When a bullet tears through the quiet of the canyon ending the life of a Paiute Indian and his dog actions are set in mo...moreThe Lost Curse by T. Lynn Adams
When a bullet tears through the quiet of the canyon ending the life of a Paiute Indian and his dog actions are set in motion that will have effects that will be seen 10 years later.
Cole Matthews is returning to Utah by plane and he is being tracked by a killer. Ryan Polson is capturing everything that Cole is doing on his phone. Severino is seated next to Cole after leaving Peru 20 hours earlier. Waiting for Severino's arrival are the Bradfords, who played for his trip as a thank-you for saving Jonathon's life twice in the last year.
Ryan and Steven are out in the Utah lava flows looking for a flow that has has been carved into the shape of a Spanish turtle. The turtle is a clue to finding a Spanish mine that is bobby-trapped at both entrances and it points to the Pahvant Mountains.
Jonathon and Severino plan to spend time hiking in the canyons and to visit with Jonathon's grandmother. Jonathon's friend Tallie palns to join them when she is not working.
Cole forces Tate to help him in his search and sends Tate out to photograph Hell Hole Canyon. But Tate is still in the canyon after nightfall when he sees what he believes can only be a spirit of the Paiute Indians. When Tate gets away he finds Tallie that his actions have awakened a Skinwalker and trouble is coming!
Ryan and Steven are camping to protect their find until they can cut it out, when they notice a light that gives off no heat, seems to be floating and appears to be tracking them. Something knows they are there but what it is, they have no clue!
Tallie tells Jonathon and Severino about the Death Light a strange floating light in the desert that has been known by her people the Paiutes before the pioneers settled the area. She said her dad saw just it the week before he disappeared over 10 years ago.
Carre Shinob was an underground temple built by seven Indian tribes and was sought by the Conquistadors. The Indians rebelled and drove them from the land.
When Jonathon sees that Ryan and Steven have Spanish artifacts in the back of a truck, Tallie's safety is threatened by Ryan if Jonathon tells anyone what he saw.
When Jonathon and Severino find an artifact they can't identify, Jonathon sends a picture to his father and Cole gets a copy of the picture. But before they know what is happening Tallie is taken hostage to force the two boys to reveal what they've discovered.
But when they attempt to escape through the mine they become trapped and their lives are endanged by the traps within the mine.
Everything is not as it appears, but who will live and who will die? Read The Lost Curse and discover the truth for yourself!
The Lost Curse is an exciting page turner that takes a look at the Paiute and Incan societies and the damage done to them through the greed and cruelty of conquering groups.
This is NOT a spoiler but there was one moment towards the end of the book I was moved to tears by the love of one of the less featured characters displayed. It was both touching and heart-wrenching at the same time. When you read this section you will know what I am referring to!
I received a Digital ARC loan from Cedar Fort, Inc for the purpose of this review.(less)
As a note to the reader, before you read Guardian of the Green Hill you should first read book one in the...moreGUARDIAN of the GREEN HILL By Laura L Sullivan
As a note to the reader, before you read Guardian of the Green Hill you should first read book one in the series Under the Green Hill. To fully understand the book and characters this is a must!
Phyllida Ash is the object of Gwidion Thomas’s scheme to take possession of both the Rookery and the Green Hill.
A mere two weeks have passed since the battle that took place on the Green Hill on Midsummer Night. Bran is still within his Ash tree healing from his death at Meg’s hand.
James is acting unlike his normal loving self and instead cruel and mean to Meg and all he wants to do is eat. When Meg runs away after James is particularly cruel to her in front of the others including Dickie and Finn, she is drawn to Gwidion in the midst of a field of Bluebell Wood. There widion casts a spell on Meg using his power of drawing. He convinces Meg that when he comes to the Rookery that he must draw Phylidda and Meg is to remember nothing of this meeting.
When Gwidion arrives at the Rookery the children are all enchanted by his artistic talents, but when he shows Phyllida a sketch he has done she refuses to sit for him as he has drawn her too well and her age is evident. But he manages to convince the children and Lysander that he should give the children art lessons. During the lessons he makes much of the boys, but when he finds out that Finn is not related he starts boxing Finn’s ears. Gwidion then convinces the others that Finn made up the story and is not kind to poor Gwidion.
Phyllida tells Meg that she would like to name her as her successor as Guardian of the Green Hill home. Meg doesn’t want to agree to becoming the next Guardian yet but she does agree to start training under Phyllida.
Throughout the story Meg is visited by various mythological creatures who thank her for waking them from their sleep when she won the battle on Midsummer Night without permanently killing her opponent. Meg is visited by the Ani Yantikwalski, a Cherokee spirit of lightening and thunder. Then she is visited by Bako-Nako, a two tailed cat from Nippon.
Gwidion focuses his efforts on Rowan, convincing him that if he can do a portrait of Phyllida she will leave everything to Rowan!
But Gwidion is determined to be the next Guardian and tries to kill both Phyllida and Meg. Lysander tries to stop Gwidion and dies in the process. To save her family Meg must keep Gwidion from catching until she can declare herself the next Guardian of the Green Hill at dawn. With the aid of a fairy spell she is able to keep out of Gwidion’s reach.
When Meg returns to the Rookery she must begin her duties as Guardian. Finn is given a prophecy that he will do something that will make everyone except Meg despise him.
The Guardian of the Green Hill leaves you eagerly anticipating Book 3. What will Meg’s parents say when she lets them know she can’t return home? And what will Finn do to make all despise him? A thoroughly engrossing read so make time for a long weekend of excitement!
Publisher provided an Advance Reader Copy for review purposes. (less)
EYE OF THE SWORD Angelaeon Circle Book 2 By Karyn Henley
Though Trevin is about to be named comain of Camrithia his past haunts him and makes him feel un...moreEYE OF THE SWORD Angelaeon Circle Book 2 By Karyn Henley
Though Trevin is about to be named comain of Camrithia his past haunts him and makes him feel unworthy of any notice. The night before being named comain by King Laetham, the king gives him an assignment – to discover the fate of the King's missing comains, seek wisdom from the Oracle at Windsweep, and extend an offer of alliance to the Eldarrans. But to complete these tasks he must leave Melia behind with a possible betrothal to Varic, Prince of the Dregmoors. Melia asks Trevin to search for the missing Kyparis Harps.
Along the way to the Oracle at Windsweep Trevin comes upon a group of Eldarrans with Prince Resarian. When Trevin meets the Oracle, he tells the Oracle of the tasks he is to complete and asks how he may find what he seeks. But the Oracle instead asks Trevin what he himself seeks. When Trevin looks within himself he tells the Oracle that he seeks himself.
But when Trevin is accused of a crime against the thrones of Eldarra and Camrithia, can he survive long enough to complete his tasks?
As Trevin's danger increases can he discover the truth about himself that he seeks and restore what has been lost due to the treachery of Prince Varic and Lord Rejius. Can Trevin pass the trial by the eye of the sword or will his past doom him forever?
Eye of the Sword is an exciting addition to the Angelaeon Circle. In a world where good and evil are trapped together can that which was destroyed be restored before the world is lost to the gash plague that is slowly spreading across it?
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. (less)
CRATER LAKE: Battle for Wizard Island by Steve Westover
Ethan is being taken to spend a week with Uncle Bart at Crater Lake National Park. His mom, dad,...moreCRATER LAKE: Battle for Wizard Island by Steve Westover
Ethan is being taken to spend a week with Uncle Bart at Crater Lake National Park. His mom, dad, and little sister Jordan are going to spend the day hiking before they leave Ethan. Uncle Bart tells them the history of Crater Lake – how it was created when Mt Mazama erupted 77,000 years ago creating a massive crater. Ethan could care less about what Uncle Bart has to say, especially when he sees Allie, a teenaged girl who is going hiking with her parents.
Nathaniel and Jenna are hiking in the woods surrounding Crater Lake when they are surrounded by three cougars. Suddenly the woods are now a tangle of vines and roots and the vines begin to wrap themselves around the pair – binding them. With the cougars help Nathaniel and Jenna are freed but the ground opens up, swallowing them, hiding all trace that they were ever there!
Brady is with his scout troop trying to figure out how to read the topographical map, but he failed the scoutmaster's test. Jacob is then given the task of deciphering the map which he quickly does to Brady's great annoyance. When Brady needs to take a private break, Jacob is his escort. But when the boys return their troop and their packs have disappeared! Jacob and Brady continue on to Mt. Scott in the hopes of catching up with their troop.
As they hike Jordan and Allie strike up a friendship to Ethan's chagrin. As the two families emerge from the trail near Sun Notch View Point they have an amazing view of the Phantom Ship! Ethan, Jordan, and Allie continue on to the lake shore to examine the Phantom closer. Everything near the Phantom has a scorched look to it.
Suddenly Allie's mom begins sinking into the cliff. Ethan's parents and Allie's dad run she calls out in panic, but they can't pull her from the ground and she is swallowed. Then the other three adults quickly disappear beneath the surface before hardening over them.
Brady and Jacob are headed back to the ranger station in hopes of finding the scouts and leaders. Allie, Ethan, and Jordan decide to head to the ranger station in the hopes that Uncle Bart would have an idea of how to get their parents back, but before they start out Brady and Jacob come screaming down the trail with a black bear following them. A specter then moves onto the trail stopping Brady and Jacob, but when Ethan moves forward to investigate a young Native American teenager is standing where the specter should have been. Che-tan introduces himself and tells them he knows what has happened. Che-tan tells them there is time to save their friends and families, but time is short and the ground has devoured everyone over the age of 16.
Che-tan tells them they have until noon tomorrow to free them from their Below World prison or they will be gone forever trapped by Chief Llao. Che-tan then tells them that at midnight the moon will strike the moon dial on the Phantom Ship revealing the prison key's hiding place.
Ethan and Allie ask Che-tan to tell them who he really is and to convince them that he is speaking the truth. To convince them Che-tan transforms into four large birds and then returns to his human form. He then tells them that he is Guardian of Crater Lake and was one of Chief Llao's people until Chief Skell defeated him – imprisoning him beneath Crater Lake.
At the appointed time Ethan and Brady swim across to the Phantom Ship through freezing water. While the boys are getting the key Jacob, Allie and Jordan gather wood to build a fire so that they can warm up. Jacob wades out into the lake and pulls Brady and Ethan to shore. Then the three kids set about drying and warming Ethan and Brady as best as they can. As they wait for the boys to warm and regain consciousness they examine the artifacts that Ethan and Brady recovered. There is a flute that when different notes are played fire or ice come from it. They decide to wait until daylight to find out what the other powers of the flute are.
With everyone sleeping Allie decides to go down to the lake to get water to drink. But when she heads back to their camp she is surrounded by misty darkness and then there is a sudden burst of blinding light and then Che-tan is there holding the flute. Che-tan then bursts into four birds who dive at Brady before returning to his human form. Che-tan then tells Allie and Brady that they must take the next step now, that there is no time to wake the others! Using two of the artifacts that the boys recovered they receive a message "Invade the Conjurer's home. Stab him through the eye. Listen to him scream. Watch him perish. His inheritance will become yours." Now they just have to decipher it before it is too late.
Meanwhile Ethan begins convulsing so Jacob and Jordan melt some chocolate with some water to give him some energy. But when Ethan revives he is overflowing with energy which they realize is a result of the artifact they heated the chocolate in. The three then realize that Allie and Brady are gone.
Che-tan is leading Allie and Brady to Wizard Island, but Brady is still suffering from his ordeal and the pace is hard on him.
Ethan then has Jacob and Jordan drink from the stone bowl, hoping it will give them an energy boost as well. As they heat the water they see the same message Allie and Brady saw. Jordan then realizes that Allie and Brady must be heading towards Wizard Island.
Jordan starts walking away as if in a trance, disappearing into a fissure in the rocky ground. Jacob and Ethan have no choice but to follow her into the narrow into the lava tunnel. As she journeys she sees visions from Mt Mazama's past – it's destruction. Seeing a faint light Ethan leaves Jacob and hurries towards the glow thinking it is Jordan. But instead he finds Chief Llao! Llao then forces Ethan to help him by killing Jacob and promising to restore Jacob's life if Ethan will listen to him. Llao orders Ethan to give him the stone bowl and water. When Llao drinks the water he is transformed into his youthful appearance, to Ethan's horror! Llao then returns Jacob to life. He tells the boys that their parents disappearance was to get their help because when they release their parents from the Prison of the Lost they will release Llao and his people as well!
As the boys race through the lava tunnels, Che-tan is preparing his followers - cougars, black bears, and hawks await his orders to go to Wizard Island and to war! When Jordan comes out of her trance she doesn't remember getting to Wizard Island and she doesn't know why she is all alone on the edge of a volcano. Jordan tells Ethan and Jacob that the Old Man they need to stab in the eye is the log that Uncle Bart said floated in Crater Lake. But Ethan and Jacob don't take her seriously. As the boys decide their search strategy Jordan goes off on her own towards the lake.
Allie and Brady make their escape to Crater Lake in a canoe while Che-tan's army, that can, escape in their various animal forms. When Brady asks Allie if there is anything she can do to help, she tries the last hole of the flute. She creates a wind that clears the lake of the fog and they see Jordan and Ethan holding onto a log. While on the shore waiting for Ethan and Jordan, Jacob decides to resume his search for the conjurer. But as he sets out two zombie-like people trap him so he leaps into the water, only to have one of them pushes him beneath the surface. For the second time Jacob dies at the whim of Chief Llao. Jenna and Nathaniel leave the now dead Jacob floating in the lake.
Using all four of the artifacts the kids are able to unlock the prison and awakening the volcano within Wizard Island! The Wata'm village along with the Wata'mi and Chief Llao erupt through the lava tunnels to the surface . The sun turns purple and the sky green as Wizard Island bulges out with its eruption. When the waves settle down Ethan and Jordan find themselves on the shore near the Phantom Ship. Suddenly their parents call out telling them to hurry up! Jordan and Ethan race up the path to their parents. Allie then joins them from further up the trail. Jordan then asks her parents if they can bring Ethan home with them and not leave him behind as they had originally had planned.
Suddenly Brady comes upon his scout troop where he had left them and when Jacob's dad asks him where Jacob is Brady can't tell him and instead hugs him tight. With Jacob dead Brady doesn't know what to say or to do.
Chief Llao is directing the rebuilding of the Wata'm village in the Above World. Soon Che-tan joins him and tells him his people will be no danger to him. He also tells him that Jacob was lost to the watery depths of Crater Lake but he is truly dead and no longer a threat to Llao either now or in the coming battle with Chief Skell. (less)
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