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Everyone has bad luck. Spotted Elk, however, has it in spades. Not long after he's born, both of his parents die. Shortly after being adopted by his uncle and aunt, they become destitute. As a result, most people avoid Spotted Elk so as to not inherit his ill fortune. Spotted Elk challenges his fate when he decides to take on the rite to become a warrior. If only it were that simple. His bad luck reaches new heights when he breaks several religious taboos during the process. This outrages the tribe leaders, leaving the shaman with little choice but to kill the boy. Will death be the escape that Spotted Elk needs from his ill fortune?
Hall writes a historical fiction centered around the Alligewi tribe, one of the oldest tribes in North America and whose settlements were located in the Ohio Valley. The author weaves a tale rich in the tribe's lore and cultural traditions, detailing everyday life before European colonization. Given Hall's extensive knowledge of the Ohio Valley's flora and fauna, as well as the history of the Alligewi, the author does justice in his representation of these people. The detail which the author provides, including pictures to visualize their religion, is thorough and enjoyable without being dull. While Hall's characters are likeable, due to heavy use of exposition to explain the tribe's culture, it is difficult to empathize with any them, particularly Spotted Elk. He's had terrible bad luck for most of his life. The reader, at most, however, is neutral to his isolation. Nonetheless, the author's settings and plot make up for it. This book will appeal to those who appreciate a solid, even-paced historical fiction set in America.