Arizona archaeologist Jack Foreman unwittingly unleashes a demonic tornado-like force on the Southwest in Niswander's fast-paced, well-written, debut, the first installment in a projected series titled "The Shaman Cycle." Imprisoned 500 years ago by a "Great Gathering" of Native Americans and the power of a sacred charm, this instrument of mass bloodshed and destruction must be stopped by a second gathering. Enlisting the aid of Arizona police detective Greg Johnson, New Mexico tribal police sergeant Ed Twohats Redfield and TV weatherman Matt Sharp, Foreman helps shamans from 12 tribes join together to defeat the "beast" in two temporal and three spiritual domains--not an easy task with the ancient amulet. An ultimate sacrifice seems to be required, and Jack volunteers to make sure the demon is destroyed once and for all. Niswander invests his characters with colorful personalities, displays knowledge of and respect for Native American culture, and knows how to weave disparate story lines together into a compelling whole. (Oct.)

     The Charm, Niswander's first novel, is an interesting excursion into multicultural horror. An archaeologist has unwittingly released a demon (more like a Lovecraftian monster, actually) in the Arizona desert, a monster that comes as a great wind, destroying buildings and feeding on the ripped flesh of the inhabitants. A gathering of shamans from the Native American cultures in the area imprisoned it many centuries ago, and only the same thing can defeat it now. The body count grows, as visions and portents lead the wisest medicine people of the Hopi, the Navajo, the Yaqui, and others to the desert north of Phoenix. It's structured like many Stephen King books, focusing on the coming together of diverse characters to accomplish a particular earth-saving task - and centered around one man, the has-been archaeologist who was responsible for setting it free. The development of the plot isn't unusual, but the characterizations of the different peoples involved are interesting, and the picture of Native American life in an inhospitable white America is incisive and effective. Niswander's influences are apparent, but elements of King, Lovecraft and Tony Hillerman combine well. The book is a clean and easy read, emulating King in that way as well. There are a few first novel flaws here and there, but they're tiny ones, and for a first novel from a new small press, this is top of the heap.

     Looking over what is clearly an ancient Native American site on the outskirts of Phoenix, an ASU professor and graduate student unknowingly release a destructive force entombed there hundreds of years earlier by shamans of many cultures. Taking the form of a massive whirlwind, the entity wreaks havoc throughout the Southwest becoming the focus of attention of a variety of characters Niswander introduces in short bursts, many of whom are in on the denouement as the professor of  archaeology begins to understand both the nature of the demon and the way in which it can be controlled. Better than average first novel with graphic descriptions of Phoenix and the southwestern environment. Science fiction/fantasy fans should love it.

GBS

     One of the greatest pleasures a long-time fan can have is to discover a new author whose book demands a straight-through reading.  This is such a book.  That Charm is what has imprisoned a wind demon that preyed on Native Americans centuries ago until it was bested by an unprecedented council of medicine men and shamans.  Released by an archaeologist, the demon now has millions of potential victime and very high expectations.  Can it be stopped?  The archaeologist, a new gathering of medicine men, a weatherman, and two policemen will try. Though it is difficult to flesh out so many characters in such a short book, the author makes his protagonists sympathetic and believable. These are people you wished you knew. Their fight against a demon who is powerful, ambitious and wily makes for a great read. I look forward to Niswander's next book.

     The Charm by Adam Niswander takes the reader into a world of Native American beliefs and rituals mixed with the suspense of an ancient evil loose in the present day Southwest. Niswander maintains a steady plot progressions in spite of a variety of characters and locations. Niswander exhibits more than superficial knowledge of the regional culture and history of Southwest. Less spartan in style than Hillerman, Niswander nonetheless conveys an acceptable image of Native American culture and thought. Wile certain elements of the plot are conventional, the uniqueness of characters and theme make for a good read.

     Mr. Niswander's Shaman Cycle novels comprise a series I hope continues. These novels concern Native Americans of the Southwest and their beliefs. The first book, The Charm, is about a real dust-devil who sucks the energy out of all living things, especially man. He is accidentally let loose from a lava vent where the first great gathering had trapped him 500 years ago, by a white archaeologist, Dr. Jack Foreman. How the different tribes get together, the individual beliefs of each shaman, witch, or singer, and how they get the white modern civilization to help them conquer the demon makes for a satisfying read. Enjoyed the battle with the demon on all the different levels. Learned a great deal about Native American culture, and that alone makes the series worth reading.

     If a Native American Thriller is your style, try THE CHARM for a 12-in-one combination. The most powerful medicine people of 12 tribes form another Great Gathering after an archaeologist frees a demon imprisoned 500 years ago. The book falls under fantasy, horror, and adventure genres and the reader picks up interesting Native American insight. Be prepared to get hooked. THE CHARM is Adam Niswander's first in a series to be called The Shaman Cycle. The series is to include 13 linked but independent novels. Niswander is being compared to Heinlein, L'Amour, Lovecraft, Tony Hillerman and Dean Koontz.

     A demon wind has been imprisoned for 500 years and now it has been released by Jack Foreman, an archaeologist from Arizona State University. Now that the demon is free, it plans to take revenge on the Indian tribes that imprisoned it. The demon creates windstorms with 500 mile per hour winds that leave no remains, and feed on the lifeforce of its victims. The storms can't be tracked by traditional radar and thus its activities can't be predicted. The story is well-told, the characters are well-drawn, and the Native American heritage, history and customs are true to form and help the reader develop feelings for the characters. Niswander is off to a good start and there are more books coming in the next year or so. Be on the lookout for this one.

…generous portions of Indian Legend and modern technology create an entertaining yarn … Niswander writes excellent dialogue and handles subplots skillfully enough for the reader to … rush for the ending. Followers of the science fiction genre will see reminders of Dean Koontz, or Robert Heinlein, or A. E. van Vogt. Niswander offers credence to beliefs that a new generation of writers will carry on the genre with strength. He knows the roots of legends that cross cultures and time and is able to weave a fascinating new perspective on the old. His knowledge of Indian legends is impressive. Striking cover art by San Franciscan Armand Cabrerra depicts the vampire dust devil and the devastation it leaves.