Nightkeepers - Jessica Andersen
Nightkeepers
A Novel of the Final Prophecy
Jessica Andersen
Signet Eclipse
Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
The ancient Mayans developed more than one stunningly accurate calendar. One of them is for day-to-day measurement of time. Another is the Long Count calendar, used to count backwards to the zero date. The Mayans believed that on this date (December 21, 2012) the astronomical conjunction of the earth, moon, and sun would usher in a new age. The character of this new age depends upon the actions of those few warrior-priests designated to watch over the earth. If the forces of good win out, the new age could be one of peace and enlightenment. If the demons of the underworld win, earth and its inhabitants will be destroyed.
Each solstice and equinox, the barrier between the worlds thins, allowing those with the knowledge to contact a God or a demon; and possibly bring that entity through the barrier to earth. To Leah Daniels, a detective in Miami, this is a bunch of woo-woo hokum, designed to frighten the impressionable. Too bad the impressionable are so numerous. For the past 18 months, there have been two murders at each solstice and equinox. The victims were beheaded and had their hearts cut from their bodies. Leah believes that a cult leader who goes by the name of Zipacna is responsible. A serial killer who styles himself as one of the Big Bads of ancient Mayan culture is new, but he’s still just a killer. Leah’s stake is very personal. Her brother, Matty, was one of the most recent victims.
Striking Jaguar (Strike) grew up knowing that he is the son of the Nightkeeper’s King. The Nightkeepers are charged with preventing the demons from getting a foothold on earth. Strike knows all too well that the prophecies and magic are real. Twenty-four years ago, most of the adult Nightkeepers were slaughtered when Strike’s father and the other magi tried to seal the intersection between the worlds, thus nullifying the significance of the zero date. They failed, and the few Nightkeepers – children and teens – were dispersed with their guardians for safekeeping. Now it’s time to reconnect. The zero date is getting ever closer and the barrier between worlds is clearly active. Strike has been distracted lately by dreams of a blonde woman who is clearly important to him. Saving her from nearly being sacrificed by Zipacna is only the beginning for them.
If you’ve never read a thing about Mayan history, you’ll find plenty of very understandable background in this novel. I’ve been interested in it ever since a trip to the Yucatan as a teenager, so it was great to see it used to such great effect here. The author uses a light voice, peppered with slang phrases (I’m so not going there) as a perfect counterpoint to the deep history background. The action starts early and continues throughout, making this a real page-turner.
Assembling the Nightkeepers, now adults, provides plenty of conflict and secondary characters. This is the first in a proposed series; it introduces the basics and these disparate characters. Since each character has a real part to play in this novel, it’s not correct to dismiss them as mere sequel-bait. There are so many directions to go, both in plot and with the characters. Clearly, the author has a lot of story left to tell, and I’m looking forward to the next installment.
Rating: 8
June 2008
ISBN# 978-0-451-22437-8 (paperback)
A Novel of the Final Prophecy
Jessica Andersen
Signet Eclipse
Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
The ancient Mayans developed more than one stunningly accurate calendar. One of them is for day-to-day measurement of time. Another is the Long Count calendar, used to count backwards to the zero date. The Mayans believed that on this date (December 21, 2012) the astronomical conjunction of the earth, moon, and sun would usher in a new age. The character of this new age depends upon the actions of those few warrior-priests designated to watch over the earth. If the forces of good win out, the new age could be one of peace and enlightenment. If the demons of the underworld win, earth and its inhabitants will be destroyed.
Each solstice and equinox, the barrier between the worlds thins, allowing those with the knowledge to contact a God or a demon; and possibly bring that entity through the barrier to earth. To Leah Daniels, a detective in Miami, this is a bunch of woo-woo hokum, designed to frighten the impressionable. Too bad the impressionable are so numerous. For the past 18 months, there have been two murders at each solstice and equinox. The victims were beheaded and had their hearts cut from their bodies. Leah believes that a cult leader who goes by the name of Zipacna is responsible. A serial killer who styles himself as one of the Big Bads of ancient Mayan culture is new, but he’s still just a killer. Leah’s stake is very personal. Her brother, Matty, was one of the most recent victims.
Striking Jaguar (Strike) grew up knowing that he is the son of the Nightkeeper’s King. The Nightkeepers are charged with preventing the demons from getting a foothold on earth. Strike knows all too well that the prophecies and magic are real. Twenty-four years ago, most of the adult Nightkeepers were slaughtered when Strike’s father and the other magi tried to seal the intersection between the worlds, thus nullifying the significance of the zero date. They failed, and the few Nightkeepers – children and teens – were dispersed with their guardians for safekeeping. Now it’s time to reconnect. The zero date is getting ever closer and the barrier between worlds is clearly active. Strike has been distracted lately by dreams of a blonde woman who is clearly important to him. Saving her from nearly being sacrificed by Zipacna is only the beginning for them.
If you’ve never read a thing about Mayan history, you’ll find plenty of very understandable background in this novel. I’ve been interested in it ever since a trip to the Yucatan as a teenager, so it was great to see it used to such great effect here. The author uses a light voice, peppered with slang phrases (I’m so not going there) as a perfect counterpoint to the deep history background. The action starts early and continues throughout, making this a real page-turner.
Assembling the Nightkeepers, now adults, provides plenty of conflict and secondary characters. This is the first in a proposed series; it introduces the basics and these disparate characters. Since each character has a real part to play in this novel, it’s not correct to dismiss them as mere sequel-bait. There are so many directions to go, both in plot and with the characters. Clearly, the author has a lot of story left to tell, and I’m looking forward to the next installment.
Rating: 8
June 2008
ISBN# 978-0-451-22437-8 (paperback)
posted by Deborah Hern @ 10:58 PM
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