Book 3 of the Juniper Sawfeather Novels
Three warriors asked the sun to grant them wishes
of immortality to protect their people forever.
One was turned into a merman,
another was turned into a tree,
and the final warrior was turned into a stone...
Juniper has learned there is truth to this American Indian legend. She knows how it connects the mermaids she saved from an oil spill to the ancient spirit that trapped her in the branches of an Old Growth tree. Now she wants to find out if the final part of this legend is true - that some kind of magical stone exists. A lone mermaid finds her and shares a vision of a cliff along the coastline. This must be the place, and June needs to find it.
Tragedy happens when June and her boyfriend Carter join her parents on a mission to collect evidence of construction run-off pollution, and they are attacked by a killer whale. June is convinced that the killer whale was led by mermaids, and she is desperate to find out why they attacked and where they are hiding.
Once again, Juniper is on a heroic mission, the most frightening adventure yet.
A thrilling ending to this award-winning trilogy!
ISBN: 978-1-68046-482-5
Find Echo of the Cliffs ebook for $4.99
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New to the Juniper Sawfeather Novels? Let me introduce you.
Juniper Sawfeather is the teen daughter of environmental activists who has an ability to connect with the mythical world of her American Indian ancestry while fighting to protect the natural world around her. She's stubborn, determined, smart, and strong-willed. Begin your adventures today with award-winning book one of the series, Cry of the Sea. |
REVIEWS!!!!
"With its environmental focus, the inclusion of American-Indian mythology, and a young protagonist who knows her own mind and doesn't bow to the whims of high school drama, the Juniper Sawfeather collection defined itself as an intelligent YA series from page one of the first book, Cry of the Sea.
"The lovable supporting characters are still here - Carter, the supportive boyfriend and Haley, the encouraging best friend, as well as those you love to hate - narcissistic Regina. Juniper's parents are still somewhat controlling, but in comparison to the first book, I liked seeing the turbulent relationship between Juniper and her parents mature to the point that they've begun to trust her decisions and consider her opinions. By the end of this book, Juniper forms a logical plan to carve a path for her future, leaving the door cracked for a possible return to this character at a later time - I'm hoping!
"I'm sad to see this series wrap up, but very pleased with the way the author ended it in that she stayed true to her characters and the story line.
I'd highly recommend this refreshing, smart YA fantasy series."
Books and Such reviews
"Washington tourism should be paying Ms. Driver for her work on the state's behalf. I felt that the book was a literary postcard of sorts and if seeing all that beauty with my own eyes wasn't on my bucket list before, it definitely is now.
"I've probably said this about June before but she's smart, brave, and mature for her age. She's a wonderful heroine and a suitable role model for other young girls. I could go on reading about her adventures with Carter forever...
"If you or your teen has an interest in environmentalism or a love for nature, this is a series you're bound to enjoy. It isn't your typical YA!"
Cullen House reviews
"I have read all the Juniper Sawfeather books and of the three, I liked Echo of the Cliffs best! Juniper has matured through these three books and knows what she can do and what she wants for her life. The story that began in Cry of the Sea and continued in Whisper of the Woods comes to fruition in this final volume with a heart-wrenching story of Native American mysticism and personal trials. Driver has created a character with Juniper that could live on in many more books. But if her story ends here, you will not be disappointed."
Monday Morning Indie
"In the first book of the Juniper Sawfeather Novels, Cry of the Sea, June proved to the world that mermaids do exist. The book took the reader on an absolute adventure in the plight to save something where she had to risk everything for what she thought was right. As and added bonus, the series also introduced the budding new and lovely romance between June and Carter. The next in series, Whisper of the Woods, carried forward all that excitement and gave the reader further insight into who June Sawfeather is and what she believes in, allowing her to fall back on her own heritage, which drew her to climb up a tree and fight like mad on principle.
"And with the final book, Echo of the Cliffs, she’s at it again, taking the reader to the edge of cliffs and down to the waves of the Pacific Ocean, once again in search of a mermaid, the very same she had saved from extinction. In this novel, the adventures are a bit more intense and satisfying. June’s character is profoundly developed and appealing. The reader will certainly enjoy the tales and saga of Juniper Sawfeather, being exposed to environmental concerns, a believable dose of mythical fascination with mermaids, a touching sense of the power of family and people connectedness, revealing an appreciation for ethnicity, all while nicely wrapped and interwoven with a love story. What a fascinating read!"
Lisa's Book Reviews
"The whole series is full of clever twists and reveals, and this conclusion went full speed ahead for a very satisfying ending." - Author Daisy White, Goodreads review
"I enjoyed this trilogy and this book was a great wrap-up to the story of Juniper, Carter, Haley and Juniper's parents... and bringing things to a completion. Ms. Driver does a great job of bringing the characters to life with humor along with drama. She made me not want to put the book down, and I will miss Juniper and her family and friends.
Definitely pick this trilogy up if you want to be entertained."
Fifth Daughter review
"Juniper in this book still manages to wade into trouble, and she still is the same stubborn hothead as before. She is still lost and still questions her decisions. But emotionally, she’s on another level, and what she lacks in confidence she makes up in sheer drive and determination."This is why I maintain that D G Driver knows her stuff. This is very tricky character development to pull off, to start with a high school girl that feels like one, and to end with a girl that is ready for college away from her parents – and to get there organically...
"Once again D G Driver pulls through. She handles the Native American legends and issues with care and respect. The tension and urgency in the second half of the novel is palpable, and the mystery is appropriately mysterious until we find out just what is going on, and then everything seem to happen all at once... All in all, a good read, and a solid ending to this trilogy."
Marie Does Book Reviews
"With its environmental focus, the inclusion of American-Indian mythology, and a young protagonist who knows her own mind and doesn't bow to the whims of high school drama, the Juniper Sawfeather collection defined itself as an intelligent YA series from page one of the first book, Cry of the Sea.
"The lovable supporting characters are still here - Carter, the supportive boyfriend and Haley, the encouraging best friend, as well as those you love to hate - narcissistic Regina. Juniper's parents are still somewhat controlling, but in comparison to the first book, I liked seeing the turbulent relationship between Juniper and her parents mature to the point that they've begun to trust her decisions and consider her opinions. By the end of this book, Juniper forms a logical plan to carve a path for her future, leaving the door cracked for a possible return to this character at a later time - I'm hoping!
"I'm sad to see this series wrap up, but very pleased with the way the author ended it in that she stayed true to her characters and the story line.
I'd highly recommend this refreshing, smart YA fantasy series."
Books and Such reviews
"Washington tourism should be paying Ms. Driver for her work on the state's behalf. I felt that the book was a literary postcard of sorts and if seeing all that beauty with my own eyes wasn't on my bucket list before, it definitely is now.
"I've probably said this about June before but she's smart, brave, and mature for her age. She's a wonderful heroine and a suitable role model for other young girls. I could go on reading about her adventures with Carter forever...
"If you or your teen has an interest in environmentalism or a love for nature, this is a series you're bound to enjoy. It isn't your typical YA!"
Cullen House reviews
"I have read all the Juniper Sawfeather books and of the three, I liked Echo of the Cliffs best! Juniper has matured through these three books and knows what she can do and what she wants for her life. The story that began in Cry of the Sea and continued in Whisper of the Woods comes to fruition in this final volume with a heart-wrenching story of Native American mysticism and personal trials. Driver has created a character with Juniper that could live on in many more books. But if her story ends here, you will not be disappointed."
Monday Morning Indie
"In the first book of the Juniper Sawfeather Novels, Cry of the Sea, June proved to the world that mermaids do exist. The book took the reader on an absolute adventure in the plight to save something where she had to risk everything for what she thought was right. As and added bonus, the series also introduced the budding new and lovely romance between June and Carter. The next in series, Whisper of the Woods, carried forward all that excitement and gave the reader further insight into who June Sawfeather is and what she believes in, allowing her to fall back on her own heritage, which drew her to climb up a tree and fight like mad on principle.
"And with the final book, Echo of the Cliffs, she’s at it again, taking the reader to the edge of cliffs and down to the waves of the Pacific Ocean, once again in search of a mermaid, the very same she had saved from extinction. In this novel, the adventures are a bit more intense and satisfying. June’s character is profoundly developed and appealing. The reader will certainly enjoy the tales and saga of Juniper Sawfeather, being exposed to environmental concerns, a believable dose of mythical fascination with mermaids, a touching sense of the power of family and people connectedness, revealing an appreciation for ethnicity, all while nicely wrapped and interwoven with a love story. What a fascinating read!"
Lisa's Book Reviews
"The whole series is full of clever twists and reveals, and this conclusion went full speed ahead for a very satisfying ending." - Author Daisy White, Goodreads review
"I enjoyed this trilogy and this book was a great wrap-up to the story of Juniper, Carter, Haley and Juniper's parents... and bringing things to a completion. Ms. Driver does a great job of bringing the characters to life with humor along with drama. She made me not want to put the book down, and I will miss Juniper and her family and friends.
Definitely pick this trilogy up if you want to be entertained."
Fifth Daughter review
"Juniper in this book still manages to wade into trouble, and she still is the same stubborn hothead as before. She is still lost and still questions her decisions. But emotionally, she’s on another level, and what she lacks in confidence she makes up in sheer drive and determination."This is why I maintain that D G Driver knows her stuff. This is very tricky character development to pull off, to start with a high school girl that feels like one, and to end with a girl that is ready for college away from her parents – and to get there organically...
"Once again D G Driver pulls through. She handles the Native American legends and issues with care and respect. The tension and urgency in the second half of the novel is palpable, and the mystery is appropriately mysterious until we find out just what is going on, and then everything seem to happen all at once... All in all, a good read, and a solid ending to this trilogy."
Marie Does Book Reviews
An excerpt from the opening chapter of Echo of the Cliffs:
I felt hands. I’m sure they were Carter’s hands reaching at me from above, trying to catch mine as I grasped for the rocks, but there were also hands on my ankles, slipped under the cuffs of my jeans and above my socks. Wet, slimy hands that felt almost like they had suckers on them. Strong hands tugged me downward away from Carter. Away from the rocks. Away from air.
I was dragged backward into the deeper water for a moment, and then the hands let go of my ankles. Free, I kicked and tried to swim up. My lungs burned. I hadn’t taken a deep breath before I fell. Just as my face broke through the surface and I gulped in a lungful, an arm wrapped firmly around my torso and yanked me under again. My eyes couldn’t adjust to the darkness or the speed of the water going past, but I understood what was happening to me. A mermaid had me tucked close to her side like I was nothing more than a football. Her tail pumped up and down to propel us away from the shore at a crazy pace.
I heard screaming, and I imagined it was Haley and Carter. In reality, I knew I couldn’t hear them. The screams were mine – inside my head. I managed to twist my head and open my eyes to get a look at the mermaid holding me. Her giant, dark eyes focused straight ahead of her. The gills on her thin neck opened and contracted as she breathed. I was certain at that point the mermaid didn’t realize I couldn’t breathe under the water like her.
My head swam with dizziness as my lungs struggled to hold on to what oxygen was left in them. I had to get to the surface immediately, or I’d black out. Even if the effort of struggling against her used up the last of my energy, making me drown faster, I had to try. I pushed down on her arm as hard as I could with my hands and stretched my torso. Her grip tightened. I dug my fingernails into her thick-skinned forearm as hard as I could. I didn’t want to hurt her, but I had no choice. She made this horrible sound, some kind of underwater screech, and flicked her arm away from my hands.
That was my moment. I kicked as hard as I could and pulled with my arms at the water, feeling like I do in my nightmares when I can’t seem to figure out how to propel myself forward, away from the horrifying thing chasing me. What was chasing me now was death.
The mermaid reached for me and grabbed my shoe. It came off in her hands. I lurched upward with all that was left of my strength. At last my face punctured the surface, and I gulped in air. Black dots floated around in front of my eyes, and I fought the urge to faint. From what I could tell, the mermaid had taken me out past the breakers. I could see Carter on the tide pool rocks and Haley up above on the cliff, each no bigger than my pinky fingernail. The mermaid could swim so fast.
She was back. I felt her circling my legs that bicycled to tread water. I couldn’t do this for long, especially not in this coat and heavy winter clothes. I remembered the subliminal connection I had with my mermaid friend back in October, but I didn’t know if this was the same one. I didn’t think it was. I didn’t know how to communicate with her. Still, I tried as hard as I could to send my thoughts to her.
I can’t breathe underwater.
I waited for a response, but nothing came. She hadn’t grabbed me yet to pull me back under. I wasn’t sure if it was because I hurt her, or she was still fascinated with my shoe. I felt her tug at my other foot and that shoe came off, too.
Where are you taking me?
Still nothing. A giant swell of freezing ocean water went over my head. I gurgled and choked on the saltwater.
I can’t swim like you. I need to get to land.
I put an image of the beach in my head. Maybe she’d understand a picture more than words.
An image came back to me of the ocean splashing against tall cliffs with caves in them at water level. A forest of trees crowned the tops of the cliffs.
"Is this a place you know? Is it where you’re trying to take me?" I said it before I realized how stupid that was. I didn’t know how to think this in images, though. I simply pointed toward the shore and pictured it again. I needed to get to land. Wherever she was imagining seemed far away.
Her face rose out of the water, only to the chin, so her gills could stay under and help her breathe. Lucky her. Water kept slapping me in the nose and mouth, and between the struggle to stay afloat and constantly gulping in sea water, I wasn’t breathing well at all. Those giant, midnight blue eyes focused on me. Under the water her thick tail slipped behind my thighs and tugged me close to her. The flipper worked rapidly to keep us afloat. With her support, I could lift my face higher out of the water. I said ‘thank you’ in my mind, but I’m sure she didn’t understand.
Her webbed left hand came up out of the water, and I expected to see my shoe in it. Instead, she held the wreath of twigs. She put it in front of her face and peered at me through it like it was a window. I nodded, expressing that I recognized it or that I made it, not quite knowing what she would understand or want to know.
The other webbed hand came out of the water, my shoe dropping from it as she gestured to the north. Pointing might not be a thing for creatures that have webbed fingers and live under the sea, but I understood she was showing me where those cliffs were located. Somewhere to the north. She pushed the wreath at my face so that it touched my forehead and then brought it back to her again followed by more urgent gestures to the north.
I closed my eyes and pictured the woods and the magical Red Cedar tree I’d saved only a week ago. When I opened my eyes again, her head was cocked like she was struggling to understand.
Then a barrage of images attacked my mind. A waterfall. Not a big gushing one. Small. Trickling over the side of a cliff. A cave in the cliff only approachable by water. A killer whale swimming near the cave. A killer whale dead on a pebbled beach, seen from a distance. Ocean water, brown with murk and filth.
It was awful. When she was done, I felt a deep aching in my chest that made the feeling of suffocating a few minutes back seem like nothing. Something horrible was happening up north. Pollution causing the death of killer whales, I guessed. I’m not sure if that was all her images meant, but I think that was part of it. Had she been looking for me? Had she been waiting for me to show up? Had my mermaid sent scouts out for me, hoping I could help them?
The mermaid grabbed my left arm, and her tail slid away from my body. With a tug, she began swimming again, carrying me along beside her. Not as fast this time, thankfully. I fought the current to get my right hand across my body and peel her hand off me. I didn’t want to hurt her again. I think she feared my fingernails, too, because she let go easily.
I pointed to the shore. "I need to go to the shore," I told her. I knew she didn’t understand my words. I pointed again with more insistence.
She again gestured toward the north. The mermaid wanted to take me with her right then and there. She didn’t understand that I wouldn’t survive the trip. All I could do was imagine a vivid picture of me dead at the bottom of the ocean as fully and completely as I was capable. I ran my hands along my throat to show her I didn’t have gills like her.
The mermaid stopped swimming, and her eyes grew even larger than I ever thought possible as she began to comprehend. I wasn’t like her. I would die before I could help her.
I felt hands. I’m sure they were Carter’s hands reaching at me from above, trying to catch mine as I grasped for the rocks, but there were also hands on my ankles, slipped under the cuffs of my jeans and above my socks. Wet, slimy hands that felt almost like they had suckers on them. Strong hands tugged me downward away from Carter. Away from the rocks. Away from air.
I was dragged backward into the deeper water for a moment, and then the hands let go of my ankles. Free, I kicked and tried to swim up. My lungs burned. I hadn’t taken a deep breath before I fell. Just as my face broke through the surface and I gulped in a lungful, an arm wrapped firmly around my torso and yanked me under again. My eyes couldn’t adjust to the darkness or the speed of the water going past, but I understood what was happening to me. A mermaid had me tucked close to her side like I was nothing more than a football. Her tail pumped up and down to propel us away from the shore at a crazy pace.
I heard screaming, and I imagined it was Haley and Carter. In reality, I knew I couldn’t hear them. The screams were mine – inside my head. I managed to twist my head and open my eyes to get a look at the mermaid holding me. Her giant, dark eyes focused straight ahead of her. The gills on her thin neck opened and contracted as she breathed. I was certain at that point the mermaid didn’t realize I couldn’t breathe under the water like her.
My head swam with dizziness as my lungs struggled to hold on to what oxygen was left in them. I had to get to the surface immediately, or I’d black out. Even if the effort of struggling against her used up the last of my energy, making me drown faster, I had to try. I pushed down on her arm as hard as I could with my hands and stretched my torso. Her grip tightened. I dug my fingernails into her thick-skinned forearm as hard as I could. I didn’t want to hurt her, but I had no choice. She made this horrible sound, some kind of underwater screech, and flicked her arm away from my hands.
That was my moment. I kicked as hard as I could and pulled with my arms at the water, feeling like I do in my nightmares when I can’t seem to figure out how to propel myself forward, away from the horrifying thing chasing me. What was chasing me now was death.
The mermaid reached for me and grabbed my shoe. It came off in her hands. I lurched upward with all that was left of my strength. At last my face punctured the surface, and I gulped in air. Black dots floated around in front of my eyes, and I fought the urge to faint. From what I could tell, the mermaid had taken me out past the breakers. I could see Carter on the tide pool rocks and Haley up above on the cliff, each no bigger than my pinky fingernail. The mermaid could swim so fast.
She was back. I felt her circling my legs that bicycled to tread water. I couldn’t do this for long, especially not in this coat and heavy winter clothes. I remembered the subliminal connection I had with my mermaid friend back in October, but I didn’t know if this was the same one. I didn’t think it was. I didn’t know how to communicate with her. Still, I tried as hard as I could to send my thoughts to her.
I can’t breathe underwater.
I waited for a response, but nothing came. She hadn’t grabbed me yet to pull me back under. I wasn’t sure if it was because I hurt her, or she was still fascinated with my shoe. I felt her tug at my other foot and that shoe came off, too.
Where are you taking me?
Still nothing. A giant swell of freezing ocean water went over my head. I gurgled and choked on the saltwater.
I can’t swim like you. I need to get to land.
I put an image of the beach in my head. Maybe she’d understand a picture more than words.
An image came back to me of the ocean splashing against tall cliffs with caves in them at water level. A forest of trees crowned the tops of the cliffs.
"Is this a place you know? Is it where you’re trying to take me?" I said it before I realized how stupid that was. I didn’t know how to think this in images, though. I simply pointed toward the shore and pictured it again. I needed to get to land. Wherever she was imagining seemed far away.
Her face rose out of the water, only to the chin, so her gills could stay under and help her breathe. Lucky her. Water kept slapping me in the nose and mouth, and between the struggle to stay afloat and constantly gulping in sea water, I wasn’t breathing well at all. Those giant, midnight blue eyes focused on me. Under the water her thick tail slipped behind my thighs and tugged me close to her. The flipper worked rapidly to keep us afloat. With her support, I could lift my face higher out of the water. I said ‘thank you’ in my mind, but I’m sure she didn’t understand.
Her webbed left hand came up out of the water, and I expected to see my shoe in it. Instead, she held the wreath of twigs. She put it in front of her face and peered at me through it like it was a window. I nodded, expressing that I recognized it or that I made it, not quite knowing what she would understand or want to know.
The other webbed hand came out of the water, my shoe dropping from it as she gestured to the north. Pointing might not be a thing for creatures that have webbed fingers and live under the sea, but I understood she was showing me where those cliffs were located. Somewhere to the north. She pushed the wreath at my face so that it touched my forehead and then brought it back to her again followed by more urgent gestures to the north.
I closed my eyes and pictured the woods and the magical Red Cedar tree I’d saved only a week ago. When I opened my eyes again, her head was cocked like she was struggling to understand.
Then a barrage of images attacked my mind. A waterfall. Not a big gushing one. Small. Trickling over the side of a cliff. A cave in the cliff only approachable by water. A killer whale swimming near the cave. A killer whale dead on a pebbled beach, seen from a distance. Ocean water, brown with murk and filth.
It was awful. When she was done, I felt a deep aching in my chest that made the feeling of suffocating a few minutes back seem like nothing. Something horrible was happening up north. Pollution causing the death of killer whales, I guessed. I’m not sure if that was all her images meant, but I think that was part of it. Had she been looking for me? Had she been waiting for me to show up? Had my mermaid sent scouts out for me, hoping I could help them?
The mermaid grabbed my left arm, and her tail slid away from my body. With a tug, she began swimming again, carrying me along beside her. Not as fast this time, thankfully. I fought the current to get my right hand across my body and peel her hand off me. I didn’t want to hurt her again. I think she feared my fingernails, too, because she let go easily.
I pointed to the shore. "I need to go to the shore," I told her. I knew she didn’t understand my words. I pointed again with more insistence.
She again gestured toward the north. The mermaid wanted to take me with her right then and there. She didn’t understand that I wouldn’t survive the trip. All I could do was imagine a vivid picture of me dead at the bottom of the ocean as fully and completely as I was capable. I ran my hands along my throat to show her I didn’t have gills like her.
The mermaid stopped swimming, and her eyes grew even larger than I ever thought possible as she began to comprehend. I wasn’t like her. I would die before I could help her.
Want more? Read the entire first chapter of Echo of the Cliffs at http://www.fireandiceya.com/authors/dgdriver/echo.html
Read an interview I did about this book on Books and Such blog.
Here's another interview I did about Echo of the Cliffs at Writing with Laura
A guest blog post I did about researching the American Indian mythology of the Juniper Sawfeather Trilogy on the Multicultural Children's Book Day blog Jump Into a Book.
Here's another interview I did about Echo of the Cliffs at Writing with Laura
A guest blog post I did about researching the American Indian mythology of the Juniper Sawfeather Trilogy on the Multicultural Children's Book Day blog Jump Into a Book.