Rated of 5
by Shirley D. (Amherst, MA) The Clouds Beneath The Sun
A good read! The writing is excellent. The characters were of immediate interest and the setting so skillfully done, I wasn’t aware how much I was learning about Kenya. As for the plot, I found it a “page turner.” I felt it a privilege to read and review this novel.
Rated of 5
by Susan B. (Coventry, RI) The Clouds Beneath the Sun
I began reading this book while I was in the middle of another novel that I was enjoying; I thought I would read them concurrently. Surprise! Once I began "The Clouds Beneath the Sun" I couldn't put it down! The setting of an archeological dig in East Africa was unfamiliar to me but it was well-described. While controversy about the dig is getting more involved, the book begins to deal with the lives of the main characters and it becomes a love story. This is definitely a book you won't be able to put down!
Rated of 5
by Sandra G. (Middleton, WI) Hard to put down!
The back cover says this is "an irresistible page-turner of forbidden love on the wild plains of East Africa." This novel is FAR more than a love story! (The love story doesn't begin until page 330!) I was drawn in after reading three pages. The descriptions of the Maasai, the wildlife, and the Kihara Gorge area all contributed to a strong sense of place. The multi-layered plot kept my interest throughout. I agree that is is "an irresistible page turner."
Rated of 5
by Anna R. (Oak Ridge, TN) Amazing Story
This book has it all; mystery, history, jealously,murder and a love story. I learned about Kenya working toward independence and about archaeology. The character development is fantastic and the story grabs you from page one. The ending isn't what I expected. Wow. This is a great read!
Rated of 5
by Sandie F. (Eaton, OH) The Clouds Beneath the Sun
Loved the African setting, the descriptive language made me feel like I was there. Reading about paleontology, Masai customs, western and tribal law was very interesting. The love story and details about each of the characters made this a book I didn't want to put down. A very enjoyable read.
Rated of 5
by Elizabeth Mesmerizing
An archeologist excavation in Kenya filled with brilliant paleontologists is the setting of the book…the characters' work, cultural differences, and inter-personal relationships encompasses the main plot. In the first few pages the main character, Natalie Nelson, is on her way from Cambridge University to the camp, and she comes across a herd of elephants actually carrying out a mourning ritual...her first glimpse of the mesmerizing sights and sounds of Africa. The descriptions of the wildlife in Africa and the land itself was vividly and beautifully described by Mackenzie Ford.
The book was a little slow, but does become a lot better in terms of "action" as you turn the pages to the final chapters....the focus of the archaeological dig, the murder trial, Natalie's turmoil dealing with it, the power of money, societal issues within Africa, relationship issues among a group of people working and living together, personal secrets, and family issues that included sibling rivalry, betrayal, and deceit keep your interest.
It wasn't a riveting novel, but it was intense at times, and it did bring you culturally into another very interesting society. The characters were well developed, and you could feel their pain, fear, triumphs, comradery, and all emotions that may have been felt from living in the middle of a beautiful, exotic African landscape. Being a passionate, knowledgeable paleontologist would have been even more helpful for enjoying the book.
My rating is a 4/5 because the "dig" was very interesting and the cultural aspect made you think how we are all the same, but also different. Even though the ending depicted the beautiful symbolism of the Maasai people, it will haunt you and make you realize what cunning, cruel, jealous, self-motivated creatures we humans can be.
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of 5
by Shirley D. (Amherst, MA) 
of 5
by Sandie F. (Eaton, OH) 
