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Matt Howard #2
The Jaguar Prophecies
When Matt Howard receives a mysterious invitation to attend a Mayan festival in Mexico, she jumps at the chance to escape her everyday life as an archaeology professor and mom to a crabby thirteen-year-old. Little does Matt know she's about to be plunged into a world of ancient secrets concealed for centuries. Now, with the help of a few unexpected allies, she'll have to accept her role as messenger of the jaguar prophecies and warn the world of what's coming before it's too late. In this thrilling novel, Phyllis Gunderson draws on her own experience and research to present a convincing story of what humanity is about to face. Travel the globe and discover what so many ancient civilizations knew, even without modern science to confirm their findings. The evidence is in the stars, in the ruins of ancient temples, even in our own backyards. Full of action and suspense, The Jaguar Prophecies is a must-read that will change the way you think about the past, the present, and the future.
195 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 5, 2010
I won this on firstreads and was pleasantly surprised by it. It's full of fascinating facts about astronomy, ancient cultures and myths, secret underground goverment shelters, stuff about sun spots, Chinese calendars, and even geology. Imagine the gulf of Mexico suddenly covering all of Florida and half of the southern United States and even reaching Washington. Wow.
I couldn't make heads nor tails of half of it tho. I'm not a science oriented person. What I did understand tho, I found interesting. Was it thrilling? I wouldn't go that far. There were a few times the Matt's (short for Mathilda) life was in danger while traveling in Mexico and drinking poison and getting tattooed while passed out and she seen a human sacrifice, but it wasn't scary. Matt is always narrating the story with such humor and sarcasm, I chuckled more than I gasped.
Quick summary: Matt Howard, thanks to a name mix up, accicentally takes another man's place on a free trip to Mexico. The free trip is all about the Mayan calendar, 2012, and the end of the world. Matt has to warn the world about what is going to happen, but first she must convince and educated herself. The things she finds out leads her to believe in the jaguar prophesies and realize she must prepare, whether she can successfully warn the rest of the world or not.
Meanwhile, her adopted daughter is wanting to go to China and find her birth mother. Good side story, irrelevant to the main story, but I liked it anyway.
I couldn't make heads nor tails of half of it tho. I'm not a science oriented person. What I did understand tho, I found interesting. Was it thrilling? I wouldn't go that far. There were a few times the Matt's (short for Mathilda) life was in danger while traveling in Mexico and drinking poison and getting tattooed while passed out and she seen a human sacrifice, but it wasn't scary. Matt is always narrating the story with such humor and sarcasm, I chuckled more than I gasped.
Quick summary: Matt Howard, thanks to a name mix up, accicentally takes another man's place on a free trip to Mexico. The free trip is all about the Mayan calendar, 2012, and the end of the world. Matt has to warn the world about what is going to happen, but first she must convince and educated herself. The things she finds out leads her to believe in the jaguar prophesies and realize she must prepare, whether she can successfully warn the rest of the world or not.
Meanwhile, her adopted daughter is wanting to go to China and find her birth mother. Good side story, irrelevant to the main story, but I liked it anyway.
September 17, 2010
I won this through the Goodreads First-reads giveaway. So, a big "Thank You" to goodreads and the publisher for this book.
Matt (short for Mathilda) Howard is an archaeologist who, due to a name mix up, gets an invitation to Chichen Itza to view the fall equinox at the pyramid of Kukulcan. Once there, she is told that she is the chosen one to be tasked with warning the world of the coming changes to the planet in the 2012 timeframe. Matt tries to explain that they got the wrong person but in the words of the Old One "There are no mistakes".
Matt is pretty skeptical about these dire predictions for earth and equally upset about receiving "the mark" (a jaguar tattoo) on her arm. She then just wants to leave this experience behind her and get this "tattoo" removed, if at all possible. After some time, she begins to run into people, almost at random, who give her information that seems to jive with what she was told at Chichen Itza. Now, taking these predictions a little more seriously she discovers that ancient people who had no way of communication with one another, all point to the same time period as a great time of change. Along with that information, she discovers disturbing scientific facts that could also back up these claims.
Now a believer, Matt has to figure out a way to fulfill her role and warn the planet before it's too late.
Matt (short for Mathilda) Howard is an archaeologist who, due to a name mix up, gets an invitation to Chichen Itza to view the fall equinox at the pyramid of Kukulcan. Once there, she is told that she is the chosen one to be tasked with warning the world of the coming changes to the planet in the 2012 timeframe. Matt tries to explain that they got the wrong person but in the words of the Old One "There are no mistakes".
Matt is pretty skeptical about these dire predictions for earth and equally upset about receiving "the mark" (a jaguar tattoo) on her arm. She then just wants to leave this experience behind her and get this "tattoo" removed, if at all possible. After some time, she begins to run into people, almost at random, who give her information that seems to jive with what she was told at Chichen Itza. Now, taking these predictions a little more seriously she discovers that ancient people who had no way of communication with one another, all point to the same time period as a great time of change. Along with that information, she discovers disturbing scientific facts that could also back up these claims.
Now a believer, Matt has to figure out a way to fulfill her role and warn the planet before it's too late.
November 26, 2010
I liked the way Gunderson told the story. Lots of information in an easily digestable way. She hit the mark where other fail in telling about the Mayan 2012 Prophecy, and other ancient prophecies. Gunderson gives the most important part of the message: there is hope for a better tomorrow. It is not the end of the world, just another change, one of many that humanity has faced. That's the message of this book, not gloom and doom prophecies. Well done, Ms. Gunderson.
People fear change. Though, I don't know why, we excel at navigating the changes. Great upheaval always preceeds great change. We are an obstinate bunch and would never willingly allow change. This is how it has to be. Don't fear, change is good. It's how we grow as a species.
People fear change. Though, I don't know why, we excel at navigating the changes. Great upheaval always preceeds great change. We are an obstinate bunch and would never willingly allow change. This is how it has to be. Don't fear, change is good. It's how we grow as a species.
October 24, 2011
Overall I really enjoyed this book, and I kind of knew I would. It's filled with things I personally enjoy a lot and practically jump at the chance to read about. You have archaeology, history, end of the world theories, and the Maya. I was practically squirming with anticipation when I got it in the mail.
At first look the topic might seem loaded, hard to understand, or even boring but it's surprisingly face paced and gripping. While some things of the science nature might go over some people's head, it does not take away from the story and you catch on pretty quickly about what's going or being said. I enjoyed the amount of research put into this book and really liked the fact that I could search the internet and find more information about it if I wanted to. For those who think this book might be a one-note "doom and gloom" story I can assure you it's not. There is a depth to it that makes it much more 'real' despite the shortness. The character's developments throughout the story has a "natural reaction" feel to the things she is faced with and slowly finds out. I had feared that she would be one of those characters that finds out something terrible and immediately jumps into it full force. I'll actually probably read this one again at some point.
Overall I would recommend this book to other in the subject. As a fan of history and archaeology I suppose I was naturally drawn to it but I could say with confidence that others would also enjoy it.
At first look the topic might seem loaded, hard to understand, or even boring but it's surprisingly face paced and gripping. While some things of the science nature might go over some people's head, it does not take away from the story and you catch on pretty quickly about what's going or being said. I enjoyed the amount of research put into this book and really liked the fact that I could search the internet and find more information about it if I wanted to. For those who think this book might be a one-note "doom and gloom" story I can assure you it's not. There is a depth to it that makes it much more 'real' despite the shortness. The character's developments throughout the story has a "natural reaction" feel to the things she is faced with and slowly finds out. I had feared that she would be one of those characters that finds out something terrible and immediately jumps into it full force. I'll actually probably read this one again at some point.
Overall I would recommend this book to other in the subject. As a fan of history and archaeology I suppose I was naturally drawn to it but I could say with confidence that others would also enjoy it.
September 17, 2010
I won this book through Goodreads First Reads program.
I really found it hard to rate because I felt the author wrote it not as just a fictional story but also as a way to get her research and conclusions out to people. She makes it clear with a quote at the end of the book that that is her intention. So I didn't know whether to critique it as fiction or nonfiction.
Regardless, I found the subject matter interesting and a subject that I knew a little about before reading the book. She makes some interesting correlations between different cultures and their calendars and prophecies. I would have to read the source material to really know how accurate she is but it did peak my interest in finding out more.
As far as a book of fiction, I found the main character a bit hard to take at times. I just really couldn't identify with her much. I did enjoy the side story about her adopted daughter and their trip to China.
Overall I found it to be an entertaining read and very interesting.
I really found it hard to rate because I felt the author wrote it not as just a fictional story but also as a way to get her research and conclusions out to people. She makes it clear with a quote at the end of the book that that is her intention. So I didn't know whether to critique it as fiction or nonfiction.
Regardless, I found the subject matter interesting and a subject that I knew a little about before reading the book. She makes some interesting correlations between different cultures and their calendars and prophecies. I would have to read the source material to really know how accurate she is but it did peak my interest in finding out more.
As far as a book of fiction, I found the main character a bit hard to take at times. I just really couldn't identify with her much. I did enjoy the side story about her adopted daughter and their trip to China.
Overall I found it to be an entertaining read and very interesting.
June 22, 2017
داستانی تین ایجری با پس زمینه علمی-افسانه ای که باعث میشه جالب بشه. سیستم روایتیش بعضی جاها اصلا جلو نمیره و انگار داستان رو زوری داره پیش میبره و بعدش باز درست میشه. درکل داستان جالب و هشداردهنده ایه هستش. مخلوطی از علم-افسانه- دین، کمی امید و کمی هم درام تین ایجری.
September 18, 2010
This book has an interesting premise--that ancient civilizations knew more than we in the scientific age are willing to admit to ourselves, and that a lot of that knowledge points to the same thing: something big is going to happen around, on, or starting on December 21st, 2012. It tells the story of Matt Howard, an archaeologist who, despite her doubts, is thrust into an investigation of this prophecy when she is given the job of warning her people, while simultaneously trying to survive as a single mother with an angry teenage daughter.
The execution of that premise, however, left quite a lot to be desired. The writing was good, but not that of a professional writer of fiction. (In fact, this book seemed less like a fictional story than a message about 2012 that the author wanted to get out and dressed up as fiction to make it more appealing--which is corroborated at the end of the book with a little message from the main character/author.) The pace was often way too rapid to let anything sink in for the reader, and the story is simply not believably told.
The coincidences that push the narrator along her path of discovery are unbelievable. Many events were very contrived, and had clearly been invented just as a way of getting information to Matt. These could have been written more smoothly and believably into the story by an experienced author. An example is when someone slips a card into the Matt's bag, and when she picks it up later she accidentally reads a lot of information (that takes up almost two pages), then finds it ridiculous so she refuses to read the other side. This was so clumsy and unrealistic that it took me right out of the story.
Matt herself isn't believable: her actions are often opposite to what she's thinking, she changes her mind and allows herself to be convinced WAY too easily (long before readers can be convinced, which leads us to think she's a gullible crackpot), she doesn't know a lot that an archaeologist should, and in fact doesn't know things that any regular person would. Other characters are about as realistic (her daughter has the temper of a thirteen year old, but the naivete of a nine year old), and there is no real character development for anybody.
Other aspects of the book just don't make sense. There are characters who help Matt understand what is coming and how to do her job--people who already know about the prophecies. If so many already know, why does she need to warn people? Also, some of the ancient knowledge that Matt (or the author) seems to correlate with the Mayan prophecies really doesn't fit. I finished this book feeling not that I'd learned something cool, but that everything I'd read about was probably made up. And then I saw from the bibliography that it wasn't...which means it was just presented in a way that was not believable.
On the other hand, I did enjoy hearing some of Matt's sarcastic and interesting thoughts, and I enjoyed the storyline of the tension between her and her daughter and its resolution, particularly their trip to China. I greatly enjoyed seeing into the world of academia from the perspective of professors. I found some of the theories and different interpretations of real ancient writings quite interesting. I was entertained. But I couldn't shake my feeling that this book was self-published and not professionally edited. It could have been much better.
I got this book from goodreads' first reads.
The execution of that premise, however, left quite a lot to be desired. The writing was good, but not that of a professional writer of fiction. (In fact, this book seemed less like a fictional story than a message about 2012 that the author wanted to get out and dressed up as fiction to make it more appealing--which is corroborated at the end of the book with a little message from the main character/author.) The pace was often way too rapid to let anything sink in for the reader, and the story is simply not believably told.
The coincidences that push the narrator along her path of discovery are unbelievable. Many events were very contrived, and had clearly been invented just as a way of getting information to Matt. These could have been written more smoothly and believably into the story by an experienced author. An example is when someone slips a card into the Matt's bag, and when she picks it up later she accidentally reads a lot of information (that takes up almost two pages), then finds it ridiculous so she refuses to read the other side. This was so clumsy and unrealistic that it took me right out of the story.
Matt herself isn't believable: her actions are often opposite to what she's thinking, she changes her mind and allows herself to be convinced WAY too easily (long before readers can be convinced, which leads us to think she's a gullible crackpot), she doesn't know a lot that an archaeologist should, and in fact doesn't know things that any regular person would. Other characters are about as realistic (her daughter has the temper of a thirteen year old, but the naivete of a nine year old), and there is no real character development for anybody.
Other aspects of the book just don't make sense. There are characters who help Matt understand what is coming and how to do her job--people who already know about the prophecies. If so many already know, why does she need to warn people? Also, some of the ancient knowledge that Matt (or the author) seems to correlate with the Mayan prophecies really doesn't fit. I finished this book feeling not that I'd learned something cool, but that everything I'd read about was probably made up. And then I saw from the bibliography that it wasn't...which means it was just presented in a way that was not believable.
On the other hand, I did enjoy hearing some of Matt's sarcastic and interesting thoughts, and I enjoyed the storyline of the tension between her and her daughter and its resolution, particularly their trip to China. I greatly enjoyed seeing into the world of academia from the perspective of professors. I found some of the theories and different interpretations of real ancient writings quite interesting. I was entertained. But I couldn't shake my feeling that this book was self-published and not professionally edited. It could have been much better.
I got this book from goodreads' first reads.
October 28, 2010
Okay, so...The Jaguar Prophecies...well first off I have to say that I won this book from Goodreads' through their Firstreads Giveaway. Secondly, I have to say that this book is very good. It's much better than I expected.
Basically the book just goes into depth about the origins of 2012. Y'know, the world's supposed to end and stuff on December 21, 2012. But according to this book the world's not gonna end, it's just gonna get turned upside on its friggin head.
I loved the main character, Matt Howard, who is a woman. Sometimes it just seems that in books authors try to make their characters snarky and clever, but if done wrong it just makes the characters uber-irritating. Or at least I think so. But when done right it can make them extremely likable. Phyllis Gunderson did it right. I loved Matt, and I never got tired of her.
For me, this book is definitely something I'd want to read again, mostly because there's just so much information in it that I couldn't possibly take it all in the first time. I mean this book talks about everything: old Mayan myths and legends, the I Ching which I'd never heard of before reading this book, some Hopi prophecies, which say that there's gonna be a WWIII and that America's gonna get nuked!!
Which brings me to my next point: this book makes you want to get ready for whatever the hell's coming in 2012. I mean, after reading this book I just wanted to stock up on food, and trust me, I would, but I'm not the one that buys the food in my family. My parents do that since I'm just 16. But I'm seriously thinking about shoving this book down their throats so that we can be prepared. I mean, I'm scared.
But I loved all the stuff this book taught me. I just love books that can teach you something and tell a good story.
So...we all know the point in the Firstreads Giveaways. We, the winners, are supposed to read the book then write a good review that'll make others want to read the book too. So I'm just gonna come right out: Read The Jaguar Prophecies dammit! You won't regret it, but if you do...well...sorry. I really liked it.
Basically the book just goes into depth about the origins of 2012. Y'know, the world's supposed to end and stuff on December 21, 2012. But according to this book the world's not gonna end, it's just gonna get turned upside on its friggin head.
I loved the main character, Matt Howard, who is a woman. Sometimes it just seems that in books authors try to make their characters snarky and clever, but if done wrong it just makes the characters uber-irritating. Or at least I think so. But when done right it can make them extremely likable. Phyllis Gunderson did it right. I loved Matt, and I never got tired of her.
For me, this book is definitely something I'd want to read again, mostly because there's just so much information in it that I couldn't possibly take it all in the first time. I mean this book talks about everything: old Mayan myths and legends, the I Ching which I'd never heard of before reading this book, some Hopi prophecies, which say that there's gonna be a WWIII and that America's gonna get nuked!!
Which brings me to my next point: this book makes you want to get ready for whatever the hell's coming in 2012. I mean, after reading this book I just wanted to stock up on food, and trust me, I would, but I'm not the one that buys the food in my family. My parents do that since I'm just 16. But I'm seriously thinking about shoving this book down their throats so that we can be prepared. I mean, I'm scared.
But I loved all the stuff this book taught me. I just love books that can teach you something and tell a good story.
So...we all know the point in the Firstreads Giveaways. We, the winners, are supposed to read the book then write a good review that'll make others want to read the book too. So I'm just gonna come right out: Read The Jaguar Prophecies dammit! You won't regret it, but if you do...well...sorry. I really liked it.
September 12, 2010
I received "The Jaguar Prophecies" as part of the Goodreads First Read program.
Author Phyllis Gunderson's fictional "The Jaguar Prophecies" explores the Mayan 2012 mythology in an uneven, but at times extremely well written and enjoyable short novel.
The story takes place in the mid 2000s where Dr. Mathilda Howard, known as Matt, is mistakenly invited to a special event at the Mayan temple complex at Chichen Itza. Matt soon meets a mystical Mayan "Old One" and launches into a series of discoveries that expose how closely the Mayans tracked time as defined by the rotation of the stars in the skies. This awareness of time wasn't just for its own sake, but tragic world events could be mapped to this star-based time telling. And all indications point to another significant world event coming soon.
Matt's told that she's been chosen to warn people of the coming event. She learns along the way that not only was this an obsession for the Mayans, but also the Aztecs, Chinese and ancient Sumerians. When you toss in an international governmental conspiracy and Matt's adopted daughter's pre-teen angst, you have the makings of a pretty interesting tale.
Gunderson strongly captures Matt's unbelieving and sarcastic attitude to her circumstance and world around her. While dialogue sometimes lacked, Matt's caustic asides helped shaped the character and drew out a couple of laugh-out-louds.
Gunderson's biggest miss is her lack of nuanced storytelling. Matt is a little too accepting of the absurdity of the events in which she finds herself immersed. Things progress just a little bit too quickly. An additional hundred pages would've helped flesh out the story and enhance its flow.
This is a good book and a fun read. The story is interesting and the writing is excellent. If you're looking for a light-weight read during this boom of Mayan prophecy writing, then I'd recommend "The Jaguar Prophecies."
Author Phyllis Gunderson's fictional "The Jaguar Prophecies" explores the Mayan 2012 mythology in an uneven, but at times extremely well written and enjoyable short novel.
The story takes place in the mid 2000s where Dr. Mathilda Howard, known as Matt, is mistakenly invited to a special event at the Mayan temple complex at Chichen Itza. Matt soon meets a mystical Mayan "Old One" and launches into a series of discoveries that expose how closely the Mayans tracked time as defined by the rotation of the stars in the skies. This awareness of time wasn't just for its own sake, but tragic world events could be mapped to this star-based time telling. And all indications point to another significant world event coming soon.
Matt's told that she's been chosen to warn people of the coming event. She learns along the way that not only was this an obsession for the Mayans, but also the Aztecs, Chinese and ancient Sumerians. When you toss in an international governmental conspiracy and Matt's adopted daughter's pre-teen angst, you have the makings of a pretty interesting tale.
Gunderson strongly captures Matt's unbelieving and sarcastic attitude to her circumstance and world around her. While dialogue sometimes lacked, Matt's caustic asides helped shaped the character and drew out a couple of laugh-out-louds.
Gunderson's biggest miss is her lack of nuanced storytelling. Matt is a little too accepting of the absurdity of the events in which she finds herself immersed. Things progress just a little bit too quickly. An additional hundred pages would've helped flesh out the story and enhance its flow.
This is a good book and a fun read. The story is interesting and the writing is excellent. If you're looking for a light-weight read during this boom of Mayan prophecy writing, then I'd recommend "The Jaguar Prophecies."
January 19, 2011
I loved this book! Here's why:
It is written in the style that an archeologist would write (the main character is an older woman, Matt, who is a college professor in archeology).
It's funny. I love Matt's sarcastic, sometimes self deprecating, humor. I laughed aloud many times.
Jaguar gives a different slant on the 2012 gloom and doom prophesies we've heard so much about.
Gunderson has a quick, journalistic style of writing that keeps you turning the pages.
... and, it is informative. The author fed the facts to us without author intrusion. I learned many ancient cultural facts that I had no idea existed before I read this book.
It's a quick read and leaves you wanting more. In today's publishing world, long, wordy books are not making it through the slush piles or into publishing houses. It's all about the price it costs to print books and market them. So, Jaguar Prophecies, though short, does its job (tells an interesting, exciting story) with an economy of words.
It also skillfully bridges the gap between science and reading for enjoyment.
It is written in the style that an archeologist would write (the main character is an older woman, Matt, who is a college professor in archeology).
It's funny. I love Matt's sarcastic, sometimes self deprecating, humor. I laughed aloud many times.
Jaguar gives a different slant on the 2012 gloom and doom prophesies we've heard so much about.
Gunderson has a quick, journalistic style of writing that keeps you turning the pages.
... and, it is informative. The author fed the facts to us without author intrusion. I learned many ancient cultural facts that I had no idea existed before I read this book.
It's a quick read and leaves you wanting more. In today's publishing world, long, wordy books are not making it through the slush piles or into publishing houses. It's all about the price it costs to print books and market them. So, Jaguar Prophecies, though short, does its job (tells an interesting, exciting story) with an economy of words.
It also skillfully bridges the gap between science and reading for enjoyment.
January 15, 2012
Phyllis, the author, is my dad's amazing and delightful cousin. The main character (called Matt Howard) IS Phyllis...her sense of humor, her self-effacing personality. This story brings together all of the 2012 prophecies made by different ancient civilizations, which really are fascinating. Phyllis weaves them into the story of an archaeology professor and her daughter. The book was fun and interesting, but my favorite part was the reference to a wise old lady named Hazel that the main character didn't pay enough attention to when she had the chance. Hazel is my great-aunt, who passed away last summer...what a sweet tribute!
September 11, 2010
YEA!! I was lucky enough to have my name drawn to receive a copy of this book through Goodreads giveaway program. This is a new author for me and I can't wait to read this book. Thank you!!
What a great thriller..I was hooked immediately and couldn't turn the pages fast enough!! I loved the story of Matt and her adopted daughter and how their trip to China to find the biological mother ends up providing Matt with more background into her search for the truth. Would have liked the book to be a bit longer.
What a great thriller..I was hooked immediately and couldn't turn the pages fast enough!! I loved the story of Matt and her adopted daughter and how their trip to China to find the biological mother ends up providing Matt with more background into her search for the truth. Would have liked the book to be a bit longer.
September 12, 2010
This was an amazing book. First of all, it was refreshing to read a book written by a contemporary author who can use proper grammar and has a strong vocabulary. Writing style excluded, even if you do not believe the whole 2012 thing, The Jaguar Prophecies gives you a lot of extremely interesting information - with a bibliography to support it. The plot is great and keeps moving while being incorporated with information from anthropology, mythology, astronomy, and geology. It is a great read for any type of reader.
I got the book through Goodreads.
I got the book through Goodreads.
January 16, 2011
I just got this through the mail from the First Reads Giveaway at Goodreads.com. I am estatic to read it and hope to give more info as I read it.
I have finished this book. As a history buff, I was enthralled with the ancient cultures and myths that were in the book. From secret covert operations to the calendars that foretells futures of our world. Everything that is needed for an action pack book you have.
I am thankful for the opportunity to be allowed the honor of given my opinion for this book. Thank you.
I have finished this book. As a history buff, I was enthralled with the ancient cultures and myths that were in the book. From secret covert operations to the calendars that foretells futures of our world. Everything that is needed for an action pack book you have.
I am thankful for the opportunity to be allowed the honor of given my opinion for this book. Thank you.
September 15, 2010
I won this book on Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I read YA fiction mostly so I wasn't sure if I was going to like The Jaguar Prophecies but I was won over in the first few chapters. The pace was steady for most of the book, only slowing down a few times, and I found myself easily drawn into the story. Gunderson has created compelling web of different prophecies that will leave you wondering if they really are connected.
November 10, 2010
A fascinating read. It's not perfect, but it was very compelling. Whether you believe in this kind of "thing" or not, it makes for great story-telling.
March 9, 2019
My rule is that if I'm not liking a book, I read to page 50. If it doesn't catch my attention by then, I don't finish it. I struggled to get to page 50. My biggest issue was that the MC is an archaeologist who seems to know quite a lot about the Mayans, yet she didn't know the term "Xibalba be" or anything related to the Mayan calendar in regards to 2012 and the world ending. I even knew about "xibalba be" and I barely know anything about the Mayans. Also, the whole Mayan calendar and 2012 was a big thing. They did TV shows and documentaries on it, yet the MC seems surprised. I felt that this book, while had many facts, wasn't written as professionally as it could have been.
November 1, 2022
I couldn't get into and then skipped around, and I don't really know, but it was not for me. If nothing else, I was off-put from the beginning when Matt hands her driver's licenses to some random kid in another country. How dumb.
September 21, 2010
I just found out that I won this book through Goodreads First Reads program. I am SO EXCITED! I think this book is going to be super! I cannot wait to read it so I can review it!
THANK YOU GOODREADS!
I received this book in the mail. I am so excited to read it. I have to finish Apprentice and then I will get this one read. YAY!
**spoilers are very minimum but there are a few*****
I finished this book today. First off, I would love to find Phyllis on "Facebook". I searched for her today but to no avail. I need to know if there will be a follow up to this book. Phyllis, if you read this, please find me on Facebook. I would love to chat with you further. Do you have any other books that you have written? I read your bio at the end of the book. Fascinating!
I was hooked. This book was incredible to me. It was not over done with details and facts. Everyone has heard of the 2012 prophecy of the end of times. Usually I try to avoid these types of talks as they freak me out. Honestly they do. I committed to read this book so read I did. I will DEF read this book again. It was wonderful. I found myself going through all the emotions Matt went through with each turn of the page. I laughed with her, felt her pain and her happiness. I give this book 5 stars as it was a new spin on the prophesized "End of Times" to give us all a glimmer of hope and to be on the look out for the Jaguar Lady.
Matt aka Mathilda is a archaelogist with a 13 year old daughter that she adopted from China when she was 2 years old. Through a bizarre series of events, Matt is thrust into the role of the single most important prophet that has been recorded in many generations. A chance trip to Mexico starts Matt's journey that give her the tattoo that proves she is the chosen one & jump starts her path to find the answers she now has no choice but to find. Through her journies, Matt not only learns a lot of herself and her 13 year old daughter, but also learns of the ancestors of everyone's past. The discredit that has befallen them over time by the same people that could have recognized their brilliance and warnings to the furture generations.
Matt turns to a married collegue that is the key to her quest. With the similarities to their names, both Matt, they learn that they were meant to work together towards one of the most important goals this planet has seen in thousands of years.
This book was fast moving and riveting. I was hooked from the beginning. The ancient prophecies and people are brought to life in my mind though this book. What an incredible and fascinating take on what most view as the doom & gloom of our future on Earth. Phyllis Gunderson has taken this future doom to a ray of hope for the planet we all call home.
Thank you for this chance to read this ARC. I cannot wait to see it on the book store shelves.
THANK YOU GOODREADS!
I received this book in the mail. I am so excited to read it. I have to finish Apprentice and then I will get this one read. YAY!
**spoilers are very minimum but there are a few*****
I finished this book today. First off, I would love to find Phyllis on "Facebook". I searched for her today but to no avail. I need to know if there will be a follow up to this book. Phyllis, if you read this, please find me on Facebook. I would love to chat with you further. Do you have any other books that you have written? I read your bio at the end of the book. Fascinating!
I was hooked. This book was incredible to me. It was not over done with details and facts. Everyone has heard of the 2012 prophecy of the end of times. Usually I try to avoid these types of talks as they freak me out. Honestly they do. I committed to read this book so read I did. I will DEF read this book again. It was wonderful. I found myself going through all the emotions Matt went through with each turn of the page. I laughed with her, felt her pain and her happiness. I give this book 5 stars as it was a new spin on the prophesized "End of Times" to give us all a glimmer of hope and to be on the look out for the Jaguar Lady.
Matt aka Mathilda is a archaelogist with a 13 year old daughter that she adopted from China when she was 2 years old. Through a bizarre series of events, Matt is thrust into the role of the single most important prophet that has been recorded in many generations. A chance trip to Mexico starts Matt's journey that give her the tattoo that proves she is the chosen one & jump starts her path to find the answers she now has no choice but to find. Through her journies, Matt not only learns a lot of herself and her 13 year old daughter, but also learns of the ancestors of everyone's past. The discredit that has befallen them over time by the same people that could have recognized their brilliance and warnings to the furture generations.
Matt turns to a married collegue that is the key to her quest. With the similarities to their names, both Matt, they learn that they were meant to work together towards one of the most important goals this planet has seen in thousands of years.
This book was fast moving and riveting. I was hooked from the beginning. The ancient prophecies and people are brought to life in my mind though this book. What an incredible and fascinating take on what most view as the doom & gloom of our future on Earth. Phyllis Gunderson has taken this future doom to a ray of hope for the planet we all call home.
Thank you for this chance to read this ARC. I cannot wait to see it on the book store shelves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2010
I'm sure that as we get closer to the winter solstice of 2012, a date commonly thought of as the "end of the world" based on ancient Mayan calendars, we will be inundated by even more books and movies depicting the destruction of the world.
The Jaguar Prophecies by Phyllis Gunderson is a novel about an archaeology professor, Matt Howard, who through mistaken identity receives an invitation to a solar show during the fall equinox in Mexico. She misses the show but does have an encounter with a shriveled old Shaman, is drugged and wakes up with the tattoo of a Jaguar on her inner arm. She is marked and now has the task of warning the world about the destruction to come.
Howard is a unique protagonist for this genre. She's female and not exactly attractive. She's a mother of a surly, pubescent girl and not necessarily winning any mother-of-the-year awards. She's sort of witty in a sardonic way that comes across as inappropriate in most situations. She's not exactly smooth. But she's likable.
The writing is even and the author is good at building suspense. I was sucked in by the first few pages. Unfortunately not much happens. Howard learns a lot about the various prophecies and astrological signs of the end of the world whether she wants to or not. It is pretty interesting and you might be inspired to get your food storage (if you weren't already inspired by the prophet). But there's not a lot of action and I wouldn't exactly call it a thriller.
I won an advance reader's edition from www.goodreads.com and the book will be released to the general public in November 2010.
The Jaguar Prophecies by Phyllis Gunderson is a novel about an archaeology professor, Matt Howard, who through mistaken identity receives an invitation to a solar show during the fall equinox in Mexico. She misses the show but does have an encounter with a shriveled old Shaman, is drugged and wakes up with the tattoo of a Jaguar on her inner arm. She is marked and now has the task of warning the world about the destruction to come.
Howard is a unique protagonist for this genre. She's female and not exactly attractive. She's a mother of a surly, pubescent girl and not necessarily winning any mother-of-the-year awards. She's sort of witty in a sardonic way that comes across as inappropriate in most situations. She's not exactly smooth. But she's likable.
The writing is even and the author is good at building suspense. I was sucked in by the first few pages. Unfortunately not much happens. Howard learns a lot about the various prophecies and astrological signs of the end of the world whether she wants to or not. It is pretty interesting and you might be inspired to get your food storage (if you weren't already inspired by the prophet). But there's not a lot of action and I wouldn't exactly call it a thriller.
I won an advance reader's edition from www.goodreads.com and the book will be released to the general public in November 2010.
November 4, 2010
I won this on a give away on GoodReads. Thanks to GoodReads and the author for a peak at this book.
I loved the idea of this book. I liked how it started out with the main character Matt (short for Mathilda), accidentally ending up in the right place at the right time. I liked learning about the different cultures' views on basically the same set of future events. It was interesting how different ancient cultures, with no contact between them, all came to the same conclusion.
With that said, the storyline itself could have used a little more tweaking. The character is fiesty and smart, but makes some pretty questionable decisions. Why would you go back to Mexico again when you had been drugged and tattooed the last time? Her crush on the other professor just seemed kind of silly, and did little or nothing to move the plot along. If she goes to the trouble to adopt a little girl from China, why does she treat the child as an afterthough in most of the story. It seems improbable that a single woman whose career involves months of travel each year would choose to adopt a child. Also, the fact that she is conviently exposed to all this information in such a short span of time was a lot of coincidence to swallow. And if all these cultures know what's going to happen, why do they need Matt to warn people? Why can't they just do it themselves?
Overall, an interesting idea, but the characters and plot needed to be "fleshed out" a bit more. If you're interested in the "2012 End of the World" theories, it's worth the read.
I loved the idea of this book. I liked how it started out with the main character Matt (short for Mathilda), accidentally ending up in the right place at the right time. I liked learning about the different cultures' views on basically the same set of future events. It was interesting how different ancient cultures, with no contact between them, all came to the same conclusion.
With that said, the storyline itself could have used a little more tweaking. The character is fiesty and smart, but makes some pretty questionable decisions. Why would you go back to Mexico again when you had been drugged and tattooed the last time? Her crush on the other professor just seemed kind of silly, and did little or nothing to move the plot along. If she goes to the trouble to adopt a little girl from China, why does she treat the child as an afterthough in most of the story. It seems improbable that a single woman whose career involves months of travel each year would choose to adopt a child. Also, the fact that she is conviently exposed to all this information in such a short span of time was a lot of coincidence to swallow. And if all these cultures know what's going to happen, why do they need Matt to warn people? Why can't they just do it themselves?
Overall, an interesting idea, but the characters and plot needed to be "fleshed out" a bit more. If you're interested in the "2012 End of the World" theories, it's worth the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2011
I got this book as a part of First Reads, but unfortunately it took me about 7 months to get to it. It seemed like an interesting premise (apocalyptic circumstances) but also borderline out there. I rarely read things that I'm not sure I'll like, so this was a good exercise for me.
The novel starts off a little slow, and it seems apparent that this is Gunderson's first book. The narrator (Matt) is rather playful, but I think she is supposed to be more feisty than she turned out to be. The story builds slowly at first, but then climaxes suddenly. Just when things were getting interesting, the story ended. And really, this sort of a story can't really end with a tidy conclusion, but I felt like there was something missing.
At the end of the book, there is a strange quote from Matt/Gunderson that makes it appear as if Gunderson really believes all of the scientific information presented through the device of her narrator. Her message is to stay calm, that the world is not coming to an end but rather regenerating, but to be prepared to survive. I don't really know what to think of all that. It didn't strike me immediately as insane, but I really am not too concerned at this point.
The cover claims to change the way one views the world. While I can't say that it was that revelatory for me, it certainly kept me pondering the content and I wish Gunderson had penned a longer tome. 3.5 stars.
The novel starts off a little slow, and it seems apparent that this is Gunderson's first book. The narrator (Matt) is rather playful, but I think she is supposed to be more feisty than she turned out to be. The story builds slowly at first, but then climaxes suddenly. Just when things were getting interesting, the story ended. And really, this sort of a story can't really end with a tidy conclusion, but I felt like there was something missing.
At the end of the book, there is a strange quote from Matt/Gunderson that makes it appear as if Gunderson really believes all of the scientific information presented through the device of her narrator. Her message is to stay calm, that the world is not coming to an end but rather regenerating, but to be prepared to survive. I don't really know what to think of all that. It didn't strike me immediately as insane, but I really am not too concerned at this point.
The cover claims to change the way one views the world. While I can't say that it was that revelatory for me, it certainly kept me pondering the content and I wish Gunderson had penned a longer tome. 3.5 stars.
November 5, 2012
Dr. Matt Howard is invited to visit Mexico and while there is given "the mark" by the Mayan's and also the charge to warn her people. We find that Ms. Howard - Matt, an archeologist, was mistaken for Dr. Matt Hovard, an astronomer, from the same university. As the story progresses, we find that Matt was actually chosen for her role in warning the people in the United States about what has been foretold for years by the Hopi, Mayan's, Aztecs, and Chinese about an impending disaster that could cause immediate death for many and starvation for the others. As she investigates the Mayan calendar and prophecies, she finds that other cultures have an "end of the calendar / end of the world" that coincides with that of the Mayans.
There was almost (almost) too much astronomy for me in this but there was enough plot to keep me from floating away from the book. It was a quick read and I did have a hard time putting the book down. I believe the author is LDS but that does not factor into the book at. After reading the bibliography and understanding that this story is based in actual scientific reality (meaning the author didn't make it all up), I'm left wondering what will happen on December 21st of this year . . .
There was almost (almost) too much astronomy for me in this but there was enough plot to keep me from floating away from the book. It was a quick read and I did have a hard time putting the book down. I believe the author is LDS but that does not factor into the book at. After reading the bibliography and understanding that this story is based in actual scientific reality (meaning the author didn't make it all up), I'm left wondering what will happen on December 21st of this year . . .
August 1, 2012
I enjoyed this book and loved the sarcasm of the main character, Matt. Matt is an archaeology professor who receives an invitation to a Mayan festival by mistake. She is led to people and places that instill the same message to her, 'that she needs to warn the people of the US of the coming disasters'. She learns that Sumerian legends, Mayan calendars, the Chinese I Ching, and Hopi predictions all warn of the same future disasters. Matt's job is to warn others to prepare by storing food and water to make it through the famine these disasters will create and the better times that will be ahead.
If I would have bought this book elsewhere, I would have accepted it at face value. But since I bought this from a Christian book store I was disappointed that the main character's theories are those of the world, and that the story has human sacrifice, but no mention of Christ and the preparation for the Second Coming. Storing food and water is a start, but without faith in Christ it isn't enough. These ancient prophesies are to prepare us for Christ's Second Coming, but the world has taken Him out of the stories.
If I would have bought this book elsewhere, I would have accepted it at face value. But since I bought this from a Christian book store I was disappointed that the main character's theories are those of the world, and that the story has human sacrifice, but no mention of Christ and the preparation for the Second Coming. Storing food and water is a start, but without faith in Christ it isn't enough. These ancient prophesies are to prepare us for Christ's Second Coming, but the world has taken Him out of the stories.
August 31, 2010
Got this book as a Goodreads giveaway, wanted to like it, just couldn't. Thought I might get a female Indiana Jones, solving the great mysteries surrounding the 2012 prophecy...Instead, got a whiny teacher who was more concerned with getting rid of a mystical ceremonial tattoo (or finding sleeves to cover it) and her non-relationship with another instructor than actually performing her job to inform the world of it's impending destruction. Then got clubbed in the head with the authors message at the end, which is pretty much that it's all true, and that we need to prepare for surviving the 2012 end of the world as we know it.
Obviously, didn't really enjoy this storyline, but I really did enjoy the sub-plot involving her and her adoptive daughter's search for heritage, belonging, and family. This was a sidenote, but think it could have made a fantastic story on it's own. Kinda wish the author had written that book instead.
Obviously, didn't really enjoy this storyline, but I really did enjoy the sub-plot involving her and her adoptive daughter's search for heritage, belonging, and family. This was a sidenote, but think it could have made a fantastic story on it's own. Kinda wish the author had written that book instead.
February 4, 2011
This was a really interesting and fascinating story. The author used this novel to bring together the warning of astronomers, Hopi prophets, geologists, etc to explain why 2010 is the end date of ancient Mayan and I Ching Chinese calenders. The main character, Matt Howard was a very likeable character. Her sarcastic humor left me grinning through out the story. She travels to the Yucatan Peninsula where she receives a Jaguar tattoo. From this point on, Matt is marked and has become the chosen one to warn the world of the coming catastrophies. Along the way she befriends a fellow professor and they work to find a way to inform people without inciting fear. Also in the book, is friction between Matt and her Chinese adopted daughter. Although I did not understand a lot of the astrological information, I still found the story full of suspense and interesting prophecies from ancient cultures. I won this book as part of the goodreads giveaway program.
November 1, 2010
The following is a Firstreads winner review:
This is a short book that covers the end time prophecies centered around the year 2012. According to the story there are several ancient cultures that tracked the planetary alignments and arrived at this date as the end time. The story was good however character development was thin and some of the prophecy theories were a bit overloaded. Not necessarily a bad book yet.... Also be mindful that this book only deals with the prophecies end of the overall story. Those looking to read a tale of survival after the end times may be further dissapointed.
This is a short book that covers the end time prophecies centered around the year 2012. According to the story there are several ancient cultures that tracked the planetary alignments and arrived at this date as the end time. The story was good however character development was thin and some of the prophecy theories were a bit overloaded. Not necessarily a bad book yet.... Also be mindful that this book only deals with the prophecies end of the overall story. Those looking to read a tale of survival after the end times may be further dissapointed.
September 11, 2010
I won this on firstreads, but it looked like something I might pick up at the store/library. I have to say, it was not what I was expecting. From the blurb I expected a fast-paced, character-driven, female-Indiana-Jones kind of a story. That wasn't exactly what I got.
The opening was fun, and promised what I'd hoped from the story. After that it became more of a fact-driven book. Don't get me wrong, it was interesting, and it was done pretty well--unlike some other novels used to portray a lot of facts I've read in the past. It's a bit science-based, which some people might find off-putting, but I enjoyed it!
The opening was fun, and promised what I'd hoped from the story. After that it became more of a fact-driven book. Don't get me wrong, it was interesting, and it was done pretty well--unlike some other novels used to portray a lot of facts I've read in the past. It's a bit science-based, which some people might find off-putting, but I enjoyed it!
October 8, 2010
I won this book in the Goodreads giveaways and my interest was piqued by the topic. The background information and scientific/mythology explanations were very interesting, although the narrative seemed a bit forced in places. All in all, this story is a lot alarmist, a big mixture of science/mythology/religion, a little bit hopeful, and a little bit off-center, with a smattering of mid-life mom/teenage daughter drama.
Thanks again for the Giveaway win!
new words: stelae, kiva, ziggurat
Thanks again for the Giveaway win!
new words: stelae, kiva, ziggurat
June 8, 2011
Did I understand this book? No, not entirely, but it's a page turner, despite the technicalities. Phyllis Gunderson, whom I served a mission to Thailand with, has linked prophecies from Sumerian legends, Mayan calendars, the Chinese I Ching, and Hopi predictions, with jaguar prophecies, all revolving around the year 2012, to describe disasters, such as toronados, tsunamis, earthquakes, climate change, yet to come. So, guess what? I'm checking on my food and water storage, just to make sure I'm completely ready!
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