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The Mayan Priest
A TREACHEROUS QUEST...
When her friends become trapped in an ancient room supported by a fifteen hundred year old rope, archaeologist Gillian Bright knows their time is limited. The rope could break at any moment plummeting them to their deaths and she is the only one with the skills needed to save them.
AN ANCIENT RIDDLE.....
With the assistance of Adam Housner, an Australian school teacher, Gillian discovers that the trap is merely one component of a series of elaborate puzzles. Devised by a Mayan priest called Kinix to protect an ancient secret, Gillian and Adam must travel to various Mayan sites in an attempt to decipher his mysteries. What follows is a journey of terror, adventure and thrilling exploits as they race against time to discover the key to freeing her friends
A MALICIOUS ADVERSARY...
Arun Keane, the leader of a mysterious sect, is fuelled by a desperate desire for treasure. He’ll do anything necessary to extend his collection of riches and he desperately wants whatever Kinix is hiding. He uses his extensive network of assassins, numerous funds and illicit connections to try and stop Gillian and her team from getting it before he does.
When her friends become trapped in an ancient room supported by a fifteen hundred year old rope, archaeologist Gillian Bright knows their time is limited. The rope could break at any moment plummeting them to their deaths and she is the only one with the skills needed to save them.
AN ANCIENT RIDDLE.....
With the assistance of Adam Housner, an Australian school teacher, Gillian discovers that the trap is merely one component of a series of elaborate puzzles. Devised by a Mayan priest called Kinix to protect an ancient secret, Gillian and Adam must travel to various Mayan sites in an attempt to decipher his mysteries. What follows is a journey of terror, adventure and thrilling exploits as they race against time to discover the key to freeing her friends
A MALICIOUS ADVERSARY...
Arun Keane, the leader of a mysterious sect, is fuelled by a desperate desire for treasure. He’ll do anything necessary to extend his collection of riches and he desperately wants whatever Kinix is hiding. He uses his extensive network of assassins, numerous funds and illicit connections to try and stop Gillian and her team from getting it before he does.
459 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2011
16 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 23, 2012
I couldn't finish this. I tried. I really did. I made it through 115 of its 479 pages before I couldn't take it any more and abandoned ship. This is the *first* time ever in my 28 years (24 years if you discount the ones in which I couldn't read!) that I've not finished a book.
It was poorly written, with excessive and nonsensical descriptions, not to mention numerous grammatical errors, missing full stops, and spelling mistakes. The characters are wooden, and talk like robots. American characters regularly use Australian or British words. And no archaeologist on earth is a worldwide expert.
To have an archaeologist who is not only an expert in the histories of every civilisation on the planet, but who has all his finds stored by country of discovery IN HIS BASEMENT is denigrating to archaeology as a profession (As a disclaimer, I have an archaeology degree so am more than a little passionate when it comes to inaccuracies).
While I didn't finish the book, I flipped through what I didn't read to see if it improved. It didn't. I came across the following:
She JUGGLED her breasts? Wriggling her hips doesn't make a whole lot of sense either, but juggling her breasts is just completely nonsensical. Obviously, the author meant 'jiggled', but surely that's the kind of basic error that proof reading and editing should pick up before publication.
And on one of the last pages, there was this:
Now, Kinix is a Mayan priest from 300-ish AD. Unless a TARDIS was involved, I don't know how a 30-something guy from 21st century Melbourne can be the ANCESTOR of a Mayan priest. Descendant, yes. Ancestor, no.
To be perfectly honest, if there was a way to give this book half a star, I would have done it. That's how bad it was. It makes me incredibly sad that the author is not only Australian, but from Melbourne.
So basically? The IDEA had promise. The execution, however, was more than a little lacking.
It was poorly written, with excessive and nonsensical descriptions, not to mention numerous grammatical errors, missing full stops, and spelling mistakes. The characters are wooden, and talk like robots. American characters regularly use Australian or British words. And no archaeologist on earth is a worldwide expert.
To have an archaeologist who is not only an expert in the histories of every civilisation on the planet, but who has all his finds stored by country of discovery IN HIS BASEMENT is denigrating to archaeology as a profession (As a disclaimer, I have an archaeology degree so am more than a little passionate when it comes to inaccuracies).
While I didn't finish the book, I flipped through what I didn't read to see if it improved. It didn't. I came across the following:
"She wriggled her hips and juggled her breasts and waltzed back into the mess hall with Adam in tow."
She JUGGLED her breasts? Wriggling her hips doesn't make a whole lot of sense either, but juggling her breasts is just completely nonsensical. Obviously, the author meant 'jiggled', but surely that's the kind of basic error that proof reading and editing should pick up before publication.
And on one of the last pages, there was this:
"Bloody hell. It's true, then. I am Kinix's ancestor."
Now, Kinix is a Mayan priest from 300-ish AD. Unless a TARDIS was involved, I don't know how a 30-something guy from 21st century Melbourne can be the ANCESTOR of a Mayan priest. Descendant, yes. Ancestor, no.
To be perfectly honest, if there was a way to give this book half a star, I would have done it. That's how bad it was. It makes me incredibly sad that the author is not only Australian, but from Melbourne.
So basically? The IDEA had promise. The execution, however, was more than a little lacking.
October 20, 2020
Lynnie
A very great book. So much history and intrigue. Really enjoyed it.
The characters are great. Looking forward to a next.
A very great book. So much history and intrigue. Really enjoyed it.
The characters are great. Looking forward to a next.
August 9, 2011
This was an exciting book. Indiana Jones meets the DaVinci Code. It was farfetched and the story was fantastic, but very entertaining. If you enjoyed the Indiana Jones movie series as I did, you will find this book fun.
After reading this, I am interested in learning more about the Mayan culture. That will likely be my next non-fiction read.
After reading this, I am interested in learning more about the Mayan culture. That will likely be my next non-fiction read.
August 18, 2011
This book has the James Rollinsque theme of treasure hunt in an exotic locale, with both ancient traps and modern enemies. Yet, what sets this book apart, is the integration of history narrative(aka Wilbur Smith's character Taita of the Egyptian series) and religious cults. Decent read, though James Rollins is better,
September 28, 2011
This book is a great archaeological thriller, which I find are far and few between, so when I come across one, I tend to suck it up! I loved the location, I loved the character development, and I loved the fact that not only was there an Aussie Character in it, but that the book is written by a fellow Melbournian. Defintely worth reading.
want-to-read
August 29, 2011Sounds good! Gorgeous cover, too. Must get this one!
September 8, 2015
Poorly written garbage. Waste of money should have spent my money on something worth reading.
October 10, 2016
Great book
This author kept my attention all the way thru the entire book. I would highly recommend her books for someone that wants a great read.
This author kept my attention all the way thru the entire book. I would highly recommend her books for someone that wants a great read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews