-centrism is yours to discover. |
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