The Woman Who Loved Reindeer

Pierce drew raves for her debut in The Darkangel and for the second volume in her trilogy, A Gathering of Gargoyles. Before writing the third volume, the author created this haunting fantasy, set in the far North. The psychic maiden, Caribou, lives alone outside the village because the people fear her. Unwillingly, she accepts the strange infant born to her sister-in-law by a trangl, a being sometimes a deer and sometimes human. When Caribou's brother shoots the stag that sired the baby and dies himself, his wife vanishes, leaving only the young aunt to mother the child. She names him Reindeer and loves him more as he grows to manhood, even when he reverts to his animal form. The novel's greatest excitement arises from the river of fire that dooms the villagers, who turn to Caribou for help. Led by Reindeer and his herd, she takes them safely ""to the other side of the world.'' The trek is beset by dangers, but Caribou and Reindeer overcome them courageously. The woman's worse trouble comes later, when she must choose between living as chief of her tribe or with her cherished Reindeer. This is a splendid story, convincing and full of atmosphere. (12up)