Serpent & Storm
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
In Serpent and Storm by Marella Sands, enter the world of Sky Knife: A Mayan youth who was cursed with an unlucky name from birth. From a vision given to his mother, Sky Knife is pledged to honor whatever destiny the gods have decreed. Farmer, soldier, merchant--all these roads are closed to him. He isn't even worthy as a sacrifice to the gods. Sometimes, however, the gods have a very wicked sense of humor...and what some sages think of as the worst cosmic luck may in fact be the touch of the gods' own hands. From temple pariah to hero, Sky Knife discovers the magic within him and not only thwarts all the evil plots surrounding his king, but wins the hand of the beautiful and beloved Jade Flute in the process. Enemies vanquished and evil magic dispelled, life is good. And as Sky Knife prepares for the birth of a long-awaited child, it seems like the fates have given him all that he desires. But it appears the gods aren't quite done with Sky Knife just yet. He is to be sent to the distant city-kingdom of Teotihuacan, to bring greetings and to reopen diplomatic ties with these strange people. From missed meetings to strange guides, corrupt counselors to a bizarre court, Sky Knife feels his world shifting dangerously out of balance. And when the Teotihuacan king is killed and bad luck seems to descend upon his kingdom, it is left to Sky Knife to solve the riddle of his death. Or he will be slaughtered in the killer's stead.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Her strong sequel to Sky Knife will bring Sands's readers back into the fascinating realm of Mayan culture and folklore. Itzamma, god of the Mayan City Tikal, has sent his chief priest, Sky Knife, on a mystical journey to the center of the world to solve the murder of Tattooed Serpent, King of Teotihuacan. With only his "Hand of God" knife as protector and spiritual amulet, Sky Knife encounters the world of the Teotihuacanos: a city where poverty, treachery, polyandry, greed, sensuality and opulence abound. Arriving on the day of the king's puzzling death, Sky Knife is asked by the king's widow, Jaguar's Daughter, not only to protect her son, the heir, but also to find the murderer. Trekking through colorful marketplaces and back alleys full of intrigue, Sky Knife slowly unravels (through common sense, good luck and the power of Itzamma) the truth behind the regicide. When only four days remain before Black Coyote can ascend the Royal Mat, the future king is kidnapped, and Sky Knife must risk violating the sacred womb/cave of the Masked One, holy goddess of Teotihuacan, to rescue him. Sands's knowledge of Mayan ritual is impressive, and she spins a good story. A banquet of imaginative characters--Sky Knife's brave battalion of friends include a prostitute, a hustler and a dwarf--enliven this engaging tale.
