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Olivia Lawson, Techno-Shaman #4
Shaman, Priestess, Pawn
In the heartland of the ancient Maya, techno-shaman Olivia Lawson isn’t just an oddity, she’s an outcast. Despite having trekked through the jungle to find shamans thought to be extinct, Livvy finds the ultra-clandestine group not just closed but downright hostile. To her surprise though, their interest in SK borders on obsession.
Soon the pair discover that their hosts harbor not only secrets but also treachery. Plans hide within plans as Livvy’s search for knowledge goes inexplicably awry. The only constant is SK, but to Livvy’s horror, their journey triggers an unexpected odyssey for him.
What began as the pursuit of wisdom quickly descends into a race for survival. Driven to find her own path, Livvy must accept that change isn’t just hard, it’s deadly.
Soon the pair discover that their hosts harbor not only secrets but also treachery. Plans hide within plans as Livvy’s search for knowledge goes inexplicably awry. The only constant is SK, but to Livvy’s horror, their journey triggers an unexpected odyssey for him.
What began as the pursuit of wisdom quickly descends into a race for survival. Driven to find her own path, Livvy must accept that change isn’t just hard, it’s deadly.
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2014
19 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
M. Terry Green
15 books46 followersHi, I’m Terry.
Personally: My husband and I live in Los Angeles and we’ve both lived in California all our lives. The only way I can summarize my personal life succinctly is to tell you that we stopped being two separate people decades ago. Our natural and usual state is happy, upbeat, and quiet.
Professionally: I write full-time and have for the last several years. My non-fiction, under a different name to dispel confusion, has been published by Simon & Schuster and Penguin and my articles have appeared in the NY Times and Cosmopolitan, among others. I have a Ph.D. in archaeology but a B.S. in physics.
Sardonically: Writing about yourself in the third person would be a great way to create an exemplary bio, but that’s not why I’m here. Although I’m healthy, the number of days that I have left to live is finite (real mortality estimate). With that in mind, I’m considering how best to use those days–and I am writing.
Personally: My husband and I live in Los Angeles and we’ve both lived in California all our lives. The only way I can summarize my personal life succinctly is to tell you that we stopped being two separate people decades ago. Our natural and usual state is happy, upbeat, and quiet.
Professionally: I write full-time and have for the last several years. My non-fiction, under a different name to dispel confusion, has been published by Simon & Schuster and Penguin and my articles have appeared in the NY Times and Cosmopolitan, among others. I have a Ph.D. in archaeology but a B.S. in physics.
Sardonically: Writing about yourself in the third person would be a great way to create an exemplary bio, but that’s not why I’m here. Although I’m healthy, the number of days that I have left to live is finite (real mortality estimate). With that in mind, I’m considering how best to use those days–and I am writing.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 9, 2015
It’s been a while since the last time I visited this world and it took me some time to reconnect with it. I’ve long been a fan of these books and one of the things that I like best about them is the author’s willingness to evolve the series from story to story. The environment keeps changing and the characters keep growing.
In this installment, Olivia is on a mission to learn more about her craft from an ancient group of shamans in South America. She travels with SK to find the them on a dangerous journey. And when they reach their destination, they’re surprised to find that Livvie isn’t their priority. SK is. As we learned in the earlier books, he is more than a standard intercessor. He’s the so-called Water Baby. And that means something big to the Mayans; especially their leader, who has plans to use him for her own ends.
Like I said, I wasn’t 100% invested from page one, but as I read, a lot the magic came back. For me, the heart of the book was in bittersweet relationship between Livvie and SK. I feel very invested in these two and their doomed and forbidden romance. The love that they have for each other feels so real. They draw strength from each other and bring out the best in each other. The scenes they have together in the multiverse are especially poignant as it’s the only place they can act on their feelings.
The action plot moves pretty well once our couple is firmly ensconced underground. I thought the worldbuilding was interesting with the Mayan and Aztec people and their shamanistic culture. I liked that there is more than one villain here and they each have their own end-game. I also liked seeing Livvie really find herself as she faces the mounting challenges against her. We already knew she was a force to be reckoned with, but as with each book, she continues to take it to the next level. I also continue to be a fan of SK and I really liked delving more into his backstory here.
I have to say I preferred the installments of the books that were in a more urban setting. It’s the contrast of the old ways of the multiverse and the new ways of modern society that works so well for me. I appreciate the author’s research and versatility, but I hope we return to the city in future stories.
In this installment, Olivia is on a mission to learn more about her craft from an ancient group of shamans in South America. She travels with SK to find the them on a dangerous journey. And when they reach their destination, they’re surprised to find that Livvie isn’t their priority. SK is. As we learned in the earlier books, he is more than a standard intercessor. He’s the so-called Water Baby. And that means something big to the Mayans; especially their leader, who has plans to use him for her own ends.
Like I said, I wasn’t 100% invested from page one, but as I read, a lot the magic came back. For me, the heart of the book was in bittersweet relationship between Livvie and SK. I feel very invested in these two and their doomed and forbidden romance. The love that they have for each other feels so real. They draw strength from each other and bring out the best in each other. The scenes they have together in the multiverse are especially poignant as it’s the only place they can act on their feelings.
The action plot moves pretty well once our couple is firmly ensconced underground. I thought the worldbuilding was interesting with the Mayan and Aztec people and their shamanistic culture. I liked that there is more than one villain here and they each have their own end-game. I also liked seeing Livvie really find herself as she faces the mounting challenges against her. We already knew she was a force to be reckoned with, but as with each book, she continues to take it to the next level. I also continue to be a fan of SK and I really liked delving more into his backstory here.
I have to say I preferred the installments of the books that were in a more urban setting. It’s the contrast of the old ways of the multiverse and the new ways of modern society that works so well for me. I appreciate the author’s research and versatility, but I hope we return to the city in future stories.
September 26, 2015
That was so nuts! This was the best one yet.
This time Livvy and SK travel deep into the South American jungle to try and find the ancient shamans from the first book. Those shaman find them, and it is not at all what they expected.
When they get there everyone treats SK like a rock star. Livvy, they could do without. This story got to see SK make a new spiritual journey and understand his power to help Livvy. Livvy in turn learns what is important to her, and what she wants.
There was a lot of character development in this installment. It was interesting to see both Livvy and SK deal with being as far out of their comfort zones as they could get. Also, you don't often read about ancient Maya and Aztec beliefs. That was a very cool change of pace.
What's going to happen in the last book. This should be interesting.
This time Livvy and SK travel deep into the South American jungle to try and find the ancient shamans from the first book. Those shaman find them, and it is not at all what they expected.
When they get there everyone treats SK like a rock star. Livvy, they could do without. This story got to see SK make a new spiritual journey and understand his power to help Livvy. Livvy in turn learns what is important to her, and what she wants.
There was a lot of character development in this installment. It was interesting to see both Livvy and SK deal with being as far out of their comfort zones as they could get. Also, you don't often read about ancient Maya and Aztec beliefs. That was a very cool change of pace.
What's going to happen in the last book. This should be interesting.
October 5, 2015
I am sensing a trend where this series is moving increasingly farther from the familiar world. The bulk of this book is set in a hidden underground world where the Maya and Aztec traditions, including human sacrifice, have been kept alive. The concept feels kind of comicbookish; as a child I used to read Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse stories with these kinds of plots.
I'm not saying this is worse than the previous books, but I think I need to take a break from this series (although there is only one book left).
I'm not saying this is worse than the previous books, but I think I need to take a break from this series (although there is only one book left).
May 5, 2014
The newest book is the techno shaman series features Olivia and SK traveling into the deep jungle searching for legendary Mayan shamans. When they do find the elusive group, things are not as they seem and Livvy and SK are soon fighting for their very lives.
I love this series and book 4 delivers an intense and engaging story, this time about SK. It was great to learn about the private man and his integral role in Mayan shaman history. Livvy's character is given great odds to overcome both in the Multiverse and the real world. She not only has to save herself, but also a way to save SK. The story is fast-paced and kept my attention throughout. The author does a superb job of letting the reader "see" the images/creatures in the Multiverse. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. I had to find out the fate of both Livvy and SK. No spoilers here, but this is another wonderful installment in the Olivia Lawson Techno-Shaman series. Highly recommended
I love this series and book 4 delivers an intense and engaging story, this time about SK. It was great to learn about the private man and his integral role in Mayan shaman history. Livvy's character is given great odds to overcome both in the Multiverse and the real world. She not only has to save herself, but also a way to save SK. The story is fast-paced and kept my attention throughout. The author does a superb job of letting the reader "see" the images/creatures in the Multiverse. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. I had to find out the fate of both Livvy and SK. No spoilers here, but this is another wonderful installment in the Olivia Lawson Techno-Shaman series. Highly recommended
April 19, 2014
This fourth book in the Olivia Lawson series is just as good as its predecessors. Olivia continues to kick-ass, with help from the faithful SK, and the plot is good fun and intriguing. I liked the fact we learnt a little more about SK in this instalment and it helped to strengthen his relationship with Livvy. All up, this is a good fun read and I can highly recommend the whole series.
I received this book as a free e-book copy from the author.
I received this book as a free e-book copy from the author.
November 9, 2014
Maya and Aztec oh my!!!!!
Olivia and SK find themselves in South America and learn more about each other and raise more questions, but she learns more of her power and how to use. Amazing description of Mayan temples and life. A must read can't wait to buy next book.
Olivia and SK find themselves in South America and learn more about each other and raise more questions, but she learns more of her power and how to use. Amazing description of Mayan temples and life. A must read can't wait to buy next book.
November 20, 2014
Caught me from page one and wouldn’t let me go. I had thought nothing could surpass book 3, but Ms. Green’s imagination is fresh and strong in this fourth installment. As Livvy grows into her powers she seems more approachable, and the imagery is, as always, outstanding.
July 26, 2015
Don't t stop writing this series! It has great entertainment value to me and others!
Complex and multiple plots that keep you reading. What else could a reader ask for? Love the series!
Anxious to read the next book on the flip side!
Complex and multiple plots that keep you reading. What else could a reader ask for? Love the series!
Anxious to read the next book on the flip side!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews