Ninth Lord of the Night

by Diana L. Driver

Think the Maya gods are dead and buried? Think again.What if they're only sleeping? Spine tingling action combines with breathtaking suspense in Ninth Lord of the Night.In less than eight hours, seventeen-year-old Zack goes from California, the land of fun and sun, to the third world nation of Guatemala, where his life is changed forever. He expects to be bored, not tangle with murderers and artifact smugglers. He wants to go home, instead he's swept into the world of Mayan myths and legends – a world that is his to claim if he only has the courage. Hated by his brother, distrusted by his uncle, and seen as a troublemaker by other members of the archaeological study group, the only person Zack can turn to is the beautiful Maria, a girl fighting the demons of her own heritage. Driven by unseen forces, Zack must choose to fulfill his destiny – a destiny he neither wants nor desires – and go against the vicious smuggler, or resist change and leave things as they are, allowing others to reinvent his character.Then, he must make the larger decision. Let go of the precious Mayan artifact? Or use it to redeem himself in the eyes of his family? In the steamy jungles of Guatemala, Zack will learn that every choice has consequences and he won't always get what he wants, but that what he does get is better than anything he ever imagined.

242 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2007

Reviews

[Lynnette Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attention grabbing from the start - a compelling read for both YA and adult audiences.

Zach and his brother Kyle are shipped off to their uncle at an archaeological dig in Guatemala when his parents' marriage comes apart. Uncle Cliff, Kyle and even Zach see Zach as the 'bad guy' in his own life and maybe even the break-up of the marriage. But there isn't long to dwell on Zach's faults. There's more trouble almost as soon as the teens land in Guatemala...and then Zach's visions start.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! Ms. Driver captures what it's like to be a kid! I felt like I was back home watching my male cousins bumble through life. But, Zack ROCKS! He stays true to his own private code, manages to learn about himself and grow during an eventful summer vacation.

Thanks to Ms. Driver's vivid descriptions, I felt like I visited the Mayan ruins right along with Zack and Maria. I picked up this book as a posible gift for my neice and ended up enjoying it so much that I put it my 'keeper' shelf. Maybe I'll let the kid borrow my new treasure.

I'm now waiting for the next book...